Somalia: UN Envoy Voices Concern over Rape Allegations at African Union Facility
New York, Aug 18 2013 - The top United Nations envoy in Somalia today expressed grave concern over allegations of rape
at a facility of the African Union Mission in the country (AMISOM), and welcomed the Government's investigation into the
incident.
"It is important that any investigation is rigorous and prompt. I am encouraged by the President of Somalia's commitment
to a zero-tolerance policy" said the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay.
"If there is a case to answer, any perpetrator should be prosecuted and held fully accountable while basic rights are
protected."
According to media reports, a Somali woman was raped by AMISOM soldiers earlier this month in one of the mission's
military camps in the capital, Mogadishu.
Sexual violence in Somalia is one of the most serious human rights challenges facing the country. According to the
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), during the first half of the year, there were some 800 cases
of sexual and gender-based violence reported in Mogadishu alone.
In a statement, Mr. Kay said the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia will continue its mandated activities to promote respect for human
rights and the rule of law, especially in the area of sexual violence.
UNSOM also promotes access to justice, monitoring and reporting of human rights violations in Somalia. This includes
providing support to AMISOM troops' pre-deployment training with induction courses on human rights, international
humanitarian law and refugee law.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS