Rape in the Congo and Why Is It Being Used as a Weapon of War - Essay Example

Rape in the Congo and why is it being used as a weapon of war? Plenty of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons were used in the wars occurred in the past, at different parts of the world. Rape was also used in wars that occurred in the past; however, it was not considered or used as a weapon at that time. The UN has defined what it means for rape to be used as a tactic of war: “Sexual violence as a ‘tactic of war’ refers to acts of sexual violence that are linked with military/political objectives and that serves (or intends to serve) a strategic aim related to the conflict” (Radhakrishnan). “In the 20th century, perceptions of rape in war have moved from something that is inevitable when men are deprived of female companionship for prolonged periods to an actual tactic in conflict”(UN Human Rights). In other words, rape in wars in the past was considered as an exercise performed by the soldiers to relive their sexual energy. In modern times, rape is used as a weapon to achieve military objectives. For example, in the wars that are occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rape is one of the most commonly used weapons. According to UN Human Rights, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is arguably the epicentre of sexual violence against women today. This paper analyses the views and opinions expressed in five articles, about the use of rape as a weapon in the war fronts of Democratic Republic of Congo. Local health centres in the DRC’s South Kivu province estimate that 40 women are raped in the region every day. Warring groups use rape as a weapon because it destroys communities totally, says Major-General Patrick Cammaert, former commander of UN peacekeeping forces in the eastern Congo. “You destroy communities. You punish the men, and you punish the women, doing it in front of the men.” Adds Cammaert: “It has probably become more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in armed conflict” (UN Human Rights). Destruction of the communities is the major aim of the warring groups. It should be noted that in Africa or in Congo, wars are taking place mostly between the local communities or ethnic groups. In other words, internal wars are mostly prominent in Congo like countries than wars between different countries. Therefore, destruction of the communities is accepted one of the major aims of internal wars in Congo. Different communities and ethnic groups have different beliefs, customs, ideologies and culture. Even though Africa has a national culture, ethnic groups in the countries of Africa are more interested in protecting their ethnic culture rather than the national culture. Major-General Patrick Cammaert’s opinions seem to be based on these facts. Radhakrishnan seems to be in agreement with the opinions expressed by Major-General Patrick Cammaert. According to Radhakrishnan “Sexual violence, including rape, is a powerful and cost-effective weapon and tactic of war that has been successfully used to terrorize, dehumanize, and break down individuals, families and communities”. The fear of rape would force the people to escape from the war fronts, leaving out their houses and properties. It would be easy for the soldiers to achieve their military objectives easily in such circumstances. Rape is used as a double edged sword in modern wars, like the ones that is taking place in Congo. In other words, while using rape at war fronts, soldiers in Congo are getting two birds for one shot. Soldiers can relieve their sexual energy as well as achieve the military objectives easily, while using rape as a weapon. No other military weapon can provide such advantages. “In fact, according to one important study of sexual violence in conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a woman living there is raped nearly every minute—that’s about the time it took you to read the previous three paragraphs” (Radhakrishnan). According to the views of Radhakrishnan, rape is used as a mean to achieve genocide. It should be noted that sexual pleasure can be obtained while the partners engage in sexual activities with mutual consent. Forced sex would help only the culprit in enjoying sex while the victim may derive displeasure from such activities. Even a single instant of forced sex is intolerable to women. Under such circumstances, frequent forced sex or sex in virtually every minute would force the victims or the women to commit suicide to escape from such massive psychological and physical torture. According to Radhakrishnan “wherever sexual violence is used in war, it falls into the category of prohibited weapons/tactics of war, comparable to such weapons as landmines and tactics as starvation”. It should be noted that the usage of weapons are allowed in wars, usage of prohibited weapons like biological, chemical and nuclear weapons is disallowed in wars. The world has recently witnessed the execution of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussain, on charges of using prohibited weapons in war fronts. Even though rape is treated as a prohibited weapon, Radhakrishnan says that states have never been held accountable for its use. In fact, states like Congo seem to be having immunity in this regard even though international laws clearly prohibit the use of rape as a weapon wars. Aginam has pointed out that systematic rape involving thousands of women and young girls is taking place in Congo. In his opinion, “majority of these rapes and other acts of sexual violence are being performed with impunity and brutality and in flagrant violation of age-old laws, customs and norms of war”. However, international laws are incapable of taking actions against the Congo government because of the loopholes in the laws. Aginam has given another dimension to the rape as a war crime. In his opinion, there is a striking difference between the use of rape as a weapon of war in pre-1990 conflicts and in latter-day wars. He has pointed out that rape is currently used not only as a psychological weapon, but also as a physical weapon. He has mentioned that “willful” transmission of HIV to the victims is one of the major objectives of rape in the wars of Congo. Africa in general and Congo in particular is struggling to counter the challenges caused by HIV/AIDS. The civil wars in Congo are further exaggerating this problem. “Serious questions have been raised in the social science literature about the actual time of transmission and infection, and whether the “intent” of the perpetrators could conclusively be to infect the victim with HIV. Nonetheless, there is evidence from the victims’ accounts confirming the deliberate nature of these acts” (Aginam). Women are believed to be the major victims of rape in the warfronts. However, in the case of Congo, men also found to be the victims of rape. A study by Mervyn Christian, of the US-based Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, using community focus groups and in-depth interviews with seven male rape survivors in Bukavu, in South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), found that armed combatants had anally or orally raped men in a nearby forest, while at least two were raped in their homes in front of their families (Irin News). Sexual violence against men in Congo seems to be an unattended topic by the international community. The effort to destroy both men and women with the help of rape is taking place in Congo. In other words, an insecurity feeling is developing in the minds of people of Congo. Neither men nor women can claim safety in Congo as far as rape is concerned. Irin News reported that “Men in Congo reported being abducted by combatants and held for a few months or even as long as three years, during which they were repeatedly raped”. These victims forced to seek treatments in clinics after they were released by the culprits. It should be noted that majority of the rape victims, both men and women, may commit suicide later because of the physical and psychological trauma after the rape incident. Thus, the soldiers are getting their mission completed without killing the enemies directly. According to Dr. Denis Mukwege, who was widely considered a top contender Nobel Peace Prize, rape is used as a weapon in the wars of Congo not only to destroy the people, but also to take control of the resources of Congo. In his opinion, “If you destroy enough wombs, there will be no children. Then you come right in and take the minerals." Eastern DRC is particularly rich in coltan, an essential metallic ore used in mobile phones, laptops and other electronics” (Becker). Congo is blessed with immense natural resources. Conflicts among the ethnic groups in Congo are taking place, in order to gain control over the natural resources. Muscle power is used extensively in Congo to capture the properties of enemies or opposite ethnic groups. To conclude, rape is used as a weapon in the wars that are taking place in Congo. Culprits use rape as a measure to destroy the enemy communities or ethnic groups. Both men and women are facing rape threats in Congo. The physical and the mental torture suffered by the rape victims, force them to commit suicide later. International laws are incapable of punishing the Congo government even though UN has declared rape as a prohibited crime in war fronts. Works Cited Aginam, Obijiofor. Rape and HIV as Weapons of War. 2012. Web. 04 March 2014. Becker, Barbara. “Dr. Mukwege of DR Congo Wins Two Peace Awards”. Huffington Post. 10/11/2013 Irin News. “HEALTH: Rape as a “Weapon of War” Against Men”. 2011. Web. 04 March 2014. Radhakrishnan, Akila. “From Our Members: Rape as a Weapon of War”. Web. 04 March 2014. UN Human Rights. “Rape: Weapon of War”. Web. 04 March 2014. Read More