Mr. President, Rape is increasingly used as a tactic of war and the Security ...

Mr. President, Rape is increasingly used as a tactic of war and the Security Council should be united in condemnation of it and steadfast in support of the crucial work of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence. The adoption of Resolution 1960, the appointment of Ms Wallstrom, the establishment of her Good Offices alongside the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the work of Women Protection Advisors all contribute to preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence and thereby to international peace and stability. We firmly believe that the Council needs to sustain and build on this work. For that reason the United Kingdom is disappointed that this Council has not yet been able to agree a Presidential Statement condemning conflict-related sexual violence. It sends a depressing message to the world at large, and in particular to victims and survivors that on the occasion of this debate the Council is not yet been able to agree a public statement on impunity; on prevention and early warning; on follow-up to Resolution 1960 over the last year; and – crucially –on the excellent work of Margot Wallstrom.