AFRICA
Some 20 Female Inmates Raped in Democratic Republic of Congo
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his deep distress at the rape of some 20 female inmates during an attempted escape from a prison in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The incident at Goma’s central prison, which occurred during the night of 21-22 June, also caused the death and wounding of several people and was condemned by the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, known as MONUC.
“This is a grim example of both the prison conditions and the level of sexual violence that plagues the DRC,” Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3941"> statement issued in New York. “I call on the DRC authorities to bring to justice those who have committed these crimes and, more generally, to renew efforts to bring an end to the impunity too often enjoyed by perpetrators of sexual violence,” he added.
The Secretary-General recalled that he had discussed the issue of sexual violence with President Joseph Kabila when he visited the country in February, as did the Security Council during its recent visit.
He stated that it is “absolutely essential” that the DRC Government take concrete steps to bring justice to victims of sexual violence, as well as initiate prison reform to ensure conformity with internationally recognized standards in the treatment of detainees, including strict separation of men and women. June 23, 2009.
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"Rape Victim Stoned to Death"
A thirteen year old girl was stoned to death for adultery in Somalia. The girl had been raped by three men. Instead of receiving police assistance, the victim was accused of
adultery and sentenced to death by stoning.
Read the story Somalia: Unacceptable killing of a girl child
We must protect our women and girls from femicide.
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International Prosecutor To Investigate War Crimes in Central African Republic
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court heads to the Central African Republic (CAR) – where he is investigating allegations of massive war crimes – later this week to meet with victims of violence, representatives of civil society and senior Government officials.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo is scheduled to travel on Thursday to the capital, Bangui, the ICC announced today in a media statement issued from its headquarters in The Hague.
While in Bangui Mr. Moreno-Ocampo will also visit the ICC local field office, which opened last October, and participate in a public dialogue broadcast on local radio in which he will answer questions about his work and the role of the Court.
“The people of the Central African Republic need to know the world has not forgotten them,” he said. “Our investigative activities in the CAR can bring to the attention of the international community the terrible problems facing the people here and the need to address them urgently.”
Last May the Prosecutor announced that he was opening an investigation into crimes committed between 2002 and 2003, especially the widespread incidence of rape and other forms of sexual violence. The ICC investigation follows a referral by the CAR Government.
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said there were reports that hundreds of terrified women were subjected to sexual violence during the period under review.
“We hear of gang rapes, mass rapes, horrific sexual acts being inflicted on women, young girls, the elderly, in some cases on men. Perpetrators of acts of massive sexual violence, in the CAR and elsewhere, must know that they will be held accountable.”
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo’s office is also monitoring acts of violence committed since 2005 in the northern part of the country.
2008-01-21 00:00:00.000
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For more details, see: International Criminal Court Prosecutor set to visit Central African Republic
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Current events: The Law and Policy Group, Inc. has developed an informational paper on the current crises in the Sudan. The authors, Professor Philip C. Aka and Dr. Obasi O. Obasi, are legal experts on Africa and human rights.
THE CURRENT CRISIS IN THE SUDAN:
AN INFORMATIONAL PAPER
A. Background History of the Country
With a landmass about one-fourth the size of the United States, the Sudan is the largest country in Africa. Its population of over 32 million people also makes it a populous country by African and world standards. The name “Sudan” means “the land of the blacks” in Arabic. The country was colonized by Britain (aided by Egypt) and became independent in 1956 after over fifty years of foreign rule. The Sudan is home to a variety of peoples with differing origins, religions, languages, and life styles. This diversity reflects the country’s location in northeast Africa, a reputed meeting point for different cultural and geographic regions. For the Sudan, this diversity expresses itself in the existence of 56 major ethnic groups and 597 minor ones, as well as 115 spoken languages, 26 of which are major languages. Some of the better known among the country’s ethnic groups, who are also victims of the numerous conflicts that have afflicted the nation, include the Dinka (who make up more than 12 percent of the population), the Fur, the Nubia, and the Nuer.
For the complete paper, follow the link below:
Fighting continues in the Sudan: The human rights group Amnesty International said late Friday that fighting was persisting in western Sudan despite a cease-fire between the government and rebels. http://amnesty.org/
Amnesty International states that systematic human rights abuses have occurred, including killing, torture, rape, looting and destroying of property by all parties involved in the conflict, but primarily by the Sudanese government and government-backed Janjawid militia. The Sudanese government continues to conduct indiscriminate bombings and other aerial attacks against clearly civilian targets and has failed to make its forces and pro-government militias accountable. Alarmingly, the Janjawid attacks are reportedly taking on an ethnic dimension, as the civilians who are attacked are mostly black Africans, while the Janawid attackers are mostly Arab. http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/sudan/summary.do
The issue of human trafficking is prevelant in Africa as well as Europe. The trafficking can involve adults as well as children.
West Africa: Stop Trafficking in Child Labor
Borderline Slavery: Child Trafficking in Togo
Uganda: Child Abductions Skyrocket in North
Stolen Children: Abduction and Recruitment in Northern Uganda