CONDEMNING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 26, 2008)
SPEECH OF
HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
* Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1227. This resolution condemns sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and calls upon the United States Department of State and the international community to take immediate action to end this widespread crisis.
* Since 1998, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has had 5.4 million conflict-related deaths, making it the deadliest humanitarian crisis in the world since World War II. Over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of women and girls have been violently raped as a result of this ethnic conflict. These rapes have been exceptionally violent, often involving forced incest and mutilation of the female's genital organs. Victims' mouths were cut off following the raping to prevent them from reporting the crime, while many women and girls were simply killed after being subjected to sexual abuse.
* With sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at such tragically high rates, I strongly urge Congress to condemn the actions of the perpetrators of these rapes and to support measures to prevent the further escalation of this crisis. The Administration must act, in concert with the United Nations, to assure that the Congolese people have the resources needed to combat the situation. We need to work with other African leaders to assist the Congolese in preventing these violent sexual crimes from occurring.
* The plight of women in Africa has for too long been ignored. I call upon my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution so that we can put an end to this deplorable situation that has been allowed to persist for over a decade. We cannot stand by any longer as such unspeakable acts continue to occur with impunity.