Strongly Condemning Rise in Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, Speakers Urge Security Council to Better Prevent, Enforce Accountability for Such Crimes

With gang rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence used as tactics of war amid rising militarization and weapons proliferation, the Security Council must close the gap between its commitments to address conflict-related sexual violence and the shocking realities for victims and survivors, delegates heard today during the 15-nation organ’s open debate on sexual violence in conflict situations.

During the day-long meeting titled “Promoting Implementation of Security Council Resolutions on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence”, 70 speakers took the floor, united in their condemnation of sexual violence in conflict, with many highlighting the urgent need for the Council to fully implement its various resolutions on the matter.

Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said rising militarization and arms proliferation are bringing conflicts across the globe to a boiling point, with gang rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence being used as tactics of war, torture and terrorism.  The world is facing the highest number of conflicts since the Second World War, she reported, adding that the number of people forced to flee their homes has reached a record 110 million.

“Every new wave of warfare brings with it a rising tide of human tragedy, including new waves of war’s oldest, most silenced and least condemned crime,” she stressed.  Pointing to 20 situations of concern in the Secretary-General’s most recent report (document S/2023/413) on the subject, she said women and girls account for 94 per cent of the 2,455 United Nations-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2022.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo again presents the highest number of cases, she said, also detailing the situations in other countries of concern.

“The singular focus of this Council must be to bridge the gap between resolutions and realities, between our highest aspirations and operations on the ground,” she emphasized, calling for greater coherence between the Secretary-General’s listing and the targeted measures imposed by the Organization’s Sanctions Committees.  Detailing other recommendations, she underscored:  “We must act urgently, and with sustained resolve, to save succeeding generations from this scourge.”

Naw Hser Hser of the Women’s League of Burma said it has been more than two years since the military coup in that country, where women, despite facing greater risks of sexual violence, are at the forefront of resistance to military rule.  “We must not only end military rule, but also challenge patriarchal oppression,” she stressed, noting that women human rights defenders face enormous challenges. Arrest warrants have been issued for staff of her organization, and many of these women are either in hiding or — like her — forced to leave the country to continue their important work.  She urged the Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court and impose an arms embargo, and the international community to enact targeted sanctions against the military and its proxies and to reject the elections to be held under military rule.

Nadine, a Survivor Champion for the United Kingdom Government, highlighting the views of many survivors from different countries, said they want States to have an organized national conversation about the role of people in uniform and their duty to protect citizens.  “The uniform does not give people license to commit crimes,” she said.  Noting that over 90 per cent of survivors never report the abuse to the police, owing to a lack of faith or trust in the justice system, and that conviction rates of reported cases are “shockingly low”, she urged the international community to learn from jurisdictions carrying out safe, effective accountability work, and condemn and impose sanctions on all perpetrators. “The response in Ukraine was very good, but there are many other survivors in other countries too, such as Iran, Sudan, Guatemala, the [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and many more,” she said.

As Council members and dozens of representatives of the wider United Nations membership took the floor, many deplored the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in conflict zones and elsewhere, with several spotlighting their national efforts to address conflict-related sexual violence.  Speakers also underscored the need to advance gender equality and ensure the full participation of women, use targeted sanctions against perpetrators, provide funding and capacity-building, curb the illicit flow of weapons and ensure a survivor-centred approach to justice and reparations.

Among those was Tariq Ahmad, Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom. Noting the work of the country’s Survivor Advisory Group, he stressed the importance of a survivor-centred approach, engaging a wide range of survivors in decisions that affect them, psychosocial support to help them overcome trauma and addressing wider sexual violence concerns during both war and peace.

Simon Geissbühler, Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, like other speakers, highlighted that women’s protection advisers must be mobilized and provided with sufficient resources to enable them to fulfil their mandates.  All survivors must have fair and unimpeded access to justice, he added, emphasizing that victims of conflict-related sexual violence are entitled to effective remedies and reparations under international law.

Botswana’s representative, speaking for the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, said the Secretary-General’s annual report identifies 17 countries in which conflict-related sexual violence is being perpetrated.  “We can only assume this is the tip of the iceberg as sexual violence remains severely underreported,” he said, stressing the urgency of devising strategies to combat the scourge and rejecting the perception it is an inevitable product of war.

Malta’s representative, echoing other delegations, stressed that the glaring gap between the Council’s commitments to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, and the horrifying reality for victims and survivors, must be closed.  Further, the illicit transfer and trade of weapons to non-State actors must be stopped, so that Governments can counteract the growing links between militarization and sexual violence.  He urged the Council to use targeted sanctions against those who perpetrate and direct sexual violence in conflict, highlighting that more than 70 per cent of the parties listed in the Secretary-General’s report are persistent perpetrators.

The speaker for Japan was among delegates who spotlighted their national efforts, noting that it has supported survivors through the Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative, providing psychosocial care and access to justice.  Japan is the International Criminal Court’s largest financial contributor, he said, adding that, since 2014, it has lent support to the Court’s Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict and bolstered judiciaries in several countries.

Representatives of conflict-affected States also took the floor to share their perspectives and recommendations, with Myanmar’s representative, highlighting that women and girls are at the front line of the opposition to the illegal coup in his country, where female human rights defenders are risking their lives to document and report atrocities.  He called for transforming the military from the main sexual violence perpetrator to a professional, accountable institution that oversees democratic norms and principles.

Colombia's representative, offering a hopeful perspective in her country’s path to peace, said the Government is drawing up its first feminist foreign policy with fighting gender-based violence at its heart.

Canada’s representative, speaking for the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, on that note, underscored that the voices of victims and survivors must be heard, listened to and heeded.  “The onus is on all of us to strengthen the rule of law and to ensure that there is independent investigation of — and prosecution for — conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.”

The meeting began at 10:31 a.m., suspended at 1:10 p.m., resumed at 3:02 p.m. and ended at 6:41 p.m.

Point of Order

MARIA ZABOLOTSKAYA (Russian Federation) expressed her reservation regarding the participation of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict in the meeting. Recalling that the Special Representative stated that Russian Federation soldiers were supposedly given Viagra so they could rape Ukrainian women, she said that the Special Representative admitted she had no reliable information about this in a leaked recording.  Thus, the Special Representative was abusing her position and disseminating false information regarding a Member State.

Briefings

PRAMILA PATTEN, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, briefed the Council on the Secretary-General’s latest report (document S/2023/413).  The world is facing the highest number of conflicts since the Second World War, while the number of people forced to flee their homes has reached a record 110 million.  Rising militarization and arms proliferation are bringing conflicts across the globe to a boiling point, creating the conditions for unimaginable and unrelenting cruelty.  Gang rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence are being used as tactics of war, torture and terrorism.  Further, new threats have emerged from the largely ungoverned digital space, climate-related insecurity and displacement have exacerbated competition for scarce resources, and in turn, intercommunal violence — including sexual violence — has increased.  “Every new wave of warfare brings with it a rising tide of human tragedy, including new waves of war’s oldest, most silenced and least condemned crime,” she stressed.

“The singular focus of this Council must be to bridge the gap between resolutions and realities, between our highest aspirations and operations on the ground,” she continued.  The report provides a global snapshot of trends in conflict-related sexual violence across 20 situations of concern, and records 2,455 United Nations-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2022.  Women and girls account for 94 per cent of such cases, and children represent 32 per cent of verified incidents — with girls making up 97 per cent of those.  However, the report does not purport to reflect the global scale or prevalence of this chronically underreported and historically hidden crime, she pointed out, noting that many women are silenced by social pressures, stigma, insecurity and the paucity of services.

She went on to highlight that the Democratic Republic of the Congo again presents the highest number of cases, with 701 instances of conflict-related sexual violence.  Detailing her June visit to that country, she described how women and girls must choose between economic subsistence and sexual violence, between their livelihoods and their lives.  She also recalled her field visits to Ukraine — where she heard accounts of brutal sexual violence reportedly perpetrated by Russian Federation soldiers —reiterating the Secretary-General’s call on Moscow to undertake prevention measures in line with the Council’s resolutions.  Drawing attention to the harrowing experiences of women in Haiti, Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Iraq, she stressed: “The reality is that, until we effectively raise the cost and consequences for committing, commanding or condoning sexual violence, we will never stem the tide of such violations.”

