Saudi Arabia urges global action against sexual violence in conflicts at UN Security Council

Saudi Arabia has called for stronger international efforts to combat conflict-related sexual violence, telling the UN Security Council that such crimes continue to be used as weapons of oppression, intimidation and forced displacement in war zones.

Addressing a high-level Security Council meeting, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Alwasil, said sexual violence in armed conflicts constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, with women and children bearing the brunt of such abuses.

Alwasil recalled that UN Security Council Resolution 1820 and subsequent resolutions recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security, stressing that perpetrators must be held accountable.

Calling the issue a shared global responsibility, he urged coordinated international action to address the root causes of sexual violence, protect civilians and support survivors.

The Saudi envoy reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to international humanitarian law, saying it is guided by legal, humanitarian and moral responsibilities as well as the principles of Islam. He also stressed the need to uphold the Geneva Conventions and strengthen mechanisms for enforcing international humanitarian law.

Alwasil condemned all violations against civilians, emphasising that ensuring humanitarian assistance and protecting vulnerable groups are both legal obligations and moral imperatives.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, he said the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues to provide assistance to vulnerable communities, including survivors of sexual violence, in partnership with international organisations.

He also raised concerns over alleged violations in the Palestinian territories, including acts of sexual violence, describing them as serious breaches of international humanitarian law and calling for urgent international action to protect civilians and hold those responsible accountable.

Concluding his remarks, Alwasil said protecting civilians from sexual violence in armed conflict is a non-negotiable legal obligation and urged the international community to strengthen cooperation in tackling the crime wherever it occurs.