Accordingly, we call on the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, ...

Accordingly, we call on the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, in carrying out her activities, to strictly comply with her mandate, according priority to those situations on the agenda of the Security Council, where sexual violence is one of the basic issues in the framework of the protection of civilians. With respect to the need to comply with the mandate of the Team of Experts, established by resolution 1888 (2009), we see similar requirements. The Team provides assistance to host countries on strengthening the rule of law in situations of particular concern. In that vein, we are puzzled by the fact that the Secretary-General's report contains an arbitrary interpretation of the mandate that sets out the basic task of the Team of Experts as monitoring situations of sexual violence in conflict worldwide, as well as developing country dossiers on the basis of information received. I wish to underscore that what I have just said in no way detracts from the success and efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Team of Experts in the framework of their mandates. We are not convinced of the advisability of establishing a special mechanism to monitor respect by parties to a conflict for their responsibilities to combat sexual violence. It would seem that strategic leadership should be harmonized and that the effectiveness of existing systems and mechanisms should be enhanced by improving coordination among them. Indeed, that would be in line with founding Council resolutions and is at the core of the activities of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. We continue to believe that the Security Council must address those issues that fall within its purview. The issue of the sexual violence should be considered by the Council exclusively under the agenda item “Women and peace and security” and insofar as it is linked to the maintenance of peace and security. In conclusion, we express the hope that the observations and proposals put forward by Council members today will serve to further improve the activities ofthe Special Representative of the Secretary-General and other United Nations structures and bodies concerned with combating sexual violence in armed conflict within the framework of their mandates.