Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

30 June 2012 leading to a genuine political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and enables them independently and democratically to determine their own future, and further stresses that rapid progress on a political solution should include full participation by all groups and segments of Syrian society, including WOMEN, and represents the only sustainable opportunity to resolve the situation in Syria peacefully, and that the implementation of this resolution is key to meeting the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people;

1. Strongly condemns the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Syrian authorities, as well as the human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law by armed groups, including all forms of SEXUAL and GENDER-based violence, as well as all grave violations and abuses committed against children in contravention of applicable international law, such as recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape, attacks on schools and hospitals as well as arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, ill treatment and use as

18. Underscores the importance of security sector reform, welcomes Burundi's contribution and active participation to United Nations and African Union peacekeeping operations, and urges all international partners, together with BNUB, to continue supporting Burundi's efforts to professionalize and enhance the capacity of the national security services and the police, in particular through vetting for human rights violations, training on human rights and SEXUAL and GENDER-based violence and promoting strong civilian oversight and monitoring, with the view to consolidating security sector governance;

8. Recognizes the primary responsibility of the Government of Burundi for peacebuilding, security, protection of its population and long-term development in the country, and encourages the Government of Burundi to continue its efforts regarding peace consolidation challenges, in particular democratic governance, the fight against corruption, security sector reform, civilian protection, justice and the promotion and protection of human rights, with a special focus on the rights of WOMEN and children as well as people belonging to ethnic minorities;

10. Welcomes the progress made to date by the Government of the DRC on ending the use of children in armed conflict and urges the Government of the DRC to follow through on its commitments made in the action plan signed with the United Nations detailing concrete, time-bound measures to release and reintegrate children associated with the Congolese armed forces and to prevent further recruitment, and for the protection of girls and boys from SEXUAL violence;

6. Strongly condemns all armed groups operating in the region and their violations of international humanitarian law as well as other applicable international law, and abuses of human rights including attacks on the civilian population, MONUSCO peacekeepers and humanitarian actors, summary executions, SEXUAL and GENDER based violence and large scale recruitment and use of children, and reiterates that those responsible will be held accountable;