India has strongly condemned sexual violence from conflict actors and described it as a “weapon of war” at the United Nations. And it said it would take a stronger international approach to prevent such crimes, hold perpetrators accountable and provide necessary support to survivors.
India’s representative told the UN that sexual violence committed during armed conflicts is not only a by-product of war but is frequently used deliberately to terrorize communities, displace populations and inflict long-lasting physical and psychological trauma.
Human rights and international law were violated and such acts are grave violations of human rights and need to be taken seriously by the world community.
India noted that women and girls bear a disproportionate burden in conflicts, but men and boys are also victims of sexual violence as well. These crimes have a huge impact on families and communities that go beyond the immediate victims and all communities in India, she said. Stigma, social exclusion, displacement, and obstacles to justice and healthcare are common among survivors, she said.
India called for a survivor-centred approach, and also for the international community to strengthen legal structures, medical and psychological support, and mechanisms that protect victims and hold people to account and prevent future violations. Justice should be timely, impartial and accessible for institutions to regain confidence and prevent future violations, the country said.
India also stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law during armed conflicts. All parties involved in conflicts must comply with the international conventions designed to protect civilians, especially women and children, it said.
India highlighted the need for stronger institutions and judiciary systems to investigate allegations of sexual violence in conflict-related situations in its intervention. “Permanent peace would not exist without accountability and the end to impunity remains the foundation in order to prevent such crimes from recurring.”
The Indian delegation also stressed that women should play a role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Women must be involved in talks, reconstruction work, governance so that a more inclusive and sustainable peace can exist, India said. This is in line with the global agenda as articulated by the United Nations Women, Peace and Security.
India also stressed the importance of capacity building, training for peacekeeping personnel and more international cooperation to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict zones. The country has always advocated for better training of UN peacekeepers on civilian protection, gender sensitivity and international standards that are required for peacekeeping missions.
The issue of conflict-related sexual violence has been a topic of high UN agenda ever since it has been chronicled in many parts of the world and the prevalence of rape and other types of sexual violence against civilians.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for more effective preventive measures and better monitoring and for more humanitarian and legal assistance to be provided for survivors.
India’s intervention is part of a larger policy of multilateral cooperation and international peace. One of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions over the decades, India has supported many initiatives to aid civilians, to promote gender equality and to strengthen international mechanisms to address serious violations of humanitarian law.
Experts say solving conflict-related sexual violence must be done in collaboration with the government, international organizations, civil society and local people. Preventing such crimes means not just prosecuting offenders, but also addressing the underlying conditions that cause violence: weak institutions, long-standing conflicts and breakdown of law and order.
Now that global conflicts are continuing to present humanitarian problems, India’s message at the UN is about the urgent need for international action to be taken collectively.
India called for the global community to come together with all countries to combat the use of sexual violence as a “weapon of war” and for us to take action to bring justice and human dignity to the human beings in the midst of the devastating effects of armed conflict.
