Declaração do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Ronaldo Costa Filho, em reunião do Conselho de Segurança sobre Ucrânia - 6 de junho de 2022 (texto em inglês)

June 6^th 2022

Mister President,

At the outset, let me thank the briefers Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; Charles Michel, President of the European Union; and the briefers of civil society organizations for their valuable accounts of the situation in Ukraine with reference to sexual violence and human trafficking.

As the conflict in Ukraine has entered its fourth month, the full extent of its humanitarian consequences are still being assessed by the international community. We know for sure that the conflict has caused immense suffering for both the people directly affected by military action and for

the civilians fleeing confrontation.

In the wider context of destruction and gross violations of human rights brought about by the war, we take note with great concern of reports of alleged cases of sexual violence directed against women and girls in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.

The numbers reported are alarming and suggest that rape is being systematically deployed as a weapon of war. Brazil reiterates its calls for urgent independent investigations. It is admittedly difficult to document sexual violence because often victims do not want to speak about it. The insufficiency of reports further contributes to the sense of impunity that surrounds such war crimes.

The use of gender-based violence as a weapon of war, as well as a tool of intimidation and social control in conflict situations, is unacceptable. Such crimes are often used to humiliate and punish innocent civilians. It is well documented that sexual violence destroys the social fabric of communities and inflicts long-lasting psychological trauma in its victims. In its aftermath, the stigmatization and discrimination of survivors can endure and contribute to further gender inequality.

Perpetrators of such acts, be they agents of the state or not, should be held accountable for committing clear violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. Such abhorrent acts are prohibited both in times of war and peace. The proper investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases in Ukraine are necessary not just as a means of reparation but also of delivering justice. As experience shows us, the delivery of justice in such cases is also an important tool to consolidate peace in post-conflict situations.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, nearly 15 million people have been displaced and humanitarian needs continue to soar. Unfortunately, human traffickers and criminal networks may take advantage of such movement of people, women and children in its majority. Such criminals attempt to exploit refugees` vulnerability and lure them with false promises of free transport, accommodation, employment or other forms of assistance. Although we do not know the exact figures of how many victims have already fallen prey to traffickers and abusers, the risks are clear and deserve attention from the international community.

As the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of UNHCR, Gillian Triggs, acknowledged last April, States have the duty to prevent predatory individuals and criminal organizations from profiting from the situation. We praise UNHCR for launching an awareness-raising campaign among refugees, distributing printed material with information on how they can protect themselves and report incidents of sexual misconduct or criminal activity.

Increased reports of sexual violence and human trafficking, as well as the growing number of refugees and internally displaced people, reveal that the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate. In order to prevent those atrocities in the region and in other countries, it is crucial that we engage in providing effective strategies to reduce unsafe and irregular routes, and to promote the sustainable and safe legal pathways for those in need of protection. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that those fleeing hostilities are appropriately received and cared for.

   For this purpose, Brazil has introduced special humanitarian visas for Ukrainian national and stateless persons affected by the conflict in Ukraine who wish to live and work in Brazil. Brazilian embassies in Bratislava, Budapest, Bucharest, Prague and Warsaw have been  granting those visas since March, a policy that has previously benefited nationals of Afghanistan, Syria, and Haiti. This is an example of Brazil’s unshakable commitment to human rights and the protection of the most vulnerable.

This Council has already failed in preventing the outbreak of the conflict and in ensuring the cessation of hostilities. It must not fail in repudiating sexual crimes and human trafficking. Immediate investigation by relevant international bodies is called for, including by the Committee for Inquiry for Ukraine of the Human Rights Council.

Thank you.