YouSaid · the spoken record

Kolga

lines on the record: 172
first: 2011-10-28
most recent: 2015-05-27
sittings or episodes: 22
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“To reverse the near complete impunity that perpetrators of sexual violence currently enjoy, it is important that States build the capacity to ensure accountability. States lacking the necessary national legislation to investigate and prosecute perpetrators should therefore incorporate the ICC's provisions into their own legal systems. We would emphasize here that the ICC Statute has some important innovative provisions. For instance, the scope of crimes of sexual violence in international law has been expanded, acknowledging that sexual violence can be committed against both men and women. It also provides safeguards to ensure that victims of sexual violence can testify without being put on trial themselves and with minimal re-traumatization.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“Estonia and Latvia believe that accountability for sexual violence crimes is crucial for deterring and ultimately preventing their commission, and for doing justice by victims. To date, sexual and gender-based violence as a war crime or crime against humanity has been prosecuted primarily at the international level. As the only permanent international criminal tribunal, the International Criminal Court (ICC) therefore has an important role to play where States lack the capacity or political will to hold perpetrators to account. The Council itself has also acknowledged on numerous occasions that the fight against impunity for sexual violence crimes has been strengthened through the work of the ICC. However, the ICC will never be able to ensure accountability on its own.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“Indeed, the Security Council, through its five resolutions, has developed a robust framework to prevent and address sexual violence in armed conflict. However, gender crimes remain an enduring part of most armed conflicts and rape continues to be used as a weapon of war. We are concerned by the alarming facts reflected in the report that, despite the extensive legal framework we have been able to agree on, violations continue, or are even on the rise. Among other things, we have been informed about an increase in reported incidents of sexual violence in Afghanistan, and there are clear indications that conflict-related sexual violence has been a main feature of attacks in the Central African Republic and a consistent characteristic of the crisis in South Sudan.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Latvia and Estonia. Our countries would like to join others in thanking you, Sir, for organizing this open debate on the important issue before us. We fully align ourselves with the statement delivered no behalf of the European Union. We thank the Secretary-General, Ms. Bangura and Ms. Misaka for their statements. We also thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report on which today's discussion is based (S/2014/181). Both of our countries agree with the Secretary- General that important advances have recently been made on the issue before us. It is crucial that we now focus on converting these political commitments into concrete action - that is, prevention and services on the ground.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“Children throughout the world deserve the time to be children: they should not be parents, they should not be used as cheap labour and they should not be soldiers. Their blood should not be shed for the political, ideological or economic goals of grown-ups. We will be looking forward to the next Secretary-General's report in June, and truly hope that progress will already be reflected by then. No ambition should be too ambitious on this topic.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“We believe that predeployment training should be a rule rather than an exception, and we commend the recent developments in that regard. We would like to stress the crucial role of child protection advisers, who should be deployed in peacekeeping operations, peacebuilding missions and special political missions. They must be deployed in a consistent manner, and the child protection capacities of the different missions must be reinforced. Finally, let me express Estonia's full support for the "Children, not soldiers" campaign, launched yesterday. Its aim is to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by Government armed forces by 2016. Indeed, the goal sounds ambitious. In the United Nations we rarely see goals that have to be reached in only two years, but Estonia believes in such ambitious goals.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“To achieve its commitment to deal effectively with perpetrators, the Council could increase pressure on them by including violations against children in the mandates of all Sanctions Committees and by improving the exchange of information among the Council, Sanctions Committees and the ICC to include individuals on sanctions lists sought by the Court. While it is important to work with Government authorities to end violations against children in armed conflict, it is also crucial to engage and conclude action plans with non-State armed groups. Thirdly, with regard to capacity-building and concrete actions by the United Nations, providing specific operational predeployment and in-mission training for peacekeepers so as to enable them to make the right decisions while operating in difficult situations is one of the most important issues.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“However, where national courts still lack the capacity or the political will to investigate and prosecute grave crimes against children in armed conflict, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has a crucial role to play. The Council itself has on numerous occasions, as in the resolution adopted today, acknowledged that the fight against impunity for atrocious crimes, including against children, has been strengthened through the work of the ICC. For the ICC to fulfil its mandate, effective cooperation and assistance by all States, the Council, and international and regional organizations is essential.