Austria
The events in Walikale in August 2010 and other incidents of widespread sexua...
The events in Walikale in August 2010 and other incidents of widespread sexual violence in situations of armed conflict show that peacekeepers need to have the capacity to interact closely and communicate effectively with local communities and the host Government in order to carry out their mandate and prevent an escalation of violence. We would like to reiterate the importance of taking gender sensitivities into account and making full use of all components available to mission, including civil affairs officers and community liaison interpreters.
We also share the concern of the Secretary- General over the threat posed to ...
We also share the concern of the Secretary- General over the threat posed to civilians by explosive weapons, as outlined in his 2010 report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Deployed in populated areas, these weapons cause unacceptable suffering for women, children and men, even years after their initial use. Austria urges all States to accede to and strengthen relevant international instruments, such as the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and Additional Protocols II and V to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.