UNGA79: Speech by Minister Veldkamp at the High-Level Side Event on Fighting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Sudan
Speech by Caspar Veldkamp, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the High-Level Side Event on Fighting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Sudan, on 26 September 2024, New York. Check against delivery.
Excellencies, esteemed guests,
‘I have slept with a knife under my pillow for months in fear from the raids that lead to rape by RSF.’
This is what a 20-year-old woman from Khartoum told Human Rights Watch in early 2024.
This grim reality is experienced by many women and girls in Sudan, and it’s what brings us together today.
One of the biggest challenges is that perpetrators often face no consequences; their crimes go unpunished.
The war has devastated Sudan’s legal system, making it even harder for survivors to come forward and seek justice.
So I deeply admire all of you who are helping victims and survivors in Sudan and collecting testimonies.
It is essential that we continue and increase support for you, as well as for other local initiatives and international missions involved in promoting accountability.
For example, the UN Fact-Finding Mission, which is doing outstanding work on Sudan.
It’s crucial that we extend the mandate of this mission during the current session of the Human Rights Council and ensure it has all the necessary resources.
Similarly, we must continue to do what is needed to ensure that national and international courts pay specific attention to conflict-related sexual violence.
It is significant that the ICC’s chief prosecutor has called on witnesses in Sudan to submit evidence to aid an investigation.
We know that conflict-related sexual violence is extremely underreported.
There is shame, stigma and fear of retaliation. As a result, quite often there is a lack of evidence of these crimes.
That’s why in order to ensure access to justice, we need to make it possible for survivors to provide their testimonies in a safe environment, which takes into account cultural perspectives of honour and dignity.
As Lord Collins emphasized, greater international collaboration is also crucial in addressing conflict-related sexual violence.
Last March, the Netherlands helped organise the first International Conference of Prosecutors on Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.
The conference was organised in collaboration with Special Representative Pramila Patten, who will address this event later.
It was encouraging to see prosecutors from over 30 countries come together to exchange experiences and best practices.
Like you, the Netherlands will continue to work for accountability for all victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
Women and girls who have to sleep with a knife under their pillows deserve nothing less than our full commitment.
Thank you.