Angelina Jolie and William Hague unite as Foreign Secretary announces Britain will send team to help those raped in war zones

PUBLISHED: 21:39 EST, 14 November 2012 | UPDATED: 07:43 EST, 15 November 2012

He's a Foreign Secretary used to verbally sparring with the opposition in the House of Commons.

She is an UNHCR Special Envoy known for juggling trips to war zones with walking down the red carpet.

Together, Foreign Secretary Wiliam Hague and Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie might make an odd couple, but yesterday they united as he announced what Britain will do to help tackle rape and sexual violence overseas.

Foreign Secretary William Hague, with UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie, said that Britain would fight against those who use rape as a weapon of war

Meeting of minds: The pair looked relaxed as they spoke about Britain's plan to help those who are victim of sexual violence

Hague delivered the keynote speech on the final afternoon of a Wilton Park Conference on 'Preventing sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations'.

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In May, Mr Hague promised that Britain would create a team of experts that could be deployed to conflict areas to support UN missions and investigate allegations of sexual violence, gather evidence and help other nations to deal with the atrocities.

Yesterday he declared that the 70-strong specialist team of police, lawyers, psychologists, doctors and forensic experts is ready to head overseas to help survivors and witnesses.

Jolie, Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said she was 'delighted' to be working with Hague.

She said it was imperative that the horrific use of sexual violence as a weapon in conflict was halted and fight for justice for survivors of attacks.

'In many conflicts, sexual violence is used as a tactic of war, intended to hurt not only a single individual, but their family, their community, their ethnic group,' she said.

Mr Hague has been praised for his staunch support for victims of sexual violence overseas, and Ms Jolie said she was 'delighted' to work with him

The pair spoke of the imperative need to act for those who are raped in war zones, and support the communities who are torn apart by the atrocious crimes

'Today this has almost become a rule rather than an exception, and we all must work together to combat the impunity and ensure justice for the victims.'

Mr Hague pledged funding of more than £¼ million over a three year period to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support to develop policies, guidance and training for use by UN peacekeepers as first responders to incidents of sexual violence.

As part of raising awareness about the horrific sexual violence that is a common feature in war zones, the Foreign Secretary said: 'I believe that a critical mass of public opinion has now begun to build up against the use of rape as a weapon of war in many countries.

'My experience as a politician leads me to believe that this is the moment to mobilise global public opinion and to rally the efforts of nations, in the same way that we have mustered the will to ban the use of landmines and cluster munitions, and are on the verge of securing an international Arms Trade Treaty.

'Shattering the culture of impunity for those who use rape as a weapon of war is the next great global challenge of our generation.

'It is a cause whose time has come.'

Mr Hague has been praised for bringing the horrific issue to the public's consciousness and staunchly defending the rights of victims by demanding action from other governments.

Deep in thought: An unflagging defender of human rights, Angelina Jolie attended the conference to hear what Mr Hague had to say

In the speech he said: 'In our lifetimes millions of women, children and men have endured this horror, including in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Uganda, Liberia and in Bosnia, where only twenty years ago, on European soil, rape camps were set up and tens of thousands of women subjected to sexual slavery and enforced pregnancy.

'I believe that preventing and addressing sexual violence is vital to resolving conflicts and building sustainable peace.
'I see it as a vast international issue that national foreign policies have not yet adequately addressed.
'And I am convinced that we can actually do something more about it.'

The conference was attended by representatives from over 25 countries, include ministers, senior practitioners and experts.

The gathering addressed impunity, early warning indicators, strengthening justice mechanisms, and communications.

Those who attended included Zainab Bangura, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallstrom, the former Special Representative, Madeleine Rees, Secretary-General of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and Serge Brammertz, a prosecutor from the ICTY.

Named in 2001 as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina's involvement with humanitarin projects began with a mission to Sierra Leone, which has been crippled by years of brutal civil war.

After witnessing firsthand the distress, pain and challegnes that refugees face as part of their daily life, Jolie resolved to support their cause.

Her years of dedicated service led to her her being appointed a Special Envoy of UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterresin April 2012.

She now focuses on major crises resulting in mass population displacements and engaging with governments on the issue.

The tireless advocate has conducted more than 40 field visits around the world.

