The drive to involve women in conflict resolution and prevention as well as in peacekeeping operations is long overdue. We look forward to the report of the Secretary General on related issues expected later this year. Allow me also to mention the very significant decision taken by the International Tribunal on Former Yugoslavia. The tribunal found three persons guilty of systematic rape. This decision clearly shows the willingness of the international community to label and punish rape in armed conflict as a breach of humanitarian law.
Discrimination is a violation of a person's human rights.
Women often face double or triple discrimination. The issue of gender discrimination must be given proper attention at the forthcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance to be held in Durban South Africa later this year. As was underlined in the European Conference against racism held in Strasbourg in October last year, the gender perspective should be clear in all actions and policies against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance. We need to empower women belonging to vulnerable groups to claim and secure respect for their rights in all spheres of public and private life. The epidemic is spreading at an alarming speed.