Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Gennady Kuzmin at an open VTC of UNSC members "Women and peace and security: sexual violence in conflict"
Mr. President,
At the outset, we would like to thank you for convening this meeting and commend the contribution of the briefers to this discussion.
The Security Council gathers annually to discuss measures against conflict-related sexual violence. In their statements, speakers whole-heartedly condemn such crimes, reiterate shared commitment to combat this abominable phenomenon. The Secretariat elaborates standardized statutory regulations and detailed plans to that end, engages vast expert capacity, puts to use the Organization’s forces and facilities in the international peacekeeping presences and special political missions.
The problem is real, and the international community realizes it. All Security Council member states without exception agree that we must fight against this evil.
Then why is it happening from year to year that the Secretary-General in his reports basically states the lack of progress at this track? Why does it happen that integral, well-structured, and thoroughly considered recommendations of the Special Representative actually contradict the reality on the ground? For example, what prevents the conflicting sides from “ensuring comprehensive and constructive participation of women, girls, and victims of sexual violence… in decision-making processes”, as the report would suggest?
The answer is often very simple. It is the state of war that prevents them. It is the state of enmity and hatred in the society that is often propelled from the outside. It is the state, in which there are no rights, no justice, no capable power institutions. Such state is characterized by the rule of the gun. Those are right who have the arms.
We must do all we can to put an end to conflicts, eradicate their underlying causes, recreate resilient society. Only a resilient society can combat lawlessness and terminate violence, including sexual violence.
Mr. President,
We welcome the activity of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten. We appreciate her work aimed at strengthening national potentials, promoting dialogue with religious and other traditional leaders, addressing the issues of stigmatization of victims of sexual violence and their rehabilitation. It is important that the humanitarian work of her Office should not be associated with political bias, considered as indulgence to one party to the conflict and silencing of the crimes committed by the other. Therefore, we call on the authors of the report to be very careful when addressing the list of actors, credibly suspected of committing sexual violence. All suspicions must be well substantiated, all facts double-checked, all sources of information identified.
Mr. President,
Despite extra challenges created by the pandemic, we do not lose hope that the current measures, including this debate, will help eradicate violence against civilians, including sexual violence, for the sake of international peace and security.
Thank you.
