UK hails Bangladesh’s endorsement over sexual violence
The United Kingdom today welcomed Bangladesh’s endorsement of the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan have announced their endorsement this week of the declaration launched as part of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.
“I thank and congratulate the Foreign Ministers and governments of Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan for taking this important and welcome step this week,” said British Foreign Secretary William Hague in a statement.
The foreign secretary mentioned that the three countries are all major contributors to UN and international peacekeeping missions, and they bring invaluable experience and expertise, said a press release of British High Commission in Dhaka today.
“We are steadily building the global momentum needed to end the use of rape and sexual violence in conflict once and for all,” Hague said adding that these crimes have ruined the lives of millions of women, men and children in our lifetimes.
“We have an opportunity, at last, to transform global attitudes to the use of rape as a weapon of war and shatter the culture of impunity,” he said.
Bangladesh’s endorsement brings the total number of countries supporting this effort to 148: over three quarters of all UN Member States. It sends a powerful message about the growing international resolve to end sexual violence in conflict and bring perpetrators to justice, William Hague said.
All countries that endorse the Declaration are invited to take part in the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, hosted by the Foreign Secretary and Angelina Jolie, the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in London from 10-13 June.
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