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STATEMENT BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE

 

ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY: PREVENTING CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE THROUGH DEMILITARISATION AND GENDER-RESPONSIVE ARMS CONTROL

 

23 APRIL 2024, NEW YORK

 

 

Mr. President,

 

At the outset, my delegation would like to express our appreciation to Malta for convening this important debate.  Malaysia would also like to thank the briefers for their valuable insights and assessment. 

 

Mr. President, 

 

Malaysia condemns the abhorrent use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture and terrorism in armed conflict. It is disturbing that the 2024 SG Report on CRSV, records a 50 percent increase of verified CRSV cases compared to the previous reporting cycle.

 

Efforts to address this grave issue should employ multifaceted and holistic approach. Central to this, our delegation proposes the following:

 

First, to prevent CRSV, Malaysia underlines the importance of demilitarization, disarmament, and arms control. This is important to dismantle the infrastructure of violence. Communities heavily saturated with military forces and arms, including small arms and light weapons often experience heightened levels of violence, including sexual violence.

 

Second, the Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) established by the UN, has contributed significantly to improve information-sharing on CRSV. Through standardized reporting formats and thorough data analysis, MARA enables a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence, patterns and perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict. Better data and analyses would help facilitate evidence-based policymaking and enhance accountability.

Third, peacekeeping missions can play an important role in preventing and responding to CRSV. As a contributing country to UN Peacekeeping Operations, Malaysia has endeavoured to increase the number of women deployed in peacekeeping missions. Currently, there are 94 Malaysian female personnel serving among the 865 Malaysian officials in UN Peacekeeping Missions worldwide. We have observed that female peacekeepers are better able to access women in communities. Also, women who have experienced CRSV feel more comfortable reporting such incidents to female peacekeepers.

Mr. President,

 

Malaysia appreciates the coverage of the situation in Palestine in this year’s report by the UN Secretary General.  However, we regret that the sexual violence experienced by Palestinians is not sufficiently elaborated. Malaysia views the situation in Gaza seriously and demands our utmost attention.  This includes incidences of sexual violence that have been perpetrated on Palestinians.  We demand thorough investigation to be undertaken on these incidences, without any discrimination.  

 

Mr. President,

 

CRSV remains prevalent in many conflict areas around the world.  It is a complex issue that requires not only a multifaceted and holistic approach, but also continuous and concerted international collaboration. Malaysia in this regard reiterates our commitment and advocacy to this cause.

 

Thank you.