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Also, every child continuing his or her daily schooling should be kept away from the heinous hands of warlords willing to conscript them. Education also means empowerment, and if one has decent job opportunities one is less exposed to armed conflict. Secondly, with regard to accountability, although ending impunity for grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict is crucial to halt and prevent these crimes, perpetrators are rarely held to account. National courts have the primary responsibility in that regard. Sometimes they are not able to do that. The international community, therefore, should assist in strengthening national judicial systems to ensure accountability, including through the development of legislation criminalizing violations against children.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“It sounds as if something regular is going on in the world on a daily basis. It can happen that we do not even think any more about the real persons behind those huge numbers or about the thousands and millions of real children and their suffering. What can we do to make a difference for those children? I should like to stress three points: education, accountability and capacity-building. Education is the best and most effective prevention tool we have. Habits, norms and mindsets can only be changed through education. Only through education can we ensure a better future for these children. Let me stress, therefore, that schools should be for children and should never, under any conditions, be used for military purposes.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Fifteen years have passed since the adoption of resolution 1261 (1999), and significant progress has been made since then. Nevertheless, we in the United Nations are used to reading, listening and talking about the atrocities throughout the world that concern children. Among others, most of us have read the recently issued report of the Secretary-General on the situation of children in Syria (S/2014/3l). We have read that more than 10,000 children have died as a direct result of the conflict there. We have also read that thousands more have been injured and mutilated. We know that more than 1 million children are now living as refugees, and millions more are displaced within their own country. Some children have been separated from their families. Others have seen their parents, brothers or sisters being killed or injured.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“At the outset, allow me to thank Luxembourg for organizing this open debate on a very important subject. I also thank Ms. Zerrougui, Mr. Ladsous and Mr. Lake for their interesting and thought-provoking statements. By the same token, I welcome to the Chamber and thank for his remarks Mr. Alhaji Babah Sawaneh. He probably knows better than any one ofus here what we are really talking about today. I should like to congratulate the presidency on the adoption of a timely resolution on this matter, which Estonia also sponsored. Resolution 2143 (2114) represents a step forward in our common endeavour. Estonia fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. Let me stress some topics that are especially important for my country.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“States should recognize their role and commitment to contribute towards reaching more inclusive, transparent and empowering societies in which everyone can enjoy human rights and in which men and women are treated equally. State and civil society partnerships and the inclusion of the private sector are more successful if we act in this systematic and coordinated manner. Estonia has completed two out of our four pledges for ratifying the Kampala amendments to the Rome Statute and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Estonia agrees, as also recognized by the High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, that responsive institutions promoting the rule of law and access to justice are necessary for transformative shifts enabling development and for building peace and effective open and accountable institutions for all. We strongly believe that good governance, democracy and the rule of law must be emphasized in the future sustainable development agenda among the sustainable development goals. Estonia also fully supports the initiative for rule-of-law pledges launched at the General Assembly's 2012 High-level Meeting by the Heads of State and Government.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“In the most recent example, just two weeks ago, on 10 February, a third person convicted of crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war committed in the former Yugoslavia was transferred to Estonia to serve his sentence. Of course, it must be stressed that supporting and developing the rule of law is not just about international criminal law; it is about all sectors of national and international governance. To ensure the effectiveness of rule-of-law efforts they must be better coordinated at the international level.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Estonia firmly believes that commitment to fighting impunity at all levels is the only way to deter those who might commit crimes in future. The enforcement of sentences of the respective international courts and tribunals is vital for international criminal law to have a deterrent effect. To help to sustain that effect and in coherence with the principles of rule of law, Estonia signed an agreement on the enforcement of sentences with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, which allows persons convicted before the Tribunal to serve their sentences in prisons within Estonia.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“In that regard, States parties, as well as non-States parties on the Security Council who contribute to referring situations to the ICC, should ensure that adequate cooperation is consistently provided to the ICC. However, States must also acknowledge that it is first and foremost their responsibility to develop national capacities to investigate and prosecute serious international crimes. As the concept note for this open debate rightly describes, the development of national capacity should include a comprehensive legislative framework to ensure the investigation and prosecution of crimes and the incorporation of Rome Statute crimes into domestic criminal codes and should ensure robust witness protection programmes, so that those who are brave enough to come forward are safe enough to do so.