8th April 2013 Ottawa, Canada
The G8 – the role it can play in preventing conflict
If you watch the news later this week you’ll see that G8 Foreign Ministers will be meeting in London on 10-11 April to discuss global conflict: how to prevent it, how to end it and how to deal with its consequences. Both Canada and the UK are part of this powerful grouping of countries (along with the US, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and Japan), representing some of the world’s largest economies, with huge international reach and combined influence.
The challenge, for any G8 Presidency, is leveraging this weight and influence to bring about positive change in the world.
At this week’s meeting, we have the chance to do just that. John Baird, William Hague and their counterparts will address urgent issues such as Syria, Iran, the Middle East Peace Process, the Sahel and North Korea, where we must work together to avert or end conflict and to build lasting stability.
One critical issue, and where we will be seeking urgent practical action, is the use of rape a weapon of war: one of the most devastating and horrific aspects of conflict. The figures are shocking: according to UN estimates, in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone as many as 500,000 women have been raped since 1996.
Yet only a tiny fraction of cases go to court. So many women are suffering in silence – and it is unacceptable. We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions; agreeing to launch an international protocol which will set out agreed standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence, to increase the number of perpetrators who are brought to justice.
Other issues on this important agenda are countries, such as Somalia and Burma, which are affected by conflict, and where the international community can help to support the reform process, and to establish political and economic stability. And Foreign Ministers will also talk about future threats, including the risk of crime and conflict in cyberspace: a fascinating area where we need to balance promoting global digital economies which can bring economic growth and social benefits to all countries, with preventing against cyber attacks from those who wish to do us harm.
So, a busy time for our Foreign Ministers this week! This is an agenda where the UK and Canada work hand in hand. John Baird and William Hague and their colleagues won’t solve the world’s problems in two days.
But achieving G8 support on this crucial set of issues could be a big step towards tackling the poisonous cycle of conflict and instability in the world.
The challenge, for any G8 Presidency, is leveraging this weight and influence to bring about positive change in the world.
We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions; agreeing to launch an international protocol which will set out agreed standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence
The challenge, for any G8 Presidency, is leveraging this weight and influence to bring about positive change in the world.
and it is unacceptable. We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions; agreeing to launch an international protocol which will set out agreed standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence, to increase the number of perpetrators who are brought to justice.
We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions
Yet only a tiny fraction of cases go to court. So many women are suffering in silence – and it is unacceptable. We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions; agreeing to launch an international protocol which will set out agreed standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence, to increase the number of perpetrators who are brought to justice.
The challenge, for any G8 Presidency, is leveraging this weight and influence to bring about positive change in the world.
Nhưng đạt được hỗ trợ G8 về thiết lập này rất quan trọng của vấn đề có thể là một bước tiến lớn hướng tới việc giải quyết các chu kỳ độc của cuộc xung đột và bất ổn trên thế giới.
Other issues on this important agenda are countries, such as Somalia and Burma, which are affected by conflict, and where the international community can help to support the reform process, and to establish political and economic stability. And Foreign Ministers will also talk about future threats, including the risk of crime and conflict in cyberspace: a fascinating area where we need to balance promoting global digital economies which can bring economic growth and social benefits to all countries, with preventing against cyber attacks from those who wish to do us harm.
and it is unacceptable. We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions; agreeing to launch an international protocol which will set out agreed standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence, to increase the number of perpetrators who are brought to justice.
Ce sont de bons sujets de discussion. La question de viol est de plus en plus et de façon endémique. Alors de quoi décourager. Il a besoin et exige une attention urgente.
At this week’s meeting, we have the chance to do just that. John Baird, William Hague and their counterparts will address urgent issues such as Syria, Iran, the Middle East Peace Process, the Sahel and North Korea, where we must work together to avert or end conflict and to build lasting stability.
Yet only a tiny fraction of cases go to court. So many women are suffering in silence – and it is unacceptable. We want the G8 to take action to tackle this, including recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions; agreeing to launch an international protocol which will set out agreed standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence, to increase the number of perpetrators who are brought to justice.
These are good issues for discussion. The issue of ‘rape’ is becoming and so rampant. So dishearten. It needs and requires urgent attention.