European Parliament strongly condemns mass rape in DR Congo

[News_Editor]

European Parliament strongly condemns mass rape in DR Congo

2010-10-08 08:30:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) – The European Parliament on Thursday strongly condemned the mass rape and human rights violation inflicted on at least 500 women and children between July and August in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Members of the Parliament (MEPs), in a plenary resolution passed on Thursday, called on the United Nations and DR Congo to conduct an impartial and thorough probe on the attacks. The resolution was approved with 585 votes in favor, 8 against and 34 abstentions.

In addition, MEPs agreed that the mass rape cases should be referred to the International Criminal Court. They also expressed their deep concern regarding the UN MONUSCO's (Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) inability to prevent and protect civilians against such attacks.

UN MONUSCO could not use its mandate to give protection against human rights abuses by armed movements despite its peacekeeping base. As a result MEPs called for a creation of a true and decently paid and trained national army that will protect DR Congo's population.

More than 500 people were victims of a mass gang rape, including young girls, women as old as 75 and baby boys and girls, from 30 July to 4 August. The attacks were perpetrated by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group, and the Mai Mai militia.

On Tuesday, the United Nations arrested the alleged leader of a rebel group that is believed to be partly responsible for the mass rape. Lieutenant Colonel Mayele, a commander of the Mai Mai Cheka, was arrested by UN peacekeepers for commanding the assault that resulted in the mass rape in DR Congo.

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