Advertisement
200 women mass raped in Tabit, Darfur
01/12/2014
In early November, reports of mass rape in Tabit, North Darfur of Western Sudan began to surface.
The reports alleged a mass rape of some 200 girls and women that was committed by members of the Sudanese military. Some of the soldiers appeared drunk; some were in uniform while others in civilian clothes heightening the menacing atmosphere for the alleged rape victims.
After a delay of nearly a week by the government of Sudan, a joint U.N.-AU force in Darfur, known as UNAMID, was allowed in Tabit. It issued a statement saying a verification team it sent to Tabit had been granted access to the village. UNAMID also said none of those interviewed confirmed they had been raped and the investigation team found no evidence to support the allegations.
Reuters reported the issue was discussed by the Security Council. Australia Ambassador Gary Quinlan said U.N. special envoy on sexual violence in armed conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura and a number of council members voiced concern about the Sudanese military being present when alleged rape victims were interviewed. “Bangura added ... that there had been a heavy military presence during the team's visit and she stressed that while the rape allegations remained unverified, in her view it was not possible to conclude that no sexual violence took place," said Quinlan, president of the 15-nation council in November.
Bangura was worried about a possible "wall of silence" and that the atmosphere created was one of threats and "fear of reprisal".
One alleged rape victim told members of the team that Sudanese military officials ordered them not to speak to the UNAMID team, saying that a committee headed by an army commander would talk to UNAMID on their behalf, added the report from Reuters.
A couple of weeks later, The Sudan asked UNAMID in Darfur to prepare to leave, a senior official said due to the dispute between the United Nations and Khartoum over the alleged mass rape.
Rape is repugnant and men who do these things are criminals. Leaders who command them to do these things are equally criminal. The women who were raped included child-like girls, adult women as well as grandmothers.
Where are the authorities of the region of Darfur? How many of them knew that these things are happening in a regular basis? We have been hearing of gang rapes for the decade of the conflict in Darfur now but this was the first mass rape. How could the leaders of a nation allow mass rape and gang rape thrive? How can these men who rape with impunity walk around in their respective community with no shame? Why does a nation put up with such shameful behaviors? Don’t men and women from other parts of The Sudan understand the gravity of these shameful acts? After all these acts of horrific violence against women of Darfur are committed on their behalf and for their alleged common benefit. Should we accept a rapist of a helpless girl, woman and grandmother or should we condone the leaders who order men to commit such acts as men?
We all know that rape has been used as a tool of war to terrorize communities throughout human history, but never at this scale before.
Alkhabar invites you to join the discussion of this issue with respect and consideration to others. If you want to remain anonymous, we will not publish your vile comments.
Add new comment