Democratic Republic of the Congo
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources |
NGOWG MAP Recommendations
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for January 2012
NGO Working Group Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for January 2012, the NGOWG has several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in DRC.
The post-election situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be insecure and violent. At least 14 civilians were killed in Kinshasa during election-related violence, and at least 12 opposition supporters and bystanders were fatally shot and 41 others suffered gunshot wounds during violence near Arret Kingasani, Arret Pascal, Marché de Liberté, Pont Matete, and in the Limeté neighborhood. Election irregularities have included fraud, intimidation of voters and political party witnesses, and violence by armed groups has been reported in numerous regions. In addition, we remain deeply concerned at the persistent lack of accountability for crimes in DRC, including mass rape in Walikale in 2010 and in the area around Fizi in 2011, as well as the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the DRC between March 1993 and June 2003, as reported by OHCHR in 2010. This lack of accountability further exacerbates the security concerns in these communities. In its discussions on the situation in the DRC, including on the expected Secretary-General report on the UN mission in DRC (MONUSCO), the Council should:
- Condemn the violence, including that committed by security forces, in the aftermath of the November 2011 elections;
- Call upon the Congolese government to investigate and hold to account individuals, including members of the security forces, who sought to intimidate political party witnesses and election officials engaged in compiling results;
- Hold the DRC government to account for the lack of prosecution of suspected perpetrators of sexual violence, and for inadequate witness protection and service provision for survivors, including by calling upon the DRC government to act upon the Congolese arrest warrant for Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka for crimes against humanity for mass rape committed in August 2010; and
- Ensure MONUSCO fully implements its mandate to prioritize the protection of civilians (SCR 1991, OP1).
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for December 2011
NGO Working Group Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for December 2011, the NGOWG has several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in DRC.
We remain deeply concerned at the persistent lack of accountability for crimes in DRC, including mass rape in Walikale in 2010 and in the area around Fizi in 2011, as well as the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the DRC between March 1993 and June 2003, as reported by OHCHR in 2010. In any discussions on the situation in the DRC, the Council must ensure MONUSCO fully implements its mandate to prioritize the protection of civilians (SCR 1991, OP1). The Council should hold the DRC Government to account for the lack of prosecution of suspected perpetrators of sexual violence, and for inadequate witness protection and service provision for survivors.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for November 2011
NGO Working Group Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for November 2011, the NGOWG has several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in DRC.
The NGOWG is deeply concerned at the persistent lack of accountability for crimes in DRC, including mass rape in Walikale in 2010 and the area around Fizi in 2011, as well as the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the DRC between March 1993 and June 2003, as reported by OHCHR in 2010. In its discussions on the situation in the DRC, including on the role of the UN mission (MONUSCO), the Council is urged to:
- Hold the DRC Government and MONUSCO to account for the lack of due diligence in effective investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of sexual violence, effective witness protection, and the adequate services for survivors;
- Request an update on the status of women’s right and capacity to vote and to stand in the upcoming elections;
- Request information on UN and DRC government contingency plans against destabilization resulting from upcoming elections, including effective monitoring and early warning mechanisms, and enhanced protection of civilians, in particular at risk groups including IDPs and women and girls;
- Strengthen oversight of national and international military and police forces, to prevent crimes including sexual violence; and
- review the resources made available, including by UNHCR, to assist internally displaced Congolese.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for October 2011
NGO Working Group Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for October 2011, the NGOWG has several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in DRC.
The Secretary-General’s report on MONUSCO is expected. In its discussions on the situation in the DRC, the Council should:
- Question the resources and provided, including by UNHCR, to better assist and protect internally displaced Congolese;
- Request an update on measures taken by the DRC Government and UN to bring to justice suspected perpetrators of mass acts of sexual violence this year and last, including in Fizi and Walikale, as well as the provision of services to survivors;
- Request a status update on the status of women’s right and capacity to vote and to stand in the upcoming elections;
- Request information on UN and DRC government contingency plans to address possible destabilization resulting from upcoming elections, including enhanced protection of civilians, in particular at risk groups including IDPs and women.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for August 2011
NGO Working Group Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for August 2011, the NGOWG has several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in DRC.
The Security Council should ensure adequate follow-up is given to the June 2011 mass rape and other crimes against civilians perpetrated in the Fizi area of South Kivu by troops of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In particular, the Council should support a thorough investigation of the situation, and inquire as to what measures are being taken to respond to the health and other needs of the survivors, and to guarantee non-repetition of such crimes. In these discussions, the Council should discuss concrete steps to prevent such attacks in the future, including advancing equality for Congolese women, vetting of reintegrated soldiers by the Government, strengthening rule of law institutions, and bringing suspected perpetrators to justice.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for June 2011
NGO Working Group Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for June 2011, the NGOWG has several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in DRC.
