Press Release – For Immediate Release
(New York, 3 October 2014) The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, is making her first visit to South Sudan from 5 to 11 October 2014 to assess the situation of sexual violence in conflict in the country, and to meet with various stakeholders to discuss concrete measures that can be undertaken for the prevention of and response to the violations taking place, including critical support to survivors.
The use of sexual violence has been a distinct feature in the conflict that broke out in South Sudan in December 2013 between pro-government forces and opposition fighters. Reported incidents of sexual violence include rape, gang rape, forced abortion and sexual harassment by all sides.
There are also grave concerns regarding the ethnic dimensions of the conflict particularly between Dinka and Nuer communities, with reports of collective punishment using sexual violence, fuelling reprisals and a cycle of revenge.
The Special Representative will be joined for part of her mission by the Executive Secretary of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, Professor Alphonse Ntumba Luaba.
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For additional information, please contact:
La Neice Collins at +1 212 963 1160 or collins3@un.org
Rikke Hennum at +1 212 963 4231 or hennum@un.org