MONUSCO
Taking forward Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence in DRC
Presented by:
Marie Oniwa, Head of Sexual Violence Unit Office of DSRSG –Rule of Law MONUSCO
In response to the scale and severity of conflict-related sexual violence in the DRC, the UN Security Council initiated the Comprehensive Strategy.
Pursuant to the (UN SCR) resolution 1794 (2008), which requested MONUC to “pursue a comprehensive mission-wide strategy, in close cooperation with the United Nations County Team and other partners, to strengthen prevention, protection and response to sexual violence…” (Paragraph 18), the Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence in the DRC was developed through an extensive consultation process.
In order to ensure effective implementation of the Comprehensive Strategy, MONUC created a Sexual Violence Unit under the leadership of the DSRSG-Rule of Law.
SVU also supports the UN implementation of UNSCR 1820/1888/1960 on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (e.g. SG Reports on CRSV).
With UNSCR 1960, the focal points/leadership within UN system became the Office of SRSG- Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) with the support of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (a network of 14 UN entities)
Sexual Violence in Conflict in DRC and the creation of UN Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence in the DRC
Sexual Violence Unit
Democratic Republic of the Congo – the East (Province Orientale, North Kivu, South Kivu)
Source : SVU, Kinshasa
MONUSCO and UNCT continues to support the Government’s efforts to implement this Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence, articulated around five priorities:
1) Fight Against Impunity (Ministry of Justice/UN leading entity UNJHRO);
2) Protection and Prevention (Ministry of Social Affairs/UNHCR);
3) Security Sector Reform (Ministries of Defense and Interior/MONUSCO SSD);
4) Multi-Sectoral Assistance for Survivors (Ministry of Health/UNICEF); and
5) Data & Mapping (Ministry of Gender, Family and Children/UNFPA).
Fight Against Impunity
Coordinated by the Ministry of Justice
supported by the UN Joint Human Rights
Office
Aim:
- Improve access to justice for survivors
- Reinforce and evaluate the judicial referral
and treatment of SV cases, including the
collection and analysis of statistics on the
judicial process
Progress in military justice – Fight against impunity – examples of MONUSCO/UNCT support for the Ministry of Defense, Justice
MONUSCO support to civilian and military prosecutors Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) 30 JITs with magistrates and police offices to investigate sexual violence cases conducted
2010-2011
Prosecution Support Cells (PSCs) Four PSCs established by 2011 to boost the capacity of the Congolese Justice System in the
investigations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including sexual violenceTechnical advice and logistical support to FARDC military prosecutors and police investigators (MONUSCO Rule of Law, UNDP Rule of Law, MONUSCO military and logistical support , Funding from Canada, the US, UN
Action ToE RoL, PBF, etc.)
Military trials - Mobile CourtsMONUSCO support to military justice holding trials including through the mobile courts Between December 2010 and August 2011 More than 250 trials of elements of national security forces held More than 150 FARDC and Congolese National Police elements sentenced for rape and other
acts of sexual violenceIn 2011, 217 judgments related to sexual violence delivered
Protection and Prevention
Coordinated by the Ministry of Social
Affairs and Human Rights
supported by UNHCR
Aim:
- Contribute to the protection and
prevention of SV and work with local
actors to improve awareness of SV
within communities.
Security Sector Reform Coordinated by the Ministry of Defense, the
Ministry of Interior
supported by MONUSCO – SSR(D)
Aim:
- Train and sensitize FARDC and PNC on the
prevention and reduction of SV
SSR Training modules developed and
validated by all actors under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense/FARDC (FARDC, MONUSCO SSD, EUSEC, GTZ, IOM, etc.)
e.g. 100 Officers (14 female officers) trained as Trainers Apr-Jun 2011
in South Kivu, Bunia, Kisangani
Sexual Violence – South Kivu
Fizi
Kalehe
Shabunda
Mwenga
Source : SVU, Kinshasa
Data and Mapping
Coordinated by Ministry of Gender
the Family and Child supported by
UNFPA
Aim:
Reinforce data collection on sexual
violence for effective analysis and
programmatic response advocacy
MONUSCO and UNCT continues to support the Government’s efforts to implement this Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence, articulated around five priorities:
1) Combating Impunity (Ministry of Justice/UN leading entity UNJHRO);
2) Protection and Prevention (Ministry of Social Affairs/UNHCR);
3) Security Sector Reform (Ministries of Defense and Interior/MONUSCO SSD);
4) Multi-Sectoral Assistance for Survivors (Ministry of Health/UNICEF); and
5) Data & Mapping (Ministry of Gender, Family and Children/UNFPA).
SUPPORTS? Implementation of UNSCR 1325/1820 by the Member States
- Technical/financial contribution to the Government and MONUSCO/UN via Troop Contribution (TCCs – e.g. Urguai contingent in Kimua, NK) Civilian expertise e.g. the Team of Experts on RoL 1888, DPKO staffing, seconded personnel pooled funds to support UN Comprehensive Strategy on Combating Sexual Violence/the Government
implementing the National Strategy on Combating GBV
SRFF Funds: $ 1.7 + 3 Mio
SRFF Funds: $ 4 Mio
SRFF Funds : $ 3.7 Mio
Source : UNFPA
Sexual Violence – North Kivu
Walikale (Luvungi, Mpofi)
Brazza, Ntoto, Brazza
Rutshuru (Rutshuru-
Rubare-Rugari axis)
• High presence of various armed groups: ADF, FDLR, Mai-Mai Tsheka, Mai-Mai Raia Mutomboki, FDC, APCLS, FDN…
• Mass rapes in Walikale (Mpofi area) in July-August 2010, at least 387 civilians raped, incl. 300 women, 23 men, 55 girls and 9 boys)
Masisi
Beni and Lubero
Source : SVU, Kinshasa
Follow-up to the WALIKALE mass rapes
MONUSCO response• Deployment of 3 Joint Investigation Teams in Aug, Sept and Oct. 2010 to assess the security situation, evaluate PoC needs and verify HRV allegations• JPT missions to BRAZZA and NTOTO 21-23 Dec. 2011, KIMUA 28-31 Dec. 2011• JAM missions to KIMUA and NTOTO 09-11 Feb. 2012, the recent mission NTOTO (19-21 Apr. 2012)•additional fact-finding patrols on 14 & 16 Mar. 2012
Government response• FARDC troops deployed to Luvungi• Operation “Fagiya” launched to dismantle the bases of armed groups• Police National Congolaise (PNC) deployed to Luvungi
Humanitarian ResponseMedical and psychosocial assistance for provision of PEP kits and essential medicines (International Medical Corps, ICRC)
Investigation and trial • On 30 August 2010 investigation opened by the Congolese judicial authorities against Mai-Mai Sheka, FDLR, ex CNDP•MONUSCO support for the military prosecutor’s office• First hearing took place on 06 Dec. 2011• Protection of witnesses and victims – PNC deployment project in Luvungi –advocacy RM