Roundup: UN urges efforts to stop and punish sexual violence in conflict

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday called for efforts to stop and punish sexual violence in conflict, adding that extremist groups have used sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism.

"Sexual violence is widely recognized as a deliberate strategy used to shred the fabric of society; to control and intimidate communities and to force people from their homes," Ban told the Security Council debate on sexual violence in conflict.

"Abducted women, men, girls and boys suffer the most terrible trauma through brutal physical and sexual assault, child and forced marriages and sexual slavery on a massive scale," said Ban.

The UN chief urged the international community to continue to speak up for the women, girls, men and boys whose bodies for too long have been considered the spoils of war.

Ban noted that extremist groups including IS ( Islamic State), Boko Haram are using sexual violence "as a means of attracting and retaining fighters, and to generate revenue."

"It is estimated that the Yezidi community gave Daesh up to 45 million U.S. dollars in ransom payments in 2014 alone," said Ban.

He called for the immediate release of all the abducted school girls from Chibok in Nigeria in 2014.

"The abduction of more than 200 girls from Chibok in Nigeria more than two years ago is one of the most horrific examples of the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism. I call for the immediate release of all those taken captive, and for the care and support of those who return, who can suffer from social isolation and depression."

Ban's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, also briefed the Council, warning that ultimately all our words, laws and resolutions will mean nothing if violations go unpunished in practice, and if we are unable to increase the consequences for committing such crimes.

"Justice may be delayed but it will not be denied," she said, adding that international community is steadfast and committed to live up to its duty to prevent these crimes and care for survivors.

"China strongly condemns all forms of conflicted-related sexual violence, including human trafficking, especially that of women and girls," said Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the world body, stressing that China supports the international community in adopting "zero-tolerance" policy on this issue.

Wu called for efforts to end war and conflicts and help achieve peace and development in war-torn areas, noting that will fundamentally eradicate conflicted-related sexual violence.

On sexual violence committed in the context of violent extremism, Wu reiterated that "any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."

The Chinese envoy called on the international community to fight all forms of terrorism and strengthen international counter-terrorism cooperation.

Ioannis Vrailas, Deputy Head of European Union Delegation to the UN noted there is "a worryingly sharp increase" in the number of victims of human trafficking.

"We as the international community must spare no effort to combat the heinous crimes that armed and terrorist groups impose on populations, including women and girls."

"The grim truth is that some individuals and groups choose to treat women and girls as commodities to be "owned", traded, gifted and trafficked. Due to demand,

Human beings become resources to be exploited and their human rights denied," said Vrailas.

South African ambassador Mahlatse Mminele also called for attention and care to the survivors of such abuses, urging for relief and recovery programs for the healing of the psychosocial wounds.

"A zero tolerance approach should be adopted and stricter and effective punitive mechanisms needs to be put in place, such as improving conviction rates and integrating legal support options, as well as removing obstacles to reporting of such cases," Mminele stressed. Enditem