NEW YORK, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- Members of the Security Council expressed concern and condemned the use of sexual violence, in particular sexual enslavement and sexual violence related to or resulting from forced marriage, committed, including as a method or tactic of warfare, in Syria and Iraq.
In a statement released Friday evening, the Council stressed that these acts are "abhorrent," and urged parties to armed conflict to take all feasible steps to protect civilians from sexual violence.
The 15 members recalled that rape and other forms of serious sexual violence in armed conflict are "war crimes" and constitute "grave breaches" of the Geneva Conventions. They urged the international community to remain united in the goal of holding those responsible for such crimes accountable.
Furthermore, they underscored the need for all relevant parties in the region, while implementing counter-terrorism, peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities to take into account the importance of women's empowerment and the protection of women and girls at risk of sexual violence.
The Council members then expressed in their statement the need to bring conflicts in the region to an end in order to reduce the opportunity for sexual violence to be committed.
Members of the Security Council acknowledged the efforts of neighbouring countries in protecting refugees, including from sexual violence, and called on the international community to contribute to the UN humanitarian appeals for Syria and Iraq.
Earlier this week, the Council was briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura on her visit to the Middle East. (end) mao.gta