Amnesty International Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Responding to Senate Hearings on Mass Rapes in Conflict, Amnesty International Calls for Passage of International Violence Against Women Act

Legislation Offers Concrete Steps for Effective U.S. Response to Rape in War

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, AIUSA media office, 212-633-4150, strimel@aiusa.org

(Washington) -- Amnesty International today urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to act on the International Violence Against Women Act to demonstrate that it is serious about preventing and punishing mass rape during war. The human rights organization responded to a hearing being held today on rape in conflict, co-sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer of California and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

Amnesty International is pressing Senator John Kerry, the committee chair, and Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican member, to reintroduce the bill, which won bipartisan support in the last Congress when it was introduced by then-Senator Joe Biden and Senator Lugar. The bill had 21 Senate co-sponsors including President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton when they served in the Senate.

"The truth is that rape has been a fact of war for a very long time," said Amnesty International USA Executive Director Larry Cox. "There is little new to be said about this sickening problem that we have seen over and over again in recent decades, from the former Yugoslavia and Liberia, to Darfur and the Democratic Republic Congo. It's long past time for action by the United States government to support the survivors, prevent renewed attacks and punish the perpetrators. The International Violence Against Women Act addresses the problem with effective solutions. We urge quick action from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on this bill and passage by the full Congress.

Amnesty International has praised President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton for appointing a new ambassador-at-large for global women's issues, a position that originally was included in the International Violence Against Act.

The International Violence Against Women Act specifically addresses violence against women during wartime, including provisions directing the United States government to respond to mass rape with medical and psychological care to survivors. Another provision would give the government tools to hold the perpetrators accountable.

In addition, the bill requires training specifically on the care of survivors for humanitarian and other staff who would respond in conflict zones where mass rapes have occurred.

Overall, the International Violence Against Women Act would for the first time make the epidemic of violence against women worldwide a diplomatic priority of the United States government, and integrate prevention strategies across policy and foreign aid.

Current efforts are well-intentioned but fragmented and piecemeal. There is no coordination within or between several departments and agencies that administer the few small projects.

The legislation was designed by Amnesty International USA, Family Violence Prevention Fund and Women Thrive Worldwide with input from 40 international and 150 U.S.-based groups with relevant expertise.

Every year, violence devastates the lives of millions of women and girls globally. The United Nations Development Fund for Women estimates that at least one in every three women worldwide will be beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Violence against women destabilizes countries, stands in the way of economic progress, and prevents women from raising healthy children.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

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For more information, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org

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