UN Sec Council adopts resolution on sexual violence in conflict

by admin
Jun 23, 2013
A resolution on sexual violence in conflict was unanimously adopted by the 15 member UN Security Council on Monday.

The resolution "encourages members states to include the full range of crimes of sexual violence in national penal legislation to enable prosecution for such acts" and "notes that sexual violence can constitute a crime against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide; further recalls that rape and other forms of serious sexual violence in armed conflict are war crimes."

Addressing the Council the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said:
"Sexual violence is a crime under international human rights law and a threat to international peace and security."

"When used as a weapon of war, it can significantly exacerbate conflict and hamper reconciliation."

"Today’s resolution sends yet another strong signal to perpetrators that their acts will no longer be tolerated.  They will be held accountable."
Ban Ki Moon's special envoy on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Bangura, highlighted the case of Bosnia and the dangers of impunity.

Bangura said:
"For the survivors of sexual violence the war has not ended."

"While the perpetrators have enjoyed the fruits of peace and have been free to rebuild their lives, their victims continue to walk in shadow and shame, unable to lay the past to rest and to move forward."
The Council was also addressed by the Special Envoy for the UN Refugee Agency, Angelina Jolie who urged the Council to make the issue of sexual violence in conflict a priority.

Jolie said:
"For these crimes happen not because they are inherent to war, but because the global climate allows it."

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