Security Council condemns sexual violence in Congo (Roundup)

Feb 7, 2011, 20:05 GMT

New York - The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned the continued wave of sexual violence against women and girls by armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The council said in a statement it renewed deep concern over the 'persistent high levels' of insecurity, violence and human rights abuses aimed at women and children. In particular, it condemned January's incidents in North and South Kivu, in the town of Fizi, 'where civilians were wounded and dozens of women and girls were raped by elements of the FARDC.'

FARDC is the acronym for the Congolese government armed forces, which were found to have taken part in sexual violence while also fighting rebel groups.

The council also called for the swift prosecution of those responsible for the rapes.

Roger Meece, the UN special envoy for Congo, reported to the council on the situation in that country, saying that the UN civilian protection programme had suffered setbacks by the continued human rights abuses.

Meece said about 50 to 80 rape cases perpetrated by a Rwandan- backed rebel group known as FDLR were registered in South Kivu. He said FARDC were responsible for 'too many' other cases of sexual violence against women in the area, without providing a figure for how many rapes were committed by the forces.

Meece said Congolese police were also involved in at least 35 cases of sexual violence in Fizi.

The Uganda-based Lord's Resistance Army also remains a 'major threat' with its brutal tactics and operations in Congo, he said.

'The protection of civilians clearly remains our major priority and focus, driven particularly by operations of foreign and domestic armed groups in the eastern portion of the country,' Meece said.

The UN mission in Congo, criticized for inaction when a rebel group raped some 300 women in North Kivu in July, has taken steps to deter the crime. But it also pointed out that the area is too vast for the small UN forces to monitor effectively.

In addition, Meece said the capacity of civilian and military justice systems are 'significantly' too weak to prosecute the rapists, and the UN has taken action to bolster government justice system with support from countries like Canada.

Read more about Congo Conflict

Read more about UN