Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

In contemporary conflicts, sexual violence is not a side effect but, rather, a front line consideration. Civilians, mostly women and girls, are often the deliberate targets of such violence. Sexual violence in conflict situations is frequently invisible but rarely non-existent. The international community was shocked by the reported mass rapes in the Democratic Republic of Congo in July and August this year.

In conclusion, I would like emphasize that sexual violence poses an obstacle to peace and security. It impedes women from participating in peace and democratic processes and in post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation. As a tool of war it can become a way of life: once entrenched in the fabric of society, it lingers long after the guns have fallen silent.

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.

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.

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.

We must redouble our efforts to combat sexual violence in conflict. In that regard, the Republic of Korea supports the strong leadership of the Security Council and welcomes the package of measures that the Secretary-General suggests to accelerate the full implementation of resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009). Among others, my delegation would like to highlight the following three points.

Secondly, preventing and responding to sexual violence require a more coherent and coordinated approach within the United Nations system. For example, a more integrated strategic framework between peacekeeping missions and United Nations country teams should be established to formulate mission objectives targeted at women and peace and security, as well as to evaluate their implementation.