Underscoring the need for greater coherence between the Secretary-General’s listing and the targeted measures imposed by the Organization’s Sanctions Committees, she pointed out that sanctions — if applied in a timely, consistent manner — can change the calculus that rape is “cost-free”, or even profitable.  The way forward calls for gender-responsive justice and security-sector reform, strengthened, multisectoral services for survivors, a curtailed flow of small arms and light weapons, and political and diplomatic engagements to address sexual violence in ceasefire and peace agreements.  “We must ensure implementation of Council resolutions while adapting our actions to today’s conflicts and emerging global challenges,” she stressed, underscoring the need to bolster the institutional and accountability frameworks put in place by successive resolutions.  “We must act urgently, and with sustained resolve, to save succeeding generations from this scourge,” she underscored.

NAW HSER HSER of the Women’s League of Burma said that her civil society coalition represents women from across Myanmar.  It has been more than two years since the military coup in that country, and more than 23,000 civilians have been arrested while more than 1.8 million have been displaced.  Women and girls face greater risks of sexual violence, she said. However, despite these risks, women are at the forefront of resistance to military rule, accounting for 60 per cent of pro-democracy human rights defenders and providing essential services to victims of displacement and sexual violence.  “We must not only end military rule, but also challenge patriarchal oppression,” she stressed, noting that women human rights defenders face enormous challenges.  Arrest warrants have been issued for staff of her organization, and many of these women are either in hiding or — like her — forced to leave the country to continue their important work.

Rape and sexual violence were hallmarks of the military’s 2017 genocide of the Rohingya, she recalled, reporting that her organization has documented more than 100 cases of conflict-related sexual or gender-based violence since the military coup.  In one case, a woman was raped at gunpoint in front of her husband, and in another, a seven-month-pregnant woman was raped by junta soldiers.  Further, women and LGBTQI persons are targeted, with thousands of women arrested — 15 of whom have been sentenced to death due to their pro-democracy activities.  Urging the Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, she pointed out that the military needs three things to sustain itself: arms, money and international legitimacy.  The Council should therefore impose an arms embargo, and the international community should enact targeted sanctions against the military and its proxies, including the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise.

She also urged the international community to reject the elections to be held under military rule — which can be neither free nor fair — stressing that such polls will not lay the groundwork for democracy.  She implored the Council to keep Myanmar on the agenda and hold public meetings on the situation in her country so that civil society can participate.  Local women’s organizations need support to continue their important work.  “This is an important moment for Myanmar,” she said, noting that people are united for the first time to create a democratic country that respects diversity and plurality.  The Council should demand that the international community take meaningful action not only in Myanmar, she added, but also in all conflict situations — including Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Libya.

NADINE, Survivor Champion, said that as a Survivor Champion for the United Kingdom Government, she is speaking in a collective voice that highlights the views of many survivors from different countries. Sexual violence is a crime against humanity. “The sheer number of people affected by sexual violence shows simply how many families and how many communities are impacted and destroyed,” she said, noting many victims suffer from physical and psychological trauma, long-term injuries, HIV-infection, unwanted pregnancies and some have died. Many survivors are grateful for global attention to this issue and efforts to reinforce legal frameworks and mechanisms on prevention and response.  “However, we are facing the challenges of translating the collective efforts from a global level to a national level, so that the people affected directly can have a better life,” she said, calling for tangible steps to increase compliance.  “People need to see the State taking charge of preventing and responding, to feel safe and to be able to enjoy their basic human rights.” 

While not all perpetrators are men in uniform, States should work very hard to restore good standards for their servicemen, she added. For a State to strengthen the rule of law in preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence, clear action plans and effective actions are key.  Survivors want States to have an organized national conversation about the role of people in uniform and hold accountable perpetrators from other groups, too.  “The uniform does not give people license to commit crimes.  It should be worn by service people who understand their duties to represent the State and protect its people,” she said.  States must also have courage in national conversations about laws, cultural norms and customs.  It is the role of the State to ensure that national laws address issues objectively, putting cultural views aside, she said, urging them to promote laws that condemn stigma and work with international partners to identify how international frameworks can complement national efforts. 

State actors must approach all survivors with the same compassion and care regardless of their gender, ethnicity and age or sexual orientation, she said.  Over 90 to 95 per cent of survivors never report what has happened to them to the police owing to a lack of faith or trust in the justice system.  Conviction rates for those crimes which are reported are “shockingly low”, she said, adding:  “That also causes survivors not to report — why report if so few cases ever succeed?”  She urged the international community to learn from jurisdictions carrying out safe, effective accountability work, and condemn and impose sanctions on all perpetrators.  “The response in Ukraine was very good, but they are many other survivors in other countries too, such as Iran, Sudan, Guatemala, the [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and many more,” she said. 

“This international response must be consistent — there cannot be avenues for accountability for international crimes in some States, and a total absence of response and accountability for crimes in other States,” she stressed, calling for engagement with survivors to close the gap between normative frameworks and the reality on the ground.  Noting that survivors are doing tremendous work with little support from States and the international community, she asked for the creation of an allocated fund to support survivor-led work.  Turning to her country of origin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she called on its Government to be more present, stressing:  “You have the responsibility to start this national conversation and raise awareness locally about what is going on.  The [Democratic Republic of the Congo] has become a dangerous place to live in as a woman, let alone a little girl,” she said, also urging the international community to condemn the aggressors and hold them accountable.

Statements

TARIQ AHMAD, Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, said that every State should incorporate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations. Pointing to London’s joint work with the Mukwege Foundation to launch a new Guidebook on State Obligations for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, he reported that, since the United Kingdom’s landmark international conference, held in November 2022, the Government has sanctioned 13 perpetrators.  London’s three-year strategy, backed with £12.5 million, provides support to survivors, while its new International Alliance, vice-chaired by Colombia and Ukraine, has grown to 21 members. The alliance members have issued today a joint statement on the sexual violence in Sudan, he said, noting that survivors, led by Survivor Champions Nadine and Kolbassia Hauossou, guide the entire approach.

Citing key messages from the United Kingdom’s Survivor Advisory Group, he stressed the importance of a survivor-centred approach and engaging a wide range of survivors in decisions that affect them, the vital role of psychosocial support in helping survivors overcome trauma and the importance of ensuring access to justice and addressing wider sexual violence concerns during both war and peace.  On justice, the United Kingdom is working on the draft Crimes against Humanity Convention, so that it delivers more effectively for survivors. Recalling his recent trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in November 2022, he pointed out that the youngest sexual violence victim was four years old, adding:  “To her, a man meant rape.”  Outlining the United Kingdom’s partnership with the International Criminal Court Prosecutor to help survivors engage with the Court through a new virtual reality tool, he added:  “Sexual violence in conflict is not inevitable.  It is reprehensible.”

SIMON GEISSBÜHLER, Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, said greater investment is needed in the deployment of expertise and capacity in United Nations missions.  Women’s protection advisers must be mobilized and provided with sufficient resources to enable them to fulfil their mandates.  Further, the capacity for — and expertise in — the prevention, protection, monitoring and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence must be strengthened within troop- and police-contributing countries, sanctions expert groups and national institutions.  Noting that the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons increases the risk of conflict-related sexual violence, he stressed that arms control and disarmament tools must be systematically used in a gender-sensitive way. All survivors must have fair and unimpeded access to justice, he added, emphasizing that victims of conflict-related sexual violence are entitled to effective remedies and reparations under international law.

