Politics: MP goes on trial for raping children

At least 46 children, some as young as 18 months, were raped near the village of Kavumu between 2013 and 2016, sparking an international outcry and criticism of Democratic Republic of Congo’s government for its slow response.

Parliamentarian alongside 17 other people are on trial in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the rape of dozens of children.

Reuters reports that the trial before a military court opened on Thursday in Kavumu simultaneously as the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) gave the DRC a year to report on actions it has taken to hold free and fair elections and clean up its rights record.

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At least 46 children, some as young as 18 months, were raped near the village of Kavumu between 2013 and 2016, sparking an international outcry and criticism of Democratic Republic of Congo’s government for its slow response.

Batumike’s militia say they were advised by a spiritual leader that raping very young children would confer supernatural protection.

Although the easter African country us up in arms against sexual violence it is still a major problem and both government forces and militia groups use rape as a weapon of war.

 

At least 46 children, some as young as 18 months, were raped near the village of Kavumu between 2013 and 2016, sparking an international outcry and criticism of Democratic Republic of Congo’s government for its slow response. Read Full Story