STATEMENT
BY
MS. NORDIANA ZIN ZAWAWI
COUNSELLOR
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE
ON CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE: PROMOTING IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS ON CONFLICT- RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE
14 JULY, NEW YORK
Madam President,
At the outset, my delegation would like to express our appreciation to the United Kingdom for convening this important debate. Malaysia would also like to thank the briefers for their update and assessment.
Madam President,
2. Malaysia condemns the abhorrent use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture and terrorism. We are gravely concerned with the reported heightened risk of sexual violence against civilians particularly on women and children in conflict. The recent report by the UN Secretary General on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) presents disturbing findings on patterns of sexual violence that persisted and further deepened in conflict situations. Against this background, we are dismayed by the prevalent impunity, with perpetrators quite regularly absconding formal accountability.
Madam President,
3. Efforts to address sexual violence in conflict situations should employ an integrated and holistic approach by all important stakeholders, including States, the whole UN system and civil societies. It is critical for countries in conflict and post-conflict to take adequate and necessary measures to prevent and respond to CRSV. In this regard, my delegation wishes to highlight the following points:
4. First, it is incumbent upon States to introduce or strengthen legislations and judicial processes to document, investigate, and prosecute sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situation. Importantly, the state’s duty to ensure accountability must be embedded in both domestic and international laws. All states have the obligation to prohibit CRSV and prosecute the perpetrators. We also call for provisions concerning CSRV to be integrated into the negotiations and agreements of the peace process.
5. Second, we see merits in broadening networking and coordination between the Security Council and the Human Rights Council towards ensuring accountability for human rights violations, including sexual assault and violence against women and children.
6. Third, meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding needs to be prioritised. Women’s role as agents of change in the security framework can advance citizens’ trust in the institutions and contribute towards improving intelligence gathering, reporting of gender-based violence, and treatment of victims, witnesses and suspects. At the same time, we need to end the harassment and reprisal targeting women in peace and security processes.
Madam President,
7. Malaysia remains committed to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the collective efforts to combat CSRV, including through the UN peacekeeping operations. Since 2014, the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) has continued to teach courses on gender as well as the role of women in peacekeeping missions.
8. The elimination of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is our collective moral duty. Let me conclude by stressing the importance for the Security Council to urgently work with relevant stakeholders and partners in our efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians, including women and children in conflict situations.
I thank you.