Statement by

H.E. Ms. Zahra Ershadi

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

On “Women, Peace, and Security:

Accountability as Prevention: Ending Cycles of Sexual Violence in Conflict

Before the United Nations Security Council

New York, 13 April 2022

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. President,

I thank you for organizing this open debate. I also thank the briefers for their briefings.

Sexual violence is a heinous crime that is frequently used as a tactic of war and terrorism. In armed conflicts, sexual violence disproportionately affects women and girls, as well as people in vulnerable situations. Women and girls, unfortunately, are the main victims. The armed conflict also increases the risk of trafficking in-person, which unfairly targets women and children fleeing war while being forcibly moved.

During armed conflicts, international humanitarian law prohibits all forms of sexual abuse against women and establishes protections for civilians including women and girls. In this regard, the four Geneva Conventions and their two Additional Protocols explicitly and implicitly condemn different forms of sexual violence as serious violations of humanitarian law in both international and internal conflicts. Furthermore, numerous UN resolutions have condemned sexual violence against women in conflicts and highlighted perpetrators’ accountability.

Therefore, it is necessary for all states and non-state parties to the conflict to fully comply with their obligations under applicable international law, including the prohibition of all forms of sexual violence.

Preventing and combating this inhumane practice requires a collective effort. This, however, will not be successful until its root causes, namely the circumstances surrounding the occurrence of an armed conflict, are addressed.

We believe that spelling an end to all armed conflicts is the most effective way to prevent such crimes. Unfortunately, as long as terrorism, violent extremism, foreign occupation, and foreign interference persist, such a solution will remain elusive.

The main threats to female security in our volatile region, the Middle East, are foreign occupation, foreign invasion, and terrorism, which have no respect for women's rights or lives. The situation of Palestinian girls and women is a clear case in point.

While every effort should be made to prevent conflicts, other measures to prevent and respond to sexual violence must also be taken. In addition, sexual violence perpetrated in the midst of a conflict should not be treated with impunity. It is critical that we concentrate our efforts on bringing such perpetrators to justice. The survivor’s access to justice must also be ensured.

Mr. President,

The current situation in Afghanistan has had a severe impact on Afghan women's rights. According to the recent UN report, women and girls have been targeted as part of systematic and widespread violence, amid a concerted campaign to limit their participation in public and political life.  Afghan women must be given their political and social rights such as the right to education, work, and political participation.

We emphasize the importance of women's empowerment and the promotion of their involvement in conflict prevention and resolution. The achievement of this noble goal is a shared responsibility, and we stand ready to support any genuine international effort in that direction.

To conclude, Mr. President, I would like to reiterate our principled position that issues concerning women and girls should be dealt with by the General Assembly and other UN bodies and that the Security Council should only address these issues if they are directly relevant to international peace and security.

I thank you, Mr. President.