WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today decried the stoning death of a 13-year old rape victim in Somalia and urged the United Nations (UN) to strengthen its efforts to protect girls and women in conflict situations. In a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Senator Clinton called on the international community to do more to prevent such tragedies.

“The recent stoning death of a 13-year old rape victim in Somalia is shocking, unconscionable, and unacceptable. I am deeply disturbed by reports that when this girl turned to local authorities for assistance following her rape, she was denied protection and instead was accused of adultery and publicly executed in a stadium full of bystanders," Senator Clinton said. "The situation in Somalia is perilous, and girls and women face increased risk of violence and sexual assault. A case like this one is doubly tragic because a young girl was murdered by those whose help she sought. We cannot allow any such incidents to go unchallenged, and I would urge our government to work with the United Nations to help ensure that the protection of girls and women is given high priority in conflict situations.”

According to news reports, the 13-year old Somali girl was brutally raped by three men while traveling to visit her grandmother. When the girl turned to local authorities for assistance, she was denied protection and instead accused of adultery and publicly executed in a stadium full of bystanders.

Senator Clinton has long been a champion for the rights of women and girls around the world. As First Lady in 1995, she attended the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing and declared that "women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights." She has worked in the Senate to help secure access to health, education, and economic opportunity for women around the globe.

The text of Senator Clinton's letter follows.

November 7, 2008

His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon
Secretary General
The United Nations
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017

Dear Mr. Secretary General:

I am deeply disturbed by recent news reports of the stoning death of a 13-year-old Somali girl. The circumstances leading up to this death are particularly shocking. After being brutally raped by 3 men while traveling to visit her grandmother, the girl turned to local authorities for assistance. Instead of receiving protection, she was accused of adultery and publicly executed in a stadium full of bystanders. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has already condemned this death, and I would urge you to ensure that all organizations within the UN system strengthen their efforts to protect girls and women in conflict situations.

The situation in Somalia is perilous. The nation is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, with almost half of the population in need of food assistance. Amnesty International reports that aid and human rights workers are at risk for killings and abduction, limiting their ability to provide aid to the millions in need. Girls and women are at increased risk of sexual assault and violence.

However, we cannot let worsening conditions further jeopardize children, particularly those who seek protection from authorities after they themselves have been attacked. The tragic death of this girl cannot be left unchallenged; those that perpetrated such a crime must know that the world has condemned their actions. I hope that the United Nations will work with countries around the world to protect the rights of girls and women and ensure their safety in conflict situations.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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