The conflict between Muslim Seleka and Christian and animist militia called anti-balaka in Central African Republic (CAR) during 2013 and mid-2017 was of high level of torture towards women and girls. The armed forces used rape and sexual slavery as weapons to punish them and take revenge.
A 176-page report was released today by Human Rights Watch titled as “‘They Said We Are Their Slaves,’ Sexual Violence by Armed Groups in the Central African Republic.” It revealed the commanders of armed forces tolerated widespread sexual violence and in some cases even they appeared to have committed the act themselves or ordered the men to do so.
The international organization interviewed 296 rape and sexual slavery survivors. It is learned the acts were brutal and well calculated to punish and terrorize women and girls.
Women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, Hillary Margolis, said the survivors live with devastating aftermath of the incidents with them knowing the attackers are walking free and also some of them are holding positions of power.
In the interviews it was found about 52 victims were girls then when the attackers committed the acts.
Such rape and sexual slavery acts are crimes under Central African law and also considered as war crimes. These are crimes against humanity, but still not even a single attacker has been arrested or tried.
The report reveals in many cases the attackers tortured the victims too much like burning them, breaking bones, smashing teeth and whipping.
