UNICEF: In DR Congo, rape as a weapon of war

GOMA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 24 June 2008 -- In a momentous step forward for the protection of women and girls in DRC and around the world, the UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war.

Resolution 1820, which passed last week, reiterates the status of sexual violence as a war crime, a crime against humanity, a form of torture and a constituent act of genocide. It also advances efforts to sanction perpetrators and raise the political, military and economic cost of such violence.

"Sexual violence in DRC is on a scale and brutality unparalleled elsewhere in the world," says Child Protection Specialist Pernille Ironside in UNICEF's eastern DRC regional office. "While rape certainly existed prior to the war, the brutal nature of the violations that we see is appalling -- with over 1,000 women and girls raped per month.

"This is truly a context in which sexual violence has taken on a new dimension," she adds.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/drcongo_44598.html

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[plaidnum]

the "men" of their society need to be cut off from civilisation. They are too far gone for rehabilitation. These congolese men have no value on the planet.

[WERIEVENTS]

Rape in Congo helping Woman Heal

GET INVOLVED!

WERI2008 CAMPAIGN

[bvarsity06]

Unfortunately it is not just Congolese men but insurgents from surrounding nations and UN "peacekeepers. What's more is that even if women decided to report their attack( which most wont because DRC is a shame based culture and women are valued by their reproductive capacity) they have little to no resources within the legal or social services realm. I did a thesis last year( 40 pages) on the rape crisis in the DRC. If you're interested I can send because these videos provide very little.

[eviltreemonster]

The UN "Peacekeepers" are doing a lot of this. Not just the terror groups.

[nimbostratusdweller]

These are crimes against humanity.

Intimidation by the most cowardly.

Inhumane. Sex crimes.

Not magic as the terrorists have said in interviews. Pure barbaric intimidation.

[nimbostratusdweller]

This is a crime against all humanity. It is cowardice in it's most cowardly form to terrorize the innocent and weak.

It is intimidation not magic.

[pccrazy1000]

Rape as a weapon of war- I learned about this when I went to a meeting about the DR congo last week, it's so terrible and not right, I wish it could stop immediately

[siuwang888]

HIV pass to enermy. Really bad warrior.

[polygamous1]

because is perpetrated by the first world countries for their benefit its called neocolonialism instead of ending in the troops send in secret services to install their own puppet far cheaper in life n money n Brilliant as a PR we gave them independence n see what they done! But any african leader who tried to be truly independent is a loony libtard a commie a terrorist a everything no conflict on earth has caused more deaths or suffering since WW2 than congo But Never reported in the news

[jia2001]

I agree 100% they deserve to die as well

[KaranfiLL88]

rapers can't be human!! they can't have a heart!!!!!!!

[DoNotTreadOnMe]

Why does this happen in Third World nations?