DRC: Rape Still Widespread and Largely Unpunished – UN report
By NewsfromAfrica
KINSHASA – Rape and sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain very serious concerns, with thousands of victims, in particular in the east of the country, over the past four years, according to a UN report released Wednesday.
The report also indicates that, while some progress has been made in the fight against impunity for sexual violence, much more needs to be done to hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable.
“There is no excuse for sexual violence, and its widespread impunity creates even more injustice. The Government should take all necessary measures to give victims of sexual violence access to justice and ensure their safety. For this, and for the fight against any form of sexual violence, the DRC can count on our full support in a good spirit of continuous partnership,” declared the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, Martin Kobler.
“Despite an increase in the number of prosecutions of state agents for sexual violence in recent years, there is still a long way to go in the fight against impunity for sexual violence in the DRC,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
“I call on the Government to prioritize the fight against impunity for crimes of sexual violence, to promptly complete effective and independent investigations, and to prosecute alleged perpetrators, including those suspected of having command responsibility.”