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Democratic Republic of Congo: More Rape Victims Identified

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

According to the United Nations, the count of rape victims from the four-day raid in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now risen to over 240 individuals. To date, 28 minors have been identified as rape victims, including one 12-year-old boy. Further, the rebel forces are believed to have carried on their violent spree in neighboring areas after the raid of July 30 to August 3; 75 rape victims have been documented in nearby areas in addition to the 240 Walikale victims.

The UN peacekeeping force in the DRC (MONUSCO) released a statement on September 3 stating that they are increasing their presence in affected areas, alongside the Congolese military. The UN and MONUSCO have been criticized for failing to prevent the violence despite knowledge of rapes and rebel activity in the affected area.

Legal responsibility to apprehend the perpetrators of the mass rapes lies with the Congolese government. The government stated that they have opened an investigation and begun apprehending suspects. The DRC insists that it no longer requires the UN peacekeeping force, although aid groups express the opinion that security forces in the country are insufficient to ensure citizens' safety.

Compiled from: Further Victims Identified in DRC Mass Rapes Case, Inter Press Service, (3 September 2010).

For More Information

Please see the sections on Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault During Armed Conflict, and Violence Against the Girl Child on this site, in addition to the following What's New article: Democratic Republic of Congo: At Least 179 Women Gang-Raped in Raid (23 August 2010).

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