Democratic Republic of the Congo
Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to face widespread sexual violence, disease, and displacement in conflict situations arising from clashes between dozens of armed groups. Often, sexual violence and rape are used as terror tactics and weapons of war, and despite the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Women’s Platform for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, women are still largely underrepresented in peacebuilding efforts. Additionally, women activists face rape as a form of torture by government actors who disagree with their political activity. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) aims to provide protection for civilians, including reducing the threat of armed groups perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence, monitoring and reporting on sexual violence and ensuring women’s participation in stabilization and national political dialogue.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to face widespread sexual violence, disease, and displacement in conflict situations arising from clashes between dozens of armed groups. Often, sexual violence and rape are used as terror tactics and weapons of war, and despite the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the Women’s Platform for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, women are still largely underrepresented in peacebuilding efforts.
Additionally, women activists face rape as a form of torture by government actors who disagree with their political activity. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) aims to provide protection for civilians, including reducing the threat of armed groups perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence, monitoring and reporting on sexual violence and ensuring women’s participation in stabilization and national political dialogue.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Democratic Republic of Congo (May 2010)
The forthcoming mandate renewal must reaffirm MONUC’s obligation to ensure that violations of international humanitarian law, including using rape as a weapon of war, are prosecuted, and that survivors are entitled to emergency medical care. Reports indicate that the level of brutality against women and girls is increasing with survivors describing being subjected to mutilation and torture, gang rape and abduction by armed groups. MONUC’s role must prioritize concerns for women’s safety, and efforts to improve humanitarian coordination and assistance. Specific Council action should include:
- MONUC’s support to FARDC is strictly conditioned of upon compliance by FARDC units and commanders with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law (SCR 1906, OP 22). This requirement must be fully complied with.
- The arms embargo should be strictly enforced and apply to all those suspected of committing violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. The Sanctions Committee should act promptly on the findings of the group of experts.
- Vetting and training of integrated forces, including, human rights and protection training should be mandatory.
- The mandate renewal should include an explicit obligation to support and protect human rights defenders.
- Those indicted for international crimes, including crimes of sexual violence, should be arrested.
The forthcoming mandate renewal must reaffirm MONUC’s obligation to ensure that violations of international humanitarian law, including using rape as a weapon of war, are prosecuted, and that survivors are entitled to emergency medical care. Reports indicate that the level of brutality against women and girls is increasing with survivors describing being subjected to mutilation and torture, gang rape and abduction by armed groups. MONUC’s role must prioritize concerns for women’s safety, and efforts to improve humanitarian coordination and assistance. Specific Council action should include:
- MONUC’s support to FARDC is strictly conditioned of upon compliance by FARDC units and commanders with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law (SCR 1906, OP 22). This requirement must be fully complied with.
- The arms embargo should be strictly enforced and apply to all those suspected of committing violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. The Sanctions Committee should act promptly on the findings of the group of experts.
- Vetting and training of integrated forces, including, human rights and protection training should be mandatory.
- The mandate renewal should include an explicit obligation to support and protect human rights defenders.
- Those indicted for international crimes, including crimes of sexual violence, should be arrested.
Relevant Resources
