U.N. human rights chief says rape remains widespread in Darfur conflict

By: MIKE CORDER - Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Women in Darfur continue to be subjected to rape by all sides in the brutal conflict in western Sudanese region, the U.N. human rights chief said Thursday -- International Women's Day.

Louise Arbour said she has about 75 human rights officers monitoring abuses in Darfur, and that many women were being attacked as soon they ventured out of refugee camps to carry out essential chores.

"Women are forced to go out of the camp to collect firewood," Arbour said at a meeting in The Hague of female leaders in international law. "They believe, they tell us, that if the men went out they would be killed, and that's why it's the women who expose themselves and they get raped."

She said another problem now arising for rape victims was having to bring up children that are the product of sexual attacks. Read more >>>