STATEMENT OF TÜRKİYE

UNSC Open Debate on “Sexual Violence in Conflict”

13 April 2022

Mr. President,

We would like to thank the United Kingdom for convening this important and timely debate. We also thank Special Representative Ms. Patten and the civil society briefers for their insightful remarks.

Mr. President,

Sexual violence is one of the gravest human rights abuses committed against women and girls.

In situations of conflict, sexual violence is often used as a weapon of war, a strategy to deprive human beings of their most basic rights - their safety, security and dignity. Moreover, sexual violence can exacerbate and prolong armed conflicts and may impede the restoration of international peace and security.

We acknowledge the progress that have been achieved within the UN system to generate action to combat this scourge. The Security Council has successfully connected the concepts of sexual violence and impunity to international peace and security, passing numerous resolutions and addressing the issue in various meetings.

We welcome the inclusion of sexual violence as a designation criterion for the Council sanctions committees and support its application in practice.

Yet, we see a gap between the commitments and action. As the Secretary General’s latest report reveals, sexual violence continues to be widely used as a tactic of war and terror. The report also confirms the nexus among sexual violence, human trafficking and forced displacement.

Sexual violence in conflicts is one of the leading factors that trigger internal and cross-border displacement. Furthermore, victims of sexual violence are likely to face further abuses during their displacement which leads to multiple victimizations, including human trafficking.

Strengthening penal codes and immigration laws with a view to combat human trafficking is essential. The protection framework should also cover additional support in the aftermath of victimization, such as ensuring the safety of victims, providing psychological support and extending the victims’ stay in their country of refuge to mitigate the effects of the trauma.

Mr. President,

Sexual violence has consequences for all affected – women and girls, men and boys. In addition to its devastating impact on the survivors, it has a broad and long-lasting effect on communities and states as a whole for generations.

Our responsibility must be to bring justice, recognition and reparations to the survivors of these horrendous crimes. The punishment of the crime often serves as the most important deterrent and is a key element for prevention.

However, as stated in the Secretary General’s report, “impunity for crimes of conflict-related sexual violence remains the norm and the pace of justice remains painfully slow”.

In order to address sexual violence during conflicts and ensure that these crimes can be prosecuted in the post-conflict phase, necessary documentation and evidence must be gathered while the conflict is ongoing. The UN, other international organizations, humanitarian agencies and civil society have an important task in this respect.

We commend the efforts of women’s protection advisers in the field and the Team of Experts on Rule of Law. We call for the mobilization of human and financial resources for their timely deployment in the mandated missions.

Mr. President,

Today’s meeting is about standing for delivering accountability and justice for the survivors of these despicable crimes. It is about protecting the lives, rights and dignity of women and girls suffering from conflicts around the world.

In this context, let me express our solidarity with women and girls in Ukraine, who face the terrible consequences of the act of aggression by Russia.

Likewise, we reiterate our commitment to seek accountability for the horrific acts of sexual violence perpetrated by the Syrian regime which have long been documented in various UN reports.

More than ever it is time to collectively step up our efforts for the women and girls who bear the brunt of conflicts all around the world.

Firmly committed to gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, Türkiye will continue to work closely with the international community to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda and to eliminate sexual violence in conflict.

Thank you.