Welcoming remarks at side event “Fighting impunity for conflict-related sexual violence” hosted by Belgium, 31 August 2016

Good morning everyone. I am pleased to see all of you here today for this discussion on what is indeed an extremely relevant and important topic. I would like to thank the Permanent Mission of Belgium, together with the Permanent Missions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, France and Iraq, for organizing this important discussion and for the kind invitation to address you. I also wish to welcome our esteemed panellists, whose presence here today is a demonstration of their courage and determination to fight impunity and obtain justice for the victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

The issue of sexual violence in war and conflict is not a new one. Indeed, conflict-related sexual violence has devastated lives throughout much of human history. But the fact that we are still seeing widespread use of sexual violence as a tactic of war today, in the 21st century, is wholly unacceptable, and we must do all that we can to eradicate it.

For example, during the last session of the Human Rights Council in June, the Commission of Inquiry on Syria informed us, through their report “They came to destroy: ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis”, of the horrifying atrocities that have been, and continue to be, committed by ISIS fighters, including the systematic rape and sexual enslavement of Yazidi women and girls as young as nine years old. In fact, according to the Commission, more than 3,200 Yazidi women and girls continue to be bought and sold repeatedly for the purpose of being sexually abused.

Rape and other forms of sexual violence is one of the gravest violations of women’s dignity and fundamental human rights. Many survivors of sexual violence suffer from lasting physical, psychological, social and economic harms for the rest of their lives.

The former Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Mr. Manfred Nowak, has asserted that rape constitutes torture.

Moreover, as the Commission of Inquiry on Syria so clearly laid out for us, rape and sexual violence can constitute not only war crimes and crimes against humanity under international criminal law, but also underlying acts to genocide.

The trauma, stigmatization and fear that result from sexual violence, however, make it very difficult for many survivors to come forward to seek justice, fuelling the vicious cycle of impunity.

While awareness on the issue of conflict-related sexual violence is indeed increasing, including through the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, an effective response from States to address the issue and confront impunity head-on is lacking.

The culture of impunity allows for the persistent reoccurrence of conflict-related sexual violence. Prompt investigations and the effective prosecution of perpetrators are essential to break the cycle, by deterring future acts and restoring society’s faith in the rule of law.

The fight against impunity is equal to the fight against sexual violence itself, and the rapid response of society toward the victims is the first step in the fight. We must ensure that caring for the victims and their needs are at the forefront of the response. Accessible and inclusive reparation programmes can help to break the silence that often surrounds these crimes. Empowering victims to come forward and seek justice can defeat the culture of impunity. The fight against impunity requires a wholistic approach involving all of society as well as victims.

The issue of conflict-related sexual violence is indeed a very sensitive and painful topic. By sharing with us their stories and experiences, these esteemed panellists are directly participating in the fight against impunity for these heinous crimes. I wish to again thank them for coming here today, and for engaging us in what is sure to be a thought-provoking discussion.

Thank you.