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	Tuesday 27 December 2005

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DRC: War-driven rape fuels AIDS

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 27 October (PLUSNEWS) - Experts are concerned that rape attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are causing the rate of HIV infection to rise.

Stephen Bowen, campaigns director of rights group Amnesty International said: "Rape in eastern DRC is a human rights and a health crisis. Countless women and girls are in desperate need of treatment, but no organised or comprehensive response has been developed to assist them."

It is estimated that over 40,000 women and girls were raped by soldiers during the six-year civil war, which is still being fought in the eastern part of the country.

Although a peace agreement was signed last year, there have since been two attempted coups and militias continue to attack and rape civilians.

[ENDS]

MORE NEWS BRIEFS

Recent DRC Reports

ARV distribution hindered by the war, ?4/Mar/05

Help victims of sexual violence among expelled Congolese, OCHA says, ?28/Apr/04

Government, University of North Carolina sign technical agreement, ?14/Apr/04

US official in pledge for more aid to combat HIV/AIDS, ?16/Mar/04

Focus on rampant rape, despite end of war, ?8/Mar/04

Links

Le portail d'informations générales de la Côte d’Ivoire

Sida Info Services

Le Fonds mondial de lutte contre le SIDA, la tuberculose et le paludisme

Le Réseau Afrique 2000

Guinéenews

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