Saudi UN envoy calls for accountability on sexual violence in war, condemns violations in Palestine
NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Alwasil, told the Security Council on Wednesday that sexual violence continues to be used in armed conflicts as a weapon of oppression, intimidation, and forced displacement, targeting civilians, particularly women and children.
Addressing a high-level Council meeting on conflict-related sexual violence and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, Alwasil said such acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
He noted that the Council, through Resolution 1820, which was adopted in 2008, and subsequent related resolutions, had reaffirmed that conflict-related sexual violence poses a serious threat to international peace and security, which is why perpetrators of these acts must be held accountable.
“Addressing this crime is a shared responsibility for the entire international community and all states concerned,” Alwasil said, calling for coordinated efforts to tackle its root causes and protect civilians and victims.
