United Nations Radio

The perpetrators of mass rapes in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo must be arrested and brought to justice, Atul Khare, the head of the UN Department of Political Affairs told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Atul Khare

Mr. Khare has just returned from the DRC where he was tasked with investigating the mass rapes committed by armed groups in the area.

He says it is clear that more than 240 persons including 30 minors were raped in that area between 30 July and 2 August.

"It is essential that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. Rapid and exemplary punishment would deter others who might repeat similar criminal acts."

Mr. Khare notes that while the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians lies with the Congolese authorities, the UN mission in the DR Congo also failed.

For her part, the top UN official dealing with sexual violence in conflict, Margot Wallström, says what is particularly disturbing is the Kibua attack is not an isolated incident.

She says she is deeply distressed by information that is now beginning to surface about large numbers of rapes in other parts of North Kivu and South Kivu as outlined by Mr. Khare.

Margot Wallstrom

"It is evident that rape is increasingly selected as the 'weapon of choice' in Eastern DRC, with numbers reaching endemic proportions. The sad reality is that incidents fo rape have become so commonplace that they do not trigger our most urgent interventions."

Ms. Wallström, who visited the DR Congo in April, says she intends to return to the country by the end of September to engage with all stakeholders and listen to the survivors.

Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations Radio
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