Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

In that context, it is noteworthy that a second arrest warrant has been issued against General Bosco Ntaganda, incorporating the major accusations of crimes against humanity, rape and sexual slavery. Today, Bosco Ntaganda is in The Hague to be judged for his crimes. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Member States that contributed to his transfer to the Court.

In conclusion, we hope that today's debate, the Special Representative's briefings to the Council on specific situations, such as that on Syria tomorrow, as well as the discussions the Council will hold over the coming months on this topic will enable real results to be achieved.

Every victory against impunity is a victory against sexual violence, for only the certainty that a crime will not go unpunished is a real deterrent. The fight against impunity is also the first step in reinstating the rights of victims. It is not the only step: it is also necessary to take measures such as granting compensation to repair, as far as possible, the consequences of the damage caused.

Conflict-related sexual violence is not inevitable. But to bring it to an end, we must take into account the magnitude of this scourge. The alarming report before us today makes it cleat that sexual violence in conflict, although it varies with context, is systematic and universally widespread. It is up to us all to take on our responsibility to bring it to an end.

The situations of sexual violence in conflict are varied and widespread. That is why it is important for the Security Council to choose, from the arsenal at its disposal, the tools most suited to the different situations.

Tackling impunity is hard to imagine without a robust monitoring and reporting system. That may be easier said than done, however, especially where technical capacities are inadequate or where a critical lack of confidence in transitional justice create serious impediments.

With respect to a zero-tolerance policy, my delegation firmly supports the inclusion of provisions on a zero-tolerance policy vis-à-vis sexual misconduct by United Nations personnel in all the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping operations and peacebuilding missions. For the time being, that is not the case, and we hope that the gap will be redressed as mandates are renewed.

When it comes to conflict-related sexual crimes, my delegation urges the Security Council to use the full range of means at its disposal to tackle impunity, including systematic referrals to the International Criminal Court, mandating commissions of inquiry and explicitly and vocally condemning such crimes.

The progress achieved in addressing the issue of sexual violence in conflict since the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda placed sexual aggression on the agenda of post-conflict justice is undeniable. The relevant Security Council resolutions have created an extensive toolkit for tackling conflict- related sexual violence.