The State of Qatar has affirmed its support for efforts to facilitate the establishment of International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.
This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, at a session of the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, by promoting the implementation of women, peace and security and sustainable peace agenda through women's political and social empowerment.
HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that with regard to the promotion of women's transitional justice, there has been increasing evidence since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 that ending impunity for sexual violence and gender-based violence during conflict, is a prerequisite for the sustainability of peace, adding that the State of Qatar has supported the efforts to facilitate the establishment of IIIM to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.
HE the Ambassador explained that in view of the obstacles to alternative routes of international accountability for crimes, IIIM plays an important role in supporting impartial and independent investigations into sexual and gender-based violence and supporting the prosecution of perpetrators, taking into account the importance of this step towards transitional justice for women in Syria, adding that the State of Qatar provides assistance by all means available to ensure its success.
HE the Ambassador expressed happiness that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Dr. Denis Mukwege and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking Nadia Murad, in recognition of their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in armed conflict. She added that awarding them the prize recognizes the importance of continuing condemnation of impunity for crimes of sexual violence committed in the conflicts, in addition, it calls on countries and the international community to make greater efforts to put an end to the use of sexual violence against women as a strategy and a weapon of war, in order to achieve justice.
HE the Ambassador pointed out that the State of Qatar, as a major donor to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, especially women and girls, is proud of its efforts to support work and programs to help trafficked women and to provide the necessary protection and support for their physical, psychological, social and economic recovery and reintegration into their societies.
On the participation of young women in peace operations, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that the youth has a pivotal and important role in efforts to build and sustain peace, yet young women continue to be excluded from peacebuilding efforts.
She noted in this regard to the initiative of the State of Qatar, Finland and Colombia, in cooperation with the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth and a number of relevant UN bodies, to convene the first international conference on youth participation in peace tracks, to be held in Helsinki from 5 to 7 March 2019. The conference, the first of its kind, will bring together 80 key players in the engagement and inclusion of young people in the peace process. It will provide an opportunity for an open debate on the meaningful participation of young women in peace tracks, ways to build bridges among young women active in peacebuilding and to expand tools on best practices to effectively engage young women and youth in peace tracks.
HE the Ambassador noted that over the past years, women had played a large number of roles, ranging from the role of negotiations and mediators to the role of female soldiers and policewomen, yet their stories, achievements, and lessons learned were not narrated and documented, therefore the State of Qatar and Colombia published a book called "Her Story", a book that highlights the achievements of women leaders throughout the history of the UN in the field of peace and security.
HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani stressed that efforts to celebrate leading women should be more regular.