Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

“The carnage committed by Al-Assad and the clique around him is particularly distressing. As the report states, “Children as young as 9 years of age were victims of killing and maiming, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, and use as human shields. Schools have been regularly raided and used as military bases and detention centres.” (S/2012/261, para. 19 )”

“In addition to monitoring and reporting violations, we are offering a range of responses, including mine-risk education, psychosocial support, vocational training, assistance to survivors of sexual violence and help for children who are being reintegrated into society after their association with armed forces and groups.”

“In a child's eyes one will find the light of hope and of promise for the future. But look into the eyes of former child soldiers, or the eyes of children who have suffered from terrible abuses, or even the eyes of those who have simply witnessed the horrors of war...A girl living through the horror of rape.”

“The situation of children in Syria is dire. My staff and other United Nations colleagues have documented Government attacks on school, children being denied access to hospitals, girls and boys suffering and dying in bombardments of their neighborhoods and also being subject to torture, including sexual violence, sometimes for weeks.”

“Particularly alarming are recent reports of new training camps in northern Mali, run by armed groups. Sexual violence against children, especially by the MNLA, is also of great concern.”

“M-23 has killed, maimed and injured scores of children, and sexual violence against girls has been reported.”

“In addition, we continue to enhance our cooperation with partners on sexual violence against children to further our implementation of resolution 1882 (2009) In that regard, I look forward to working closely with Under-Secretary-General Bachelet and Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conf lict, Zainab Hawa Bangura.”

“I am also happy to report to the Council today that the action plan with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has almost been finalized and is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.

“ As a key part of this unique partnership, our multidimensional peacekeeping operations are of course uniquely placed to contribute to the actual protection of children affected by conflict. They provide a common platform that combines political, justice, human rights, gender, child protection and other civilian expertise with military, police and corrections experts and myriad logistical and operational capabilities.”

“Fourth, my delegation believes that continued attention needs to be paid to the issue of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children in situations of armed conflict. We have been strongly supportive of the listing of the parties responsible for the sexual crimes against children, as pursuant to Security Council resolution 1882, adopted in 2009.