United States of America
The Secretary-General's report (S/2012/33) on conflict-related sexual violenc...
In Côte d'Ivoire, the Special Representative received a commitment from...
In Côte d'Ivoire, the Special Representative received a commitment from the President of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that reparations for victims of sexual violence would be part of the Commission's mandate. In Liberia and South Sudan, the Team of Experts has worked with national justice sectors on sentencing guidelines, the training of police, constitution-drafting and a host of other initiatives. That is what the Office of the Special Representative is for. The Security Council's mandate is clear and the Special Representative has been forthright in carrying it out. She deserves our strong support. The problem, unfortunately, remains vast. We have only begun. Impunity is still alarmingly common. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sheka Ntabo Ntaberi ran as a candidate for office even as a warrant was out for his arrest for sexual violence. In Guinea, as detailed in the Secretary-General's report, two men connected to the violence of September 2009, which included sexual violence, have since been given high Government positions. Such impunity should not be tolerated. Apart from keeping a sharp focus on ending impunity, we need to build our institutional capacity for early warning. We applaud the efforts of the Special Representative, of United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, and of UN-Women to develop an early warning framework.
As Council members, we need to make combating sexual violence part of our dis...
As Council members, we need to make combating sexual violence part of our discussions with briefers so that it becomes an integral part of our practice. We have recognized for some time that conflict-related sexual violence is a security issue, but the Secretary-General's report places that matter beyond dispute. As is shown quite clearly, it is a security matter that impacts entire countries, as well as individual communities, families and individuals.
The United States welcomes and supports the recommendations in the Secretary-...
The United States welcomes and supports the recommendations in the Secretary-General's report, particularly with regard to the need for all parties to conflict to make specific and time-bound commitments to cease acts of sexual violence and bring perpetrators to justice. We particularly endorse the recommendation to address conflict-related sexual violence in the context of security-sector reform initiatives, including personnel-training and civilian oversight mechanisms. The Council should continue to consider conflict related sexual violence in authorizing and renewing the mandates of peacekeeping missions, including with regard to monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements.
For example, the United States believes that it is crucial to increase women'...
For example, the United States believes that it is crucial to increase women's participation in security forces involved in preventing conflict and building peace as one way to reduce conflict-related sexual violence. The United States funds and implements the Global Peace Operations Initiative, which has facilitated the training of 2,451 female peacekeepers worldwide. The Initiative supports instruction on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Beginning last year, we have supported the pre deployment training of Peruvian women peacekeepers focused on women, peace and security issues, in support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. In Afghanistan, United States and Afghan officers provide instruction and mentoring to female soldiers in the Afghan National Army. In 2014, 10 per cent of the Afghan Military Academy's class will be women. There are already more than 1,200 women serving in the Afghan National Police, many of whom serve in leadership positions. Preventing and combating conflict-related sexual violence is central to building lasting peace and brighter futures for countries undergoing and emerging from conflict. I cannot stress enough what a critical concern this is for my Government. Sexual violence must cease to be used as a tactic of war and intimidation. For the sake of the vulnerable and for the honour of nations, we, as the Council, must continue to support efforts to end this scourge.