GENG SHUANG (China) rejected the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, calling it a violation of human rights.  Urging the international community to introduce joint and comprehensive measures to eliminate such violence, he outlined three key points.  First, it is important to strengthen conflict prevention and resolution, as vulnerable groups, including women and children, face grave threats, such as trafficking and violence, in conflicts.  The Council must fulfil its responsibility to maintain international peace and security by seeking a political settlement through genuine multilateralism and by addressing the root causes of conflict.  Second, the international community should install strong countermeasures against sexual violence.  Noting that Council resolutions have been violated and “the red line has been breached repeatedly”, he called on the international community to strengthen the rule of law.  Third, it is vital to support and empower women, he said, adding that China has supported women in many countries through professional training.

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States) said her delegation is deeply committed to preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence in all its forms, which is used as a weapon of war.  In Ukraine, there is ample evidence and horrific examples of soldiers using sexual violence against women of all ages.  In Sudan, girls on the way to school are assaulted by soldiers.  The international community owes it to the victims to take swift and immediate action, she said.  The causes of conflict-related sexual violence are rooted in gender inequality.  The United Nations and its Member States must apply analysis to address the inequities that can led to widespread gender-based violence.  The international community must adopt a survivor-centred and informed approach that encompasses everything from health and reproductive services to legal remedies.  “We must create supportive environments for survivors,” she said.  The Council must not turn a blind eye to these atrocities and use its diplomatic tools to reduce impunity for the aggressors.

HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana), noting that the fabric holding communities together unravels in times of armed conflict, cited Heinrich Böll, German writer and Nobel Prize winner:  “War will never be over, never, as long as somewhere a wound it had inflicted is still bleeding.”  Reaffirming support for the Council’s practice of treating conflict-related sexual violence as a basis for targeted sanctions, he underlined the importance of periodic briefings to Sanctions Committees.  He also recognized progress in deploying women’s protection advisers as part of peacekeeping and special political missions, calling for resources to enable frequent, reliable and accurate reporting from the field. In this context, he urged those present to empower survivors by including them in decision-making processes and advocacy mechanisms on sexual violence.  He added that the topic of women in peacekeeping will be discussed during the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, to be held in Accra on 5 and 6 December.

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation) said that use of the phrase “conflict-related sexual violence” is unclear because it is neither a legal term nor one endorsed by the Council. Noting assertions that the Council must devise indicators for sexual violence that is either occurring or being provoked, he said the organ should instead focus on specific efforts to assist States in prosecuting perpetrators.  Assessments on specific countries raise even more questions, he added, pointing to the report’s biased nature regarding Syria, Myanmar, Central African Republic, Mali and Afghanistan — where mention of United States forces is applicable, but lacking.  Moreover, the allegations targeting Russian Federation servicemen are groundless, absurd and made up in Kyiv.  “Any accusations in the report against States or parties to a conflict should be reliable, based on corroborated facts and drawn from sources that are verifiable,” he emphasized, repudiating the insinuations contained therein.

LILLY STELLA NGYEMA NDONG (Gabon) said Council resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009) marked a turning point in viewing sexual violence as a security issue.  The latest United Nations report indicates that sexual violence is still used as a tactic of war.  This situation should compel the international community and the Security Council to mobilize efforts to end the cycle of sexual violence, she said, stressing the importance of prevention, accountability and institutional reform.  Her country places women at the centre of its development policy, recognizing the boundless potential of women in establishing security, stability and lasting peace.  Welcoming convictions of perpetrators who committed sexual violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she stressed the importance of access to the justice and accountability system, building of institutional capacity and security sector reform.

FERIT HOXHA (Albania) said the world continues “to experience the shocks of bodies of women and girls becoming battlegrounds”.  This is what has or is happening in many parts of the world, including in Afghanistan, Syria, Haiti, Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Libya. In Ukraine, reports of women, girls and children raped by the Russian Federation forces are testimony of despicable crimes committed in an unjust war.  “We must come to a consensus and consider sexual violence in conflict at par with prohibited weapons, such as biological and chemical ones,” he stressed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure accessibility to survival services for marginalized groups, such as women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.  He welcomed Kosovo’s inclusion in the Secretary-General’s annual report, adding that:  “The severe physical and psychological trauma experienced by the victims should never be ignored.”

HERNÁN PÉREZ LOOSE (Ecuador) said his delegation deplores the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war against women, girls, boys and the LGBTIQ+ population.  “The fear of stigma, rejection or isolation, or the lack of professional accompaniment, makes this one of the crimes with the highest rates of impunity, inside or outside conflict contexts,” he said, urging all States to take specific measures to curb sexual violence in conflict situations. His delegation supports the Informal Group of Experts on Women, Peace and Security’s efforts to provide verified information that will help guide Council actions.  He outlined several measures for the Council and Member States to consider, such as including prevention, protection and monitoring in all mandates and planning efforts that require it.  “It is it necessary to overcome the vectors of violence rooted in structures of domination and power,” he said.  Accountability is the best deterrent and networks must be built, such as those of women mediators or peace ambassadors.

SÉRGIO FRANÇA DANESE (Brazil) said that holding offenders accountable should be the bare minimum provided by States. “Delivering justice to victims sends a clear message of zero tolerance with such crimes and helps to prevent their recurrence,” he said.  The Secretary-General’s report sheds light on the need to invest financial, as well as human resources to support embattled States in providing justice.  The process that culminated with the inauguration of the ad hoc tribunal in Guinea shows the need for such investment.  Another key measure to ensure accountability and provide lasting peace is including references to the situation of those who have been subjected to sexual violence during conflict and its aftermath in peace agreements and post-conflict arrangements.  Gender-based violence drivers, such as patriarchal norms and rules, gender inequality, as well as gender discriminatory laws and rules, play a key role in inciting the commission of these crimes.

ADAM KUYMIZAKIS (Malta) said that the glaring gap between the Council’s commitments to prevent and respond to conflict related sexual violence, and the horrifying reality for victims and survivors, must be closed. Preventing conflict-related sexual violence and improving protection requires survivor‑centered approaches that ensure access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. It is also important to strengthen the capacity of women and survivor-led organizations.  “This is especially crucial when health services are attacked,” he said.  By stopping the illicit transfer and trade of weapons to non-State actors, Governments can counteract the growing links between militarization and sexual violence. He also urged the Security Council to use targeted sanctions against those who perpetrate and direct sexual violence in conflict.  More than 70 per cent of the parties listed in the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s report are persistent perpetrators, he further pointed out with concern.

MOHAMED ISSA ABUSHAHAB (United Arab Emirates) stressed the need to bolster survivors’ access to necessary services and support.  “This requires taking into consideration the needs of women and girls, from early warning mechanisms to humanitarian aid provision,” he said.  Prevention of these crimes demands strengthened national judicial institutions and consistent implementation of the rule of law.  The United Nations’ capacity-building expertise should be leveraged to bolster survivor-centred justice and accountability. Utilizing technology and education to combat the shifting nature of these crimes is vital.  “In recent years, the threat has metastasized from a physical threat to one that pervades the online space,” he said.  When the threats evolve, so, too, must the tools to protect against them.  Education must also be deployed to tackle the root causes of these crimes, such as gender discrimination, hate speech and incitement to violence.

ISHIKANE KIMIHIRO (Japan) expressed regret over documented cases of sexual violence as a method of torture inflicted on civilians and prisoners of war in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, welcoming Special Representative Patten’s signing of a cooperation framework with Ukraine’s Government to prevent and respond to such violence.  Recalling that Japan is the International Criminal Court’s largest financial contributor, he said that, since 2014, the country has lent support to the Court’s Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict and bolstered judiciaries in several countries.  This led to the implementation of charges against an armed group leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following a court hearing.  Japan has also supported sexual violence survivors through the Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative, providing psychosocial care and access to justice, while also contributing to multilateral frameworks.  The above endeavours are part of Japan’s third national action plan on women, peace and security — unveiled in April — that acknowledges the importance of supporting men, and those, who identify as gender non-conforming, he added.

