I would like to take this opportunity to inform the Council that, a month ago, Slovenia adopted its 2010- 2015 national action plan for the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). One of the three main objectives of the plan is to prevent sexual violence against women and girls and to protect them during and after armed conflict.

As timely, objective, accurate and reliable information is fundamental in addressing conflict-related sexual violence, Slovenia supports the recommendation to establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism that would build on the experience and practice of the mechanism established under resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009), on children and armed conflict.

We are, however, of the view that combating sexual violence is one of the major components of all of the measures that can be used for settlement and post-conflict recovery. We are convinced that, in concentrating efforts on combating sexual violence, we must pay due attention to other abuses committed during conflict.

We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his thematic report for today's meeting (S/2010/604). A number of proposals in the document to strengthen our fight against sexual violence have been embodied in a practical manner in today's resolution. We support the recommendation of giving the Secretary-General the right to make lists of parties suspected of sexual violence in conflict.

Unfortunately, in spite of the existence of an entire arsenal of international instruments on human rights and international humanitarian law, civilian populations continue to be subjected to violence and to suffer in armed conflicts and in post-conflict situations. Sexual violence is, of course, a repulsive crime that requires decisive condemnation and severe punishment.

There are many different types of conflict around the globe. However, from the standpoint of the Council's purposes under the Charter, the Council's attention must be focused only on those conflicts which are a threat to peace and security. Consequently, the instruments adopted today, such as the practice of making lists of violators and agreements on monitoring, analysis and accountability, must also be used in that context.

Recent events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have shown how acute the problem can be. We advocate a thorough investigation of all incidents and punishment of the guilty. Only in this way can we put an end to the reign of impunity that criminals enjoy, in the overwhelming majority of cases, and thereby eradicate that reprehensible practice.

In conclusion, we would like to express our conviction that today's resolution will play an important role in dealing with the problems of violence against women in armed conflicts.

I would also like to emphasize that the efforts of the international community will be in vain without the consent and active participation of national Governments, which have the major responsibility for handling the entire range of issues to care for and protect their people.

As we see it, the diverse nature of violence during armed conflict requires appropriate attention to all its categories. The issues of women and peace and security must be based on a comprehensive approach, which is the approach that is enshrined in resolution 1325 (2000), which is the fundamental document for the protection of women and which ensures their rights in conflicts.