Security Council Open Debate on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security, January 2014

Furthermore, the role of civil society organizations in identifying early signs of violence and the capacity of such organizations to provide warning of dangerous situations to national and international authorities are crucial. We emphasize in particular the contribution and role that women must play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We stress the importance of their equal participation in such processes and the importance of seeking to ensure and increase their representation in all levels of decision-making, in keeping with provision of resolution 1325 (2000).

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

Furthermore, the role of civil society organizations in identifying early signs of violence and the capacity of such organizations to provide warning of dangerous situations to national and international authorities are crucial. We emphasize in particular the contribution and role that women must play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We stress the importance of their equal participation in such processes and the importance of seeking to ensure and increase their representation in all levels of decision-making, in keeping with provision of resolution 1325 (2000).

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

As our colleague from Namibia said, in all phases of conflict, before, during or after, the position of women deserves specific attention. Women are crucial to the prevention of conflicts, to protection during conflicts and to reconciliation after conflicts. Therefore my Government has worked closely with UN-Women in recent months so as to have a group of Syrian women invited to Geneva and to New York. We thank the Security Council for having received them.

Regional organizations can also play a role. The African Union's recent decision to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate events surrounding the current conflict in South Sudan is an example. In our own region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is working with the United Nations to document lessons learned through ASEAN's good offices, mediation and facilitation roles and is sharing experiences on the effective conduct of peace processes and negotiations. All of those tools can assist societies to understand events that led to and occurred during a conflict. Inclusive and transparent processes can help to ensure that different perspectives and grievances are heard and acknowledged, and so build a picture of the broad history of the conflict. Incorporating women's voices in those processes is fundamental. Nurturing open and receptive education is essential.

It is essential that we not forget those most affected by conflict. A commitment to peace requires a commitment to the protection and empowerment of all members of a society, especially women and girls. A society's development is inextricably tied to the engagement and leadership of women. Peace cannot exist when the rights of half of the population are compromised. Peace cannot exist when the rights of women are compromised. Given access to resources, tools and opportunities, women are drivers of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery; when not, they are the greatest victims. A commitment to freedom and dignity requires the empowerment of all citizens. It is only by strengthening the rights of women that a country will achieve greater security and, in turn, greater prosperity.

Furthermore, the role of civil society organizations in identifying early signs of violence and the capacity of such organizations to provide warning of dangerous situations to national and international authorities are crucial. We emphasize in particular the contribution and role that women must play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We stress the importance of their equal participation in such processes and the importance of seeking to ensure and increase their representation in all levels of decision-making, in keeping with provision of resolution 1325 (2000).

At the international level, the United Nations is promoting similar objectives through a wide range of instruments available to it in dealing with the aftermath of conflict. Those include support for transitional justice and the rule of law, for political dialogue and mediation, for truth-telling processes, for reparations, for institutional reform, and for the role of women in the renewal and rebuilding of societies emerging from conflict. In such situations, the United Nations has the potential to deliver profound benefits, defusing tensions between communities at the local level through concrete actions that it supports and by thereby easing and accelerating the essential work of national reconciliation.

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

Another important element is understanding the context. A fundamental challenge for a peace mediator is to motivate the warring parties to meet at the negotiating table. Extensive knowledge of the root causes to conflict is an absolute requirement. Women must be involved in all phases and levels of negotiating processes. Norway appreciates the fact that the Secretariat has developed guidelines for effective mediation, as well as its emphasis on impartiality.

It is essential that we not forget those most affected by conflict. A commitment to peace requires a commitment to the protection and empowerment of all members of a society, especially women and girls. A society's development is inextricably tied to the engagement and leadership of women. Peace cannot exist when the rights of half of the population are compromised. Peace cannot exist when the rights of women are compromised. Given access to resources, tools and opportunities, women are drivers of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery; when not, they are the greatest victims. A commitment to freedom and dignity requires the empowerment of all citizens. It is only by strengthening the rights of women that a country will achieve greater security and, in turn, greater prosperity.

Furthermore, the role of civil society organizations in identifying early signs of violence and the capacity of such organizations to provide warning of dangerous situations to national and international authorities are crucial. We emphasize in particular the contribution and role that women must play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We stress the importance of their equal participation in such processes and the importance of seeking to ensure and increase their representation in all levels of decision-making, in keeping with provision of resolution 1325 (2000).

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

As our colleague from Namibia said, in all phases of conflict, before, during or after, the position of women deserves specific attention. Women are crucial to the prevention of conflicts, to protection during conflicts and to reconciliation after conflicts. Therefore my Government has worked closely with UN-Women in recent months so as to have a group of Syrian women invited to Geneva and to New York. We thank the Security Council for having received them.

Another important element is understanding the context. A fundamental challenge for a peace mediator is to motivate the warring parties to meet at the negotiating table. Extensive knowledge of the root causes to conflict is an absolute requirement. Women must be involved in all phases and levels of negotiating processes. Norway appreciates the fact that the Secretariat has developed guidelines for effective mediation, as well as its emphasis on impartiality.

A matter that is a serious concern not only for East Asian countries but for the entire international community itself is the so-called comfort women issue. In the United Nations, the issue has been discussed in the context of women's rights, the exploitation of women in conflicts, war crimes and the prevention of torture, among others. Indeed, Sunday, 26 January was a very sad day for the Korean people. A woman passed away who had been taken by force by the Japanese Imperial Army to suffer as an enforced sex slave. That leaves the total number of surviving comfort women at 55. The comfort women issue, which is at the core of the pending problems between Korea and Japan, is also an important universal women's rights issue.

It is essential that we not forget those most affected by conflict. A commitment to peace requires a commitment to the protection and empowerment of all members of a society, especially women and girls. A society's development is inextricably tied to the engagement and leadership of women. Peace cannot exist when the rights of half of the population are compromised. Peace cannot exist when the rights of women are compromised. Given access to resources, tools and opportunities, women are drivers of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery; when not, they are the greatest victims. A commitment to freedom and dignity requires the empowerment of all citizens. It is only by strengthening the rights of women that a country will achieve greater security and, in turn, greater prosperity.

The conflicts of today have devastating effects on women and children in the form of killings, injuries, imprisonment, detainment against their will by armed groups and their exploitation for various purposes, including as victims of sexual violence and human trafficking. Conflicts tear families apart, destroy social fabrics and deprive States of their resources for a very long time.

We would therefore call for such a team to provide a voice for those without voices, namely, victims, and collect testimony from the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children and minorities. In so doing, we will avoid the pitfall of an official uniform narrative of the past that would be out of kilter with the conflict in fact experienced by the people. For post-conflict societies to reconcile themselves with their past, light — all the light — must be shed on events. It is in that way that hope for the future is born.

As our colleague from Namibia said, in all phases of conflict, before, during or after, the position of women deserves specific attention. Women are crucial to the prevention of conflicts, to protection during conflicts and to reconciliation after conflicts. Therefore my Government has worked closely with UN-Women in recent months so as to have a group of Syrian women invited to Geneva and to New York. We thank the Security Council for having received them.

A matter that is a serious concern not only for East Asian countries but for the entire international community itself is the so-called comfort women issue. In the United Nations, the issue has been discussed in the context of women's rights, the exploitation of women in conflicts, war crimes and the prevention of torture, among others. Indeed, Sunday, 26 January was a very sad day for the Korean people. A woman passed away who had been taken by force by the Japanese Imperial Army to suffer as an enforced sex slave. That leaves the total number of surviving comfort women at 55. The comfort women issue, which is at the core of the pending problems between Korea and Japan, is also an important universal women's rights issue.

The United Nations reports of the 1990s submitted by Ms. Coomaraswamy and Ms. McDougall (E/CN.4/1996/56, E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/13) stated that the comfort women issue was one of sexual slavery in armed conflicts, requiring the acceptance of legal responsibility, compensation and the punishment of perpetrators. In 2007, the Congress of the United States and the Parliament of the European Union passed resolutions, respectively, calling on the Japanese Government to accept historical or legal responsibility, apologize and pay compensation. As such, enforced sexual slavery represents a breach of the conscience of humankind.