In the mandate renewal for MONUSCO, the Security Council must maintain protection of civilians as a top priority. The relevant women, peace and security elements of the mandate include:
- Mandating MONUSCO leadership to hire a full-time protection of civilians information analyst to consolidate the analysis from the provincial capitals of Goma, Bukavu and Bunia and identify mission-level protection needs and trends.Additionally, the MONUSCO Provincial-level Senior Management Groups on Protection should develop a information collection system to capture that allows for analysis and action while ensuring the safety of mission staff and of the civilians providing information;
- Supporting adequate funding for additional CLA posts, as well as additional provincial-level posts, to support the training and management of staff and to provide critical logistical and administrative support to the CLA program;
- Encouraging Member States to increase resources to successful protection mechanisms such as the Joint Protection Teams, CLAs and Community Alert Networks to better respond to community protection concerns. Many of these mechanisms have proved useful, but in some areas MONUSCO lacks the capacity to expand them further or utilize the information they have provided;
- Mandating more robust patrolling by peacekeepers, including foot patrols, escorts to fields and the use of all-terrain vehicles, especially in LRA areas.
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources | Top
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for May 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for May 2011, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC.
Eastern DRC continues to be characterized by widespread violence against civilians, perpetrated by both government forces and militias, and large-scale displacement. As per SCR 1925 (2010), the Secretary-General is due to present his final report to the Council by 13 May 2011, prior to the expiration of the mandate of MONUSCO (30 June 2011). This report should detail any progress on the ground “with a view of progressively adapting” the UN presence in the DRC, and strengthening the recent efforts of the mission to better protect civilians, including the Joint Protection Teams and Community Liaison Initiatives. Currently, a lack of resources limits their impact. In light of continuing attacks on civilians, including the persistently high levels of sexual violence against women and girls, and the failure to ensure justice, the Council must not introduce any changes in the MONUSCO mandate that would jeopardize the protection of civilians. and the effective application of relevant tactics employed by the Mission, that are showing some promise. These tactics should be expanded, not curtailed.
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources | Top
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for January 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for January 2011, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
As per SCR 1925 (2010), the Secretary-General is due to report to the Council by 21 January 2011 on progress on the ground and “with a view of progressively adapting” the UN presence in the DRC. In light of continuing protection of civilian concerns, including the persistently high levels of sexual violence against women and girls, and failure to ensure justice, it is not appropriate for the Council to consider any changes to the mandate of the UN Mission (due for renewal in June 2011), that would deprioritize the protection of civilians, until MONUSCO and other sources report a marked improvement in the situation.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for October 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for October 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
The continuing sexual and gender-based crimes perpetrated in the DRC, including attacks in the Walikale region, necessitate clear, strong action to ensure that the UN’s Mission, MONUSCO, fulfills its protection mandate. This is a priority given the joint DRC Government-UN assessment now underway to determine next steps regarding a possible MONUSCO drawdown, an update on which is due in October. In addition, efforts must be redoubled to combat the widespread impunity for gender and other crimes.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for September 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for September 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
As information emerges on the most recent sexual violence in the DRC in July, the Council should continue to seek information on how and why the UN response failed to prevent and react swiftly to these attacks; and the government and UN should take immediate action ensure support and justice for these and other survivors are prioritized.
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Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for May 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for May 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
The forthcoming mandate renewal must reaffirm MONUC’s obligation to ensure that violations of international humanitarian law, including using rape as a weapon of war, are prosecuted, and that survivors are entitled to emergency medical care. Reports indicate that the level of brutality against women and girls is increasing with survivors describing being subjected to mutilation and torture, gang rape and abduction by armed groups. MONUC’s role must prioritize concerns for women’s safety, and efforts to improve humanitarian coordination and assistance. Specific Council action should include:
- MONUC’s support to FARDC is strictly conditioned of upon compliance by FARDC units and commanders with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law (SCR 1906, OP 22). This requirement must be fully complied with.
- The arms embargo should be strictly enforced and apply to all those suspected of committing violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. The Sanctions Committee should act promptly on the findings of the group of experts.
- Vetting and training of integrated forces, including, human rights and protection training should be mandatory.
- The mandate renewal should include an explicit obligation to support and protect human rights defenders.
- Those indicted for international crimes, including crimes of sexual violence, should be arrested.
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources | Top
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for April 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for April 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
There will be a Security Council mission to several African countries, including the DRC. The mission should meet with the women’s rights advocates who are trying to engage in these ongoing peace processes. In addition, the MONUC report is due in the Council on 1st April. The report should accurately portray the current humanitarian crisis and the dire situation
for women and girls. Violence against women and girls is a critical security concern and roadblock to peace in the DRC. Some NGOs report that the level of brutality against women and girls is increasing as survivors seeking services describe being subjected to mutilation and torture, gang rape and abduction by armed groups. The report should reflect consultation with women’s groups and NGOs, as prior lack of consultation has left few opportunities for women’s priorities to be presented to the Security Council. Priority attention must be given to efforts to improve humanitarian coordination and
assistance. The report should also include analysis of effective actions for enhancing women’s protection and the existence of critical response gaps.
