First, prevention is a priority as it is an essential part of our efforts to ...

First, prevention is a priority as it is an essential part of our efforts to protect, in which many stakeholders have a role to play. Specific and timebound commitments to put an end to all acts of sexual violence and to bring their perpetrators to justice can help to break the cycle of violence.

We strongly support more systematic measures to enhance protection against sexual violence and prevention of its recurrence through transitional justice mechanisms. Such measures should link the fight against impunity and recognition of victims' rights, for example through appropriate reparations, but also include strengthening the national capacity to combat the causes of violence and, at the same time, to prevent new cases.

Secondly, in resolution 1820 (2008), the Security Council resolved to take acts of sexual violence into consideration when establishing or renewing State-specific sanctions regimes. That opportunity should not be forgotten. It thus provides the means to take targeted measures against, for example, the parties and individuals mentioned in the Secretary-General's report on sexual violence in conflict.

Finally, in his report, the Secretary-General calls on the parties to include training on conflict-related sexual violence in training programmes for peacekeeping troops. In that regard, I would like to draw the Council's attention to the handbook prepared by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, entitled “Standardized Best Practices Toolkit on Gender and Policing in Peacekeeping Operations”. The handbook was co-financed by Switzerland.