Mexico

I thank the delegation of the United Kingdom for bringing this important matter to the attention of the Security Council. Also allow me to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General and to his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Bangura, for their briefings. My country welcomes the adoption today of resolution 2106 (2013), which sends a resounding message concerning the fight against impunity and the need to focus our efforts on the prosecution of that crime as a fundamental aspect of prevention.

Mexico commends the efforts and actions of the United Nations, its agencies and the Governments of States in conflict. However, much remains to be done in order to ensure full access for victims to systems of justice and reparation and to ensure that the perpetrators of the acts are brought before the corresponding tribunals. To that end, it is fundamental that States provide the necessary training and skills for armed and security forces in order to combat the perpetration of those crimes. Of equal importance is the training of magistrates and other agents of justice in order to ensure effective, independent and impartial judicial systems that are well versed in that area.

Mexico emphasizes the relevance and usefulness of the International Criminal Court and its complementary competency in order to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of international crimes, including the war crime of sexual violence. We encourage those States that have not yet done so to accede to the Rome Statute as soon as possible in order to achieve the universalization of that important instrument. We encourage States to cooperate so that the Court is able to effectively fulfil the mandate for which it was established.