Liechtenstein
Mr. Wenaweser (Liechtenstein): I thank you, Sir, for presiding over the meeti...
Mr. Wenaweser (Liechtenstein): I thank you, Sir, for presiding over the meeting today and your delegation for organizing this open debate with a focus on post-conflict situations. As a strong supporter of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), Liechtenstein agrees with the assessment reflected in the concept paper prepared by your delegation (S/2009/490) that much has been achieved but that enormous challenges remain. Nine years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the participation of women in conflict resolution, in particular in formal peace processes, is still little more than rhetoric and their protection from violent crimes is still elusive.
We have witnessed an alarming increase in sexual violence in various conflic...
We have witnessed an alarming increase in sexual violence in various conflicts around the world. The victims are often women and children. Cessation of hostilities does not guarantee an end to sexual violence — sometimes quite the opposite. The influx of returning refugees and displaced persons, the presence of large numbers of demobilized ex-combatants, the widespread lack of economic opportunity and the general breakdown in social norms all contribute to increased levels of sexual violence in post-conflict settings. Such gender-based violence is often exacerbated by the absence of effective judicial institutions and impunity as a result thereof. Both resolution 1325 (2000) and resolution 1820 (2008) emphasize the responsibility of all States to put an end to such impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, including acts of gender violence.
However, formal justice systems often lack the required resources. Traditiona...
However, formal justice systems often lack the required resources. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms are frequently applied in a manner that is discriminatory and leaves women with limited access to justice, thereby exacerbating a climate of impunity.
We therefore welcome the call on the Secretary- General, in resolution 1888 (...
We therefore welcome the call on the Secretary- General, in resolution 1888 (2009), to offer upon request expertise that can be deployed rapidly to assist national authorities to strengthen the rule of law. That is a very important step and is fully in keeping with the principle of complementarity, one of the main pillars of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), whose jurisdiction kicks in only when States are unable or unwilling to prosecute at the national level. Today, the ICC is addressing sexual violence in several situations with which it is seized and thus is contributing to the fight against impunity.
Resolution 1325 (2000) calls for an increase in the participation of women at...
Resolution 1325 (2000) calls for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes. According to data made available to the Council by the United Nations Development Fund for Women, only 2.4 per cent of signatories to peace agreements are women and no woman has ever been appointed as a chief mediator.
Thus our efforts to guarantee the full and equal participation of women &mda...
Thus our efforts to guarantee the full and equal participation of women — as well-intentioned as they may have been — have clearly been insufficient. We hope that the input given during this debate today will lead, nine years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), to significant improvements.
Some years ago, the Liechtenstein delegation headed a group of like-minded am...
Some years ago, the Liechtenstein delegation headed a group of like-minded ambassadors aimed at increasing the presence of women in positions such as special envoys and special representatives in particular. The success of this cooperation with the then Secretary-General was very modest, despite regular expressions of good intentions.
Member States and the relevant intergovernmental bodies must pursue strategi...
Member States and the relevant intergovernmental bodies must pursue strategies to ensure an increase in women's participation in peace negotiations and mediation, as well as in post-conflict reconstruction. That would strengthen the perception that women are stakeholders — as opposed to mere victims or aid recipients. e welcome the efforts of the Secretary- General to appoint more women to senior positions in general, in particular in field missions, and we see those efforts as a personal commitment on his part.
In preparation for the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 ...
In preparation for the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we need concrete action. Hence, we welcome the establishment of a United Nations steering committee to enhance the visibility of and to strengthen coordination within the United Nations system regarding the preparations for the anniversary. Liechtenstein, for its part, will support the project of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, launched by Switzerland and to be supported, it is hoped, by other Member States, which will produce in time for the anniversary a report that provides a substantive overview of the work of the Council. That report will demonstrate both the achievements and the remaining gaps and challenges, and we hope that it can also serve as a model for implementation in other areas.