UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to bring to justice those who have committed rape and assault of some 20 female inmates during an attempted escape from a prison in the eastern part of the country.

In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, Ban said: "I am deeply distressed by the rape and assault of about 20 female inmates during an attempted escape from Goma's central prison, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)."

"The incident also caused the death and wounding of several people," the statement said. "This is a grim example of both the prison conditions and the level of sexual violence that plagues the DRC."

"I call on the DRC authorities to bring to justice those who have committed these crimes and, more generally, to renew efforts to bring an end to the impunity too often enjoyed by perpetrators of sexual violence," Ban said in the statement.

During Ban's last visit to the DRC, he emphasized the issue of sexual violence with DRC President Kabila. The UN Security Council, during its recent visit in the country, did likewise.

"It is absolutely essential that the DRC government take concrete steps to bring justice to victims of sexual violence," the statement said. "I invite the government to make use of the wide assistance provided by the United Nations on the ground to combat sexual violence."

Meanwhile, Ban said: "I also urge the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to initiate prison reform to ensure conformity with internationally recognized standards in the treatment of detainees, including strict separation of men and women. The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) stands ready to assist in this regard."

Source: Xinhua