Title: Congratulating Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for receiving the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for their advocacy on behalf of the millions who have suffered from sexual violence as a result of conflict, and for other purposes.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution congratulates Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for receiving the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for their work helping those affected by sexual violence during conflict. It also denounces governments and militaries that engage in crimes against humanity and calls for continued efforts and funding to prevent the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and to hold individuals accountable for such actions.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1147 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1147

Congratulating Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for receiving the 2018 
Nobel Peace Prize for their advocacy on behalf of the millions who have 
 suffered from sexual violence as a result of conflict, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 14, 2018

  Ms. Moore (for herself, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. 
McGovern, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. Norton, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. 
Clarke of New York, and Mr. Cohen) submitted the following resolution; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Congratulating Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for receiving the 2018 
Nobel Peace Prize for their advocacy on behalf of the millions who have 
 suffered from sexual violence as a result of conflict, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas sexual violence as a result of conflict remains a serious, present-day 
        atrocity affecting millions of people, primarily women and girls;
Whereas according to the United Nations, sexual violence has been reported 
        against women, during and after conflicts, in every international or 
        non-international war-zone;
Whereas combatants use sexual violence, including rape and sexual enslavement, 
        to terrorize communities, recruit new fighters, and generate revenues 
        and income;
Whereas according to experts, a host of state and non-state armed groups or 
        multinational forces have committed conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas according to experts, conflict-related sexual violence has become a key 
        part of extremist groups, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the 
        Levant (ISIL) and Boko Haram in Nigeria;
Whereas ISIL subjected large numbers of women and girls from ethnic and 
        religious communities in Iraq, including the Yezidi community, to 
        conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas ISIL subjected women, girls, men, and boys to various forms of conflict-
        related sexual violence, including rape and sexual enslavement, physical 
        and psychological violence, and human trafficking;
Whereas according to the United Nations, ISIL abducted approximately 6,417 
        people (3,547 women and 2,870 men) from Iraq's Yezidi community between 
        August 2014 and July 2017, and the impact of these horrific acts are 
        felt by such women and men, as well as children and the broader Yezidi 
        community;
Whereas reported numbers of abduction, when available, often underestimate the 
        prevalence of sexual violence due to fear, reprisals, and stigma;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1888 (2009) reaffirmed that 
        sexual violence, when used or commissioned as a tactic of war to 
        deliberately target civilians or as a part of a widespread or systematic 
        attack against civilian populations, can significantly exacerbate 
        conflicts and may impede the restoration of international peace and 
        security;
Whereas Security Council Resolution 1888 further affirmed that effective steps 
        to both prevent and respond to sexual violence can significantly 
        contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security;
Whereas this year's Nobel Peace Prize honors the efforts of two outstanding 
        individuals, Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, who both have worked to 
        help heal individuals and communities affected by sexual violence;
Whereas the recipients of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize vigorously fought to obtain 
        justice for those most affected by sexual violence during conflict;
Whereas the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) has been called one of 
        the worst places in the world to be a woman due to a surge of sexual 
        violence linked to longstanding conflict;
Whereas in 2010, the United Nations estimated 1,100 rapes were reported each 
        month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an average of 36 
        women and girls raped every day;
Whereas Dr. Mukwege was inspired by his father, a Pentecostal pastor, who 
        instilled in him the importance of caring for the sick;
Whereas Dr. Mukwege studied gynecology and obstetrics at the University of 
        Angers in France to improve conditions for women sexually assaulted 
        during conflict, including by addressing limited access to care and 
        complicated deliveries;
Whereas Dr. Mukwege founded the Panzi Foundation in 1999 in the Democratic 
        Republic of the Congo to treat women who have been sexually assaulted 
        with world-renowned care and to positively impact the community;
Whereas Dr. Mukwege and his staff have tended to tens of thousands of sexual 
        violence survivors;
Whereas Dr. Mukwege reportedly said upon finding out he won the 2018 Nobel Peace 
        Prize, ``Dear survivors around the world, I want to tell you that 
        through this prize the world is listening to you and refuses 
        indifference. . . . We hope that the world will no longer delay taking 
        action in your favor, with force and determination, because the survival 
        of humanity depends on you. It's you women who carry humanity.'';
Whereas Nadia Murad was held captive in Iraq by ISIL in 2014 for not practicing 
        Islam and was abused during her detention, but used her experience to 
        become an advocate and spokeswoman against sexual violence;
Whereas Nadia Murad is a 2016 recipient of the United Nations' first Goodwill 
        Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking;
Whereas Nadia Murad is an activist for the Yezidi community;
Whereas Nadia Murad is the first Iraqi to receive the Nobel Peace Prize; and
Whereas despite the outstanding work of these two individuals, millions of 
        women, men, and children are victims of sexual violence from conflict 
        each year: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates Dr. Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for 
        receiving the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for their actions to help 
        those affected by and to speak out against the perpetrators of 
        sexual violence during conflict;
            (2) recognizes Dr. Mukwege and Nadia Murad's hard work, 
        personal experiences, and passion for advocacy on behalf of the 
        millions who have suffered from sexual violence as a result of 
        conflict;
            (3) denounces those actors, including governments and 
        militaries that sanction, support, or engage in horrific crimes 
        against humanity and urges action by the international 
        community, including the United States, to hold individuals 
        accountable for these horrific crimes of sexual violence;
            (4) reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the United 
        States efforts to prevent sexual violence as a weapon of war, 
        protect victims and communities, and punish offenders; and
            (5) calls for continued attention, funding, and leadership 
        from the United States and the international community to help 
        prevent sexual violence as a weapon of war.
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