[Francophones] Fw: Christian Aid: International Women's Day press release on rape as weapon of war in the Congo (DRC)

Ven 12 Mar 19:24:23 GMT 2010

Chers tous,
Voici ci-bas un transfert d'article sur la RD Congo que je vous transmets sans aucune modification.

----- Original Message ----- 
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 7:13 PM
Subject: Christian Aid: International Women's Day press release on rape as weapon of war in the Congo (DRC)

For immediate release March 5 for International Women's Day on March 8

ONGOING PRESENCE OF ARMED GROUPS IN EASTERN CONGO FUELS USE OF RAPE AS A WEAPON OF WAR 

Following recent brutal attacks on women by suspected FDLR rebels in South Kivu, DRC, Christian Aid is calling for more to be done to accelerate the voluntary demobilisation of armed groups in the vast central African nation. 

Of the fifteen women, all mothers, who were abducted and raped by the armed assailants - five were brutally tortured and then beheaded, three survived and were taken to Panzi Hospital in Bukavu for emergency medical care, and the remaining seven are still missing, presumed dead.

The attacks took place in February, less than two weeks before UK Foreign Office Minister Baroness Kinnock's visit to rape survivors at Panzi hospital. Since then the Minister has made commitments to addressing the crisis of impunity surrounding rape in the DRC.  

Christian Aid welcomes this renewed commitment and urges Baroness Kinnock to work with the DRC and Rwandan governments and with the UN to address the underlying causes of insecurity in the Great Lakes region.  

This must include increasing political will and material support for the voluntary demobilisation and repatriation of Rwandan FDLR armed groups and refugees, many of whom have been in the DRC since the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.  

"With the continued presence of various armed groups, women throughout the region are more vulnerable than ever to reprisals and systematic rape," explains Shuna Keen, Christian Aid's Great Lakes analyst. 

"Innocent women and young girls continue to be raped by both the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and the Rwandan FDLR and, as a result, many of these women and their subsequent children are HIV positive - the social and psychological effects are devastating and long-term," she adds.  

Indeed, UNOCHA last year reported that a substantial proportion of the sexual violence in DRC is committed by men in uniform. Most cases of rape in insecure remote areas go unreported, the survivors unable to get treatment. This recent attack in South Kivu is unfortunately not an isolated incident, but part of an ongoing, horrifying trend. 

More than six million civilian lives have been lost in war and genocide in DRC and Rwanda since the early 1990s, with the conflict now the most deadly since the Second World War. 

"More can and must be done to encourage voluntary demobilisation and repatriation by FDLR rebels and Rwandan refugees through effective accompaniment, sensitisation and confidence-building measures. The non-military options have not been given enough of a chance," adds Keen.

More than 15 years since the Rwandan genocide, it is estimated that there are still around 90,000 Rwandan refugees living in the volatile region of eastern DRC, as well as many thousands of armed FDLR rebel combatants. Christian Aid believes that the voluntary repatriation of refugees is crucial for building lasting peace in the region, as is the voluntary demobilisation and repatriation of the FDLR. 

The ongoing insecurity in the North and South Kivu regions of DRC which gives rise to systematic sexual violence is itself the result of deep long-term political crisis in the wider African Great Lakes region. 

As a major diplomatic actor and number one bilateral donor to both DRC and Rwanda, the UK must use its influence in favour of the peaceful resolution of this crisis, the promotion of  civil and human rights and the correct exercise of justice mechanisms. 

To mark International Women's Day 2010, Christian Aid urges Baroness Kinnock to draw inspiration from her recent visit to DRC and lead international efforts to accelerate voluntary demobilisation of armed groups and to address the illegal militarised mining and trade, a major cause of insecurity in the region. 

ends

For further information please contact Shuna Keen on 020 7523 2308/ SKeen at christian-aid.org or Emma Pomfret on 07554 024539/020 7523 2427/ epomfret at christian-aid.org. 

Notes To Editors: 

1. To read more about Christian Aid's work in DRC please visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/past/congo/Index.aspx and http://www.christianaid.org.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/November2009/congo-crisis-made-worse-by-un-backed-military-operation.aspx 

2. Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life they deserve. 

3. Christian Aid has a vision - an end to poverty.  Our new drive, Poverty Over, explains what we believe needs to be done - and can be done - to make that vision a reality.  Details at www.christianaid.org.uk

4. Follow Christian Aid's newswire on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caid_newswire.

Haiti Earthquake Appeal
Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti after a major earthquake struck the country. Thousands of people are feared dead and countless have been left homeless. Please visit the Haiti Earthquake Appeal site to donate

Save paper, save trees and only print this email if you have to.

Christian Aid is a charity and company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales: 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL. UK registered charity no. 1105851. Company no. 5171525.

Christian Aid also operates in Scotland: Registered Office: 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL. Charity no. SC039150

Christian Aid Ireland is a charity and company limited by guarantee registered in Northern Ireland: Murray House, Belfast BT1 6DN. Northern Ireland charity no: XR94639. Company no. NI059154.

Christian Aid Ireland is a registered charity and registered company limited by guarantee: 17 Clanwilliam Terrace, Dublin 2. Republic of Ireland charity no. CHY 6998. Company no. 426928.

Christian Aid Trading Limited is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales: 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL. Company no. 1001742.

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