Susan Cowsill, Eliza Gilkyson, Irma Thomas, Caroline Aiken, Karen Protti-Bailey & Brian Perry, Claire Holley, Kim Carson, Theresa Davis, Neko Case, Mary LaSang, Ruby Rendrag, Gospel Gossip, Herman Put Down The Gun, Karen Garrabrant, Dede Vogt, Caroline Herring, Janet Bean, Leilani Rivera Bond
Etkilendikleri
Human Rights Watch Report
(New York) - Rwandan rebel forces, government army soldiers, and their allies have raped at least 90 women and girls since late January 2009 in the volatile North and South Kivu provinces of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch said today. The Rwandan rebel forces have also been implicated in the deaths of most of the 180 civilians killed during this period.
The United Nations Security Council will discuss on April 9 the latest report by the UN secretary-general on the peacekeeping force in Congo. Human Rights Watch called on the UN Security Council to press the Congolese government to remove human rights abusers from its armed forces and end rights violations, including attacks against women and girls.
The Rwandan Hutu militia called the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) attacked and burned dozens of villages and towns in Masisi and Lubero territories (North Kivu) as well as in Kalehe territory (South Kivu) in recent weeks, committing numerous deliberate killings, rapes, and acts of looting. Blaming government military operations, the FDLR deliberately targeted civilians, used them as human shields, and accused civilians of having betrayed them. According to witnesses and victims interviewed by Human Rights Watch, the FDLR have been implicated in the killings of at least 154 civilians since January 23.
"The FDLR are deliberately killing and raping Congolese civilians as apparent punishment for the military operations against them," said Anneke Van Woudenberg, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Both the fighters who commit such horrific acts and the rebel commanders who permit them are responsible for war crimes."
The FDLR were temporarily pushed out of their military positions in January and February 2009 following the start of a joint military operation against them by Congolese and Rwandan troops on January 20. Following the withdrawal of Rwandan forces on February 24, military action diminished and the FDLR reoccupied many of their previous positions.
Most recently, at least seven civilians were killed and 24 others wounded during FDLR attacks in Lubero and Walikale in early April. On March 20, 2009, the FDLR attacked Buhuli, North Kivu, and four other nearby villages, killing at least five civilians, including two women, an elderly man, a 7-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy. On February 13, the FDLR attacked the village of Kipopo, killing at least 13 people, who were burned to death in their homes.
In late February, the FDLR abducted at least a dozen women and girls from Remeka, in Masisi territory, North Kivu. Two women who escaped reported that FDLR combatants brutally killed nine of the women and girls when they resisted attempts to rape them. The fate of the others is unknown.
The Congolese army has also been implicated in numerous rapes. In March, Congolese soldiers raped at least 21 women and girls in southern Masisi and northern Kalehe territories. Many of the victims were violently gang raped while the soldiers were on looting sprees.
Congolese Students Break the Silence
Panzi Women Watch The Greatest Silence: Rape in Congo Break The Silence Week
Amy Goodman Of Democracy Now Interviews Maurice Carney of FOTC
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Angels permeate spiritual writings throughout the world and defy definition. Described as celestial messengers or simply, as good human beings who are filled with compassion, love and understanding, angels can be found everywhere. When the story of a rape counselor from the Democratic Republic of Congo was published in the Huffington Post, compassionate women singer/song writers from across America offered music which flowed from the soul to support this CD compilation.
If 6 million people were killed or simply vanished off the face of the Earth, you might expect an immediate international outcry, or in-depth analysis of this humanitarian catastrophe. You'd expect the story
to be on the front page of every newspaper and magazine in the world. You'd expect broadcast and photojournalists to take every opportunity to document this story. This story has already happened in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and there has been no such outcry. This atrocity is surrounded by silence.
1.1 million people are displaced in North and South Kivu provinces and living in unspeakable conditions in refugee camps. 200,000 women and children have been raped and brutalized. It is estimated 1,200 people die every day, and it could be stopped tomorrow with enough international will. Anneke van Woudenberg, the Congo specialist for Human Rights Watch, spoke to the producers of this
compilation from the Congo and urged us to find a way to get independent journalists to explore the reasons behind the violence.
"Things have gotten worse in the last few months," she said. "We desperately need firsthand reports of what is happening here."
The name of the rape counselor is Deo. In response to his story and the plea from Human Rights Watch, women artists from the shores of Hawaii to the banks of the Mississippi Delta immediately offered their greatest gifts: the gifts of their art and song. From a Hawaiian hula master to a Grammy Award-winning New Orleans soul singer, this compilation is a celebration of compassion, love and understanding. When Deo learned of this outpouring of love and support from women, he wrote that "They must truly be Congo's Angels." And so they are.
All proceeds from the sale of this compilation will go directly to a special account, designed to offer transparency in accounting. Friends of the Congo, a U.S. based non-profit, will manage this account. No monies, except minimal distribution costs, will be taken from sales. Maurice Carney of Friends of the Congo pledges, "All proceeds from Congo's Angels will raise awareness, fund independent media and support women and girls in the Democratic republic of Congo."
Deo had it right when he called the women artists on this compilation Congo's Angels. They are all, truly, forces of light who are working for a good greater than themselves. We thank them from our hearts.
- The Producers (Sonia Tetlow and Georgianne Nienaber)
This compilation CD is comprised of songs and poems donated by the artists
to benefit FRIENDS OF THE CONGO. To learn more about FOC and its work ,
please visit www.friendsofthecongo.org.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Bonjour et merci d'avoir accepté notre invitation,
Nous avons ouvert sur notre page le 1er concours chercheur de PEPITES AFRICAINES. Venez vite découvrir qu'est-ce qu'une AFRO PÉPITE sur notre site…
AFRO PEPITES SHOW : Du 15 au 31 déc 09, concours dédiés à tous les artistes de tous les continents autour d’un seul thème la culture Africaine ! Venez participer !
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen. ”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men.
That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen. ”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men.
That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
