UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
24 Jun
2011
United Nations deploys joint assessment mission in response to reports of mass rapes in South Kivu,
Kinshasa, 24 June 2011: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Roger Meece, expresses deep concern over the reports of mass rapes in Fizi Territory, South Kivu, and launches a joint assessment mission to the affected villages as part of the United Nations response to these reports.
According to humanitarian organizations present in this remote area, mass rapes were perpetrated as part of an attack on the villages of Nakiele, Abala and Kanguli, on 10 and 11 June 2011.
Today MONUSCO dispatched a long range patrol from its closest operating base. MONUSCO has also sent a helicopter reconnaissance mission from Bukavu.
A joint assessment mission including representatives of MONUSCO, OCHA, UNHCR and local NGOs will be deployed by helicopter from Uvira on Saturday 25 June to investigate the situation in the affected areas and to assess humanitarian and protection needs. Representatives of the provincial government will also participate in the mission.
Protection of civilians remains MONUSCO's highest priority and the Mission continues its ongoing efforts to respond to threats and acts of violence against the population, often in remote and difficult to access areas. MONUSCO condemns in the strongest terms all acts of rape and other violence against the civilian population. MONUSCO will work with Congolese authorities in bringing the perpetrators of all such attacks to justice and to continue the fight against impunity.