DIARRA DIME LABILLE (France) said that human dignity and women and girls’ interests should always come first.  Noting that the Russian Federation’s war has resulted in sexual violence, used as a weapon of war and torture against women, men and children, she also pointed to such abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and Myanmar.  France supports the International Criminal Court with human and financial resources, she stressed, urging the Council to use sanctions against the perpetrators of sexual violence.  Recognizing that the treatment must be comprehensive and accessible for survivors, she reported that her Government provided €8.2 million to the Global Survivors Fund, launched by Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad.  Participation of women is essential to deliver justice and ensure reparations to the victims of violence, she emphasized, while advocating for the universalization of the Istanbul Convention.

PEDRO COMISSÁRIO AFONSO (Mozambique) said the first step towards ending conflict-related sexual violence would be the cessation of hostilities in all conflicts.  In conflict situations, peace is the ultimate guarantee of civilians’ security, he said, pointing to the existing international, regional and national tools to tackle the root causes of conflicts.  Recognizing that building peace requires time and is done at its own pace, he said that, meanwhile, conflict-related sexual violence cannot be accepted as an inevitable cost of armed conflict.  All available tools, including legal, policy, diplomatic and financial must be mobilized to prevent and mitigate its effects.  It is important to adopt and strengthen existing international legislation at national levels, with a focus on investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence, he said, also stressing a need to increase training programmes for State and civil society actors in matters related to international, regional and national frameworks for addressing conflict-related sexual violence.

ROBERT KEITH RAE (Canada), speaking for the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, condemned the use of sexual and gender-based violence by State and non-State actors in conflicts and humanitarian crises. Voicing concern over the persistent and widespread use of sexual violence — and related impunity — in such settings, he called on all parties to respect international law and all relevant Council resolutions and immediately cease all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.  Victims and survivors must be at the heart of all efforts to respond to such violence, and their human rights must be protected and promoted.  Moreover, they should be treated with dignity and respect and be able to obtain access to justice, counselling and legal services.

Above all, their voices must be heard, listened to and heeded, he continued, stressing that:  “The onus is on all of us to strengthen the rule of law and to ensure that there is independent investigation of — and prosecution for — conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.”  He therefore urged the Council to use all its tools to support action against such violence as a deliberate tactic of war and to ensure that country mandates emphasize prevention, monitoring and response in this regard.  He further encouraged the Council to invite the Special Representative to brief sanctions committees on this critical topic.

Speaking in his national capacity, he emphasized that the most important thing is to listen to the experiences of all survivors — women and girls, men, groups and LGBTQI+ persons — and act in response to what they share.  His country is determined to continue its work with survivors, he added.

SILVIO GONZATO, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, said that conflict-related sexual violence is a war crime, a blatant violation of international law and “a global threat that knows no borders”.  He recognized the work of women’s civil society organizations — frequently the first responders in war and conflict — stating that, underresourced and targeted for reprisal, they deliver the support and services that the public and private sectors often cannot provide.  Deeply concerned over the use of rape as a tool for oppression and political intimidation in many countries, he said these crimes must be punished and those responsible must be held accountable.  “It is the responsibility of all States to prevent and address [conflict-related sexual violence] and bring perpetrators to justice,” he stressed.

Noting his delegation’s support and financial backing for projects addressing conflict-related sexual violence, he said that the European Union has also imposed sanctions on individuals and entities for their role in the commission of serious human-rights violations and abuses — particularly sexual and gender-based violence.  “Sexual violence in conflict obliterates humanity,” he underscored, adding that his delegation will work with the international community to end impunity for perpetrators; tackle the institutional culture that tolerates the use of such violence; and guarantee survivors’ access to justice, reparation and redress.

DOMINIQUE HASLER, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, said that protection and support for victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence is a priority in her country’s foreign policy. All acts of sexual violence are not only repugnant, but also constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity and genocide, she stressed.  Liechtenstein will, accordingly, follow the International Criminal Court’s investigations in Ukraine.  She also observed that, although systematic sexual violence against men and boys remains underreported due to stigma, cultural taboo and criminalization, male survivors are often unable to access legal remedies or medical and mental-health services.  Underscoring that the international justice system must be engaged where national systems fail, she said the Court has done pioneering work to hold perpetrators to account by establishing a comprehensive, victim-centred framework. Further, she spotlighted the importance of gender expertise in investigations, emphasizing:  “No person should ever have to go through the terrifying and traumatizing experience of conflict-related sexual violence.

JOANNA SYLWIA SKOCZEK (Poland), associating with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, emphasized the significance of women’s participation in processes that address sexual violence.  Female negotiators can ensure a survivor-centred approach, secure post-conflict reparations and establish vetting mechanisms to exclude perpetrators from security forces.  As Ukraine’s neighbour and current host of the largest community of refugees from that country, Poland condemns the deliberate use of sexual violence by Russian Federation soldiers as a tactic of war.  Poland’s Ministry of Health has initiated a programme aimed at providing trauma treatment for women survivors.  Poland also actively assists the International Criminal Court in collecting evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.  “We have a moral obligation to act now in support of the courageous survivors who have come forward, as well as those who have been silenced by fear,” she stressed.

NACIM GAOUAOUI (Algeria), stressing that violence against women and girls has no place in the world, said this is the reason his country has ratified all relevant international agreements.  Algeria is also a pioneer in establishing national policy in this area, as the Government holds regular training, updates laws and adopts protection mechanisms — all of which represent political will at the highest level. Underlining the need to update legal frameworks to reflect the changing nature of conflict, he also stated that Council resolutions must be implemented — including by including gender advisers in peacekeeping operations.  He also stressed the need for concerted efforts by State institutions, the international community and civil society to provide victims access to justice and effective grievance mechanisms.  To fight impunity, the rule of law must prevail.  It is important to address the structural causes that make women vulnerable to sexual violence, he added, which include poverty and lack of development.

IVAN ŠIMONOVIĆ (Croatia), associating himself with the statements of the European Union and Groups of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and Responsibility to Protect, said that sexual violence in conflict is closely related to the discrimination of women and sexual violence in peace time.  “In many countries, impunity prevails due to a reluctance to prosecute crimes of sexual violence,” he stressed.  This adds to several crimes that have already gone unreported as survivors fear retaliation or social stigma.  Tackling structural gender inequality should be prioritized in times of peace to minimize its effects during periods of instability, he added.  “Croatian survivors of sexual violence [who] suffered in the Homeland War are entitled to financial compensation and psychological support even if the perpetrators were never identified and brought to justice,” he continued.  The Council should use sanctions against all parties, including mercenaries and private military companies, to prevent the recurrence of conflict-related sexual violence.

ALICIA BUENROSTRO MASSIEU (Mexico) said she recognized the progress made since the adoption of resolution 1820 (2002) and the codification of sexual crimes as atrocities in the Rome Statute. Yet, these violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law persist and have even worsened in some situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti and South Sudan.  She emphasized that access to justice and health services, including sexual and reproductive health and mental health, is needed for victims and survivors, as is the deployment of Women Protection Advisers in peace operations and transition processes.  “Protection counsellors make it possible to prevent atrocities and provide a timely response,” she said.  She noted that, one year ago, the presidencies of Ireland, Kenya and Mexico committed to making the women, peace and security agenda a priority.  Noting eight Council members have signed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, she urged all Council members to commit to this agenda.

CARLA MARIA RODRÍGUEZ MANCIA (Guatemala), associating with the statement to be delivered by the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, expressed regret that the level of compliance with applicable international norms by parties to conflict continues to be disappointing, despite robust regulatory frameworks.  Turning to the investigations of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, she stressed:  “It is beyond belief that children, girls under four years old, are part of these serious crimes.”  In this regard, she urged the Council to apply sanctions and tackle sexual violence in conflict, noting that such means can be used to prevent and halt these crimes, while also addressing impunity.  The New Agenda for Peace must include decisive actions to address the root causes of sexual violence in conflict, she added.

