Implementation

"I would like to thank you, Madame President, and the United States of America, for your initiative to convene this important open debate. I would also like to thank Margot Wallström, the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, for presenting the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/604). I commend all Council members for the adoption of resolution 1960 (2010), which Portugal had the honour to co-sponsor.

"Concerning the Council's action on this issue, we believe that the Council has been quite successful but that it still needs to reinforce its effectiveness. The mass rapes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in July and August emphasize the need for further action by the international community.

While Special Representative Wallström's fivepoint priority agenda recognizes the cultural and political aspects of the problem, we share her conclusion that sexual violence in conflict is likely to occur where the rule of law is weak and where adequate legal mechanisms and institutions are lacking. Consequently, legal mechanisms to deter the use of systematic sexual violence in conflict situations must be put in place.

The proposed monitoring and reporting mechanism on sexual violence in conflict is a welcome innovation, building upon that already in place under the children and armed conflict agenda.

Resolution 1960 (2010), which we have just adopted, also speaks to the need for our peacekeepers to be fully equipped and trained to carry out mandated tasks relating to the prevention of and response to sexual violence. In that regard, Nigeria welcomes the Secretary-General's development of operational tools for the implementation of mandates for peacekeepers with regard to the protection of civilians.

First, allow me to express my gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his report (S/2010/604) and his additional remarks here today. It is my firm belief that the work of the Security Council will be greatly enhanced by the report, which contextualizes our understanding of the causes and effects of conflict-related sexual violence.

Conflict-related sexual violence can disenfranchize and displace entire communities. Such outcomes are only the beginning of a spiral of social decline triggered by armed conflict. That chain reaction was recognized in resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009), and our efforts to combat impunity, instill cultures of accountability, tackle deep-rooted attitudes and ultimately protect the vulnerable must now be intensified.

The Netherlands would like to congratulate the Secretary-General on his excellent report (S/2010/604) and on its recommendations. We also wholeheartedly co-sponsored resolution 1960 (2010), which was introduced by the United States in its capacity as the current President of the Security Council. We agree with the emphasis on applying listing and de-listing criteria with regard to parties to armed conflict.

The Netherlands is committed to strengthening the protection against and the prevention of conflict related sexual violations and violence. We provide financial support to scenario-based training on sexual violence for United Nations peacekeepers, which is referred to both in the Secretary-General's report and in the new resolution.

That has implications for the way that United Nations and other missions are planned, but also for their composition. The Netherlands is committed to supporting such a development through practical contributions, such as training.