United States of America
I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Unit...
I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General, Special Representative Wallström, Under-SecretaryGeneral Le Roy and Lieutenant General Gaye for their very powerful and insightful briefings. I also want to thank my colleagues on the Council for their very strong statements of support for resolution 1960 (2010), just adopted, as well as for the broad goals of fighting sexual violence and the rape of women around the world.
We are gathered because we all agree on the importance of addressing an issue...
We are gathered because we all agree on the importance of addressing an issue that cries out for the world's conscience, and that is sexual violence in conflict. We agree that the challenge is urgent and immense. The human cost is all too real. Armed conflicts continue to have a devastating impact, particularly on women and girls. Rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence are all too often used deliberately and cynically as weapons of war, and the fight to end sexual violence has yet to be universally recognized as central to securing international peace and security.
Some still think that sexual violence is somehow a natural accompaniment of c...
Some still think that sexual violence is somehow a natural accompaniment of conflict. It is not. As the Secretary-General's report notes, “The myth that rape is an inevitable byproduct of war is persistent and dangerously selffulfilling” (S/2010/604, para. 7). I hope that this meeting, in some small way, will help put an end to that myth and channel our shared commitment to confronting and combating sexual violence into concrete actions that improve the fate of women and girls.
The United States commends the United Nations, especially United Nations Acti...
The United States commends the United Nations, especially United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, for its leadership in finding effective ways to address this problem. We have been encouraged by the United Nations response and followup to the appalling August attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the additional steps it has taken to build mission-wide strategies to better protect civilians. The United Nations has increased random patrols, recruited more female peacekeepers and improved communications. It is also employing scenario-based training for peacekeepers to help combat sexual violence.
But obviously, more must still be done. We hope that the United Nations will ...
But obviously, more must still be done. We hope that the United Nations will continue to identify women's protection advisers and put them in more peacekeeping operations, and complete a gaps analysis of United Nations protection strategies.
In her brief tenure so far, Special Representative Wallström has brought...
In her brief tenure so far, Special Representative Wallström has brought leadership, passion and clarity to efforts to end impunity for the heinous crimes of sexual violence in conflict zones. She is playing a vital role in the United Nations efforts to support the response of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the horrifying mass rapes in Walikale, which has included the arrest of one of the perpetrators. The United States fully supports Special Representative Wallström in her work, and we encourage our fellow Member States to consider additional voluntary contributions to support her mandate. We particularly hope that the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law will become a valuable tool in helping Member States develop appropriate judicial responses to sexual violence in conflict.
Data collection is also vital for non-humanitarian activities to prevent and ...
Data collection is also vital for non-humanitarian activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The resolution we adopted today will improve the collection and analysis of information required to better understand the patterns of sexual violence in armed conflict. Of course, better information by itself will not halt sexual violence, but it will inform our decisions as a Council and as Member States, and bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal.
We must also shine the international spotlight on the perpetrators and use th...
We must also shine the international spotlight on the perpetrators and use this mechanism to inform targeted actions by the Council and by Member States. With improved information, the United Nations will be able to assist States in responding more robustly to these crimes. As in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the Walikale rapes, we expect our actions to spur commanding officers to turn those who commit sexual violence over to the authorities to be brought to justice.
Finally, we cannot separate the challenge of sexual violence from the broader...
Finally, we cannot separate the challenge of sexual violence from the broader security issues facing the Council. Resolution 1960 (2010), its predecessors and our follow-up actions must send a clear message. We do not just condemn sexual violence and rape as weapons of war, but we are taking concrete steps to end it. We are working to make clear that rape and sexual violence are unacceptable and that perpetrators will face consequences. Our shared responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security includes a profound responsibility to safeguard the lives and the security of women and girls, who make up at least half of humankind.