On June 19, 2008, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1820, which recognizes sexual violence as a tactic of war and links it with the maintenance of international peace and security. In noting that sexual violence can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide, while stressing the need to increase women’s role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution, UNSCR 1820 was both a milestone in itself and a reinforcement of UNSCR 1325.
The resolution demands the “immediate and complete cessation by all parties to armed conflict of all acts of sexual violence against civilians;” calls for women’s participation in peace talks; urges sanctions for perpetrators; and requires that sexual violence be excluded from amnesties. To read more about SCR 1820, refer to the documents listed below:
1. Full-text of SCR 1820 in English:
http://www.iwtc.org/1820blog/1820_en.pdf
2. Full-text of SCR 1820 in French:
http://www.iwtc.org/1820blog/1820_fr.pdf
3. Simplified version of SCR 1820:
http://www.iwtc.org/1820blog/1820_simplified.doc
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL’S REPORT ON SCR 1820
SCR 1820 requested the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Security Council, one year after the passing, on the implementation of the resolution in the context of situations which are on the agenda of the Council. The report would include analysis of prevalence and trends; benchmarks for measuring progress; and plans for a lasting solution to the lack of reliable sexual violence data.
The report on SCR 1820 was released on July 15, 2009, and contains some important recommendations including:
- Consideration of appointing a senior person to coordinate UN system-wide work on prevention of and response to sexual violence;
- Establishing a commission of inquiry, supported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to investigate and report on sexual violence in Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, and to provide recommendations to the Council for mechanisms to ensure accountability (in addition, the SG recommended that the Council establish such commissions in future conflicts where sexual violence is prevalent);
- Ensuring that relevant mandates for peacekeeping or political missions contain provisions addressing sexual violence, as well as corresponding reporting requirements;
- Ensuring that the issue of sexual violence is addressed by all relevant subsidiary bodies of the Council (e.g., sanctions committees and working groups, in particular the groups on children and armed conflict and protection of civilians);
- Request for a follow-up report to include a proposal for a Security Council accountability mechanism or procedure; and
- Commitment to regular annual reporting by the SG
To read more about the report:
1. Secretary-General’s Report on SCR 1820 in English:
http://www.iwtc.org/1820blog/1820_screport.pdf
2. Secretary-General’s Report on SCR 1820 in French:
http://www.iwtc.org/1820blog/1820_screport_fr.pdf
THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S TRIBUNE CENTRE’S SCR 1820 ASSESSMENT PAPER http://www.iwtc.org/1820blog/1820_paper.pdf