1. Mr Chair, thank you for convening this event and the distinguished panellists for their presentations, which represent a valuable contribution to our discussions and efforts in this area. The risks women face in conflict and post-conflict situations, including gender-based and sexual violence have been repeatedly reflected in the OSCE commitments. Regretfully, violence against women in all its forms, ranging from physical, sexual to psychological violence, remains a serious concern in conflict-affected areas.
2. We reaffirm our longstanding and unwavering commitment to eliminating sexual and gender-based violence in all of its forms, in times of peace and times of war. As the risk of sexual and gender-based violence increases significantly in times of armed conflict, particularly the impact of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine is of grave concern and we know that women and girls are especially impacted.
3. The growing evidence of sexual and gender-based violence, including as an inhumane tactic of war by Russian Armed Forces as well as paramilitary entities controlled by Russian Armed Forces, continues to alarm. The EU and its Member States strongly condemn these actions, as substantiated in the reports of the Moscow Mechanism expert missions, ODIHR Human Rights Monitoring initiative and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Each case must be properly investigated and prosecuted with a victim-centred and trauma sensitive approach.
4. Russia’s political and military leadership, along with those directly responsible for such acts, will be held accountable. Impunity only emboldens perpetrators and silences victims and survivors. The Russian Federation must ensure that sexual violence by its armed forces is prohibited and it has an obligation to prosecute alleged perpetrators of such heinous crimes. Ensuring rule of law in times of war remains paramount.
5. Sexual and gender based violence, including when perpetrated in conflict context is a violation of human rights and one of the most extreme forms of gender-based discrimination. When sexual violence in conflict is committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilian populations it constitutes a war crime, and may also constitute a crime against humanity.
6. The EU and its Member States reiterate their steadfast commitment to uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and to end impunity for international crimes, not least when rape is used as a weapon of war. We commend the tireless efforts and contributions of civil society and human rights defenders. They often act as first responders, providing support services and gathering evidence to support future accountability, yet face reprisals due to their vital and valuable work.
7. The EU will continue supporting survivors and civil society, demanding accountability and an end to impunity. The use of EU restrictive measures, such as two sets of sanctions adopted in 2023 under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, reinforces this approach by increasing pressure to prevent further violations.
8. EU support for eliminating and addressing sexual violence in conflict is important. We have pledged over EUR 100 million to projects and programmes that include a response to conflict related sexual violence. The EU has financed, among others, the Global Survivors Fund’s work on conflict-related sexual violence across the globe, and we support both financially and politically the implementation of the framework on cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the UN on prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence.
9. With regard to human security more broadly, in another part of the OSCE area, the exodus of the Armenian population from Nagorno Karabakh which has been taking place in dramatic humanitarian conditions reflects the importance of effective implementation of international humanitarian law. We reiterate our call on Azerbaijan to create conditions for their safe, dignified and lasting return. Forced displacement of the civilian population through military or other means is not acceptable.
10. The OSCE plays an important role in documenting violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, through ODIHR reports and those under the Moscow Mechanism, thus contributing to accountability mechanism that have or may have, in the future, jurisdiction. In addition, there is a role for OSCE in helping victims to come to terms with the trauma inflicted upon them, and in enabling civil society to contribute to accountability efforts and in supporting survivors.
11. While it is important that we continue to address human security here in the FSC, we wish to recall that the comprehensive concept of security and the three OSCE Dimensions are interrelated, not least when it comes to addressing gender-based violence during armed conflict. As such, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further emphasised the vital importance of human security in armed conflicts and the interlinkages between the three dimensions. Having this in mind, we commend OSCE Women, Peace and Security activities, notably the WIN project which works across all three OSCE dimensions.
12. As we approach the 30^th anniversary of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security later this year, we should remember the importance of this tool and strive for its effective implementation.
13. Mr Chair, today’s discussion demonstrates how relevant the topic of human security in armed conflict, in particular protection against gender based violence is for all of us. We, as the Forum for Security Co-operation, should continue discussing the matter as well as international humanitarian law more broadly, which all 57 participating States are obliged to uphold.

Thank you.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the EFTA countries ICELAND and LIECHTENSTEIN members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.