The Japanese Government has yet to take responsibility for the issue. At the General Assembly last year, the Japanese delegation mentioned Japan's contributions to the victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts. But it said nothing about the comfort women. If their definition of the victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts does not include comfort women, is that a case of double standards or a denial of the past? The Japanese Government should urgently pay heed to the calls of the victims of its crimes and the international community. It should act by instilling a spirit of peace and reconciliation in its younger generation by correctly teaching the lessons of history

I want to draw attention to a second principal issue. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea insists that the United Nations should pay due attention to and make every effort with regard to the unresolved issue of crimes against humanity committed during the Second World War. As for past crimes committed by Japan against the people of Korea, China and South-East Asian countries, a precedent cannot be found in the history of humanity regarding the degree of savageness and brutality. It is a common issue. It does not concern only Asian countries but all humanity. Of the past crimes committed by Japan, the main unresolved crime is sexual slavery, in particular that imposed on 200,000 Korean women by soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army. It is becoming an increasingly wide-ranging issue throughout the world with growing outrage at and condemnation of crimes that trampled on the dignity of Korean women and of the Korean nation as a whole.

The Asian countries and the international community did not hesitate to voice their outrage at and condemnation of the visit. A State Member of the United Nations that has a close alliance with Japan did not hesitate to adopt a resolution on the sexual slavery of Korean women, as well as those of other Asian and European countries.

The conflicts of today have devastating effects on women and children in the form of killings, injuries, imprisonment, detainment against their will by armed groups and their exploitation for various purposes, including as victims of sexual violence and human trafficking. Conflicts tear families apart, destroy social fabrics and deprive States of their resources for a very long time.

Secondly, we are deeply pained to think of the comfort women who experienced immeasurable pain and suffering. Japan has extended its sincere apologies and remorse to all those women on various occasions. We established the Asian Women's Fund in the 1990s to offer atonement to former comfort women. At this juncture, Japan's position is that this issue should not be politicized or be turned into a diplomatic issue. Throughout history, women's dignity and basic human rights have often been infringed upon during the many wars of the past. The Government of Japan attaches paramount importance to women's dignity and basic human rights and is committed to doing its utmost to ensure that the twenty-first century is free from further such violations.

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

It is essential that we not forget those most affected by conflict. A commitment to peace requires a commitment to the protection and empowerment of all members of a society, especially women and girls. A society's development is inextricably tied to the engagement and leadership of women. Peace cannot exist when the rights of half of the population are compromised. Peace cannot exist when the rights of women are compromised. Given access to resources, tools and opportunities, women are drivers of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery; when not, they are the greatest victims. A commitment to freedom and dignity requires the empowerment of all citizens. It is only by strengthening the rights of women that a country will achieve greater security and, in turn, greater prosperity.

Secondly, we are deeply pained to think of the comfort women who experienced immeasurable pain and suffering. Japan has extended its sincere apologies and remorse to all those women on various occasions. We established the Asian Women's Fund in the 1990s to offer atonement to former comfort women. At this juncture, Japan's position is that this issue should not be politicized or be turned into a diplomatic issue. Throughout history, women's dignity and basic human rights have often been infringed upon during the many wars of the past. The Government of Japan attaches paramount importance to women's dignity and basic human rights and is committed to doing its utmost to ensure that the twenty-first century is free from further such violations.

At the international level, the United Nations is promoting similar objectives through a wide range of instruments available to it in dealing with the aftermath of conflict. Those include support for transitional justice and the rule of law, for political dialogue and mediation, for truth-telling processes, for reparations, for institutional reform, and for the role of women in the renewal and rebuilding of societies emerging from conflict. In such situations, the United Nations has the potential to deliver profound benefits, defusing tensions between communities at the local level through concrete actions that it supports and by thereby easing and accelerating the essential work of national reconciliation.

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

The United Nations reports of the 1990s submitted by Ms. Coomaraswamy and Ms. McDougall (E/CN.4/1996/56, E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/13) stated that the comfort women issue was one of sexual slavery in armed conflicts, requiring the acceptance of legal responsibility, compensation and the punishment of perpetrators. In 2007, the Congress of the United States and the Parliament of the European Union passed resolutions, respectively, calling on the Japanese Government to accept historical or legal responsibility, apologize and pay compensation. As such, enforced sexual slavery represents a breach of the conscience of humankind.