MARITZA CHAN VALVERDE (Costa Rica) said that the proliferation and illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition contribute to the perpetuation of sexual violence in conflict.  Consequently, disarmament and arms control are key to preventing and addressing such atrocities.  More needs to be done to articulate the linkages between disarmament, arms control and the women, peace and security agenda.  “Conflict-related sexual violence is not a women’s issue, but a security issue with much wider peace and security implications,” she emphasized. Not only can rape serve as a precursor to conflict, a diagnostic of pre-conflict conditions and a symptom of impunity, it is also evidence of a weak and insufficient security sector. She also stressed the importance of recognizing that survivors have different needs and may face multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination.

LEONOR ZALABATA TORRES (Colombia), highlighting the disproportionate effect of sexual violence, said that, in her country, women and girls make up 92.6 per cent of all victims, most of whom are Afro-descendants.  To address this scourge, the Government is drawing up its first feminist foreign policy with fighting gender-based violence at its heart. She noted that after 23 years of indecision, it is now working on its first national action plan on Council resolution 1325 (2000) with the tireless support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and various civil society organizations.  In addition, her country has committed to the proposals and activities of the International Alliance on the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict, she said, and within that context, established security policies with a preventive approach, as well as capacity-building areas for public servants and civil society.

HANS ALMOSLECHNER (Austria), aligning himself with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women Peace and Security, said that, while women and girls are primary targets, men, boys and persons with diverse gender identities are also affected.  Sexual and gender-based violence is unacceptable in any circumstance, he stressed, while deploring its use against civilian and prisoners of war in the context of the Russian Federation’s war.  Calling on Moscow and other perpetrators to implement time-bound commitments to combat sexual violence, he outlined that each State is responsible for ensuring accountability and access to justice for victims.  Reiterating support to UN-Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), he renewed commitment to the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and Girls.  He also emphasized the role of civil society and women-led organizations in tackling sexual violence.

EVANGELOS SEKERIS (Greece), associating himself with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, called conflict-related sexual violence “a horrific crime” with devastating consequences for civilians, their families and their communities, “a threat to security” and “an impediment to the restoration of peace”.  His country supports a human-centred and gender-responsive approach to peace and security, which focuses primarily on the protection of civilians in conflict settings, especially women and children.  This is reflected in the priorities of the Greek candidacy for a Council seat in 2025-2026, which include the promotion of the interlinked agendas on the protection of civilians, women, peace and security, and children and armed conflict.  His country will join hands with all like-minded stakeholders to accelerate prevention of and response to any form of conflict-related sexual violence as the only way to build peaceful, resilient, inclusive and gender-equal societies.

NORDIANA ZIN ZAWAWI (Malaysia) said that States should strengthen their legislative and judicial processes to document, investigate and prosecute conflict-related and post-conflict sexual violence, while also embedding this accountability in domestic and international law.  To this end, she called for provisions related to such violence to be integrated into peace negotiations.  Further, networking and coordination between the Security Council and the Human Rights Council should be broadened to ensure accountability for sexual violence against women and children.  Spotlighting the importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding, she called for ending harassment and reprisals that target them in peace and security processes.  Since 2014, the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre has taught courses on gender and the role of women in peacekeeping missions, she reported, adding that 900 military and civilian personnel — including 190 international participants and 10 Malaysian battalion contingents to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), have benefited from the programme.

ALHAJI FANDAY TURAY (Sierra Leone) said that his country, having experienced brutal civil war, in which sexual violence was committed as a tactic of war, is fully aware of the horror of these crimes, and spares no effort to combat the scourge.  Despite the treaties and resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council, he warned that women remain vulnerable in times of war and peace.  Much remains to be done to fully implement these landmark instruments to turn the tide in ending conflicted-related sexual violence.  Recalling an Assembly resolution adopted on 2 September 2022, he encouraged States to implement the text, which speaks of the importance of accountability and prevention.  Survivors must have access to justice.  Delegations should be reminded that sexual violence continues unabated with impunity, he said, adding that now is the time for urgent concrete action.

SAŠA JUREČKO (Slovenia), aligning herself with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, condemned the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war or as a repression and intimidation instrument. She underlined that impunity encourages the continued commission of these crimes, while calling for support and investment in strong justice systems and rule of law institutions to prosecute and punish perpetrators.  Slovenia supports the listing of sexual violence as a stand-alone criterion for targeted sanctions, she stressed, underscoring the importance of deploying women’s protection advisers to the relevant situations of concern and providing tailored support to sexual violence survivors and children born of such violence. Calling for close work with affected communities to address stigma and socioeconomic isolation, she encouraged those present to facilitate the participation of women in humanitarian and recovery processes.

KHRYSTYNA HAYOVYSHYN (Ukraine) said the distressing reality is that State and non-State armed groups target civilians with all types of sexually related violence.  The Russian Federation is using sexual violence as a weapon of war against Ukraine.  There have been 200 reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence in her country, including 13 against children.  The victims range from 5 years of age to 87 years of age.  The actual numbers must be higher as these numbers reflect only those survivors willing and able to testify.  The United Nations has classified sexual violence as a form of torture.  There must be no impunity for the perpetrators and justice must be achieved. The needs of survivors are at the heart of Ukraine’s efforts to deal with conflict-related sexual violence. It was the first country to establish a coordination mechanism to combat sexual violence and has opened 11 survivor relief centres.  A collective response is necessary.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER GEISLER (Germany), aligning himself with the European Union, the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, condemned an appalling global crisis of impunity and an unacceptable “rule of lawlessness”.  “We have to level power imbalances that disadvantage women economically and politically, and we have to combat misogyny, and gender stereotypes that enable gender-based violence,” he stated. Member States must establish effective arms and ammunition control regimes, as the proliferation of weapons fuels sexual violence in conflict.  He further called for deployment of more gender advisers in peace operations and special political missions.  Stating that “we have to match words with actions and provide predictable and reliable funding”, he noted that this year, Germany contributed €1 million for the work of the Special Representative and the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.

MATHU JOYINI (South Africa), associating himself with the Group of Friends on Women, Peace and Security, said it is deeply alarming that women and girls are targeted for rape, gang rape and abductions.  These crimes cause social disruption and prolonged socioeconomic consequences.  “We must seek measures to act against such atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity,” he stressed.  It is non-State actors that are particularly prone to the use of sexual violence as a weapon.  The existence of such actors is directly connected to the existence of instability and weakened governance.  South Africa advocates for increased support to State actors and actions to address instability, including unconstitutional changes of government.  “Collective efforts must seek to support victims and survivors, prevent such action, and hold perpetrators accountable,” he continued, backing the work of the Security Council in this regard.

MARTIN BILLE HERMANN (Denmark), also speaking for Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, emphasized that, throughout 2022, sexual violence continued to be used as a tactic of war to dehumanize and destroy communities and the lives of civilians in countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Libya, Myanmar, South Sudan and Ukraine. Conflict-related sexual violence can and must be prevented and countered, and “it is within the power and responsibility of Member States to make that happen,” he stressed.  The humanitarian response must be gender-transformative and prioritize survivors’ needs through cash programming, sexual- and reproductive-health services, safe and timely abortion care, and mental-health and psychosocial support. 

Further, he stated that “all sanctions regimes must explicitly include sexual and gender-based violence as a designation criterion”. The skills to address such violence must be built across peace operations, and not just among women peacekeepers.  On that, he observed that the notion that women are inherently better at — or responsible for — responding to such violence both perpetuates the idea that their primary added value is related to their gender and reflects a narrow understanding of survivors and perpetrators.

MAURIZIO MASSARI (Italy), associating himself with the European Union, the Groups of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, highlighted the need to act on prevention, to disrupt the gender inequality entrenched in harmful social norms and practices, and act on response, to remove the barriers that hinder access to services, reporting and justice. It is vital to invest in programmes and policies aimed at ensuring that physical, psychological and legal assistance is accessible and safe for victims and survivors, free from fear of social stigma, intimidation and reprisal.  These same principles must be embedded in the training of military personnel deployed at the national level, as well as in United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions.  The women, peace and security agenda provides a crucial framework for the collective action of the Council, he said, commending the work of women’s civil society organizations at the front line of war and conflicts, providing relief and protection, and contributing to build and consolidate community resilience.

