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Senator Feingold on the Lord’s Resistance Army in Congo and Sudan

Posted by John Norris on Jan 10, 2009
 
Russ Feingold

A statement was released by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) on the recent attacks on civilians by the Lord’s Resistance Army: "I am horrified by the reported massacres that rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army have carried out over recent weeks in Congo and Sudan, leaving hundreds of people dead, scores of women raped, children abducted and villages ransacked. I condemn these atrocities in the strongest terms. Regional militaries have an important role to play in addressing the LRA threat, but I have long warned of the risks of rash and poorly planned military action and I am concerned the current offensive has been just that. It has not done enough to save rebel abductees, left civilians vulnerable to reprisal attacks by the rebels and fueled regional instability. Regional militaries must make civilian protection a priority. I call on the Bush Administration, the incoming Obama administration, and the international community to ensure ongoing efforts to disarm and demobilize the LRA have the highest possible chance of success and pose minimal risks to innocent civilians."

Submitted by on January 11, 2009 - 6:18pm.

Yesterday I went to see a film that like some things in life, changed my understanding of human kind forever.
"The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo" MUST be seen by every congressman and woman and our incoming president. It portrays in documentary form, the horrors of the systematic use of rape as a weapon to destroy the lives of female women and children and subsequently, entire communities. If you think you know what rape is, think again. Buy this DVD (website contact below), watch it and show it to everyone who will see it.
Then, don't lose heart. Do what you can, whether with money or without.
Together we can make a difference. We HAVE to, or, as John Pendergrast articulated, rape will become the weapon of choice around the world, particularly for poorly or unmanaged armies. It's free and it's tragically effective. The horrors are unfathomable and the effects inter-generational.

Start by notifying all technology companies you purchase(d) cell phones, computers, ipods, Xboxes or other electronics from. Ask them what they're doing to avoid using minerals (Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten) purchased from this country.
Just like we did with "blood diamonds" and with divestment in South Africa under apartheid, we MUST stop these crimes against humanity.

Go to: www.raisehopeforcongo.org and find out more about what you can do now!

Thank you,
Lynn Robinson, gratituteforlife@yahoo.com

Submitted by on January 10, 2009 - 3:44pm.

Event:
March Against Injustice, Impunity, And Extermination Of The People Of RDC

Type:
Causes - Rally

Host:
Demonstration against crimes for the RD Congo

Time:
Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 1:00pm

Location:
Lafayette Park

Contact: info@congounited.org
202 758 4258
202 256 1781
301 659 4604
443 570 0018

Christine Schuler Deschryver, Facebook
Bukavu, Democratic Republic Congo

-Un peacekeepers, the hope for all nations in war-time?
In the D. R. Congo, they have observed the killings, written reports but repeatedly prevent the Congolese army from neutralizing the enemy.

-In the D. R. Congo, women's genitals are destroyed by foreigners to stop reproduction, terrorize and empty mining areas for illegal exploitation.

WE DEMAND:
-The return to Rwanda of its citizens terrorizing and committing massacres in the D. R. Congo.

-Trial and punishment of the culprits at every level.

-Sanctions on all traders profiting illegally from the D. R. Congo minerals.

-A thorough review of UN mandate in the D. R. Congo and the reaction of a civilian commission for regular evalutation.

Submitted by on January 14, 2009 - 2:09am.

Eve Ensler of VDay