Swedish statement at OWG 10 on cluster 8 – peaceful and non-violent societies, rule of law and capable institutions
Mr. Co-chair,
I am pleased to address the two goal areas under cluster 8.
As has been said by this chair previously in the open working group, we should strive to establish SDGs and targets that will lead to transformative change to eradicate extreme poverty and promote sustainable development, based on evidence, experience and internationally recognized research.
We know that the countries that have had the most difficulty in meeting the current MDGs are countries in conflict or emerging from conflict, this is an undisputable fact. By 2015, 50 % of the world's poor will be concentrated in conflict-affected and fragile states. Peace and development are intrinsically linked. Finishing the unfinished business of the MDGs, realizing our higher ambition of eradicating extreme poverty and being serious about not leaving anyone behind, tells us that we must pay special attention to fragile and conflict affected situations.
But furthermore, no country around the world is free from violence - certainly not my own country - and all countries therefore have an interest in promoting freedom from violence and peaceful societies.
Finally, what gets measured gets done - we know this also from experience - and thus we suggest a separate goal on Freedom from violence and peaceful societies. Failure to include this would be a huge missed opportunity.
We suggest the following universally measurable targets:
1. Reduced violence against civilians during conflict by x%
4 April 2014
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Sweden
Ambassador
Anna Brandt
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2. Elimination of all forms of violence and exploitation against children, i.a. through legislation against corporal punishment
3. Strengthened capacity and accountability of the security sector and of the trust of citizens in the security sector
4. Strengthened rule of law, with protection of the rights of vulnerable including refugees and internally displaced persons
5. Reduced international organized crime including trafficking and illicit arms transfers
I also want to refer to my statement on Tuesday on gender equality, where we suggested a target on the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
Freedom from violence and peaceful societies have linkages to poverty eradication as has already been mentioned as well as, sustainable agriculture, energy, infrastructure, food security and nutrition, health and population dynamics, education, gender equality, economic growth, employment, good governance, rule of law, and capable institutions, just to mention a few.
Mr. Co-chair, on the second goal area in this cluster; governance, rule of law and accountable institutions there are many inter-linkages to other goal areas. Transparent, accountable, effective and capable institutions are necessary for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and for addressing the many environmental and climate change challenges that are facing all countries. These inter-linkages need to be brought out clearer.
Rule of law and access to justice for all are also important underpinnings for poverty eradication and making sure that no one is left behind, which was recognized in the Outcome Document of the Special high level event of last year and in the Millennium Declaration. I would also like to refer to the Rio outcome document paragraph 10 on democracy, good governance and the rule of law as essential for sustainable development. Furthermore, together with health and education, honest and representative government ranks among people’s top priorities, in the UN “My world” survey.
Hence, we suggest a separate goal on Democratic governance and rule of law with the following targets, many of which also feature in the co-chairs document:
1. Transparent, accountable and effective institutions and public authorities, free from corruption
2. Free and universal legal identity, such as birth registration
3. Impartial and equal access to justice for all women and men and legal protection for all, focusing on the poor and their assets
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4. The right to association, organisation and freedom of expression by all women and men
5. Inclusive, participatory decision making at different levels of society, by all women and men
6. Media freedom, including on the internet, and the right for media to scrutinize the activities of the public and the private sector without risk of retaliation
7. Guarantee by law citizens the right to information about government data, including public profits, expenditures and on the budget.
Thank you, Mr. Co-chair.
