Caritasnews magazine

Summer 2008

Congo: End the Silence
Tim O’Connor

“1,200 people dying every single day and 2000 raped in the month of June alone. The time for justice is now,” says Lulu
Mitshabu, born in Congo and now working with Caritas Australia. Despite these appalling statistics the Australian Government does not provide any form of aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo… not even one dollar.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC) is one of the richest countries in Africa in terms of its resources and natural abundance. The mineral assets are huge, the southern province of Katanga alone is estimated to have 34% of the world’s known cobalt reserves and 10% of the world’s copper. This is matched by impressive agricultural lands and forests second only to the Amazon basin in size and reserves of timber.

This potential wealth has been the scourge of the DRC since initial encounters with Europeans. In recent times it has fuelled a bitter and extended series of conflicts compounded by dictatorial government and entrenched corruption.

The Second Congo War of 1998-2003 was the greatest of these wars, involving eight African nations and numerous armed groups. Despite the official cessation of combat, the people of the DRC have continued to endure war and human rights abuses, especially in the eastern provinces. All sides in the ongoing conflict are responsible for inflicting horrendous atrocities against civilians, including murder and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.

With a culture of impunity alive in the country, most perpetrators of these crimes remain free while their victims and their communities live with the horrific consequences. The great losers, as in so many conflicts, continue to be civilians, particularly women and children. Rape and sexual violence is now an endemic problem of horrific proportions.

Sobering Statistics
More than 1,200 Congolese are estimated to be dying daily from conflict-related causes: preventable diseases, poverty, gender-based violence and associated atrocities. Almost four million people died during the Second Congo War, and a staggering 2.1 million poverty and conflict-related deaths have occurred since. An estimated 80% of the DRC population is now living below the poverty line, and more than 70% of people are undernourished. Life expectancy is just 47 years, with latest statistics suggesting that 20% of children do not live until the age of 5.

There are an estimated total of 1.25 million internally displaced persons just in the eastern provinces. In June 2008 over two thousand rapes were reported in one province alone. Armed men perpetuate the situation, with recruited child soldiers becoming inured to the shocking but everyday practice.

Cycle of Violence
Many children are raised by mothers whose pregnancy was the direct result of being raped. This extended cycle of abuse and violence imbues younger generations with an accustomed sensibility, meaning that without appropriate intervention the incidence of rape will continue to remain high. Sadly both women and children will be continually subjugated to the tyranny of sexual violence. The devastating culture of acceptance and impunity must end. Those who inflict rape must be brought to justice. The time for action is now!

Caritas  Response
Caritas Australia has been working with local partner organisations in the Congo since 2000, supporting programs caring for victims of rape, and helping to reduce the spread of HIV / AIDS.

The Caritas report Forsaken Voices: desecration and plunder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo gives an overview of the DRC’s historical background, and outlines the recent developments that have led to mass killings, rape, torture and displacement. It examines the extent of the current crisis, and the continuing insecurity throughout the country that is hampering the international humanitarian community’s ability to respond effectively to people’s needs. The most prominent focus of the report is on sexual violence and its horrific consequences, featuring two case studies of rape victims interviewed by Caritas Australia in June 2008.

There must be immediate action to resolve the fundamental causes of the conflict and the continuing human rights abuses in the DRC. Caritas Australia is calling upon the international community to establish an international commission of inquiry into the atrocities in the DRC. This process must be actively supported by neighbouring African countries and the African Union.

The Australian Government must invigorate its new commitment to Africa by immediately contributing $20 million to development and humanitarian efforts in the DRC. Meanwhile the corporate sector must play a significant role in setting up a consultative and all encompassing scheme of accountability and transparency in regards to their investments and interests in the DRC.

Isabelle’s story

“I went to Karaturini and met the soldiers,” said Isabelle. “They raped me and then stabbed me. They raped me in the early morning, as I was trying to fetch water.”

In the following days Isabelle became sick. She sought traditional healing treatment, which proved ineffectual. Her mother escorted her to a hospital in Goma, where Isabelle discovered she was pregnant as a result of being raped. Isabelle’s pregnancy was a difficult one. Her mother, her sole support, became ill and died shortly before Isabelle gave birth to twin boys – only to have one die within days of being born. Isabelle took her son Jonathan to live in Goma. She now lives there with her child, grandmother and younger brother, who depend upon her for survival.

“My grandmother is very old,” said Isabelle. “It is Caritas that has helped us to this day... before I had difficulty even getting soap. It is only because of Caritas Goma that I can care for this baby, and my grandmother too.”

In hospital Isabelle was able to obtain counselling,  medical help, and financial assistance. Caritas Goma not only provided her with direct help but also assists in funding and supplying the hospital Isabelle sought treatment in. Isabelle knows that due to being raped and having an illegitimate child, she has little prospect of marriage or chance for a family. Despite this she hopes to be trained as a seamstress in order to make her own living. She hopes that with Caritas Goma’s help she can gain adequate training and a sewing machine so she has the capacity to be independent and care for her child, brother and grandmother. Without Caritas Goma’s help it was uncertain if she would ever be able to fulfill her dreams much less survive.

Despite the dangerous uncertainty in her life, Isabelle is thankful. “God bless Caritas Goma” she said, “if my son and I are still alive it is only because of Caritas.”

YOU can help stop the conflict in the DRC

Caritas Congo reports that the poor living conditions mean people, young children in particular, are at severe risk of diarrhoea and malaria. Over the past few months attacks by the LRA on the civilian population in the eastern part of the Congo has formed part of a growing surge in violence in the area. Fighting has continued despite the Congolese
Government’s approval of a UN ceasefire plan for all sides to withdraw their forces by 17 September 2008. This followed an initial signing  of a ceasefire in January 2008. By supporting the Caritas Australia Congo Appeal you will help ensure that at least 94,000 families who have fled their homes are provided with clothes, blankets, cooking utensils and hygiene items.

Earlier in October, Caritas also launched an emergency appeal to help 90,000 people made homeless by clashes between government troops and Congolese rebels in North and South Kivu. The call for an urgent cessation of hostilities has been initiated by Caritas local partners to facilitate the opening of a humanitarian corridor to improve access for those who have fled their homes. Caritas Australia’s long term development projects in the DRC include reintegrating child soldiers, mitigating the impacts of HIV / AIDS and improving access to health and education. While our ability to continue these programs is sometimes impacted by the conflicts, our resolve and seeking justice for the voiceless enables these services to continue.

What you can do to end the silence in the DRC
1. Contact the Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and ask him to increase the level of Australian aid to the DRC to $20 million annually.
T: (02) 6277 7500 F: (02) 6273 4112
E: Stephen.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au

2. Contact Australian based Anvil Mining, who have several mines in the DRC and ask them to sign onto the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
T: (08) 9481 4700 F: (08) 9201 0125
E: anvil@anvilmining.com

3. Support caritas Australia’s Congo appeal and you can help provide emergency relief, empower women affected by rape, our work on mitigating the impacts of HIV / AIDS and assisting in the reintegration of child soldiers. At www.caritas.org.au or call 1800 024 413