Statement by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett at Security Council Briefing on Conflict Related Sexual Violence under the agenda item "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question"

Mr. President

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary General Pramila Patten for her briefing, which paints a disturbing picture of the horrors that innocent civilians suffered, and continue to suffer, as this war wages on.

Taking note of the challenges that the mission team faced and the limited mandate of the visit, the assessment provided by SRSG Patten is nevertheless cause for grave concern.

The incidents of sexual violence in Israel and the West Bank contained in the report add another horrific dimension to the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East.

Guyana strongly condemns all acts of sexual violence committed in this conflict including those committed on October 7th.

We call for the cessation of all sexual violence, and for leaders to take proactive steps to prevent and enforce accountability for such acts. Perpetrators must be held accountable.

We are deeply concerned by the report’s indication that the hostages were subjected to sexual violence and that there are reasonable grounds to believe that such violence is ongoing.

Guyana’s reiterates its call for the immediate release of all hostages, and all individuals held unlawfully, and demand that those holding them in captivity and in detention ensure their safety, including from sexual violence.

We are also gravely concerned about the reports of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment meted out to Palestinians in detention. This includes sexual violence allegedly committed in the occupied West Bank against Palestinian men and women in detention settings, during house raids and at checkpoints.

Guyana supports the calls for full and independent investigations into all alleged incidents of sexual violence. We also support the report’s recommendation to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to monitor and report on incidents of CRSV in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory.

We have taken note of the mission team’s determination that at least two allegations of sexual violence, which had been widely reported in the media, were unfounded. We call on all parties to be responsible and avoid sensational headlines as this risks bringing into question and diminishing the horrific experiences of genuine victims.

Mr. President, as we examine the SRSG’s report, it is essential that we consider the impacts of this war on women and children in a holistic manner.

Of the persons killed in Gaza, 70 percent are women and children. In excess of 60 women are killed daily.  More than half of the 1.9 million persons displaced are women. They are the hardest hit by starvation and famine in Gaza with unprecedented malnutrition. Many have been widowed and left to fend for their children and other family members, including those who were injured.

There is lack of adequate access to water and no facilities for menstrual hygiene management including sanitary supplies. All of this affect women’s dignity as well as their mental and physical health.

In short, women and children are the ones suffering the most in this war; a pattern we have seen across armed conflicts time and again, even though they are not the ones waging war

Mr. President,

Extreme pain is palpable in both Israel and Palestine. Both have experienced unprecedented levels of agony since October 7th. Once again, we condemn the attacks by Hamas on Israel which occurred on October 7th. However, there is no justification for the continued killing, maiming and starving of innocent civilians in Gaza, most of whom are women and children.

This war must stop. Guyana continues to call for an immediate ceasefire. This is the only option for saving lives and preventing further suffering of innocent civilians. This is the only way we can begin to recover from the horrors faced by the people in Gaza and ensure the safe release of the hostages.

A ceasefire is also an essential step for us to move forward with a two-state solution, with the people of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. There have been too many casualties in this war, and those before it. The quest for peace and security must not be one of them.

I thank you.