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Welcome to the website of the Congolese Women’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Congolese Women’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is an initiative launched by women’s associations in Eastern DRC to bolster the fight against sexual violence.

United Nations Security Council resolution on rape as a war tactic: an analysis by Rights & Democracy
ALERT : Death threats made against Congolese Women's Right Activist (in NGOs > Alert Section)

United Nations Security Council resolution on rape as a war tactic: an analysis by Rights & Democracy

On June 19, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war and a threat to international security. The crucial issue now is whether this resolution will actually contribute to international efforts to end sexual violence committed against women in the context of war.

Rights & Democracy, which has been at the forefront of international efforts to see sexual violence recognized as a weapon of war, believes the Security Council resolution is an important step toward this goal for the following reasons:

Acts of sexual violence committed before and after a war are now part of peace and security issues that could be brought before the Security Council;

The resolution allows the Security Council to intervene in situations where the extent or level of sexual violence requires such intervention;

The resolution excludes crimes of sexual violence from amnesty accords as part of peace negotiations and underlines the importance of ending impunity for such crimes;

Requests that the United Nations Secretary-General submit a report to the Security Council by June 30, 2009, on the application of the resolution in conjunction with situations of war brought before the Security Council.

Rights & Democracy will be monitoring the implementation of this resolution closely, especially in the context of its ongoing work on sexual violence in Burma and the Rights & Democracy-coordinated Coalition for Women's Human Rights in Conflict Situation's work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Established in 1996, the Coalition works to:

(...) ensure that crimes committed against women in conflict situations are adequately examined and prosecuted. The main focus of the Coalition's work is to promote the adequate prosecution of perpetrators of crimes of gender violence in transitional justice systems based in Africa, in order to create precedents that recognise violence against women in conflict situations and help find ways to obtain justice for women survivors of sexual violence.

Petition Without your support, our action will lose momentum. Without our partnership, your action will have little impact. Help us change the direction of the fight against sexual violence in the DRC. Thank you for reading and signing our petition by clicking here.	Skip to Main Content Campuni ya wanawake wa kongomani kwa kupiganisha ubakaji katika jamuhuri ya Congo Congolese Women’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the DRC Every day, 40 women are raped in the Eastern Congo. It's a well-known reality that has been documented and reported by media, NGOs, international institutions and States. But nothing changes, sexual violence is still widespread. So what more can be done?
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	Homepage Welcome to the website of the Congolese Women’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Congolese Women’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is an initiative launched by women’s associations in Eastern DRC to bolster the fight against sexual violence. United Nations Security Council resolution on rape as a war tactic: an analysis by Rights & Democracy ALERT : Death threats made against Congolese Women's Right Activist (in *NGOs > Alert* Section) United Nations Security Council resolution on rape as a war tactic: an analysis by Rights & Democracy On June 19, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war and a threat to international security. The crucial issue now is whether this resolution will actually contribute to international efforts to end sexual violence committed against women in the context of war. Rights & Democracy, which has been at the forefront of international efforts to see sexual violence recognized as a weapon of war, believes the Security Council resolution is an important step toward this goal for the following reasons: Acts of sexual violence committed before and after a war are now part of peace and security issues that could be brought before the Security Council; The resolution allows the Security Council to intervene in situations where the extent or level of sexual violence requires such intervention; The resolution excludes crimes of sexual violence from amnesty accords as part of peace negotiations and underlines the importance of ending impunity for such crimes; Requests that the United Nations Secretary-General submit a report to the Security Council by June 30, 2009, on the application of the resolution in conjunction with situations of war brought before the Security Council. Rights & Democracy will be monitoring the implementation of this resolution closely, especially in the context of its ongoing work on sexual violence in Burma and the Rights & Democracy-coordinated Coalition for Women's Human Rights in Conflict Situation's work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Established in 1996, the Coalition works to: (...) ensure that crimes committed against women in conflict situations are adequately examined and prosecuted. The main focus of the Coalition's work is to promote the adequate prosecution of perpetrators of crimes of gender violence in transitional justice systems based in Africa, in order to create precedents that recognise violence against women in conflict situations and help find ways to obtain justice for women survivors of sexual violence. Other links: Rape: Weapon of war http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/RapeWeaponWar.aspx Resolution S/RES/1820 (2008) Women and peace and security http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/391/44/PDF/N0839144.pdf?OpenElement UN: Finally, a Step Toward Confronting Rape in War http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/06/19/global19161.htm Congolese Women's Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the DRC Gets Underway http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/media/index.php?id=2224&subsection=news Panties for Peace Campaign http://pantiesforpeace.ca OTHER NEWS : Launching of the Congolese Women’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during Great Lakes Region of Africa: The Challenges Facing Civil Society Conference Montreal, 22 janvier 2008 More information TV Broadcast CBS 60 Minutes: The DR Congo's War on Women War Against Women: The Use Of Rape As A Weapon In Congo's Civil War, January 13, 2008, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/11/60minutes/main3701249.shtml An Appeal fom the President of FIDH to end sexual violence A Swiss newspaper, “Le Temps” published an article written by Souhayr Belhassen, the president of the “Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme” (FIDH). She calls for an end to crimes of sexual violence and impunity. « Quand la guerre s'arrête, les crimes sexuels ne diminuent pas » - by Souhayr Belhassen (FIDH) - 10 janvier 2008 http://www.letemps.ch/template/opinions.asp?page=6&article=222965 (In French) A UNFPA report says that the number of sexual violence increased of 60% during the second half of 2007. Charles Wasso Isunga, « Congo-Kinshasa: La violence sexuelle bat son plein au Nord Kivu » La Prospérité - 10 janvier 2008 http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200801090795.html (In French) Impunity for sexual violence crimes in Kinshasa The Center of Legal Aid and Medical Assistance For Women and Children Victims reports sexual violence cases. Some of these cases were reported to the police, but no action was undertaken. Violences sexuelles - Des cas impunis signalés à Kinshasa - Le Potentiel (RDC) - 9 janvier 2008 - http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200801090236.html (in French) French
	(c) 2008 - Coalition for Women's Rights in Conflict Situations

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United Nations Security Council resolution on rape as a war tactic: an analysis by Rights & Democracy