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Congo - UN Welcomes Landmark Declaration Aimed at
Combating Sexual Violence in Conflict
Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Zainab Hawa Bangura. Photo: MONUSCO/Myriam Asmani
31 March 2015 – The United Nations Special Representative
of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa
Bangura, today called the signing of a landmark declaration by military
commanders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a “milestone” on the
road to ending conflict related sexual violence.
“This is a day we will all remember as a giant leap
forward in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence,” SRSG Bangura
said in a statement from the DRC capital of Kinshasa.
“The signing of this declaration by commanders, and the
implementation of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo)
action plan, represent the progress we can make when political will and
commitment are coupled with concrete action and support from the international
community. The Government and military of DRC should be very proud of this
accomplishment,” she emphasized.
Signed by FARDC commanding pledging to combat rape in
war, the declaration is seen as an integral step in implementing the national
action plan against sexual violence in conflict launched by the armed forces in
September 2014.
In Kinshasa, Ms. Bangura joined the FARDC military
commanders, key Government leaders including the Ministers of Defence, Justice,
Gender, Education and Health, the personal representative of the DRC President
on sexual violence and child recruitment, and senior leadership from the UN
Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The pledge will be taken by every commander serving in
the FARDC and requires military leaders to take a number of important actions,
including respecting human rights and international humanitarian law in
relation to sexual violence in conflict and taking direct action against sexual
violence committed by soldiers under their command.
It aims ensure prosecution of alleged perpetrators of
sexual violence under the command of commanders and facilitate access to areas
under their command to military prosecutors and handing over perpetrators
within their command that are under investigation, have been indicted or
convicted.
In addition, it aims to sensitize soldiers under command
about the zero tolerance policy on sexual violence in conflict; and take
specific measures to ensure protection of victims, witnesses, judicial actors
and other stakeholders involved in addressing sexual violence.
In addition to the signing of the declaration, the
Minister of Defence also established the Commission that will oversee the
implementation of the FARDC’s action plan against sexual violence, and which
includes representatives from the military, the Ministries of Justice, Health
and Gender, MONUSCO and UN Women.