Sanction terrorists involved in sexual violence: India to UN

India has called on the Security Council to "proactively" sanction terrorists involved in conflict-related sexual violence while asserting that there is a need to finalise a global treaty to counter the growing scourge of terrorism.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said while in the last two decades there had been a considerable strengthening of the normative framework around various aspects relating to women, peace and security, sexual violence in situations of armed conflict was yet to abate.
He attributed this to the proliferation of armed conflicts and their evolving nature involving various non-state actors and the spread of terrorism in such situations across large parts of the world.

"The more vulnerable sections, especially women suffer ever more in such violent conflicts," he said at the Security Council's open debate on women, peace and security here yesterday.
Akbaruddin said the rapidly expanding trans-boundary nature of terrorist financing, supply of arms, recruitment and training of foreign fighters have led to a situation where whole regions are impacted and no country is in a position to effectively counter this menace alone.
Lamenting the lack of unity in the international community to tackle complex challenges posed by terrorism, Akbaruddin said large trafficking networks run by transnational criminal groups compound the misery of vulnerable communities, especially women.

"Tackling such complex challenges demands closely coordinated and collaborative efforts among nations," he said.

"Sadly, we remain far from being able to come together to overcome such challenges collectively," Akbaruddin said, citing the "glaring example" of the lack of progress on the issue of finalising a Comprehensive Convention to Counter International Terrorism that can strengthen the global counter-terrorism strategy.
Sanctions Committees of the Security Council need to address the issue of "proactively listing terrorist individuals and entities involved in situations of conflict related sexual violence," he said.
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Akbaruddin stressed that the Council should push for greater cooperation on countering terrorism that threatens immediate peace and security.

He noted that gender equality and empowerment, access to healthcare, education and employment and strengthening of democratic institutions and processes were all important aspects of a holistic approach to prevent conflict.
"The absence, obstruction or protracted pace of justice is unhelpful. The international community has an important role in helping build adequate resources and capacities for criminal investigation, prosecution, justice delivery system, protection of victims and witnesses and legislative reform to improve accountability across countries," he said.
Reiterating India's strong commitment to zero tolerance policy on sexual violence and abuse, Akbaruddin said participation of women in peacekeeping and police enables improved intelligence about conflict-related sexual violence and trafficking.

He told the Council that India had unveiled a comprehensive draft legislation aimed at prevention and protection of trafficking of persons and the rehabilitation of trafficked persons.