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources | Top
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for December 2009
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for December 2009, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
As noted in the November NGOWG MAP, the situation for women and girls in the DRC remains dire. In December’s review of the MONUC mandate, the Security Council has the opportunity to address some of the difficulties and concerns regarding the implementation of MONUC’s previous mandate. Specific action by the Council should include:
- Women protection advisors (WPAs) in the role of monitoring, reporting, and devising protection strategies. WPAs would liaise with MONUC’s joint protection teams and Congolese NGOs working on issues of concern to women and girls; gather information on the risks facing women and girls; devise protection strategies to mitigate these risks; ensure communication with the work of child protection advisors; and harness a system-wide UN response to implement those strategies.
- Regarding operation Kimia II, any continuation of MONUC’s support to FARDC must be conditional upon compliance by FARDC units and commanders with human rights law and international humanitarian law. The impact of Kimia II on civilian populations must be taken into account, as per the priority the Council has given to protection of civilians in the MONUC mandate.
- The arms embargo should be strictly enforced and should apply to all those suspected of committing violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. The Sanctions Committee should act promptly on the findings of the group of experts. When selecting individuals targeted for sanctions the Security Council should follow a process that is transparent and based on clear criteria and a uniformly applied standard of evidence. Those subject to sanctions must have direct access to an effective, independent, review mechanism.
- Vetting and training of integrated forces, including, human rights and protection training should be mandatory.
- The mandate renewal should include an explicit obligation to support and protect human rights defenders.
- Those indicted at national and international levels should be arrested for international crimes, including crimes of sexual violence.
Download the December MAP [PDF]
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources | Top
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for November 2009
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for November 2009, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in the DRC:
Despite the inclusion of protection in the MONUC mandate, the situation for women in the DRC remains dire. The Security Council should:
-Request the Security Council working group on children and armed conflict refer violations involving sexual violence against children in DRC to the sanctions committee for DRC;
-Strengthen the UN arms embargo and adopt other targeted measures against parties to armed conflict that fail to address acts of sexual violence against women or children committed by their members; and exclude individual commanders responsible for sexual violence from governance structures;
-Support the establishment of a special chamber with DRC and international judges and prosecutors within the DRC justice system to investigate serious violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence, and investigate and prosecute senior officials who are responsible for these violations.
-Establish an independent vetting mechanism to exclude suspected perpetrators of violence against women from the army, police and intelligence services, starting with the senior officer corps, pending judicial investigation (1888 OP3)
Download the November MAP [PDF]
NGO Resources
NGOWG MAP Recommendations | NGO Resources | Top
DR Congo: Rein in Security Forces
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Sewing—and surviving—in Congo
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New mass rapes in the DRC are result of horrific failure of Justice
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Women in the Crossfire
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DR Congo: Support Community-Based Tools for MONUSCO
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Refugees International
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Congo Justice: Word Against Word
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Open Society Foundation
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Germany: Groundbreaking Trial for Congo War Crimes
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Human Rights Watch
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Women for Women: Female Peacekeepers in the DRC
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Refugees International
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DR Congo: Support Community-Based Tools for MONUSCO
May 2011
Refugees International
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Open Society Foundation
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Confronting Rape as a Weapon of War
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International Refugee Commission
This article describes Margot Wallström’s recent meeting with aid agencies including the International Rescue Committee.
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Memorandum from Amnesty International to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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International Refugee Commission
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February 2011
Amnesty International
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DRC: Demand Justice for Rape Survivors
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Always on the Run
September 2010
Human Rights Watch
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DRC: Mass rape highlights failures in protection and justice
August 2010
Amnesty International
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Tackling Impunity in Congo: Meaningful Follow-up to the UN Mapping Report
October 2010
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Press Release on LRA activity in DRC
August 2010
Human Rights Watch
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Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Mass rape highlights failures in protection and justice
27 August 2010
Amnesty International
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Weapons facilitate sexual abuse in eastern Congo
February 2010
IANSA
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Refugees in Eastern DRC: A Discussion Document
January 2010
International Alert
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Human Rights Defenders Under Attack In the Democratic Republic of the Congo
January 2010
Amnesty International
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Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Chapter, World Report 2010
18 January 2010
Human Rights Watch
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“You Will Be Punished”: Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo
13 December 2009
Human Rights Watch
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Level of Brutality Against Women and Girls in Congo Increasing; UN Must Do More to Protect Them
10 December 2009
The International Rescue Committee
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Women’s Bodies As A Battleground: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls During the War in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Kivu (1996-2003)
April 2005
International Alert, Réseau des Femmes pour un Développement Associatif, Réseau des Femmes pour la Défense des Droits et la Paix
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Seeking Justice: The Prosecution of Sexual Violence in the Congo War
7 March 2005
Human Rights Watch
Link
Democratic Republic of Congo: North Kivu: No end to war on women and children
29 September 2008
Amnesty International
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Member Organizations
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