UN warns that mass rape victims now face same abuse by army in DR Congo

UN warns that mass rape victims now face same abuse by army in DR Congo

2010-10-15 06:08:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations on Thursday warned the UN Security Council that hundreds of women who were raped by rebels are now facing similar abuses on the hands of government troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"There is already some information from MONUSCO [the UN mission] peacekeepers on the ground that rapes, killings and lootings have been perpetrated by FARDC [the Government army] soldiers," Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallström said.

Wallström, the special representative on the matter of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, addressed the Security Council after the information surfaced. She also called for urgent action of the authorities to hold the perpetrators to account.

Last month, more than 300 civilians were raped in the Walikale region in eastern DR Congo by members of armed groups. Like the Maï Maï Cheka and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

"The possibility that the same communities who were brutalized in July and August by FDLR and Maï Maï elements are now also suffering exactions at the hands of FARDC troops is unimaginable and unacceptable,†Ms. Wallström said.

Wällstrom also requested the Security Council to provide MONUSCO more funds and resources in order to carry out its mandate which includes protecting civilians.

"The reality is that they are over-stretched and under-resourced. They are demoralized by the sheer scale of the problem and by the constant barrage of criticism from all quarters. These are dedicated women and men who are making tremendous sacrifices to serve. They deserve our sympathy and support."

The UN peacekeepers were in the Walikale area at the time of the mass rape. However, they were some miles away and it was days before the news reached them, by which time the perpetrators had long since gone.

Last Thursday, the European Parliament called on UN and DR Congo to conduct an impartial and thorough probe on the attacks and refer the perpetrators to the International Criminal Court.

Members of the Parliament also called for a creation of a true and decently paid and trained national army that will protect DR Congo's population.

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