News

UNITED NATIONS
– The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Thursday to name and
shame individuals and parties to armed conflict that are "credibly
suspected" of committing rape or other forms of sexual violence.

The council said it intends to use the list, to be
compiled by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, "for more focused United
Nations engagement with those parties," including imposing targeted
sanctions.

The resolution adopted by the council reiterates deep
concern that despite its repeated condemnation, rapes and attacks on
women and children caught in conflict continue to occur "and in some
situations have become systematic and widespread, reaching appalling
levels of brutality."

The council action
follows the rape of 303 civilians — 235 women, 13 men, 52 girls and 3
boys — in 13 villages in eastern Congo between July 30 and Aug. 2. Even
in the conflict-wracked region, where rape has become a daily hazard and
some women have... >>>