Thank you, Madam President.

Germany aligns itself with the statements to be delivered by the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace, and Security.

We thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this debate and we also thank today’s briefers for their sobering reports.

I would like to reiterate Germany’s full support for Special Representative Pramila Patten and her team for their vital work in combatting Sexual Violence in Conflict. Her mandate is critical for working with governments on improving national capabilities to deal with sexual violence and ensuring justice for victims.

We are deeply alarmed by the sharp escalation of verified CRSV cases in 2025. And yet, we have to recognize that the recorded figures represent only a fraction of global reality – as pervasive social stigma, fear of retaliation, and persistent impunity lead to underreporting.

We strongly condemn Russia’s widespread and systematic use of CRSV as a weapon of war and a tool of terror in its war of aggression against Ukraine and welcome that this year’s report lists the Russian Federation among the parties responsible for patterns of conflict-related sexual violence.

We are also appalled by the atrocity, magnitude and spread of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan since the outbreak of the conflict, and its use as a tactic to traumatize the civilian population.

During and in the aftermath of the 7^th of October terror attacks, Hamas committed horrific acts of sexual violence against civilians and hostages that we condemn in the strongest terms.

We are also concerned by the increase in verified CRSV cases compared to 2024 in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We call on all parties to conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, to implement measures to ensure prevention and accountability and to fully cooperate with the SRSG.

Madam President, allow me to highlight two priorities for Germany in this regard:

First,

We must ensure accountability. When we don’t, impunity dismantles the rule of law, fuels cycles of vengeance, and drives long-term regional instability.

That is why we reaffirm our commitment to strengthen national and international criminal jurisdictions, such as the ICC. As donor to the CRSV Multi-Partner Trust Fund, Germany supports the work of the Team of Experts’ work in, among others, Ukraine, Syria, and the DRC. And we also support the CRSV Prosecution Network, a global initiative to support national authorities in investigating and prosecuting this crime.

Second,

We have to focus more on a survivor-centered approach. Justice and psychosocial services must be firmly anchored in the rights, needs and autonomy of survivors of CRSV.

Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to a holistic model of survivor care based on Security Council resolution 2467 – care that includes medical and psychosocial support, legal aid, and long-term economic reintegration, while actively combating the stigmatization that too often silences victims. On this basis, we support civil society organizations working with, among others, Syrian and Sudanese survivors.

Madam President,

we have a robust international legal framework to combat these atrocities, but we must urgently improve its implementation to put an end to such violence and to ensure accountability.

Thank you.