resolution on eliminating rape
11 November 2007
About ten days ago, the United States (US) delegation introduced a draft
resolution on eliminating the use of rape as a State policy.
The US draft seemed to create two categories of rape, i.e. that rape by the
military is more despicable than rape by civilians. The draft did not even
address the assistance to the victims of rape.
Angola, in its capacity as Chair of the Africa Group for November,
introduced amendments by the Africa Group to balance the draft resolution so
that it addressed the crime of rape in all its manifestations.
South Africa joined with other Africa Group delegations to reaffirm the call
for the elimination of rape in all its forms and manifestations whether
perpetrated by civilians or military personnel or even if it may have been
government-sponsored.
Furthermore, the US draft resolution was problematic in that it was
selective in its reference to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform
of Action on Women. The language of the draft resolution seems to weaken the
obligations to these international instruments.
South Africa condemns rape unequivocally no matter who the perpetrators may
be or in whatever situations.
In fact, during March 2007 when South Africa was President of the Security
Council, we presented a Presidential Statement to mark International Women's
Day and which condemned all forms of violence against women and girls during
armed conflicts, including grave sexual violence.
South Africa is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and
during negotiations on the Rome Statute; we were instrumental in the inclusion
of rape as a war crime.
South Africa participates in United Nations peacekeeping Missions in the
Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cote d'Ivoire, among others and
subscribes to the United Nations zero-tolerance policy with regard to sexual
abuse by peacekeepers. Should any of our troops be charged with rape, they are
subject to prosecution under South African law.
South Africa as a member of the Africa Group is pleased to have contributed
meaningfully to the draft resolution so that it may address rape in all its
manifestations.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
11 November 2007
