UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: U.S. ANTI-RAPE RESOLUTION

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001038 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA PHUM KWMN SUBJECT: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: U.S. ANTI-RAPE RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY CONSENSUS REF: A. SECSTATE 145641 ¶B. SECSTATE 136426 ¶C. SECSTATE 151477 ¶D. SECSTATE 155063 ¶E. USUN NEW YORK 00952 ¶1. (U) On November 15, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution "Eliminating rape and other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations, including in conflict and related situations." Consensus was reached after weeks of negotiations, in a process lauded by the African group as "a model of intergovernmental negotiations." The intense lobbying efforts in capitals and in New York were pivotal to this successful outcome, and USUN expresses its appreciation to all the embassies and Department officials who worked so diligently to bring this about. At the time of adoption, the resolution had 83 co-sponsors. ¶2. (U) Ambassador Grover Joseph Rees delivered a statement for the United States, thanking delegations for their support. He expressed satisfaction that the resolution calls special attention to victims of rape in conflict situation and to rape and sexual violence committed to achieve military or political objectives. Ambassador Rees also highlighted the reporting requirement of the resolution, which will help identify and put an end to this practice. (Full text of the U.S. statement is available at www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/press releases/20071115 314.html) ¶3. (U) Portugal (on behalf of the EU) and Canada (speaking also for New Zealand) noted the important role of the International Criminal Court in addressing this issue. Both delegates highlighted the importance of the Beijing Declaration, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The Portuguese delegate also called for future UN resolutions on this subject to make clear recognition of their importance. Liechtenstein stated that due to the main co-sponsor's inability to include reference to the key role of the ICC, it was unable to co-sponsor. ¶4. (U) Several African nations also took the floor to express support. South Africa expressed the African group's original concern that the draft created two categories of rape: those perpetrated by soldiers and those by civilians. He noted that as a result of working with the U.S. delegation, the text that was adopted is more comprehensive, addressing all rape as "brutal and despicable," regardless of whether it is perpetrated by civil, military or armed groups. Angola appreciated the flexibility of the United States in considering the concerns of the African group, noting that the international community "can count on Africa when its interests are taken into account." The Angolan delegate complimented the consultations process as a "model of intergovernmental negotiations." Sierra Leone described the serious consequences that rape has had on the children of Sierra Leone, who were raped by rebel groups and now live with the consequences: early parenthood and disease. He called for assistance for victims of rape, including reparations, and appreciated inclusion in the resolution of a paragraph on the topic of assistance. ¶5. (U) Venezuela expressed its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights of women, noting that rape is a serious crime that is also a significant issue for the Human Rights Council. Syria stated that it joined consensus in support of women's development, but mentioned the need to deal with the issue in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention, concerning situations of armed conflict and foreign occupation. Khalilzad