RENÉ ALFONSO RUIDÍAZ PÉREZ (Chile), associating himself with the Group of Friends of Responsibility to Protect and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, underscored the importance of including a gender perspective in training of armed forces and peacekeeping troops on a permanent basis, including measures to prevent sexual violence. Pointing to many situations of violence during armed conflict that have not been investigated or persecuted, he said the international community must assist countries with such situations to strengthen their justice systems, with a view to turning to international tribunals, if necessary.  He expressed support for the selective sanctions, applied by the designated Security Council Sanctions Committees, against perpetrators of sexual violence crimes, while underscoring the importance of multidisciplinary, timely and non-discriminatory assistance for victims to reintegrate into their communities.

CARLOS AMORIN (Uruguay) said the Rome Statute includes sexual violence in the list of war crimes.  Council resolution 1820 (2008) recognized acts of sexual violence can constitute international crimes, including crimes against humanity, torture and genocide.  The Secretary-General’s report continues to note numerous situations, including in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Colombia, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen, and requests that all parties to the conflicts bring sexual violence to an end. This recommendation is fundamental, but insufficient, he said.  Sexual violence, because of its severity, deserves systematic follow-up, and an independent designation criteria for imposing sanctions, he said, echoing the recommendation to refer cases to the International Criminal Court.

ISHMAEL TSHOLOFELO DABUTHA (Botswana), speaking for the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, said the Secretary-General’s annual report identifies 17 countries in which conflict-related sexual violence is being perpetrated.  “We can only assume this is the tip of the iceberg as sexual violence remains severely underreported,” he said, stressing the urgency to devise strategies to collectively address and prevent such violence.  We must reject the perception that sexual and gender-based violence is an inevitable product of war,” he said. Turing to solutions, he said strengthening the capacity of national institutions is critical to ensuring accountability, and to preventing and deterring such crimes in the future. States should put in place and enforce legislative and institutional processes to comprehensively address all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, in peacetime to deter its occurrence during times of conflict.  “Ensuring States are aware of their obligations and responsibilities to address conflict-related sexual violence under international law is essential if we are to close the implementation gap,” he said.

Where national institutions are not able or willing to act against perpetrators of sexual violence, the international community should act to ensure accountability for such crimes, he said.  For example, the Council can use targeted sanctions, he said, encouraging it to further such action.  Pointing to an urgent need for a survivor-centred, trauma-informed approaches, he said the international community should promote the provision of appropriate medical, mental health and psychosocial support services to survivors, especially children and women.  It is equally important to continue to engage men and community leaders to play a positive role in combatting sexual violence and addressing gender stereotypes and the exclusion of women and girls.

JOAN CEDANO (Dominican Republic) said that, with 2,455 cases verified by the United Nations, sexual violence continues to be a devastating scourge in conflicts. She emphasized that 94 per cent of these victims are women and girls.  It is a bleak perspective that has worsened in various conflict situations, being used as a tactic of terror, torture, intimidation, political repression, forced displacement and dehumanization.  The consequences of sexual violence are profound and long-lasting for the victims, who suffer not only physically and psychologically, but also socially.  Accordingly, she stressed the need to address conflict-related sexual violence with collective action.  A comprehensive approach is needed that encompasses prevention, protection, justice, support for survivors and the establishment of legal frameworks that criminalize these acts and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Voicing concern over the situation in Haiti, she highlighted alarming levels of conflict-related sexual violence which is used by criminal gangs as a weapon of war, to punish and terrorize entire communities.

OLIVIER MAES (Luxembourg), aligning himself with the European Union, the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, noted that — despite numerous resolutions adopted by the Council since 2008 — sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war in conflicts such as those in Mali, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Syria.  In Ukraine, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented 109 cases of sexual violence perpetrated by the Russian Federation military, with victims aged from 4 to 82 years old.  He underlined the key role of the International Criminal Court in fighting impunity, as sexual violence in conflict constitutes a war crime and may constitute a crime against humanity or genocide.  Close cooperation with civil society must be ensured, he added, stressing the need to protect this key partner against reprisals through appropriate measures.

CHRISTOPHE ALAIN C. CARDON DE LICHTBUER (Belgium), aligning himself with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, said it is clear that access to justice — as well as to sexual- and reproductive-health rights and services — should be an integral part of United Nations and national responses to conflict-related sexual violence. While preventing and addressing such violence is the primary responsibility of States, he stressed the need to explore how it can be connected to sanctions policies and practices. For example, a more systematic input of information from the Office of the Special Representative to the Council’s sanctions committees could be considered.  Recognizing that conflict-related sexual violence is rooted in structural gender inequality and harmful social norms, he urged Member States to promote the leadership of women and girls by enabling them to be active in public life and by stepping up to protect women politicians from violence or reprisal.

IVARS LIEPNIEKS (Latvia), speaking also for Estonia and Lithuania, said that sexual violence has persisted as a cruel weapon of war, torture and terrorism in places such as Myanmar, Syria, Libya and Iran.  Conflict-related sexual violence is also part of the Russian Federation’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.  Since 24 February 2022, 125 cases of such violence were documented, while the real number is even higher.  These heinous acts, committed by the Russian Federation’s armed forces and groups as a tactic of war, included torture methods such as electrocution, beating, burning, forced nudity and rape.  It is horrendous that a permanent Council member is responsible for these crimes. Recalling that the General Assembly recognized the need to hold Moscow accountable and to establish an international mechanism for reparations, he spotlighted the register of damage for Ukraine established under the Council of Europe in May.  This signifies steps towards justice for Ukraine, he said.

ANDREEA MOCANU (Romania) said Romania’s national pledge to implement the provisions of the Council’s resolution on combating abuse and sexual exploitation in conflict shows up in two areas.  First, it has invested in training its armed forces, including those participating in peacekeeping activities, on the prohibition of all forms of sexual violence against civilians.  In addition, the Government’s position as Co-Chair of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network reconfirms its commitment for advancing the women, peace and security agenda.  Her delegation will make sure that conflict-related sexual violence is diligently addressed at the Network’s Ministerial Meeting in September.  She pointed to several measures the Government has put in place to prevent the risks associated with human trafficking of refugees from Ukraine.  This includes a mechanism for the early identification of victims, the set-up of a national emergency fund for victims and a dedicated working group for preventing sexual exploitation.

PABLO EMILIO GUTIÉRREZ SEGÚ BERDULLAS (Spain), associating himself with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, said the best way to prevent sexual violence in conflict is to work towards gender equality, the protection and promotion of women’s rights, and the full, significant and effective participation of women in society. Prevention works better when women and women’s organizations participate in development, implementation and monitoring, and when they receive necessary resources.  Thus, States must commit to predictable, sustained financing for the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Prevention Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Further, experts in sexual violence in conflict and gender violence must be urgently sent to investigate cases and create safe environments in victims’ transit and destination countries.  His country’s third national action plan for women, peace and security will focus on women in Ukraine and will include measures to guarantee investigations and the protection of victims, he said.

ANA PAULA ZACARIAS (Portugal), associating herself with the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, said the refugee crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine has led to a rampant risk of women being trafficked for sexual exploitation.  “As armed conflicts escalate and their devastating consequences unfold, disproportionately affecting women and children, we cannot remain idle,” she stressed.  Combating conflict-related sexual violence is also a shared responsibility.  The Council can make significant advances by designating such violence as a criterion in all sanctions regimes, and it can bolster compliance with international legal frameworks by assisting States in harmonizing domestic laws with international standards.  However, Member States must, for their part, promote economic, political and social equality between women and men, girls and boys. “This is the only way to ensure the end of sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.

