"Military said to impede Congo rape inquiry" July 23, 2011|Associated Press
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo - The United Nations yesterday named two Congolese Army colonels who appear to be blocking an investigation of soldiers accused of mass gang-raping at least 47 women in eastern Congo and said if the attackers are not identified the officers themselves should stand trial for the crimes committed by those under their command.
Also see: Congo Rape Kit
U.N. base was right down the road, huh?
Government troops carried out the mass rapes in the remote and mountainous villages of Bushani and Kalambahiro in North Kivu province from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, according to witnesses and victims cited in the report from the UN human rights office....
That's a different set of rapes, readers.
The incident occurred when 100 soldiers attacked villagers with whips, machetes, and rifles, accusing the inhabitants of supporting rebels, the report said.
Those raped were aged from 16 to 65 and included pregnant women. Some were raped in front of their children. Some were raped by two to four men, the report said.
It said the actual number of victims probably is much higher than 47, since many villagers remain hidden in the forest or other towns for fear of another attack and since many victims do not report being raped for fear of being rejected by their husbands and communities.
The report said the Congolese military has failed to fully cooperate with investigators, hindering attempts to prosecute the attackers....
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More: UN report says Congo colonels are blocking rape investigation
