UN steps up fight against sexual violence in conflict
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The United Nations stepped up its battle against sexual violence in conflicts around the world today with the Security Council calling for perpetrators to be publicly listed and punished with sanctions.
"Even as we take this step here, catastrophe is unfolding for communities caught in the chaos of conflicts," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the 15-member body as the meeting today where it unanimously adopted the resolution. It had been sponsored by 60 countries, including some where the worst cases of recent abuse have been perpetrated.
The Council resolution – voicing deep concern at the slow progress in combating the scourge and the limited number of perpetrators brought to justice – stresses the need to end impunity and vowed to take "appropriate steps to address widespread or systematic sexual violence in situation of armed conflict" in accordance with procedures of relevant sanctions committees.
It also asks Mr. Ban to include detailed lists of those credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for rape and other forms of sexual violence in his regular reports to the Council on the issue
"Armed elements are targeting civilians, raping women and men, and terrorizing entire populations," Mr. Ban said. "Pre-meditated campaigns are being waged with the most sinister goals: to silence women leaders, to empty areas that are filled with rich minerals but poor people, to recruit others and perpetuate the cycle of abuse."
He noted that in many places, the threat is so pervasive that women cannot cultivate land, collect water, or get the fuel they need to cook and feed their families for fear that they will be attacked in the process.
"And often, the perpetrators seem to reserve particular cruelty for children, intentionally traumatizing boys and girls by forcing them to watch as their mothers are attacked, or by attacking the children themselves," the Secretary-General added.
One of the resolution's sponsors was the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 300 civilians were raped between 30 July and 2 August in the eastern Walikale region by members of rebel armed groups, including the Maï Maï Cheka and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) – an example cited by Mr. Ban today.
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