Archive for August, 2010

Canadian Sisters Call for Action from Minister of Foreign Affairs Cannon

Sunday, August 29th, 2010  |   9 Comments »

Please join our Canadian Sisters in calling on the Canadian Government to do more for Congo:

OUR RESPONSE TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, LAWRENCE CANNON, STATEMENT ON RECENT ATTACKS

Dear Minister Cannon,

We applaud you for expressing our governments recent concern regarding the plight of eastern Conglolese civilians and the recent attacks they have endured. Thank you for the interest you have taken in this forgotten region.

However, the hard reality is that Canada is not doing anywhere near enough to stop the violence in the Congo.  Congo is the deadliest conflict since World War II, the rape capital of the world.  Condemnation and concern are not enough. With millions dead, it is a no excuses game.

We call on you, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to immediately assist in coordinating an effort with fellow donor governments and the Congolese government to develop a comprehensive national security sector reform plan for Congo.  We are also sending a similar letter to the U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.  Please initiate contact and work together for the good of the raped and tortured women, men, and children of the Congo.

Further, the leadership of the notorious FDLR militia, responsible for these attacks, live in the United States and Europe. How can our condemnation of these attacks be meaningful as long as the terrorists that are responsible are harboured so close to home?   We must initiate an immediate, coordinated effort with the United Nations and other “host” governments to dismantle FDLR diaspora networks and swiftly bring these war criminals to justice.

Enough is enough.

Warmly,

A Thousand Sisters

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Canada Expresses Deep Concern over Safety of Eastern Congolese Civilians

http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2010/270.aspx?lang=eng

Ottawa, Canada

August 26, 2010

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing Canada’s profound concern over recent reports of sexual violence against women and children in a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):

“Canada is deeply concerned by allegations that members of two armed rebel groups raped more than 150 women during a July 30 attack in the province of North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. MONUSCO, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is investigating the incident.

“Canada reiterates its condemnation of the ongoing violence in the eastern DRC, including sexual and gender-based violence, and remains greatly concerned for the safety of the population there, especially women and children. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians.

“Canada once again urges the Government of the DRC to take concerted measures to prevent such criminal acts and to ensure that those who commit serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are brought to justice.”

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Melissa Lantsman
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851

Posted in News

Secretary Clinton condemns recent mass rapes in Congo-Our Response

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010  |   11 Comments »

Please continue to post your messages to Secretary Clinton below! She is listening!

OUR RESPONSE TO SECRETARY CLINTON’S STATEMENT ON RECENT ATTACKS

Dear Secretary Clinton,

We give you our standing ovation for you condemnation of recent attacks, and your heartfelt, ongoing concern for Congo. We are proud of the special interest you have taken in this forgotten region.

However, the hard reality is that the United States is not doing anywhere near “all we can” to stop the violence in the Congo. Congo is the deadliest conflict since World War II, the rape capital of the world.  Condemnation and concern are not enough. With millions dead, it is a no excuses game.

We call on Secretary Clinton to immediately initiate a coordinated effort with fellow donor governments and the Congolese government to develop a comprehensive national security sector reform plan for Congo.

Further,  the leadership of the notorious FDLR militia, responsible for these attacks, live in the United States and Europe. How can our condemnation of these attacks be meaningful as long as we harbor the terrorists responsible? We must initiate an immediate, coordinated effort with the United Nations and other “host” governments to dismantle FDLR diaspora networks and swiftly bring these war criminals to justice.

Enough is enough.

Warmly,

A Thousand Sisters

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON CONDEMNS RECENT MASS RAPE IN CONGO

http://bit.ly/9ZuLrU

Her Statement:

Allegation of Mass Rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Washington, DC

August 25, 2010

The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mass rape of women and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) – an armed, illegal rebel group that has terrorized eastern Congo for over a decade – and elements of the Mai Mai, community-based militia groups in eastern Congo. This horrific attack is yet another example of how sexual violence undermines efforts to achieve and maintain stability in areas torn by conflict but striving for peace.
The United States has repeatedly condemned the epidemic of sexual violence in conflict zones around the world, and we will continue to speak out on this issue for those who cannot speak for themselves. Less than a year ago, I presided over the UN Security Council session where Resolution 1888 (2009) was unanimously adopted, underscoring the importance of preventing and responding to sexual violence as a tactic of war against civilians. Now the international community must build on this action with specific steps to protect local populations against sexual and gender-based violence and bring to justice those who commit such atrocities.
Sexual violence harms more than its immediate victims. It denies and destroys our common dignity, it shreds the fabric that weaves us together as humans, it endangers families and communities, it erodes social and political stability, and it undermines economic progress. These travesties, committed with impunity against innocent civilians who play no role in armed conflict, hold us all back.

When I visited the DRC last year, I learned an old proverb — “No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come.” In the depths of this dark night of suffering and pain, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The United States will do everything we can to work with the UN and the DRC government to hold the perpetrators of these acts accountable, and to create a safe environment for women, girls, and all civilians living in the eastern Congo.


Posted in News

Dear Madam Secretary Clinton

Monday, August 23rd, 2010  |   735 Comments »

Dear Madam Secretary Clinton,

We applaud your visit to Congo last year. As American women, business owners, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, runners, and others deeply concerned with Congo, we are proud of your interest and commitment to Eastern Congo.

However, if the IRC mortality study statistics have held, more than 500,000 Congolese people have died since your visit. Tens of thousands of women, children, and even infants have been raped, including the recent incident of close to 200 women and infants, within 10 miles of a UN compound. This is our shame.

The USA has taken precious little action. That needs to change today. You are the leader to make it happen.

  1. You promised Congo 17 million dollars. Why is it still sitting in a US Government account, buried in red tape? Unacceptable. Please do what you must to get this critically needed aid to Congolese women today.
  2. The culture of impunity in Congo must end. Congo needs a justice system. The Congolese army must be professionalized, so soldiers “protect and serve” rather than “steal and rape”.   We urge you to coordinate with donor governments and the Congolese government to spearhead a comprehensive national security sector reform plan for Congo.

Congolese women and children need your immediate action. We look forward to celebrating your bold, immediate leadership on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

A Thousand Sisters

{Please add YOUR name and personal note to Secretary Clinton here. I’ll pass it on!}

Lisa Shannon, Founder, Run for Congo Women, Author A Thousand Sisters, Sister to Generose & Thousands of other Congolese women.

Posted in Congolese Sisters, Minerals, News, Run for Congo Women

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