The Japanese Government has yet to take responsibility for the issue. At the General Assembly last year, the Japanese delegation mentioned Japan's contributions to the victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts. But it said nothing about the comfort women. If their definition of the victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts does not include comfort women, is that a case of double standards or a denial of the past? The Japanese Government should urgently pay heed to the calls of the victims of its crimes and the international community. It should act by instilling a spirit of peace and reconciliation in its younger generation by correctly teaching the lessons of history

Regional organizations can also play a role. The African Union's recent decision to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate events surrounding the current conflict in South Sudan is an example. In our own region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is working with the United Nations to document lessons learned through ASEAN's good offices, mediation and facilitation roles and is sharing experiences on the effective conduct of peace processes and negotiations. All of those tools can assist societies to understand events that led to and occurred during a conflict. Inclusive and transparent processes can help to ensure that different perspectives and grievances are heard and acknowledged, and so build a picture of the broad history of the conflict. Incorporating women's voices in those processes is fundamental. Nurturing open and receptive education is essential.

It is essential that we not forget those most affected by conflict. A commitment to peace requires a commitment to the protection and empowerment of all members of a society, especially women and girls. A society's development is inextricably tied to the engagement and leadership of women. Peace cannot exist when the rights of half of the population are compromised. Peace cannot exist when the rights of women are compromised. Given access to resources, tools and opportunities, women are drivers of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery; when not, they are the greatest victims. A commitment to freedom and dignity requires the empowerment of all citizens. It is only by strengthening the rights of women that a country will achieve greater security and, in turn, greater prosperity.

Furthermore, the role of civil society organizations in identifying early signs of violence and the capacity of such organizations to provide warning of dangerous situations to national and international authorities are crucial. We emphasize in particular the contribution and role that women must play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We stress the importance of their equal participation in such processes and the importance of seeking to ensure and increase their representation in all levels of decision-making, in keeping with provision of resolution 1325 (2000).

At the international level, the United Nations is promoting similar objectives through a wide range of instruments available to it in dealing with the aftermath of conflict. Those include support for transitional justice and the rule of law, for political dialogue and mediation, for truth-telling processes, for reparations, for institutional reform, and for the role of women in the renewal and rebuilding of societies emerging from conflict. In such situations, the United Nations has the potential to deliver profound benefits, defusing tensions between communities at the local level through concrete actions that it supports and by thereby easing and accelerating the essential work of national reconciliation.

We would therefore call for such a team to provide a voice for those without voices, namely, victims, and collect testimony from the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children and minorities. In so doing, we will avoid the pitfall of an official uniform narrative of the past that would be out of kilter with the conflict in fact experienced by the people. For post-conflict societies to reconcile themselves with their past, light — all the light — must be shed on events. It is in that way that hope for the future is born.

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

As our colleague from Namibia said, in all phases of conflict, before, during or after, the position of women deserves specific attention. Women are crucial to the prevention of conflicts, to protection during conflicts and to reconciliation after conflicts. Therefore my Government has worked closely with UN-Women in recent months so as to have a group of Syrian women invited to Geneva and to New York. We thank the Security Council for having received them.

Furthermore, the role of civil society organizations in identifying early signs of violence and the capacity of such organizations to provide warning of dangerous situations to national and international authorities are crucial. We emphasize in particular the contribution and role that women must play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We stress the importance of their equal participation in such processes and the importance of seeking to ensure and increase their representation in all levels of decision-making, in keeping with provision of resolution 1325 (2000).

At the international level, the United Nations is promoting similar objectives through a wide range of instruments available to it in dealing with the aftermath of conflict. Those include support for transitional justice and the rule of law, for political dialogue and mediation, for truth-telling processes, for reparations, for institutional reform, and for the role of women in the renewal and rebuilding of societies emerging from conflict. In such situations, the United Nations has the potential to deliver profound benefits, defusing tensions between communities at the local level through concrete actions that it supports and by thereby easing and accelerating the essential work of national reconciliation.

The role of women in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding is of great importance. Therefore, Namibia fully supports the inclusion of women in security systems such as the armed forces, the police and peacekeeping operations and special political missions in support of various United Nations resolutions that recognize that important role. We remain convinced that, for the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace, all efforts should be made to ensure the participation and contribution of women in peace negotiations and during the execution of post-conflict strategies and programmes.

As our colleague from Namibia said, in all phases of conflict, before, during or after, the position of women deserves specific attention. Women are crucial to the prevention of conflicts, to protection during conflicts and to reconciliation after conflicts. Therefore my Government has worked closely with UN-Women in recent months so as to have a group of Syrian women invited to Geneva and to New York. We thank the Security Council for having received them.