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STATEMENT BY

 

H.E. SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY: ACCOUNTABILITY AS PREVENTION: ENDING CYCLES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT

 

13 APRIL 2022, NEW YORK

 

 

 

Mr. President,

 

Thank you for convening this Open Debate and for continuing to highlight the WPS agenda during your presidency. I would also like to thank the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and other briefers for their valuable remarks on the subject.

 

2.       Malaysia remains deeply concerned of the heightened risks of sexual violence against civilians particularly on women and children in conflict. The Secretary-General’s report last year revealed disturbing facts that a number of parties to the armed conflict continued to use sexual violence as a cruel tactic of war, terror and political repression in order to advance their strategic objectives. This heinous crime must stop.

 

Mr. President,

 

3.       Malaysia continues to support and underscores the importance of addressing sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situation in an integrated and holistic manner by all stakeholders, including States, the UN system and civil society. In this connection, Malaysia is pleased that the recent CSW conclusions contain vital language emphasising the need to address sexual and gender-based violence both during and in the aftermath of conflict, including by adopting preventative approaches taking into account the needs and perspectives of victims and survivors.

 

4.       Moving ahead, we need to ensure accountability, including through effective prevention and protection mechanisms. In addition, measures to prevent and address sexual violence should be strategically aligned with efforts to prevent violent extremism. In this connection, I wish to highlight the following points:

 

5.       First, it is incumbent on States to introduce or strengthen legislation and judicial processes to document, investigate, and prosecute sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situation. Malaysia views accountability as a duty under both domestic and international law. In that regard, national systems should be pushed to meet international standards for ensuring accountability and justice so that perpetrators of such crimes will never go unpunished. Assistance to survivors such as psychological support and access to justice must also be prioritised. We also call for provisions on sexual violence in conflict to be integrated into all peace processes, negotiations and agreements.

 

6.       Second, we see merits in broadening networking and coordination between the Security Council and the Human Rights Council towards ensuring accountability for human rights violations, including sexual assault and violence against women and children.

 

7.       Third, prevention efforts would not succeed without women’s inclusive participation. Participation also matters for protection and is key to peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Women’s participation in security framework can advance citizens’ trust in the institutions and contribute towards improving intelligence gathering, reporting of gender-based violence, and treatment of victims, witnesses, and suspects. At the same time, we need to end the harassment and reprisal targeting women in peace and security processes.

 

Mr. President,

 

8.       Malaysia remains committed to the WPS agenda and the collective efforts to combat sexual violence in conflict, including through the UN peacekeeping operations. Since 2014, the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) has continued to teach courses on gender as well as the role of women in peacekeeping missions, such as maintaining a Gender Advisor (GENAD); Comprehensive Protection of Civilians; Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA); Women, Peace and Security; Gender Mainstreaming; and Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative. These programs have benefited over 900 military and civilian personnel, including 190 foreign participants and 9 Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) contingents to UNIFIL.

 

9.       Malaysia is also a signatory to the Voluntary Compact signifying our strong commitment to address SEA comprehensively and effectively.

 

Mr. President,

 

10.       It is more crucial than ever to address the persistent impunity and a vacuum of justice and accountability for sexual violence in conflict. Let me conclude by stressing the importance of the Security Council to urgently work with relevant stakeholders and partners in our collective efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians, including women and children in conflict situation. 

 

Thank you.