Boxer Resolution Condemning Violence in Guinea Passes Foreign Relations Committee

Washington, DC– Today, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bipartisan resolution written by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) condemning the public rape of women and the murder of more than 150 political protestors in Guinea on September 28, 2009.

A bipartisan group of senators joined Senator Boxer’s effort. Her resolution is cosponsored by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Claire McCaskill (D-MO),Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bob Corker (R-TN) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

Senator Boxer said, “These horrific acts are unacceptable and we must make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. We must continue to shine a light on violence against women around the world until we end it once and for all.”

The resolution calls for an immediate end to violence – including gender-based violence – by security forces in Guinea and the prosecution of those who orchestrated or carried out the violence. It also encourages the Obama administration to work with world leaders to consider measures against Guinean officials complicit in the violence, continue to fight for women’s rights around the world, and help ensure credible elections in Guinea.

You can view the full text of the Senators’ resolution here.

Senator Boxer chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy, and Global Women’s Issues.

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