United Nations Security Council
Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 

“Turning Commitments into Compliance”

INDIA STATEMENT

17 July 2020

Mr. President, 

We thank Germany for convening this open debate. We also thank all the briefers for sharing their experiences and insights today. Once again, they have reminded us of the poignant human tragedy that lies at the heart of this agenda, and of the solemn duty of the international community to end impunity and to assist the survivors and their communities to heal from the trauma, in order to ensure peace. 

Sexual violence in armed conflicts, perpetrated by state and non-state actors, pose grave security challenges. It divides communities and weakens governance. It imperils the opportunities for post-conflict reconciliation and stability. Council’s actions, therefore, must be fully informed of the dynamic complexities of the conflict and facts from the ground to respond to sexual-violence in conflicts and post-conflict situations. 

We wish to highlight following points on the theme of today’s discussion. 

At the outset, we wish to mention that 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 threatening intentional peace and security.  

Second, to address the implementation gaps, Council’s actions need to be better informed of the drivers and motivations of a range of state and non-state actors. Justice systems and rule of law mechanisms at all levels must be strengthened to hold the perpetrators of sexual violence as well as those who order or condone such violence accountable. Otherwise we will be treating the symptoms without ever curing the ailment. 

Third, the sanctions and 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. Their effective implementation by all actors must be ensured. There should be credible and effective deterrence for those who violate their obligations under sanction regimes. 

Fourth, evidence and insights on the patterns and prevalence of sexual violence in conflict areas must inform the development of specific programs and policies, to prevent such violence and assist the survivors. Expanded programs in strengthening rule of law mechanisms and security sectors in affected countries, increasing the number of women in security forces, and capacity building for protection of civilians are important. Equally important are promoting access to justice for the survivors. National ownership and meaningful community-participation are critical for successful prevention and response efforts. 

Fifth, it is critical to challenge the underlying social norms that prescribe  behaviors leading to ‘normalization’ of sexual violence and perpetuate stigmatization of victims. Normative, institutional and operational frameworks outside the Security Council have an important role to play in addressing such structural issues. Council’s actions need not duplicate these efforts, but must be situated within such broader frameworks.  

Sixth, meaningful participation of women in conflict resolution, post-conflict reconciliation processes and relevant rule of law mechanisms needs to be promoted. India is committed to the effective implementation of the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy as a road-map to increase the number of women peacekeepers. We believe that all women units need to be incentivized to ensure greater participation of women in UN peacekeeping. We also remain committed to foster greater cooperation in providing adequate training to UN peacekeepers on gender issues to enable them in fulfilling their mandates. 

Mr. President, 

India’s sensitivities on this issue of sexual violence in armed conflicts is guided by the appalling atrocities perpetrated against women with impunity by the armed forces of Pakistan against its own people in India’s immediate neighborhood in 1971. It is ironical that those who perpetrated these crimes, including of sexual violence, are now masquerading as champions of justice, leveling false allegations against India. The double standards in Pakistan’s actions are self-evident. 

It is common knowledge that Pakistan is nurturing a cesspool of terrorists and other non-state actors including traffickers, drug and arms peddlers to destabilize countries in its neighbourhood and beyond. Pakistan is using abduction, forced marriages and forced religious conversions of vulnerable women and girls as weapons of persecution towards religious and ethnic minority communities in their own country. The international community can no longer afford to just sit and watch these atrocities without taking action to stop Pakistan on this reckless path.

Mr. President, 

If the UNSC resolutions under this agenda of sexual violence in conflict have to be translated into results, we must do much more to hold to account not just those who commit them but also those who command, bankroll and condone such acts. We need greater political will, public awareness among the affected communities, and, above all, greater ownership from a range of actors to counter and prevent sexual violence exacerbating armed conflict and hindering peace. 

Significant progress has been achieved by the UN entities in monitoring, reporting and listing the persistent offenders. We need to close the compliance gaps through a range of context-specific and inclusive actions to strengthen protection and prevention. India is committed to work with all members of the Council during its forthcoming non-permanent membership to address normative and implementation challenges on this agenda. 

I thank you.