| UN Security Council adopts new Resolution on Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations |
| 16.12.2010, New York (USA) |
| The United Nations stepped up its battle against sexual violence in conflict situations around the world with the Security Council calling for perpetrators to be publicly listed and punished with sanctions. The new UNSC Resolution 1960 was adopted unanimously. This will further strengthen the normative standards on women and peace and security – in particular UNSC Resolution 1888. |
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1960 was adopted unanimously on December 16, 2010. This resolution follows several resolutions on sexual violence in conflicts (UNDCR 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009). the Council requested information on parties suspected of patterns of sexual violence during armed conflicts to be made avaliable to it. The resolution was sponsored by 60 countries.
The Council resolution – voicing deep concern at the slow progress in combating sexual violence, particularly against women and children, and the limited number of perpetrators brought to justice – stresses the need to end impunity and vowed to take “appropriate steps to address widespread or systematic sexual violence in situation of armed conflict” in accordance with procedures of relevant sanctions committees.
Resolution 1960 reminds the member states to comply with international law and for leaders to demonstrate commitment to prevent sexual violence, combat impunity and uphold accountability, as inaction would send the wrong message. It calls for the prosecution of perpetrators of war crimes and genocide and emphasizes the primary responsibility of states to respect and ensure human rights of people within their territory.
It calls on the Secretary-General to include in it’s annual reports detailed information on perpetrators (parties to armed conflict that are credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for acts of rape or other forms of sexual violence) and to provide a list of such. Additionally, it requests the Secretary General to establish monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence, including rape in situations of armed conflict and post-conflict. And taking into account the specificity of each country, that ensure a coherent and coordinated approach at the field-level, and encourages the Secretary-General to engage with United Nations actors, national institutions, civil society organizations, health care service providers, and women's groups to enhance data collection and analysis of incidents, trends, and patterns of rape and other forms of sexual violence. |
