In that regard, on 24 September 2010, Ghana co-sponsored a ministerial meet...

In that regard, on 24 September 2010, Ghana co-sponsored a ministerial meeting on the responsibility to protect under the theme “Fulfilling the responsibility to protect: strengthening our capacities to prevent and halt mass atrocities”. What emerged was the clear commitment of participating Member States to prevent and halt atrocious crimes and the need for intervention by the international community. We therefore welcome ongoing discussions within the General Assembly with a view to clarifying and forging consensus on the scope and modalities for the practical application of the responsibility to protect. We also note with appreciation the Council's commitment to the special protection needs of women and children in armed conflict. In 2008, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1820 (2008), which for the first time identified as an impediment to international peace and security the use or commission of sexual violence as a tactic of war in order to deliberately target civilians or as a part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilian populations. The Council's intention to consider targeted sanctions and other measures against parties in situations of armed conflict who commit rape or other forms of sexual violence against women and girls was very much welcomed. Regrettably, the Council has yet to designate sanctions for any perpetrators of violence against women, in spite of widespread reports that much abuse has taken place.