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UN Passes Resolution to Address Rights for Those Affected by Rape as a War Tactic

On Monday, the United Nations passed a resolution to address the use of rape as a war tactic and establish the rights of victims of war-time rape to include comprehensive sexual and reproductive health. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon addressed the Security Council before the debate, “Sexual violence, whenever and wherever it occurs, is a vile crime. It must be exposed and met with the anger and action that it deserves.” Resolution 2106 [PDF] was approved unanimously by the 15 member UN Security Council. In the Resolution, the UN states that it

“Affirms that sexual violence, when used or commissioned as a method or tactic of war or as a part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilian populations, can significantly exacerbate and prolong situations of armed conflict and may impede the restoration of international peace and security; emphasizes in this regard that effective steps to prevent and respond to such acts significantly contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security; and stresses women’s participation as essential to any prevention and protection response.”

Resolution 2106 urges member states to provide victims with comprehensive reproductive healthcare. The resolution continues [PDF],

“Recognizing the importance of providing timely assistance to survivors of sexual violence, urges United Nations entities and donors to provide non-discriminatory and comprehensive health services, including sexual and reproductive health, psychosocial, legal, and livelihood support and other multi-sectoral services for survivors of sexual violence, taking into account the specific needs of persons with disabilities.”

UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie addressed the Council, urging the members to have a realistic picture of rape as a war crime. “Let us be clear what we are speaking of: Young girls raped and impregnated before their bodies are able to carry a child,” she demanded. The Global Justice Center’s President Janet Benshoof applauded the decision, saying “Although the word ‘abortion’ was not used, the ‘non-discriminatory health services’ provision is an enormous breakthrough in the fight to end the deadly denial of abortion for female victims impregnated by war rape.”

Sources:

ZeeNews 6/25/2013; PRWeb 6/24/2013; Resolution 2106 6/24/2013

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