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Statement by New York, 28 October 2004 Mr. President, My delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2004/814) on the situation regarding women, peace and security. Not only does the report encourage us with achievements to date but it also challenges us to further action to implement fully Security Council resolution (S/RES/1325). This resolution emphasizes the importance of women being equal partners in building a culture of peace globally, as both a means of prevention and cure for conflict. Indonesia supports the implementation of the resolution because its provisions are in line with national policies. Operating on the principle that women should enjoy equality in all spheres of society, Indonesia supports gender mainstreaming into the peacekeeping and peace-building work of the United Nations system. Towards this end, Indonesia fully encourages all United Nations entities, other international organizations and civil society organizations to cooperate and, where possible, to coordinate their efforts to bring women into the decision-making process. In addition to these measures, Indonesia anticipates that greater use will be made of the Interagency Network on Women and Gender Equality established under the Interagency Taskforce on Women, Peace and Security. The Network should reinforce efforts to ensure collaboration and coordination throughout the United Nations system. It could perhaps also be used to encourage coordination beyond the UN system. The undeniable fact, however, is that while there is widespread recognition of the valuable role women can play, their full involvement in peace processes is unfortunately slow in coming. This slowness constitutes the main stumbling block to women’s participation. With adequate funding, progress should be greatly accelerated. Mr. President, Because the resolution has not yet been fully implemented, women continue to be vulnerable to the many dangers posed by armed conflict, including acts of sexual violence. Indonesia condemns the use of sexual violence as a weapon of warfare in conflict situations. However, categorizing such acts as crimes against humanity deserves further careful consideration before we settle on such a classification. With regard to the human rights of women, Indonesia is firmly convinced that their rights must be respected at all times, even in situations of conflict. International law underscores our continuing humanity even on the battlefield. Combatants must therefore not sexually exploit women as acts of war. The challenge to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls in armed conflict is therefore a challenge that must be met by all civilized societies. In this respect, it is also imperative that peacekeepers and civilian police not contribute to the further suffering of women in situations of conflict. Their involvement in such behaviour is both unacceptable and a clear betrayal of the trust placed in them. Their duty is to preserve the peace and help create conditions for the rehabilitation of war-torn societies. To correct this situation, it is important and necessary for all peacekeepers to be exposed to gender-sensitive training programmes as part of their induction. Likewise, they should also benefit from HIV/AIDS awareness training programmes. On this matter, Indonesia agrees that peacekeepers should be held to the same standards of conduct as required of combat personnel, according to the Secretary-General’s Bulletin. To win the peace and keep it, women must be made parties to peace negotiations. They should also be able to exercise their political rights, especially the right to vote, in post-conflict societies. There must also be systematic incorporation of gender perspectives in the planning, implementation and monitoring of all reconstruction programmes and budgets. This should ensure that women and girls enjoy the same benefits as men do in post-conflict societies. Mr. President, Indonesia wholeheartedly supports the speedy implementation of resolution 1325. However, we believe there is a need for further deliberation prior to the implementation of the recommendations before us. It is our view that proposed changes must be carried out throughout the United Nations system. This point is being made because we apparently face the risk of the Security Council, as author of resolution 1325, being used exclusively to decide on the issues. Such an approach would deprive many developing countries of the opportunity to make inputs into the decision-making process. I thank you.
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