Argentina

The Secretary-General's report (S/2010/604) on the implementation of resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009) lists a series of acts that can only be described as atrocities committed against women in various conflict situations currently on the Council's agenda. It is hard to believe that such acts can be perpetrated as mere war tactics deliberately directed at civilian populations in an environment of complete insecurity, and therefore complete impunity.

Regrettably, sexual violence is a constant at all stages of armed conflict. Often, it is not a matter of isolated incidents, but instead includes related crimes such as kidnapping, indiscriminate killing, torture, looting and forced displacement. The international community must continue to urge armed groups to end such abhorrent practices and to work with States to end the impunity surrounding them.

My country would like to congratulate the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Margot Wallström, on her appointment and the work she is doing. We also support the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report, in particular the following: first, including in the Secretary-General's annual reports lists of those parties who have committed acts of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict, as a basis for more focused engagement with the parties and, where necessary, for the application of targeted measures; secondly, calling on all parties to a conflict to make specific and time-bound commitments to cease all acts of sexual violence; thirdly, establishing a monitoring, analysis and reporting system; and, lastly, that the Security Council systematically consider the issue of sexual violence when it authorizes or renews the mandates of peacekeeping and special political missions.