UN Security Council Passes Resolution on Combatting Sexual Violence in Conflict (April 23, 2019) [1]
On April 23, 2019, the UN Security Council passed a resolution [3] calling on all parties to armed conflict around the world to implement concrete commitments to combatting sexual violence during conflict. The Council noted its deep concern regarding “the full range of threats and human rights violations and abuses experienced by women and girls in armed conflict and post-conflict situations,” and reiterated “its demand for the complete cessation with immediate effect by all parties to armed conflict of all acts of sexual violence and its call for these parties to make and implement specific time-bound commitments to combat sexual violence.” The Council also urged existing sanctions committees to apply targeted sanctions against those who perpetrate and direct sexual violence during conflict and requested “the Secretary-General and relevant UN entities to further strengthen, the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence.” Prior to the vote, the United States expressed concern with the inclusion of the phrase “sexual and reproductive health,” due a position against abortion, and the press release [4] notes that a number of states expressed regret that the final version of the resolution did not include such language.