Peacekeeping

It is important to emphasize that the common positions on the protection of civilians agenda, which have been developed by the international community over the past decade, need to be upheld and further enhanced.

We have remained at the cutting edge of many United Nations operations in places where civilians were under threat. Today, we have a female formed police unit — the first such formation composed entirely of women — in the United Nations Mission in Liberia. Thus, India brings to this table a quantum of experience in actually protecting civilians in peacekeeping missions that is unique in its relevance, variety and depth.

With respect to the systematic violence carried out against women and girls, we welcome the investigations that are under way in the country, which reflect the determination of MONUSCO and of the Congolese Government to combat impunity.

The European Union commends the work conducted within the United Nations in recent years to foster and strengthen a common understanding of protection of civilians in armed conflicts. The joint efforts in the United Nations have, in addition to increasing the understanding of the concept of the protection of civilians, also resulted in the establishment of a platform for action.

The events in Walikale in August 2010 and other incidents of widespread sexual violence in situations of armed conflict show that peacekeepers need to have the capacity to interact closely and communicate effectively with local communities and the host Government in order to carry out their mandate and prevent an escalation of violence.

Engaging local communities, including women, in discussions on protection requirements is key both in the planning stages and while peacekeeping missions are deployed in the field.

We should also place special emphasis on the role of women in all phases of our efforts in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. We should further try to ensure increased participation by women.

National ownership must also be a core element in all peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandates and missions. Peacekeepers come and go, but only national participation, involvement and ownership from all segments of society, particularly disadvantaged groups such as women and children, can create the sort of organic development that will sustain long-term peace.

In that regard, Japan welcomes the recommendations put forward in the recently released impact study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security in peacekeeping. One practical way in which we can make a difference is to increase the number of female military and police officers joining peacekeeping missions.

The European Union strongly backs the mainstreaming of human rights, including gender equality, in the work of the United Nations — for example, through the recently established mainstreaming mechanism of the Development Group. More frequent presentations by the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Security Council would be a good way to further mainstream human rights in its work.