Thursday, August 6, 2009

"But shouldn't the world feel guilty about what's happening in Congo today?"

This article in 'The New York Times' is an extremely disturbing, painful, and altogether shocking read about the rape "open season" that is targeting men, women, and children in the Congo today.

Contributed by Pruittiporn Kerdchoochuen

Symbol of Unhealed Congo: Male Rape Victims

Jehad Nga for The New York Times

Clockwise from top left, Kazungu Ziwa, Shabani Lufuno, Ngabu Bita and Matata Badoda. All are Congolese men who were recently raped and agreed to be photographed.

By Jeffrey Gettleman
Published August 4, 2009

GOMA, Congo -- It was around 11 p.m. when armed men burst into Kazungu Ziwa’s hut, put a machete to his throat and yanked down his pants. Mr. Ziwa is a tiny man, about four feet, six inches tall. He tried to fight back, but said he was quickly beaten down.

“Then they raped me,” he said. “It was horrible, physically. I was dizzy. My thoughts just left me.”

Click here to read the article in its entirety on The New York Times website.