"Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Permanent Representative of Pakistan, At the Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Theme: “Honoring the promise of international law to victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence” (8 July 2026) ***** Madam President, I would like to welcome and thank you Madam Prime Minister for presiding over this important debate. We also thank Special Representative Pramila Patten, and Ms. Jocelyn for their valuable briefings. 2. More than twenty-five years after resolution 1325, and nearly two decades after resolution 1820 recognized conflict-related sexual violence as a distinct threat to international peace and security, the international community must ask the logical question: have we matched our commitments with protection, justice and dignity for victims and survivors? 3. The Secretary General’s latest report provides a sobering answer. Verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence rose sharply in 2025, these were often marked by extreme brutality, and disproportionately targeted women and girls. Yet, as the report also reminds us, the recorded cases represent only a fraction of the reality, owing to stigma, fear of reprisals, absence of services and chronic under-reporting. And we know also that not all situations of concerns are covered by the report. 4. Pakistan condemns unequivocally all forms of conflict-related sexual violence, whoever the perpetrator and wherever the crime occurs. This includes all situations of armed conflict, as well as all situations of foreign occupation on the agenda of this Council. In such contexts, militarization, displacement, arbitrary detention, denial of rights and impunity deepen the vulnerability of civilians, particularly women and children. 5. As others have noted, conflict-related sexual violence is not just an inevitable consequence of war. It is often used deliberately as a tactic of war, terror, torture, repression and collective punishment. It destroys individuals, fractures families, terrorizes communities and leaves inter-generational wounds, including for children born of conflict-related rape. Madam President, 6. Pakistan wishes to emphasize some key priorities. First, accountability must be strengthened comprehensively and consistently. The Secretary-General’s listing mechanism should cover all situations of conflict and foreign occupation on the agenda of this Council. No situation should be shielded from scrutiny, and no perpetrator should be allowed to treat sexual violence as cost-free. Sanctions regimes, where applicable, should be used more effectively against persistent perpetrators, and justice processes must be designed to be more victim and survivor-centered, trauma-informed and accessible. Second, victims and survivors must receive timely and comprehensive support, including medical care, psycho-social assistance, legal aid, livelihood support and reparations. Third, the UN protection architecture must be preserved and strengthened. Women’s Protection Advisers play an indispensable role in monitoring, reporting, early warning and engagement with parties to conflict. Their deployment should be ensured in all relevant situations, including during peacekeeping transitions and drawdowns, when protection vacuums place victims, survivors, service providers and human rights defenders at heightened risk. Finally, prevention must be placed at the centre of our collective response. That requires compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law; meaningful participation of women in peace processes; early warning; sustained funding; responsible arms control; and, above all, addressing the root causes of conflict, including foreign occupation and denial of the right to self-determination. Madam President, 7. The true test of this Council’s commitment lies in the full, faithful and non-selective implementation of its resolutions, including on women, peace and security. These resolutions carry clear obligations to prevent, protect, investigate, prosecute and repair. For victims and survivors, implementation is the difference between abandonment and protection, between silence and justice, between a wound carried alone and a dignity restored by the international community. 8. Pakistan remains committed to working with all Member States to end impunity, uphold the dignity of victims and survivors and ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is met not with silence or selectivity, but with protection, accountability and justice. I thank you"