General Assembly Security Council

UNSC Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict

[14 April 2021; 1000 hrs]

 

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

 

Mr. President,

 

At the outset, we thank Vietnam for convening the Open Debate on this important issue. We also thank the Secretary General for his report, SRSG Pramila Patten and all distinguished briefers for sharing their insights.

 

2. Sexual violence in armed conflicts, perpetrated by state and non-state actors, is a weapon used to subjugate the people. It fuels displacement, destabilizes and traumatizes communities, weakens governance and imperils the opportunities for post-conflict reconciliation and stability.

 

3. Despite the strong framework put in place by the Security Council over the past decade, the level of compliance by parties to the conflict remains alarmingly low. The gap between what is recommended and the reality in the field remains.

 

Mr. President,

 

4. In order to prevent the atrocities, end the culture of impunity and to rehabilitate and reintegrate the survivors, my delegation wishes to highlight the following points.

 

5. First, it is vital for Member States to develop a comprehensive legal framework in line with international standards, to ensure the effective prosecution of sexual violence as a self-standing crime. National governments have the primary responsibility for prosecuting and deterring such crimes in conflict situations on their territories, even if these are alleged to have been committed by non-state actors. Where required, the UN could assist member states in augmenting their capacities to deal with this issue.

 

6. Second, Member States should adopt a victim-centered approach to preventing and responding to sexual violence in armed conflicts, in line with the resolution 2467. States must ensure adequate funding for comprehensive, non-discriminatory and multi-sectoral assistance for victims of sexual violence, like medical, psychological, social and legal services.

 

7. Third, understanding the nexus between terrorism, financing of violent extremist groups, trafficking and sexual violence in armed conflicts must inform Council action on this important matter.

 

8. Fourth, the sanctions regimes and other targeted measures by the Council need to be strengthened to utilize their full potential to advance women’s protection from sexual violence in situations of armed conflicts, including by listing individuals and entities involved in sexual violence against women in armed conflicts.

 

9. Fifth, greater participation of women in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconciliation processes needs to be promoted to address deep rooted inequality and subordination in the society. It is important to make this a pre-condition for any peace process to succeed.

 

10. Sixth, mainstreaming of gender perspective in peace operations and increasing women’s representation in peacekeeping are prerequisites for prevention and response.

 

11. Seventh, and not the least, to promote synergy and effective coordination, it is imperative to avoid duplication in the working of various UN organs. The issue of violence against women, including sexual violence, is discussed by other UN bodies, including at the Human Rights Council. Deliberations at the Security Council, therefore, should remain focused on such atrocities perpetrated in situations of armed conflicts that threaten international peace and security.

 

Mr. President,

 

12. In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Circle of Leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations. India has also signed the Secretary-General’s Voluntary Compact against sexual exploitation and abuse.

 

13. India has the distinction of sending the first all women Formed Police Unit (FPU) contingent to the Liberia in 2007. This unit not just managed criminality, deterred sexual and gender-based violence and helped rebuild safety and confidence among the Liberian population but operationalized the spirit of Security Council resolution 1325 into action. These courageous Indian women patrolled Monrovian streets at night, taught Liberian women self-defense skills, conducted classes on sexual violence, maintained calm during the Ebola crisis and devoted time and resources above and beyond the call of duty to protect the local communities. The legacy these Indian woman peacekeepers left behind was the next generation of female Liberian leaders, who are serving in the national police today.

 

14. Major Suman Gawani, an Indian woman peacekeeper deployed earlier with UNMISS, was awarded the UN military gender advocate of the year-2019 for her role in mentoring over 230 UN Military Observers and ensured the presence of women military observers in each of the Mission’s team sites. She also trained South Sudanese government forces and helped them launch their action plan to prevent conflict-related sexual violence.

 

15. India welcomes the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy to increase the number of women peacekeepers. We also support increasing the deployment of Women Protection Advisors for effective monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence in the field.

 

Mr. President,

 

16. The burdening of the health care system and the economic fall-out due to the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to put women and girls in armed conflicts at even higher risk. Member states need to work together to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on sexual violence in armed conflicts and to preserve our hard-won progress in this field.

 

17. Let me conclude by acknowledging the progress that has been achieved by the UN entities in monitoring, reporting and listing the persistent offenders over the years. However, we need to continue focusing on closing the compliance gaps through a range of context-specific and inclusive actions.

 

18. India reaffirms its commitment to actively contribute to our collective endeavour in effectively tackling sexual violence in situations of armed conflict.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.