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“I should like to reiterate Estonia's call upon all countries that have not yet done so to join the Rome Statute system, and I would likewise urge States parties to join in the ratification of the Kampala amendments. The universality of international law and adherence by all to the same principles are essential to improving the world in which we live. In that regard, countries, whether they have joined the Rome Statute or not, must set an example of non-aggression, self-restraint and respect for the rule of law. I commend the continued cooperation of the United Nations with the ICC, particularly in the provision of logistical support for field operations and the submission of documents to the Prosecutor and defence counsel. Nevertheless, we should continue to improve that relationship to enhance the legitimacy and success of the Court.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Therefore, Estonia welcomes the approach of the Security Council in identifying the strengthening of rule-of-law institutions as an integral part of the United Nations mission mandates designated for the upkeep of peace and security. Justice is necessary for sustainable development and security in any post-conflict society. Impunity provides fertile ground for the recurrence of conflicts and breeds instability. Consistent prosecution, either domestically or internationally, is a most effective tool to combat international crimes. I therefore welcome that the Secretary-General's report (S/2013/341) on the strengthening of the rule of law also reflects the important role of international criminal justice and emphasizes the necessity to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Adherence to the rule of law at home makes it more probable that we will also follow the principle in our interactions abroad. At the international level, the rule of law accords predictability and legitimacy to the actions of States and forms a fundamental framework for the conduct of relations among them. The rule of law provides keys to conflict prevention. It is also an important element of peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Following the rule of law and delivering justice builds public trust in national Government institutions, which is essential for developing a safe environment for us to live in. Moreover, the preventative nature of strong and consistent rule-of-law institutions helps to reduce the risk of further conflicts.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“At the outset, let me also thank the Lithuanian presidency for the initiative of convening this timely open debate and for the comprehensive concept note (S/2014/75, annex). I should also like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement. I give credit to the holding of open debates as a measure of greater transparency and for the inclusion of the broader United Nations membership in the issues discussed by the Council, and I recommend that every presidency follow suit. Estonia fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. The longer version of our statement will be distributed. The rule of law is a core principle of governance that ensures justice and fairness and in which all persons, as well as the State itself, are accountable to laws that are equally enforced and independently adjudicated.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“In that regard, Estonia welcomes the French proposal to define a way the permanent members of the Council could decide to collectively renounce their veto powers in the event ofa mass crime. Finally, as a member of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group, Estonia is ready to work closely with the Council in order to identify further ways to increase transparency and interaction between all States Members of the United Nations and the Council.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“The Council has been paralysed for too long, and the international community has therefore not been able to assume its responsibility to protect the people of Syria, who have been systematically attacked and killed by their own Government, a Government that has not lived up to the rightful expectations of its own people to a peaceful and stable living environment. We would call upon the Council to reflect on its working methods - on how such a situation has occurred and how it could be avoided in future. One of the issues to explore is the veto and its use. Estonia would call on the permanent members of the Council to seriously consider refraining from its use in cases of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“An example of the lack of transparency in the work of the Council was the process that led to adoption of the long-awaited resolution 2118 (2013), on Syrian chemical weapons, which for the first time in history determined that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constituted a threat to international peace and security. We certainly welcome the resolution, but the process of making the decision showed that transparency could be enhanced. With respect to accountability, which is another important goal that the Council should pursued, we again cannot overlook Syria, the most tragic ongoing conflict.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“It should be enhanced both horizontally and vertically. In a decision-making process, the wider membership's involvement should start at an early stage and continue through to the end of a decision's implementation. On the other hand, an even wider range of different stakeholders, including civil society, should be involved in the work of the Council. We believe that exclusion creates frustration, while participation increases ownership - and thus responsibility and accountability as well. A great deal has in fact been done, but there is still room for improvement.