S/PV.6195
6195th meeting
Wednesday, 30 September 2009, 10 a.m.
New York
Women and peace and security
Mr. Shalgham (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I wish to thank you, Madam, and to convey our appreciation for your initiative. I also greet Ambassador Susan Rice and thank her for her efforts and wise leadership of the Security Council during the month of September, as well as for the initiatives and projects she has launched. I welcome the Ministers for Foreign Affairs who have joined us this morning.
The Council’s visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries that have experienced long periods of conflict, and our meetings with a number of victims of acts of sexual violence and torture, were shocking for all of us. At the same time, we hold out great hope after meeting with young people from all regions of the world who are providing the victims with psychological and professional assistance. We feel that the human conscience is stronger and greater than those who commit such crimes. The will to live is stronger than the will to die.
The perpetrators of acts of violence do not simply kill their victims, but maim and defile the survivors irreversibly. As a result, it is essential that domestic legislation be adopted to ensure that those crimes do not go unpunished and that the perpetrators be brought to justice, as they incite hatred and violence.
The events that took place in Conakry, Guinea, yesterday and the stories we have heard from the poor and vulnerable women who have suffered and been raped, then tortured and killed, are truly horrific.
Therefore, I would like to thank you, Madam President, for this initiative, and the Secretary-General for his initiative in appointing a Special Representative for women and sexual violence in areas of conflict. Any criminal anywhere, whether in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in the Congo or in Palestine, must be brought to justice.
