Subject: Gang rape of women by British troops in Kenya

It was recently reported that 650 women from the town of Isiolo in eastern Kenya have complained that they have been subjected to rape, in many cases gang rape, by British solders. There is a British army base in the region where exercises are held every year. According to their complaints, the rapes began in 1977; although the British Ministry of Defence was informed, it failed to intervene. As a result of these rapes, many women have given birth to half-cast babies and are marginalized, having been driven out by their families. Most of these women, acting with financial assistance from the Kenyan authorities, have filed law suits and are seeking compensation.

In view of the anger and indignation caused by the sexual abuse of these women by European citizens as a form of entertainment, the total lack of respect for their physical and psychological integrity and the price they and their children have to pay, in terms of marginalization and expulsion by their families, for events for which they bear no responsibility, will the Commission say: Does it intend to intervene to shed light on this affair and ensure that these Kenyan women receive moral and financial compensation and that the culprits receive exemplary punishment? Furthermore, what measures does it intend to take to prevent such incidents of sexual violence and abuse of women in future which constitute flagrant violations of their human rights?