There should never be impunity for sexual violence. We are pleased that the ...

There should never be impunity for sexual violence. We are pleased that the Council has demonstrated increasing willingness to use commissions of inquiry and referrals to the International Criminal Court. International inquiries and high-profile trials serve an important function but, as I mentioned a moment ago, national-level legal and justice sector reforms are at least as important to combat impunity and prevent and deter sexual violence in the long term. The Nordic countries commend the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law for having in a short time developed a focused way to support Governments in this area. Elsewhere innovative practices such as mobile courts are being used to bring justice closer to the survivors and communities, serving a double function of justice and confidence building. Enhanced access to justice should also be accompanied by enhanced reparations for victims. Innovative measures such as community reparations and the creation of economic and educational opportunities should be explored more widely.