Implementation

Strengthening the role and capacity of women, as well as justice and the enforcement of their rights, is of utmost importance for the Government of Colombia. In that effort, the contribution of the United Nations system and the international community is essential.

International efforts by the Organization, in particular the establishment of UN Women, contribute to strengthening coordination and cooperation in the implementation of mandates on women peace and security.

For several months, therefore, Colombia has been a contributor to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, providing two female police officers with a strong background in human rights and the protection of children and adolescents. Colombia would like to reiterate its willingness to step up its contribution in that regard.

Colombia endorses the repeated statements issued by the Security Council in connection with all acts of sexual violence and other violence against civilians in armed conflict, in particular against women and children. We regret the fact that, despite those statements, various armed groups continue to commit such acts.

Allow me first to emphasize the importance of the role of the United Nations in promoting the participation of women in achieving peace, security and development, as well as in the initiatives undertaken in response to the problem of sexual violence in conflicts.

Secondly, national Governments bear the primary responsibility for combating crimes of sexual violence. The international community should focus on providing affected countries with assistance, seek their understanding and cooperation, help strengthen their capacity-building, make progress in security sector reform and improve mechanisms in the areas of the rule of law, judicial assistance and compensation.

We call on the relevant national Governments to investigate crimes and bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against women in armed conflict. We urge the States that have not yet done so to accede to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as soon as possible.

Thirdly, in addressing issues relating to women and peace and security, there is a need for various United Nations bodies and agencies to operate with a synergetic division of labour, in accordance with their respective mandates.

Fourthly, China supports resolution 1960 (2010), which was just adopted. We hope that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Margot Wallström, will perform her responsibilities strictly in line with the mandate formulated by the Council to play a constructive role in addressing sexual violence in armed conflict.

Third is to closely assess the usefulness of including in the annexes to the annual reports lists of parties responsible for sexual violence in situations of armed conflict on the Security Council agenda as a basis for more focused engagement on the parties. In that connection, we believe that the Council's work on children and armed conflict could serve as a guide.