Goma, 23 March 2013 – As part of the joint project on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response in the Nord and Sud Kivu provinces faced with countless cases of human rights violations, mainly sexual violence, the Joint Human Rights Office (BCNUDH) of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) assists the victims by facilitating access to justice and organizing capacity-building activities for the judiciary actors. With funds from the Canadian International Development Agency (ACDI), BCNUDH provides civilian and military jurisdictions with essential equipment for a smooth functioning of the justice sector.

On 20, 21 and 23 February 2013, BCNUDH, accompanied by ACDI project Coordinator respectively met judiciary authorities (Office of the High Court Prosecutor) in Goma, Beni and Butembo, to whom he presented ACDI Project as well as specific juridical, judicial, and protection aspects. Moreover, BCNUDH officially handed office equipment made up of IT kits and chairs to representatives of both judiciary institutions.

During his visit to the Office of the High Court Prosecutor in the city of Goma, the head of MONUSCO Human Rights Office, Rosevel Pierre Louis took the opportunity to conduct an advocacy on the « countless cases of rapes committed in the Mugunga displaced camps in December 2012 and January 2013. No investigation was initiated." The public prosecutor pledged full support to justice.

Clara Padovan/ MONUSCO