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“That was the first thematic debate focusing on the relationship of the Council with the Court, and it was, we believe, a timely and fruitful exercise. Estonia therefore strongly encourages members of the Security Council to organize a follow-up debate on the topic. We would also like to commend the Council for organizing informal interactive dialogues and Arria Formula meetings with other interested parties. The informal introductory briefings on the Council's programme of work, as well as the recently reintroduced wrap-up meetings, are also of the great value to the wider membership. Estonia encourages both the Council's current and newly elected members to continue that practice during their presidencies, so that it can become an integral part of the Council's work. Transparency is a multilayered issue.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“The Council has demonstrated responsibility to the wider membership by adopting presidential note S/2010/507 and more recently, in August, note S/2013/515, committing to closer collaboration and engagement with non-members. Estonia considers the implementation of those decisions to be instrumental for the future. Many of the incorporated commitments have already been implemented. We have witnessed a growing trend in open debates and other public metings. That trend should continue: open meetings should become the norm, rather than the exception. In that regard, we would like to recall, as an excellent example, the open debate organized a year ago by Guatemala on peace and justice, with a special focus on the role of the International Criminal Court (see S/PV.6849).”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“How the Council works and how its decisions are taken is of the utmost importance to every single country in the Organization. Let me focus today on the transparency and accountability of these processes. Estonia attaches great value to transparency in all decision-making processes and therefore highly praises any steps taken with that as a consideration. As the Council's decisions affect all of us, we expect to be involved in that process. Therefore, the greater the transparency that accompanies them, the easier their implementation will be. Through enhanced engagement with the interested parties, transparency can be improved on all levels.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“At the outset, Sir, I would like to thank you for organizing today's open debate on the Security Council's working methods - the sixth of its kind - and for the very comprehensive concept paper (S/2013/613, annex). As a member ofthe Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group, we fully support the statement delivered by the representative of Switzerland on the group's behalf. In order to respect the time constraints, a longer version of our statement has been distributed. As set out in the Charter, the Members of the United Nations have conferred the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security to this lS-member body. It is therefore hard to overestimate the role of its working methods.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052 (2013) · source
“We would be ready to cooperate in that regard with other States in the future. We are looking forward to hearing the results of the global study, and to the high-level review in 2015. In conclusion, we are glad to note that Estonia was among the sponsors of resolution 2106 (2013), which strengthens the monitoring and prevention of sexual violence in conflict, and we were happy to co-sponsor resolution 2122 (2013), adopted today.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Estonia would also like to take the opportunity to emphasize that in addition to conflict-related sexual violence, increased attention should be paid to the full range of violations and serious crimes experienced by women, including gendered impacts of enforced disappearances, foreign occupation, mass forced displacement, restrictions on humanitarian aid, conflict-related trafficking and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Let me also commend UN Women for their work targeted at raising the number of national action plans related to resolution 1325 (2000) or other relevant planning instruments, as outlined in the recently adopted UN Women Strategic Plan. Estonia developed its national action plan in 2010 and has advised a number of States on developing theirs.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“We were also glad to see how much interest there was in the topic of enhancing accountability for sexual violence in conflict, discussed at a side event during that week that focused on the role of the ICC and that was hosted by the Estonian Mission to the United Nations. We would like to commend the important work of the Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, and I am glad to note that Estonia has made financial contributions to the activities of the Team.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Therefore, it is essential that the gender provisions of the Rome Statute are translated into national prosecutions. Justice for victims of atrocity crimes, however, entails more thanjust punishing perpetrators. The Rome Statute further empowers victims by its broad victim- participation scheme and underlines its commitment to victims by its reparations provisions. Likewise, the ICC Trust Fund for Victims has been doing important work to alleviate the suffering of Victims in the countries where the Court is conducting investigations. Estonia was honoured to join the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict during the General Assembly's opening week.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“By enabling women to fully participate in judicial systems, we can better tackle the root causes of impunity for Violence against women. Estonia welcomes the call by the Security Council in today's resolution to Member States to comply with their relevant obligations to end impunity and to thoroughly investigate and prosecute persons responsible for atrocity crimes. Estonia further agrees with the Council that the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern against women and girls has been strengthened through the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the ad hoc and mixed tribunals, and the specialized chambers in national tribunals. ICC prosecutions will not, however, be sufficient to ensure complete accountability.