Liberian Fighters in Frenzy of Rape - WARNING - Harrowing article

[Pert_UK]

The most difficult article I have read in a long time:

"Liberian rebels and government soldiers, some aged 12 or even younger, are assaulting thousands of girls and women under the cover of war, aid workers said yesterday. More than 600 rapes have been documented in Monrovia since July, but that is thought to be a small fraction of the real figure.

The victims say that as President Charles Taylor's regime has crumbled, fighters on both sides have treated the female civilian population as booty, thinking it may be their last chance to exploit the anarchy before the peacekeepers arrive.

Those attacked have been aged between eight and 65. But what some medical professionals have found more shocking is that many of the perpetrators have been soldiers aged 12 or younger...

Esther Macauley, 40, was gang-raped by Lurd fighters in front of her four children after being captured in an ambush.

She lost count of the rapes after five, but remembers that the rapists were young: "small baby men".

They disembowelled her husband. "They said they were looking inside for Charles Taylor." "

Full story:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/westafrica/story/0,13764,1014342,00.html

[PartyPooper]

1. This is a horrible story! It's heartbreaking to read!

I am speechless.

[ewagner]

2. Kofi Annan

The Sec-General of the UN told our fearless leader to get peace keepers into Liberia before it was too late.

It's far, far far too late. What was he waiting for?

[RaRa]

3. The "report" that there's oil $$ to be made there n/t

[newyawker99]

5. Hi RaRa!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

4. Sounds like they're hopped up on amphetamines or Cot.

So, let me see...the new justification for pre-emptively invading another country was "because he gassed and killed his own people," and not the other reason of non-proven immediate WMD threat. If this is the case, then WHY ARE WE NOT IN LIBERIA?

Oh, that's right. We are in Liberia. "We" meaning 7 friggin soldiers and a boatload partying off the coast.

This is sick.

JB

[study_war_no_more]

6. this is happening in the Congo also

Child soldiers, hacking limbs, and massive rape.

[MostlyBlackCat2]

7. and the christian right

wants us to support this government??