S/RES/1888 (2009)
Recalling the responsibilities of States to end impunity and to prosecute those
responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other egregious
crimes perpetrated against civilians, and in this regard, noting with concern that
only limited numbers of perpetrators of sexual violence have been brought to
justice, while recognizing that in conflict and in post conflict situations national
justice systems may be significantly weakened,
Reaffirming that ending impunity is essential if a society in conflict or
recovering from conflict is to come to terms with past abuses committed against
civilians affected by armed conflict and to prevent future such abuses, drawing
attention to the full range of justice and reconciliation mechanisms to be considered,
including national, international and “mixed” criminal courts and tribunals and truth
and reconciliation commissions, and noting that such mechanisms can promote not
only individual responsibility for serious crimes, but also peace, truth, reconciliation
and the rights of the victims,
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,
Stressing the necessity for all States and non-State parties to conflicts to
comply fully with their obligations under applicable international law, including the
prohibition on all forms of sexual violence,
Recognizing the need for civilian and military leaders, consistent with the
principle of command responsibility, to demonstrate commitment and political will
to prevent sexual violence and to combat impunity and enforce accountability, and
that inaction can send a message that the incidence of sexual violence in conflicts is
tolerated,
Emphasizing the importance of addressing sexual violence issues from the
outset of peace processes and mediation efforts, in order to protect populations at
risk and promote full stability, in particular in the areas of pre-ceasefire
humanitarian access and human rights agreements, ceasefires and ceasefire
monitoring, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Security
Sector Reform (SSR) arrangements, justice and reparations, post-conflict recovery
and development,
Noting with concern the underrepresentation of women in formal peace
processes, the lack of mediators and ceasefire monitors with proper training in
dealing with sexual violence, and the lack of women as Chief or Lead peace
mediators in United Nations-sponsored peace talks,
Recognizing that the promotion and empowerment of women and that support
for women’s organizations and networks are essential in the consolidation of peace
to promote the equal and full participation of women and encouraging Member
States, donors, and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, to
provide support in this respect,
Welcoming the inclusion of women in peacekeeping missions in civil, military
and police functions, and recognizing that women and children affected by armed
conflict may feel more secure working with and reporting abuse to women in
peacekeeping missions, and that the presence of women peacekeepers may
encourage local women to participate in the national armed and security forces,
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