YOKA BRANDT (Netherlands), associating herself with the European Union, the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, and the Group of Friends on the Responsibility to Protect, said that the horrific reports that have emerged from Sudan and Ukraine are only two out of many contexts where the severe and lasting impacts of sexual violence are imminent.  “We need to improve the availability and harmonization of data, while ensuring safety and confidentiality,” she continued.  In South Sudan, the Netherlands supports a project that promotes discussions on positive masculinity and works with religious and local leaders to adequately address gender-based violence.  Investing in early warning and protection mechanisms for those in the most vulnerable positions, including women human rights defenders, is also vital.  “Justice should not be seen as limited to criminal proceedings.  We should respect the choices of victims and survivors when it comes to their path to healing,” she added.

HWANG JOONKOOK (Republic of Korea), associating himself with the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, said the key promise of Council resolution 1820 (2008) and subsequent resolutions was to prevent and eradicate conflict-related sexual violence. The Secretary-General’s latest report documented more than 2,000 cases of such crimes, without significant reduction observed over the past decade.  His country emphasizes the importance of a survivor-centred approach in addressing conflict-related sexual violence, as outlined in Council resolution 2467 (2019).  Heeding the voices of survivors and responding to their needs is essential. The Republic of Korea takes pride in its continued contributions to the Global Survivors Fund since its inception. As one of the main donors for the Fund, Seoul has promoted its activities around the globe, which include providing the survivors with financial compensation, vocational training and medical and psychological care.

RÓBERT CHATRNÚCH (Slovakia) said that his delegation is deeply concerned that the practice of sexual violence in conflict remains widespread despite systematic advancements in the women, peace and security agenda. Enhanced investment on the part of the international community is needed to break this vicious cycle of violence and impunity.  Supporting efforts to foster an enabling environment for victims and survivors that includes quality assistance, he said that such efforts should focus on the 17 conflict-affected countries mentioned in the report.  As Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform, he recalled resolution 2151 (2014), which underscores the importance of women’s full and equal involvement in the security sector.  Recalling that the concept note for today’s debate included a question regarding the Council’s response to States that fail to hold perpetrators to account, he noted that one permanent member of the Council has violated the Charter of the United Nations.

MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) said the credibility of the report is eroded because of — what looks like — a deliberate decision not to report the crimes of sexual violence, committed in Jammu and Kashmir, occupied by India, and in Palestine, occupied by Israel.  Since 1989, India’s occupation forces have used rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war on the occupied territories, he recalled, noting that thousands of women and girls have been gang raped and subjected to enforced incarceration, torture and abduction.  In addition, thousands of women, girls, boys and men have been detained and tortured, as punishment and humiliation, while entire communities were prevented from their rights to freedom of expression and religion.  In this context, he called on the Secretary-General to rectify the report and include information on the sexual violence incidents in the foreign-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, while listing Israel and India as parties, perpetrating sexual violence, in future Council reports.

RAWA ZOGHBI {Lebanon) said that the devastating use of sexual violence as a humiliating, degrading weapon of war continues unabated, with women and girls the main victims.  However, it is also important to remember that men and boys can also be the target of sexual violence in conflict.  “Human beings’ bodies are not and should never be considered a tool of combat,” she stressed.  One of the strongest pieces in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is the statue of Lucretia by French sculptor Philippe Bertrand from the eighteenth century, she said, noting that it depicts Lucretia committing suicide out of shame for her rape.  “No victim, no survivor of sexual violence should ever have to go through this extra layer of pain and suffering,” she stressed.  “Our common duty is to understand what they have gone through, to support and empower them,” she added.

ANEL BAKYTBEKKYZY (Kazakhstan) underscored the need to ensure that sexual violence is not used as a tactic of war or aggravated by human trafficking, which can become a source of income by terrorist organizations and transnational organized crime networks. Additionally, it is necessary to address new and emerging threats from the largely ungoverned digital space. Enhanced implementation of arms control and disarmament measures can contribute to both long-term structural and short-term operational prevention of sexual violence in conflict. Conflict-related sexual violence affects every aspect of a survivor’s life and leads to the stigmatization of victims and devastation of physical and economic security, especially of displaced and rural women.  She, therefore, called for a survivor-centred approach, with increased access to health care, psychosocial support, legal assistance and socioeconomic reintegration. She also emphasized that preventing sexual abuse by the peacekeepers should be an absolute priority.

TITHIARUN MAO (Cambodia) urged Member States to prioritize working together on the prevention of conflict and the escalation of existing conflicts.  It is important to strengthen national legislation to ensure accountability for sexual crimes committed by members of the armed forces, he said.  Education and training with the involvement of women and victims should be mainstreamed within the armed forces, including those deployed as part of the international peacekeeping mission.  Members of the armed forces should be a part of the effort to assist victims’ recovery and integration, he said, adding that more women, especially those from the armed forces, should be encouraged to get involved in this endeavour.  State or non-State actors condoning sexual abuses or weaponizing them for attrition or retribution should be held accountable, he added.

RUCHIRA KAMBOJ (India) said the Council must absolutely focus on identifying and bridging the implementation gaps to prevent sexual violence in armed conflict and facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.  Member States should ensure the effective prosecution of sexual violence as a standalone crime and there must be no impunity.  The United Nations, upon request, must assist national authorities in conflict areas in developing capabilities to strengthen their national investigative and legal framework and related structure for the speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators.  As survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not a homogenous group, countries must adopt a tailored victim-centered approach and ensure adequate focus and resources for the provision of comprehensive and non-discriminatory assistance for victims.  Addressing another delegation’s remarks, she said that country fails to safeguard the rights of its women and girls and tolerates sexual and gender-based violence and thus has no credibility to pass judgment on any other nation.

MARWAN ALI NOMAN AL-DOBHANY (Yemen) said that his Government has created a national plan to advocate for women and to advance the women, peace and security agenda.  Pointing out that sexual violence reduces achievement of the Global Goals, he stated that his country has chosen peace and that its customs prohibit violations against women.  Further, Yemeni law criminalizes physical assault against women.  However, Houthi militias continue to violate the rights of women and girls; discriminate against, marginalize and place restrictions on women; and limit their freedom of movement — including by requiring them have a male chaperone when traveling abroad.  Additionally, there is gender-based segregation in public life; many cases of sexual assault and abuse of women have been documented in Houthi-controlled territories; and women are held in secret prisons under inhumane conditions.  International cooperation is necessary to combat these problems, he stressed.

NIAMH MARY KELLY (Ireland), associating herself with the European Union, the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect, said that sexual and gender-based violence continue to be brandished across the world as a weapon of war.  Women and girls on the ground continue to suffer through new and emerging crimes, she said, adding:  “Where acts of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict are ignored, or even emboldened, this scourge will progress.”  Underscoring the importance of survivors’ access to justice and perpetrators’ accountability, she welcomed the launch of the guidebook on State obligations on conflict-related sexual violence.  “When national methods fail, the international community has a duty to step up,” she stressed, pointing to the Council’s sanctions committees.  There should be a pre-requisite across all sanctions’ regimes, she added, noting that the Council should continue designating individuals responsible for acts of gender-based violence, as has been done recently in Haiti and Yemen.

MUHAMMAD ABDUL MUHITH (Bangladesh), associating himself with the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security and the Group of Friends on the Responsibility to Protect, recalled his country’s horrific experience of sexual violence in conflict during the great Liberation War in 1971.  “More than 200,000 of our mothers and sisters were violated during this war,” he said, adding that in the aftermath of the conflict, a Rehabilitation Board for Relief and Reconstruction of War-Affected Women was established to meet the urgent need of the victims.  Turning to the situation in Myanmar, he said that Bangladesh has been providing critical support to the Rohingyas who suffered the worst form of sexual violence. Even though his Government has been repeatedly urging the Myanmar authorities to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Rohingya refugees, he lamented that no progress has been made for repatriation due to lack of conducive conditions in Myanmar.  Also, he underscored that perpetrators of sexual violence must be held accountable in that country.

