Press Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura

 

For immediate release
(New York, USA) A landmark framework of cooperation between the United Nations and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on the prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence was signed today at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The ICGLR, an inter-governmental organization of twelve countries in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, was formed to prevent political instability and resolve ongoing conflicts in the member countries, which often have considerable regional dimensions. Sexual violence remains a significant problem in the region, despite efforts by national governments and the international community.
The agreement will cement collaboration between the UN and the ICGLR in key areas, such as combating impunity for perpetrators, ensuring services for survivors, and strengthening national policies, legislation and the capacity of institutions working on sexual violence in the region.

 

The agreement was signed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura and the Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, Professor Alphonse Ntumba Luaba. Also present at the signing ceremony were representatives from ICGLR member states, including Angola, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, as well as the Special Representative for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Martin Kobler, a representative of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, and representatives of several Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York including France, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

SRSG Bangura commended the commitment of the ICGLR to deepen engagement on conflict-related sexual violence.

 

“I am very happy that the United Nations and the ICGLR will work in partnership to end the horrible scourge of sexual violence in conflict. We need all good forces to pull together if we are to put an end to history’s oldest and least condemned crime.”

 

SRSG Bangura also stressed that both national ownership and leadership, and regional cooperation are prerequisites for ending conflict-related sexual violence in the Great Lakes region.

 

“The fight to end sexual violence will not be won without the full commitment and leadership of national governments in countries where these crimes occur. Our cooperation with ICGLR will help galvanize ongoing national efforts, and ensure regional action to address this issue.”

 

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For additional information, please contact the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict:
La Neice Collins with at collins3@un.org / +1 (917) 714 9430 or
Rikke E. Hennum, at hennum@un.org / +1(212) 963 4321.