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Estonia firmly believes that the rule of law in conflict and post-conflict situations must promote justice and accountability in ways that further the rights of women, including through legal and institutional reforms that are gender sensitive. The equal right to decision-making and participation, along with women's empowerment, is crucial to ensure a functioning society and peace and justice in the aftermath of conflicts. Additionally, as stated in the Secretary-General's report (S/2013/525), women's representation in the justice sector plays a significant role in increasing the reporting of crimes and enhancing public trust in the rule of law institutions. The importance of prevention must likewise be stressed.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“At the outset, allow me to join others in expressing gratitude to the Secretary- General, the Executive Director of UN Women, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the representative of the Non-governmental Organization Working Group on Women, Peace and Security for their statements. I would also like to thank the Council presidency for taking up the topic and organizing the open debate today. Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union delivered earlier. In addition, I would like to make the following remarks. Estonia is dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, both nationally and internationally. As a member of the Human Rights Council, our particular focus is on the rights of women and children, gender perspective in conflict settlements and the fight against impunity.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Successful investigations and prosecutions assist in restoring dignity to victims by acknowledging their suffering and help to create a historical record that protects against those who will seek to deny that atrocities occurred.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“It is important to link fact-finding bodies with judicial processes in order to ensure accountability. Before concluding, allow me to stress that a sharper focus is needed on supporting the victims of serious crimes. The protection of civilians is a measure aimed at ensuring that innocent people are not subjected to harm, but, where such protections fail, we must at the very least ensure that ample support is provided. The Rome Statute's expansive victim participation and reparations framework constitute a milestone in international criminal justice. The reparations envisioned in the Statute, including through the Trust Fund for Victims, seek to provide reparations to as wide a group of affected people and communities as possible.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“The Court lacks its own enforcement mechanisms and in that regard is fully dependent upon State cooperation. Continued engagement, support and follow-up by the Security Council in an efficient and vigorous manner are therefore indispensable. A prime example of where the Security Council can put its words into action is Syria, where war crimes, crimes against humanity and gross violations of human rights have for too long been a daily reality. No convincing domestic efforts have been made to investigate those crimes or bring those responsible to justice. Therefore, a referral to justice at the international level is necessary. International commissions of inquiry and fact- finding missions are additional valuable mechanisms for verifying and investigating allegations.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“Where States fail to take the necessary steps, the international community, collectively, is responsible for ensuring accountability through international criminal justice mechanisms. Therefore, in addition to strengthening domestic legislation, States that have not done so yet should ratify the Rome Statute and cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Estonia encourages the Security Council to play a more proactive role in ensuring an appropriate international response, including continued use of its ability to refer situations to the ICC. The Council has already - twice - referred situations to the Court with a view to ensuring accountability for serious crimes, thus extending the reach of the Court. However, a referral alone is not enough to ensure accountability.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“Estonia urges all parties to the conflict in Syria to support humanitarian workers so as to enable them to reach all people in need, wherever they are in their country. Not only do States bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the protection of civilians, it is States that are principally responsible for investigating and prosecuting those suspected of having committed serious crimes of international concern. But national investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes remain rare. It is therefore of the utmost importance that States encourage parties to comply with international humanitarian law, support and assist those in need and investigate and prosecute crimes against international humanitarian law. Such support can be provided by helping States adopt the necessary national legislation for such prosecutions.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“Estonia reiterates its concern that women and children are the ones often most severely affected by conflict and that rape is continuously used as a method of war. Humanitarian access is a prerequisite for humanitarian actors so that they can reach people in need. Regrettably, access is frequently delayed, impeded or denied. Estonia joins the Secretary-General in his call for consistent engagement with non-State armed groups as well, so as to achieve improved compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law and gain safe humanitarian access. For example, in Syria, access to people in conflict-affected areas remains severely hindered by the Government as well as by the armed opposition.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“At the outset, I should like to join others in thanking the presidency for organizing this open debate. I see it as a sign of the Security Council's continued commitment to addressing the impact and consequences of armed conflict on civilians. Estonia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union, but I should like to make some additional remarks. The full version of our statement will be distributed. Unfortunately, despite the Security Council's focus and recurring debates on this issue, the reality remains bleak. Civilians continue to account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflict, parties to conflict frequently fail to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, and accountability for those crimes is, to a large degree, missing.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“The Court is committed to ensuring victims a participatory role in its proceedings, and the Rome Statute contains a relatively broad reparations provision. The Trust Fund for Victims established under the Rome Statute has been doing important work in countries where the court is conducting investigations to alleviate the suffering of victims. Among other activities, it is providing assistance to the victims of rape and to children born as a result of rape. In replenishing the Fund, Estonia has paid special attention to the needs of victims of sexual violence, who are very often stigmatized by their own communities. The trust fund is dependent on voluntary donations in order to effectively fulfil its mandate, and Estonia welcomes voluntary donations to the Fund.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“It is important that the Rome Statute's gender sensitivity be translated into national prosecutions to make sure that national proceedings take into account the gender dimension of atrocity crimes to the same extent as the Rome Statute does. The ICC has also proven itself to be sensitive to gender crimes in practice. The Prosecutor gives priority to sexual and gender-based crimes from the outset of its preliminary investigations. Charges for gender-based crimes have so far been brought in cases arising from six of the eight situations. Estonia joins the Secretary- General in his call on the Council to employ all means at its disposal to address sexual violence in conflict, including through referrals to the ICC. The ICC is, however, not only about punishing perpetrators, but also about empowering victims of atrocity crimes.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“The International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda developed groundbreaking international jurisprudence outlawing rape and sexual violence during war. Investigating and prosecuting gender crimes has also been an integral part of the investigative and prosecutorial strategy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC), built upon the recognition of sexual violence as a serious international crime by the ad hoc tribunals and expanded the scope of sexual violence-based crimes in international law. The Rome Statute specifies a greater number of sexual violence crimes than the statutes of the ad hoc tribunals, and acknowledges that these crimes can be committed against men and women.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“In a similar vein, in his report of March 2013 on sexual violence in conflict (S/2013/149), the Secretary- General notes that national courts remain the principal venue for holding individuals accountable for crimes of sexual violence and that the national authorities should be supported in that regard. This is crucial, as the lack of adequate national capacity and expertise to investigate and prosecute acts of sexual violence remains one of the main impediments to ensuring accountability for gender crimes. To date, sexual violence in armed conflict has been prosecuted primarily at the international level through hybrid courts and international tribunals. These tribunals do indeed play an important complimentary role to national efforts.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“As to the United Nations, the next important step would be the further implementation of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence. We would also urge the further deployment of women's protection advisers to the Security Council-mandated missions. Despite the increasing international focus on sexual violence in conflict, perpetrators of sexual Violence are rarely held accountable. The vigorous investigation and prosecution of perpetrators are, however, necessary to deter and halt such violence. We share the assessment of Special Representative Bangura that national ownership, leadership and responsibility in addressing sexual violence are some of the most important aspects of the fight against sexual violence.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“Two weeks ago in the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Ms. Rashida Manjoo, underlined that States need to be held accountable not only for investigating all acts of violence against women, but also for failing to prevent such violence. In recent years, sexual violence and its threat have continued to be employed as a weapon of war. Armed conflicts have made evident the need to protect civilians, especially the most vulnerable groups of women and children. Estonia calls on States to take further political steps to fulfil the promise of Security Council resolutions on ending sexual violence as a tactic of war, and also calls on everyone to adhere to those tenets of international humanitarian law that prohibit rape and other forms of sexual violence.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate. Estonia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. The Security Council, through its resolutions, has developed a robust framework to prevent and address sexual violence in armed conflict. However, gender crimes remain an enduring part ofmost armed conflicts. The leading role the United Kingdom is playing in international efforts to combat sexual violence is therefore much needed and appreciated. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ms. Bangura, Ms. Jolie and Ms. Anwar for their statements, and passionate and inspiring commitment and dedication. Special Representative Bangura has repeatedly underlined that there is no way to end sexual violence unless one ends impunity.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source