The United States has called on the international community to intensify efforts to combat conflict-related sexual violence, urging United Nations member states to move beyond rhetoric and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
The appeal was made during the UN Security Council’s 10,190th meeting on Tuesday, which focused on implementing global commitments to prevent and respond to sexual violence in armed conflicts.
The session, chaired by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, came amid continuing reports of widespread abuses against civilians, particularly women and girls, in eastern DRC.
Speaking before the Council, U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Tammy Bruce said accountability remains essential to ending conflict-related sexual violence.
She highlighted the United States’ recent sanctions against leaders of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), accusing the armed group’s leadership of involvement in torture and conflict-related sexual violence in eastern DRC.
“Conflict-related sexual violence is an atrocity, whether committed during war or in peacetime. Last month, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned FDLR leaders responsible for acts of torture and conflict-related sexual violence in eastern DRC. We urge all UN member states to strengthen accountability measures against those responsible for these crimes,” Bruce said.
She said the administration of President Donald Trump remains committed to advancing peace initiatives while protecting civilians caught up in armed conflicts around the world.
Bruce stressed that violence against women and girls should never be normalized or treated as an unavoidable consequence of war.
“The United States will continue to press for concrete action to protect vulnerable populations. There is no justification for tolerating violence against women and children, and the international community has a responsibility to ensure such crimes do not go unpunished,” she said.
The Security Council meeting took place as eastern DRC continues to grapple with insecurity despite ongoing diplomatic efforts under the Washington and Doha peace processes.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that women and girls remain among the most vulnerable victims of the conflict, with sexual violence continuing to be used by armed groups as a weapon of war.
The United States renewed its call for stronger international cooperation to ensure perpetrators face justice and survivors receive the protection and support they need.
