SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE FIFTH CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES TO THE MECHANISM FOR THE CONVENTION OF BELÉM DO PARÁ

November 19, 2013 - Washington, DC

Madam President of the Conference of States Party to the Belem do Para Convention,

Madam Chair of the Permanent Council,

Madam Deputy Minister for Labor and Social Policies, and Delegate for Equal Opportunities of Italy,

Ambassador Sebastiano Fulci, Permanent Observer of Italy to the OAS,

Distinguished Ministers of Women, Ambassadors to the OAS and invited guests,

Executive Secretary of CIM, Mrs. Carmen Moreno,

Good afternoon Ladies and gentlemen:

I am quite pleased to be able to say a few words about this important and historic occasion which brings together a number of firsts:

• First, it is the twentieth anniversary of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, known as the Belem do Para Convention
• It is also the first time that the Council of Europe and the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belem do Para Convention (MESECVI) have exchanged experiences on the implementation of regional instruments to prevent and address violence against women,
• We are also recognizing the entry into force of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention, e
• And finally, we are also celebrating Italy’s entrance into the Belem do Para Convention

As you know, the Belém do Pará Convention is a unique and historic convention as it the first in the world to address violence against women by establishing a woman’s right to live a life free of violence.––it also laid the groundwork for the adoption of laws and policies on violence against women in the States Party to the Convention, as well as a policy and strategic framework for their implementation.

It is important to recognize the contributions of the Convention through Article 8 which calls for the promotion of international cooperation and exchange of ideas, experiences and programs aimed at protecting women who are subjected to violence, a mechanism which has become the cornerstone of the MESECVI since its creation in 2004. One of the main objectives of this Mechanism is to promote a hemispheric dialogue on the prevention and punishment of violence that strengthens State-level responses and fosters a climate of transparency and accountability in the fulfillment of the objectives of the Convention.

In recent years, the MESECVI has also expanded to include other regions in that dialogue, with no clearer result than the adoption, in 2011 of the Istanbul Convention. The OAS is proud to have paved the way, at the regional level, for the strengthening of the international legal framework on violence against women. We are extremely gratified that our experience over the last two decades has contributed to the adoption of a strong European instrument that will help to harmonize and consolidate State approaches to addressing this problem.

As you all know, violence against women continues to impact women all over the world, regardless of ethic and cultural background or national economic prosperity. The statistics in past years tells us that countries where there is violence against women, show a significant decline in female tourists.

In many countries existing laws are prejudiced against women. Therefore, a great deal more needs to be done to update and correct legislation.

It has also been widely recognized that the Convention has inspired action and information campaigns, legal norms and procedures, models of care, sensitization and training programs for legal, health and security personnel, in order to provide the best counsel and care for women victims. We are proud to say that in each country of the Hemisphere we can find examples of these actions.

In this context, we hope that the Istanbul Convention will serve as a similar reference point for the countries of the European Union, as well as an example for the States of the Americas in terms of re-affirming their commitment to the Belem do Para Convention.

Today’s signing ceremony is significant in several ways: it allows us to reflect on the progress made over the last twenty years; underscores the importance women’s rights as a fundamental human right; and reminds us of the need to strengthen our collective efforts to address the challenges that remain. These challenges may at times seem daunting, but, as it has for the last two decades, international cooperation on the response to violence against women will continue to provide a forum for participatory dialogue and the exchange of innovative ideas and successful experiences, as well as a collaborative space for building consensus, solidarity and the commitment to move forward.

I hope therefore that Italy’s example of becoming a member of the Belem do Para Convention will be the first of many, as well as a cornerstone of collaboration between Europe and the Americas in putting an end to violence against women in both regions, and the world at large.

I congratulate the Government of Italy for their initiative, commitment and leadership in this regard. We are honored to have you join this effort and we look forward to a strengthened collaboration.

I thank you.