SGBV

In recent years and in too many parts of the world, widespread conf lict-related sexual violence, enslavement and other acts of human trafficking have been reported.

We welcome the reports of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/361) and on the implementation of measures to counter trafficking in persons (S/2016/949).

In this brief intervention, we wish to give some elements of an answer to two of the main questions asked in the concept note (S/2016/1031, annex), including what Members States can do to better prevent and combat trafficking in persons, particularly as that relates to conflict-related sexual violence, and how we can ensure the accountability of those who engage in trafficking in persons in conflict situations.

Enslavement and conf lict-related sexual violence are forbidden by a number of treaties and by customary international law. Moreover, in addition to the statutes and decisions of various international criminal courts and tribunals, most States Members of the United Nations, in their national legal frameworks, consider enslavement, conf lict-related sexual violence and other acts that derive from human trafficking in conflict situations to amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes.