Finland

At the outset, let me thank the United States for leading the Council's work in its efforts to address the scourge of sexual violence in conflict. Sexual violence is a grave violation of human rights and a threat to the health and lives of the victims and of their communities. And let me be clear: sexual violence is a serious impediment to peace, security and development. Resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) — the latter adopted today — complement in important and concrete ways the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security by recognizing sexual violence as a security issue and a possible war crime and in adding provisions on protection, monitoring and enforcement tools. The Nordic countries fully support the resolutions and the Council's work.

Preventing sexual violence should be our highest priority. Unfortunately, in many conflict situations, national Governments and the United Nations alike have failed to protect civilians from violence. Widespread impunity in conflict situations has led to a culture of impunity and the “normalization” of sexual violence after the conflict has ended.

We fully support the Secretary-General's recommendations to establish monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence, including the listing of those parties who commit sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. We further support the Secretary-General's call for a coherent and coordinated approach at the field level. We are therefore very pleased that the resolution adopted by the Council today endorses those recommendations in full.

Monitoring, reporting and sanctions are not ends in themselves. Their aim is to change behaviour and promote adherence to national and international law. We were therefore particularly happy to note that resolution 1960 (2010) also endorses the Secretary-General's proposal for a dialogue with parties to armed conflict, where verified behavioural change will lead to delisting, while sanctions will be applied against persistent violators.

Investigating and prosecuting all acts of conflict- related sexual violence are both legal obligations and powerful deterrents. This includes holding commanders accountable for ordering, condoning or failing to prevent acts of sexual violence committed by troops under their control. We must find ways to strengthen national judicial systems and processes, including through the deployment of the teams of experts on the rule of law. In some instances it may be necessary to refer cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC). We also encourage the Council to use other mechanisms at its disposal, such as fact-finding commissions and commissions of inquiry.

Nordic countries contribute to the ICC's Trust Fund for Victims and support the work of United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. We also support a large number of local and international organizations engaged in rehabilitation for survivors of sexual violence.

The Nordic countries support the efforts of UN Women and the Department of Political Affairs in developing guidance for mediators on addressing sexual violence in peace negotiations. We also welcome and support their Joint Strategy on Gender and Mediation. We believe that it will be an effective tool for strengthening women's participation in peace processes and for providing expertise and guidance to the parties and the mediators. Leaving sexual violence unaddressed undermines the very purpose of a peace agreement: peace and security for all.