DRC: Amnesty calls for action on mass rape
In the course of the armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), tens of thousands of women and girls have been victims of systematic rape and sexual assault committed by combatant forces, says a new report from Amnesty International. "Women and girls have been attacked in their homes, in the fields or as they go about their daily activities. Many have been raped more than once or have suffered gang rapes. In many cases, women and young girls have been taken as sex slaves by combatants," says AI.
The report, 'Mass rape - time for remedies' says rape has often been preceded or followed by the deliberate wounding, torture (including torture of sexual nature) or killing of the victim. Rapes have been committed in public and in front of family members, including children. Some women have been raped next to the corpses of family members. Despite the official end to the war and the inauguration of the transitional government, humanitarian needs in some provinces have been increasing, notes Amnesty. "Throughout large areas of the east people are lacking even the most basic services for health and food security."
Amnesty estimates that fewer than 30 per cent of Congolese have access to even basic health care. The countrywide malnutrition rate is around 16 per cent, rising to up to 30 per cent in areas of the east, with 13 per cent classed as severe malnutrition. It is believed that over one million children aged under five suffer from acute malnutrition, and that one in every five Congolese children do not live to see their fifth birthday.
Although the levels of conflict in eastern DRC have diminished since the signing of the peace agreements, violence has continued. In many areas the violence is now sporadic and localised, but in other cases has been more extensive and threatened to reignite widespread armed conflict in the east.
* Compiled from the report by Pambazuka News. The full report is available at http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr620182004