On June 29, the Senate approved, by voice vote, a bill (S. 2125) to increase aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and promote the establishment of democracy.
Sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), S. 2125 would authorize an additional $52 million for FY2006 assistance programs. The bill would establish as a U.S. policy objective ending the high rates of sexual abuse and violence perpetrated against women and children in the Congo. Under the measure, governments of countries supplying troops to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo (MONUC) would be urged to enact and enforce laws on human trafficking and sexual abuse that conform to international standards. The bill also would mandate action to protect internally displaced persons and refugees in the Congo from violence, including gender-based violence, as well as a program to support orphans from HIV/AIDS and conflict.
The legislation would direct the U.S. to use its position on the UN Security Council to address sexual abuses by MONUC personnel in the Congo through the appropriate investigation of credible allegations of misconduct and the prosecution of guilty MONUC personnel. The U.S. also would promote codes of conduct and programs for the prevention of sexual abuse and human trafficking by UN peacekeeping forces. The measure would stipulate that MONUC’s rules of engagement should be strengthened to improve protection for vulnerable civilian populations.
