“Alarming” rise in rape and abduction from Sudan war – aid agencies
Reuters The conflict between military factions in Sudan has caused a surge in cases of rape and the abduction of women and girls, some as young as 12, aid agencies and officials said. Teenage girls are being sexually assaulted and raped by armed combatants in “alarming numbers”, Save the Children said in a statement on […]
Truce reduces fighting in Sudan, but little relief for humanitarian crisis
Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Cairo, Egypt Reuters Khartoum was calmer on Saturday as a seven-day ceasefire appeared to reduce fighting between two rival military factions although it has not yet provided the promised humanitarian relief to millions trapped in the capital. A truce signed on Monday by the two fighting parties – Sudan’s army and a […]
After fleeing conflict, displaced women face rape in east Congo
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Four men with machetes were hard on their heels as a group of women raced through the dense forest surrounding east Congo’s city of Goma, desperate to reach a displacement camp they had left to collect firewood. One tripped on a stone and fell. She had no time to […]
Iran violations may amount to crimes against humanity – UN expert
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters Iran’s authorities have committed violations in recent months that may amount to crimes against humanity, a UN-appointed expert told the Human Rights Council on Monday, citing cases of murder, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, sexual violence and persecution. Iran has been swept by protests since the death of a young Iranian Kurdish woman, […]
Mobile court offers rare chance of justice for east Congo rape victims
Kamanyola, Democratic Republic of CongoReuters A large crowd gathered around the open sides of the makeshift courtroom in the eastern Congolese village of Kamanyola in early March to watch the culmination of a trial of 15 military officers for the rape of minors. They watched in silence, some craning to see better, as a soldier […]
In Uganda, International Justice Mission head urges Christians to protect women and children against abuse
Mukono, Uganda Christians have a role to play in ensuring that women and children are protected against abuse such as rape and sexual abuse, according to Wamaitha Kimani, director of the International Justice Mission’s in Uganda. Delivering a sermon at Uganda Christian University‘s ThornyCroft Chapel on Sunday, Kimani urged congregants not to be bystanders as […]
Investigation chief says Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters War crimes including rape, torture, executions and confinement of children were committed by Russia in areas it occupied in Ukraine, the head of a UN-mandated investigation body said on Friday. The commission is one of the first international bodies to reach the conclusion on the basis of field evidence. Ukraine and its Western […]
Greek officials, Church, condemn ex-bishop’s remarks on rape
Athens, GreeceAP Greek politicians and the country’s powerful Orthodox Church joined in condemning a retired bishop who claimed Friday that women aren’t raped “without wanting it.” Chrysostomos, Metropolitan Bishop of Dodoni, ordains a priest at Athens Cathedral, Greece, on Monday, 14th October, 2019. Chrysostomos’ statement in a TV interview on Friday, 2nd September that a […]
Indiana becomes first US state to approve abortion ban post Roe
Indianapolis, Indiana, USAP Indiana on Friday became the first state in the nation to approve abortion restrictions since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, as the Republican governor quickly signed a near-total ban on the procedure shortly after lawmakers approved it. The ban, which takes effect on 15th September, includes some exceptions. Abortions would be permitted […]
Ukraine rights group tells top UN body that rape used as weapon of war
United NationsReuters The United Nations is increasingly hearing accounts of rape and sexual violence in Ukraine, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Monday, as a Ukrainian human rights group accused Russian troops of using rape as a weapon of war. Kateryna Cherepakha, president of La Strada-Ukraine, said her organisation’s emergency hotlines had received calls […]