Dear Mrs Chairperson, distinguished Ladies, Sisters,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity of opening this session in my capacity of Speaker of the National Council.

I think it is very useful that women should meet together to discuss the serious problem of violence against women and especially of War against women. We all know that violence reflects and reinforces the unequal status of women, jeopardise their opportunities for full and equal participation in economic, social, cultural and political development, and are in direct contradiction to development and equality goals.

My own belief is that violence has the same origin whether it is in war or in civil life.

Every religion, philosophy, doctrine or political activity that leads to violence is morally negative and should be condemned. The degree of violence is a measure of a value and acceptability of a doctrine.

The problem we face occurs first in domestic life and is a matter of public concern requiring a co-ordinated response and therefore needs to be tackled openly.

Although the complex problem of family violence is viewed differently by various cultures and must therefore be addressed with sensitivity to the cultural context in each country, it is necessary to develop common policies to focus on violence.

The problem we face in both developed and developing countries in a serious and persistent world-wide problem which includes physical, psychological and sexual assault and abuse and effects alas all segments of society, regardless of class, income, culture, gender, age or religion.

All of us must fight in order that women and children are entitled to live in a safe environment. We must condemn the practice of violence in the family as a grave violation of the rights of women and children and a threat to their physical and mental well being.

We must not hesitate to declare that violence against women is a crime and that offenders should be held accountable for their behaviour.

The role Parliaments have to play is to enact legislation and ratify international treaties prohibiting all forms of violence against and women, and to review its provisions and monitor their application on a regular basis in order to assess their impact of the problem of violence against women.

Suitable codes of practice should be drafted to eliminate sexual harassment.

Women are more than men victims of wars. Let us think of civilians victims of rape and of forced prostitution. There is a similarity between violence against women and in armed conflicts. Peace in the world can only be established when violence against women is fought.

Human rights of women are protected by international law. Yet women are among those imprisoned for their peaceful beliefs and activities, tortured, denied the right to a fair trial, abducted and "disappeared", and extrajudically executed.

It is our governments who are responsible for upholding the international standards which safeguard the fundamental human rights of each and every one of their citizens.

The international community can play a decisive role in protecting human rights throughout the world.

An important step was undertaken on November 17th 1993 in the Hague when the International Court in charge of the tried of wars criminals in former Yugoslavia was set up.

We women must support this court. Public opinion must keep up steam. This is absolutely necessary if we want to see this court work.

I think the 12-point programme of Amnesty International about Women in the front line needs our full support.

I would just like to mention point 7: safeguard women's human rights in situation of armed conflict.

Uphold human rights in situation of armed conflicts by stopping the imprisonment of prisons of conscience, torture and ill treatment, and extrajudical executions, and by affording prompt and fair trials to all those detained for political reason, in accordance with human guarantees and the norms of humanitarian laws (Geneva Conventions and additional protocols).

Women muss discuss the questions but the male world must not be excluded by the female world.

I thank you for having come to the lake Thun area and wish all of you a very satisfactory conference. I hope the values we all share will be strengthened after this meeting. Thank you.