No prosecutions for rape in Darfur : new report
Aegis Trust
Press Release
Dec 10, 2006 — Despite rape and sexual violence against tens of thousands of women and girls in Darfur, there has yet to be a single conviction for such offences, according to a new report published today (Sunday).
The report published by Alliance DARC (the Alliance for Direct Action against Rape in Conflict and Crises, of which the Aegis Trust is a founding partner) finds:
– The systematically conducted crime of widespread rape and sexual violence against women and children in Darfur has been used to terrorise, humiliate and demoralise the civilian population.
– Financial constraints have meant that the AU force – that is meant to be protecting civilians in camps of displaced people – has been forced to end its firewood patrols.
– Hugely under-reported, rape and sexual violence has been committed against girls as young as 9 years old.
Nichole McGarry, Coordinator of AllianceDARC, said:
“The international community needs to send a clear message that the continued use of rape and sexual violence as a cheap tactic of war should not be tolerated… The use of rape in conflict is considered a war crime, and a crime against humanity. It is clear that the civilian population of Darfur is not protected. The international community must now take up this responsibility.”
According to the report, the deep traumatisation and physical suffering caused by this sexualised violence is even worse in Darfur since the majority of women in Darfur undergo an extreme form of female genital mutilation, where the vagina is also sewn shut until marriage. Rape of a young unmarried girl not only leaves her with additional painful physical consequences and exposes her to increased risk of HIV transmission, she is unmarriageable.
It is the vulnerable displaced women and girls in camps that are often the target of this abuse, yet these victims are the ones blamed and stigmatised after attacks. Women and girls that are raped face a lifetime of stigmatization and their lives are ruined forever.
The rise in violence has meant that many of the aid agencies that provide emergency assistance to the survivors of sexual abuse have been forced to leave Darfur, leaving them without any protection or support.
“Brutal sexual violence is hardly a weapon against rebels in Darfur,” says Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust. “Its systematic use by Sudanese Government forces, including the Janjaweed, is part of the genocidal process.
“By subjugating huge numbers of women and killing or displacing the men, the ethnic make up will change as a generation of babies are born from rape. These are acts intended to destroy an ethnic group; acts which define genocide.”
ENDS
For an electronic copy of the report please download from here: http://www.protectdarfur.org/Alliance_Darc_Full_Report.pdf
Contact: David Brown, Media Officer, The Aegis Trust, 07812 640873, email: [email protected]