Green MEP Jean Lambert has today called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to end impunity for sexual attackers and implement new laws prohibiting sexual violence. An urgent motion, signed by Ms Lambert, will be debated in the European Parliament on Thursday 17January when Members of the Greens/EFA political group will also call on the EU and UN to recognise rape as a crime against humanity.
In 2005 alone there were more than 40,000 reported rapes or other sexual assaults in DRC and 4,500 were recorded in the first six months of 2007. However, as rape and sexual violence have become widely used as weapons of war in the country it is impossible to establish the exact numbers of womenand girls who have been affected.
According to the UN, atrocities against women are structured around rape, gang rape and sexual slavery, causing far-reaching physical and psychological damage to women. Sexual violence often leaves survivors with serious health problems and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Jean Lambert MEP, who has been awarded for her work on human rights and is a member of the European Parliament working group on Reproductive Health, commented:
"Many rape victims suffer serious health and psychological problems and may be rejected by their own families and communities while the perpetrators walk free. This violence against women in DRC is being used as a weapon of war. It is a crime against humanity and all perpetrators should be broughtto justice.
"The EU, UN and the African Union must take all necessary steps to monitor and document the atrocities in DRC. I also call on the EU to allocate funds to provide medical, legal and social support for the victims of sexual abuse and to help empower women and children as a way to prevent further abuse."