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Jolie obviously needs more publicity. Does she actually part with any money, or is she purely a spokesperson who takes the credit and doesn't actually open her purse?? Perhaps if she does part with cash, why doesn't she sent it to New York, they could really do with the help right now instead of supporting people in other countries.... If she actually does that is! - Now in USA, California, 15/11/2012 6:23 **** Maybe do some simple research on how much Angelina gives and does (a lot by the way) before posting. Just a thought...

- The Wolf , Manchester, United Kingdom, 15/11/2012 17:08

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Are you saying that their own government and their officers don't care about their own women and children to protect them from war rape. Is it not the job of their government to look after their own to day. These leaders and army are not illiterate to day they know right and wrong and that they need to protect the civilians against violence, and rape like every government around the world. How are you going to tackle rape and violence in these countries without law and order from government. if their is so much rape and violence in these country is because they have no real law and order everyone do what ever they want. They need law, protection and order from their own government. The judges and government are soft on offenders just like in UK and other developed countries. How many offenders, Rapists and Pedophiles go free in the UK from judges. Are you country judges not letting down their victims too like these countries? When crime are not punish it unleash more crime?

- MM , Sydney, Australia, 15/11/2012 16:23

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What a bunch of snipping jealous people there are on here today....to those who bad mouth Angelina´s work for the UN, perhaps you should take a bit of time to read how long she has been involved with such work....and why should she not use her celebrity to bring attention to some of the awful things that happen in the world?? Far better than those so called ´celebs´who are only interested in raising their own profile with tacky TV shows and pretending to be designers etc....Her and Brad Pitt not only donate millions of dollars to their chosen causes they also get their hands dirty...just look at Brad´s work with building houses for low income families in the US. It really makes me think that those nasty posters on here, just lead selfish and sad lives with no thought or consideration for anyone else in the world, perhaps rather than hiding behind your PC screen, you should educate yourselves to the plight of the real victims of suffering not just because you can´t afford a new TV..

- Sam , Bombinhsd, 15/11/2012 16:22

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I'm not sure that raising awareness is something that sexpot Jolie does best. She gets a heck of a lot of publicity and unglamorous types like Mr Hague (even though I like him) come across as schoolboys in the sweetie shop. That's the problem with this type of exercise. It doesn't ring true. Give me Orla Gherin - then you're certain she knows the stuff she's talking about first-hand.

- sargirl , Brussels, 15/11/2012 16:21

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There's a lot of comments about how Jolie is 'so fake' and 'only doing it for the cameras.' My response would be to actually do your research in to what she's done for human rights before you assume she's in it for other motives.

- ABitMental , Somewhere, United Kingdom, 15/11/2012 15:44

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Thats another Zillion pounds of our hard earned taxes going on yet another overseas project then. With a fully salaried mega dept being set up with an all expences paid travel budget. Meanwhile our NHS budgets get further cuts.

- LaBouche , Manchester, 15/11/2012 15:24

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Yesterday he declared that the 70-strong specialist team of police, lawyers, psychologists, doctors and forensic experts is ready to head overseas to help survivors and witnesses.---------------------------------------------How generous off this mulit millionaire to fund an expensive team like this. Sorry, you say she's not funding this... well then who is? British Tax payers...doesn't private sector low wage Britian fund thousands of highly paid lawyers and state doctors already.

- dougie , plaxtol, United Kingdom, 15/11/2012 15:11

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Angelina is using her position to highlight the help these countries need. She is giving her time freely unlike most celebs who are self promoting, me me me types.

- hopeful , reading, 15/11/2012 15:04

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She doesn't seem to be giving much input.....more like smile and nod kind of approach

- Jaykay , Birmingham, 15/11/2012 14:49

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- CLT , Somerset, 15/11/2012 11:42, don't be silly, CLt. I think her first child and her initial humanitarian trips changed her into who she is today. Brad Pitt had very little to do with her maturity, IMO. I think it's shameful to give him any credit for her growth as a human being when she was involved in major humanitarian work for years before he entered her life. As for what you deem famous...she has stated a lot of loving kind words about numerous people... Doesn't make it completely true. Do you also hold onto what she said about her two ex husbands being the love of her life? Btw, Brad Pitt has shown his pretentious card one two many times.... It's a miracle she can stand him herself.

- Sunny , Santa Cruz, 15/11/2012 14:41

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