Over 900 sexual violence victims in DR Congo in a year

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Over 900 sexual violence victims in DR Congo in a year

11:09 CAT | 25 Sep 2019

Soldiers in DR Congo's army have been accused of sexual violence. [Photo: Getty]

More than 900 people were victims of conflict-related sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a period of a year, according to the UN.

The conflict-ridden eastern part of the country is the most affected.

According to the UN’s deputy high commissioner for human rights Kate Gilmore, much of the suffering has come at the hands of the people supposed to protect civilians.

For the past two decades, large parts of eastern DR Congo have endured almost continuous conflict.

Ms Gilmore told the Human Rights Council that the majority of the 900 instances of sexual violence recorded over the course of a year were carried out by police, army or proxy militias.

The army denies the allegations, saying they have procedures in place to investigate soldiers suspected of committing human rights violations.

Removing impunity for state officials was one of the main campaign pledges of President Félix Tshisekedi, but 10 months after his election little action seems to have been taken.

Source: BBC