Statement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence Zainab Hawa Bangura
For immediate release
(New York, NY 23 October 2014) Congratulations to Dr. Denis Mukwege of the Democratic Republic of Congo on being awarded the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament’s highest human rights honour, for his lifesaving work with victims of sexual violence in conflict in the DRC. Dr. Mukwege, with his team at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, has spent more than a decade providing desperately needed medical care to women and girls who have been brutalized by conflict-related sexual violence. Dr. Mukwege’s extraordinary achievements show that one person can make a difference in the fight against sexual violence, and should serve as an inspiration to others working in countries around the globe on conflict-related sexual violence. This honour also sends a message to survivors that the international community has not forgotten them, and signals to perpetrators that the eyes of the world are upon them, and we will not sit idly by while they commit these acts of cruelty.
I hope that the European Parliament’s tribute to Dr. Mukwege will also highlight the need for more resources for support and services for survivors, as well as increased funding for prevention and response. This is a challenge faced not only in the DRC, where other dedicated service providers work under difficult circumstances and with very limited resources, but also in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Somalia, Darfur, Syria, and Iraq. I call on the European Union to devote more relief aid and financial assistance to combatting this human rights violation so that we can reach our goal of a world free from sexual violence in conflict.
For additional information, please contact:
La Neice Collins at collins3@un.org / (+1) 212-963-1160 or
Rikke E. Hennum, at hennum@un.org / (+1) 212-963-4321