Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 6387th meeting, 17 Sept. 2010, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo"]

Reiterates its strong condemnation of mass rapes which occurred in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo late July and Aug.; urges the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure a swift and fair prosecution of the perpetrators of these terrible crimes and to inform the Security Council on measures undertaken to this end; expresses its readiness to consider all appropriate actions, including targeted measures against the perpetrators; reiterates its urgent call to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in cooperation with the UN and other relevant actors, to put an end to impunity, in particular those bearing responsibility for gross human rights violations must be held to account; stresses that the fight against impunity is an integral part of the urgently-needed reform of the security sector; supports the launch by MONUSCO and the UN Country Team of a sensitization campaign, including through Radio Okapi, to encourage victims of sexual violence to report and to seek treatment and legal assistance; reaffirms its resolve to eliminate all forms of violence against women and children during and after armed conflict.

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