Arab Times

Hold sexual crimes ‘accused’ accountabl­e in conflict areas

Refer crimes to justice system: Kuwait

-

Kuwait’s Permanent Representa­tive to the UN Ambassador Mansour AlOtaibi. NEW YORK, April 17, (KUNA): The State of Kuwait stressed that the UN Security Council must take responsibi­lity for ensuring accountabi­lity for perpetrato­rs of sexual crimes during times of armed conflict.

This came in a speech delivered by the Permanent Representa­tive of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi before the UN Security Council at the debate on sexual violence in conflict late Monday.

“Political missions must include the empowermen­t of women in conflict situations in their agendas and refer those crimes to the justice system,” he noted.

Al-Otaibi highlighte­d how sexual violence in conflicts was linked to terrorism and extremism, recalling the Council’s position, as reflected in resolution­s 2231 and 2253 (2015).

Summarizin­g some of the findings of the Secretary General’s report on sexual violence in conflicts, Al-Otaibi said the crimes continued to be employed as a ‘tactic of war’ and a tool for political repression, attacking and altering ethnic or religious identity of persecuted groups and changing the demographi­cs of disputed regions.

He said that the retreat by certain armed groups had created challenges in liberated areas, including the reintegrat­ion of survivors, adding that the best way to prevent sexual violence was to promote basic freedoms, human rights and political participat­ion while assisting survivors of such violence.

The Kuwaiti ambassador urged the Council to hold all perpetrato­rs of such crimes accountabl­e, stressing the importance of treating survivors as victims.

 ?? KUNA photo ??
KUNA photo

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Kuwait