OMAR HILALE (Morocco) said that the Secretary-General’s report shows history repeats itself, with cases of chronic sexual violence in conflict. Today, conflict-related sexual violence constitutes a threat to international peace and security.  Indignation is not enough to end such crimes.  Acts of such violence must be punished, and assistance must be provided to survivors so that they can rebuild their life.  The international community would benefit from greater efforts to prevent conflict, which is a central pillar of the women, peace and security agenda.  Empowerment of women and development are inseparable.  Women must be included in decision-making at the national level in initiatives aimed at peacebuilding and ending discrimination against females. Religious leaders must speak out against these horrific crimes and community leaders should help detect early signs of such violence.  Moroccan women are well represented in the Royal Armed Forces and present in United Nations peacekeeping.

YOSEPH KASSAYE YOSEPH (Ethiopia) expressed strong reservations regarding the scope and content of the report’s treatment of Ethiopia, along with its reference to the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.  “We do not recognize this Commission and any of its substandard work,” he stressed, cautioning the Special Representative against using such dubious sources. Despite extraordinary security challenges over the last two years, the Government has made concerted efforts to protect the rights of women in vulnerable situations.  The implementation of the November 2022 peace agreement has enabled the further provision of humanitarian aid, the restoration of services and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants.  Reconstruction and recovery programmes place special focus on women, he added, expressing hope that “the Special Representative will sufficiently reflect the inputs we provide, and operate within the defined scope”.

SURIYA CHINDAWONGSE (Thailand) said that, despite widespread efforts, incidents of conflict-related sexual violence remain persistent and widespread.  Girls are disproportionately affected, and he condemned the increasing use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.  This trend must be addressed by the international community, and States must adhere to pertinent resolutions adopted by the Council.  Prevention is key and the empowerment of women is essential to help eliminate forms of discrimination, he added, stressing that women must be active agents of change and that the rights of survivors must be ensured.  Further, a survivor-centred approach is necessary, and there must be a greater deployment of women in peacekeeping activities and operations.  As a troop-contributing country, Thailand ensures its troops receive adequate training and work to prevent sexual violence, he said.

FIONA WEBSTER (Australia) condemned harassment, use of force and rape as instruments of repression and political intimidation against women peacebuilders and human rights defenders.  Welcoming the deployment of Women Protection Advisers in United Nations peacekeeping missions, she noted Australia’s Defence Force, Federal Police and Department of Foreign Affairs train and deploy gender advisers on military, police, humanitarian, relief and recovery, and crisis operations and missions. Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not a homogenous group; hence the need for responding to intersecting forms of discrimination and tailored, survivor-centred action. Encouraging Member States to promote accountability for sexual and gender-based violence, and the Council to counter impunity with all the means at its disposal, she voiced concern about the link between private military security companies and reports of sexual violence.  “We must do more” on the issue of conflict-related sexual violence, she stressed.

MARÍA DEL CARMEN SQUEFF (Argentina) said that sexual violence perpetuates conflict and instability. Noting that conflict-related sexual violence can be exacerbated by gender inequality, she observed that such inequality is both a cause of — and an obstacle to preventing — sexual crimes. Systematic prevention begins in times of peace through the adoption of national laws to criminalize such behaviour, she stressed, underscoring that States must have legislative, institutional and judicial mechanisms in place to tackle these violations.  “Crimes linked to sexual violence have a gender impact,” she emphasized, while also pointing to the high level of underreporting in this area.  When the State does not have the will or the ability to investigate or prosecute international crimes, the international community should take necessary measures. Adding that sexual violence can occur in or on the way to school and can impede education, she spotlighted the Safe Schools Declaration and urged States to adhere to that document.

SATTAR AHMADI (Iran) strongly condemned all forms of sexual violence perpetrated during armed conflicts.  “Within our volatile region, the Middle East, the threats posed by foreign occupation, interference and terrorism gravely jeopardize the rights and safety of women, disregarding their security needs,” he added.  Efforts must be concentrated on advancing women’s empowerment initiatives, such as enhancing access to education, economic opportunities and health-care services.  He categorically refuted the “groundless allegations and unjustified reference” made against Iran in the Secretary-General’s recent report on sexual violence in armed conflicts.  “This allegation is absolutely false and was made without solid evidence,” he said. Considering the report’s specific focus on sexual violence in armed conflict, it is deeply concerning that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General has overstepped its mandates by bringing unfounded claims to a Member State that has nothing to do with armed conflicts.  “We strongly object to and condemn such irresponsible action,” he said.

KYAW MOE TUN (Myanmar) said that, since the illegal coup in February 2021, the security and police forces, under the military junta, have been using sexual violence as a war tactic, political oppression and retaliation.  Noting that women and girls are at the front line of the opposition to the illegal coup, he said that female human rights defenders are risking their lives to document and report atrocities.  “These inhumane acts must stop,” he stressed, welcoming the “rightly” listing of the Myanmar military, including its border guards, as the parties suspected of sexual violence in armed conflict.  In this context, the National Unity Government has taken a people-centred approach to advance the women, peace and security agenda, he pointed out. To put an end to sexual violence in Myanmar, he called for transforming the military from the main sexual violence perpetrator to a professional, accountable institution that oversees democratic norms and principles.

ANDREAS HADJICHRYSANTHOU (Cyprus), aligning himself with the European Union, called on all parties to armed conflict, including non-State armed groups, to cease acts of sexual violence immediately and completely against civilians, and to implement action plans to prevent and address sexual violence, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law and all the relevant Council resolutions.  Survivors are not a homogenous group, with “different needs and perspectives that we need to take into consideration in addressing the trauma that victims, survivors and their families are experiencing,” he emphasized. As a country that has experienced the atrocity of conflict-related sexual violence first hand, Cyprus attaches great importance to the elimination of all its forms and joins calls to accelerate efforts towards their elimination — including addressing its root causes, deeply entrenched in historical inequalities which perpetuate the problem.

MOHAMMED HUSSAIN BAHR ALULOOM (Iraq) said his country was among the first Arab States to draw up a national plan to implement resolution 1325 (2000).  His country also enacted legislation in 2021 that resulted in 97 women being elected to Parliament, exceeding the targeted quota.  Further, the Government launched a national strategy for women covering the period 2023-2030, established domestic-violence shelters and adopted a zero-tolerance policy that excludes perpetrators from amnesty. The Government is also compensating Yazidi victims of sexual violence — with the first round of stipends already issued — and is activating a referral system, working with 10 organizations offering psychosocial services.  Adding that his country continues to deal with the aftermath of Da’esh — and that justice in this regard must not be long awaited — he requested that the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD) hand over evidence to Iraq’s national judiciary.

HELENA NDAPEWA KUZEE (Namibia) said conflict-related sexual violence occurs along a continuum of interrelated and recurring forms of violence against women and girls.  The consequences for victims and their communities are immediate and long-term. It not only violates the human rights of its victims, but devastates families and communities.  These crimes echo across generations, manifested through gender inequalities, trauma, stigma, poverty and poor health and well-being. “Impunity results in children and young adults learning that sexual violence is acceptable,” she said, adding that regressive, violent customs and practices reappear.  Council resolution 2467 (2019) recalls States’ responsibility to end impunity and prosecute those responsible for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes that are perpetrated against civilians.  This includes conflict-related sexual violence.  To bridge the implementation gaps, the international community must ensure gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping and peacebuilding and sensitize forces about gender issues.

DAVID ABESADZE (Georgia), aligning himself with the European Union, condemned documented cases of sexual violence and its use as a method of torture by Russian Federation forces and Russian Federation-affiliated armed group in Ukraine.  He affirmed that evidence shows conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence is not an inevitable by-product of war, as “it can be prevented by strengthening national and international efforts, raising awareness and ensuring justice”.  Promotion of women’s rights and gender equality, including in the military, remains among the top priorities of his Government; however, the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation is still the main obstacle to implementing the human rights protection framework for the women and girls remaining on the other side of illegally erected barbwire fences, who are systematically subjected to human rights violations.  International engagement and monitoring of the situation is therefore paramount to prevent sexual violence against women.