UN investigates claims of mass rape (of more than 150 women and baby boys) by DR Congo rebels

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

The United Nations is investigating claims that rebel fighters raped more than 150 women and baby boys in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The attacks happened over four days within miles of a UN base, a US aid worker and a Congolese doctor said.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon is sending two top aides to the country to help investigate the alleged assaults in the country's volatile eastern region. Mr Ban also urged the Congolese government to investigate the attacks.

Aid workers and UN representatives knew that rebels had occupied Luvungi town and surrounding villages in eastern DR Congo the day after the attack began on 30 July, the International Medical Corps (IMC) said on Tuesday. They could not get into the town until the rebels left, said the IMC's Will Cragin.

According to reports, the rebels gang-raped nearly 200 women and some baby boys over four days before leaving.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11079135