Kinshasa/Geneva, 29 September 2010 – A high-level panel, convened by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will meet with and hear directly from victims of sexual violence in the DRC. Through interactive dialogue, survivors and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to share their experience of and opinions on the various judicial, medical, psycho-social and socio-economic reintegration measures available to respond to their needs in terms of justice and rehabilitation.

The panel will consider how survivors of sexual violence and others perceive responses to the crimes committed against them, with a particular focus on the adequacy of remedies and reparations. The National Strategy and Plan of Action to Combat Gender-Based Violence, adopted by the Government of the DRC in November 2009, includes the objective of ensuring reparations for victims of sexual violence.

Chaired by Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, the panel includes Ms. Elisabeth Rehn, former Minister of Defense of Finland and currently a board member of the ICC's Trust Fund for Victims and Dr. Denis Mukwege, Medical Director of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu (South Kivu). The work of the Panel will benefit from the participation of the DRC national and provincial authorities.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been assisted by the Panzi Hospital, as well as the Joint Human Rights Office of MONUSCO, in preparing for the hearings to be conducted by the panel.

The panel will begin its work on 30 September in Bukavu, south Kivu. It will travel to several provinces throughout the DRC until October 10 and will convene a forum in Kinshasa on October 12 to discuss its preliminary observations and follow-up with various stakeholders in the Government, the United Nations, the International Community and the Civil Society. On Wednesday 13 October, the Panel will end its visit with a Press Conference at MONUSCO Headquarters, Kinshasa.