Central ND News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer and several of his colleagues have sent a letter to Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), expressing their condemnation of the UN's response to Hamas' sexual violence against women in Israel. The bipartisan letter, led by Senator Joni Ernst and Senator Jacky Rosen, calls for an independent investigation into the sexual violence committed by Hamas.

In the letter, the senators highlight the fact that the use of sexual violence is a war crime under international law, as affirmed by multiple UN Security Council Resolutions. They argue that Hamas' campaign of systematic sexual violence on October 7, 2023, clearly meets this standard. The senators express their concern over the bias and unfair singling out of Israel by the Commission of Inquiry (COI), and urge for the establishment of an independent fact-finding effort to collect testimonies from survivors and witnesses of Hamas' sexual violence.

"The UN's delay in denouncing Hamas' sexual violence and rape on October 7 is a moral failure," the senators state. They criticize the appointment of the one-sided COI to investigate these atrocities, as it undermines the credibility of the effort and creates the potential for biased outcomes. The senators emphasize the need for justice for the victims and survivors and call on Guterres to launch a full and independent investigation into Hamas' brutal campaign of sexual violence against Israeli women.

The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of senators, including Kirsten Gillibrand, Susan Collins, Ben Cardin, Shelley Moore Capito, Kyrsten Sinema, Katie Boyd Britt, Tammy Duckworth, James Risch, Maggie Hassan, Richard Blumenthal, Lisa Murkowski, Cory Booker, Deb Fischer, Bob Casey, Mike Crapo, John Fetterman, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy, Joe Manchin, James Lankford, Ron Wyden, Rick Scott, Dan Sullivan, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Jerry Moran, Bill Hagerty, Roger Wicker, and Marsha Blackburn.

This letter highlights the senators' concerns about the UN's response to Hamas' sexual violence against women and calls for immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims. The senators argue that an independent investigation is necessary to ensure unbiased outcomes and to support the survivors. They await a response from Guterres and hope for swift action on this matter.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-colleagues-condemn-inaction-of-un-regarding-hamas-sexual-violence-against-women