UN sees wartime rape as big challenge

[cory777]

Source: IANS

United Nations, Aug 7 (IANS) Wartime rape is one of the greatest challenges of modern times, yet it remains low on the agenda of global policy efforts, the UN said Friday.

UN secretary-general's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Margot Wallstrom, made the comment as she spoke on the UN's efforts to combat sexual violence against women, Xinhua reported.

'There can be no security, without women's security. Rape is not a lesser evil in the hierarchy of wartime horrors, it is not a crime that the world can dismiss as collateral damage, or as cultural, or inevitable,' said Wallstrom.

'Widespread and systematic sexual violence is both a crime against the victim and a crime against humanity,' she said.

Read more: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100806/890/twl-un-sees-wartime-rape-as-big-challeng.html

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[burnsei sensei]

1. If it's a crime against humanity---

prosecute, prosecute, PROSECUTE!
Damn it to hell, prosecute.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. The UN is in a difficult position on this issue

One UN challenge is to distinguish between "unacceptable rape" done by government officials, national soldiers, insurgents, and the "more acceptable rape" done by UN soldiers and administrators.

I guess I don't expect equal prosecution of all offenders.

:hi:

[Odin2005]

3. Maybe the blue-hats should stop raping Congolese and Hatian women.

Hypocrites.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. I don't think its UN policy any more than it would be US policy

More like lax discipline in the units long before they were ever assigned to the UN.

Where the UN should be held to account is their reluctance to prosecute those under their flag.

Perhaps they fear public prosecution would undermine their mission. I would disagree, it would mean nations where UN troops are to be stationed would have more confidence.

Perhaps they fear nations would be reluctant to supply troops. If so who wants troops from such a nation willing to excuse rape?

The UN has everything to gain and nothing to lose by cleaning its own house.

[No Elephants]

5. What is the U.S. record of punishing U.S. soldiers who rape?

Why did the U.S. allow military contractors also to get away with rape, including of their own employees?

A policy of not punishing rape.