New York, United States - UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallstrom on Friday expressed concern over allegations that migrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Angola continue to be subjected to human rights abuse, including rape, in the process of being expelled from the country.
'These allegations include rape, beatings, looting and torture by security forces of the Government of Angola,” Ms. Wallstrom said in a statement made available to PANA in New York.

'The most recent incidents occurred in the village of Tshiambi in the Republic of Angola between 4 and 7 October 2011 along the common border with Kasai Occidental province in the Democratic Republic of Congo,' she said. Ms. Wallstrom urged both the Angolan and DRC authorities to urgently investigate the alleged abuse 'with a view to holding the perpetrators accountable, in line with the joint communique issued by Angola and the UN in March'. She also called on the two countries to use the previously established Angola-DRC Mixed Commission to address the issue of migrant communities and expulsions.

'I remind all parties that rape can be a crime against humanity, no less grave than other crimes, and that perpetrators will be held accountable. 'We continue to monitor this and other incidents of alleged conflict-related sexual violence, wherever they occur, and stand in solidarity with the survivors,” she added.

Pana 11/11/2011