S/RES/1820 (2008)
and that sexual violence perpetrated in this manner may in some instances persist
after the cessation of hostilities;
Recalling its condemnation in the strongest terms of all sexual and other forms
of violence committed against civilians in armed conflict, in particular women and
children;
Reiterating deep concern that, despite its repeated condemnation of violence
against women and children in situations of armed conflict, including sexual
violence in situations of armed conflict, and despite its calls addressed to all parties
to armed conflict for the cessation of such acts with immediate effect, such acts
continue to occur, and in some situations have become systematic and widespread,
reaching appalling levels of brutality,
Recalling the inclusion of a range of sexual violence offences in the Rome
Statute of the International Criminal Court and the statutes of the ad hoc
international criminal tribunals,
Reaffirming the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of
conflicts and in peacebuilding, and stressing the importance of their equal
participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion
of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with
regard to conflict prevention and resolution,
Deeply concerned also about the persistent obstacles and challenges to
women’s participation and full involvement in the prevention and resolution of
conflicts as a result of violence, intimidation and discrimination, which erode
women’s capacity and legitimacy to participate in post-conflict public life, and
acknowledging the negative impact this has on durable peace, security and
reconciliation, including post-conflict peacebuilding,
Recognizing that States bear primary responsibility to respect and ensure the
human rights of their citizens, as well as all individuals within their territory as
provided for by relevant international law,
Reaffirming that parties to armed conflict bear the primary responsibility to
take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of affected civilians,
Welcoming the ongoing coordination of efforts within the United Nations
system, marked by the inter-agency initiative “United Nations Action against Sexual
Violence in Conflict,” to create awareness about sexual violence in armed conflicts
and post-conflict situations and, ultimately, to put an end to it,
1.
Stresses that sexual violence, when used or commissioned as a tactic of
war in order to deliberately target civilians or as a part of a widespread or
systematic attack against civilian populations, can significantly exacerbate
situations of armed conflict and may impede the restoration of international peace
and security, affirms in this regard that effective steps to prevent and respond to
such acts of sexual violence can significantly contribute to the maintenance of
international peace and security, and expresses its readiness, when considering
situations on the agenda of the Council, to, where necessary, adopt appropriate steps
to address widespread or systematic sexual violence;
Demands the immediate and complete cessation by all parties to armed
2.
conflict of all acts of sexual violence against civilians with immediate effect;
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