Rape Used as Weapon in DR Congo

This is so sad and tragic, it breaks my heart

The laws as intepreted in the Congo prevent prosecution. Prosecutions of sexual violence in both military and civilian courts in Congo are hindered by outdated laws, the widespread impunity of combatants from justice, a refusal to recognize the serious nature of sexual offenses and insufficient attention to the needs of the victims. 

The crimes of sexual violence under international humanitarian law have been mischaracterized as attacks against the honor of women or an outrage on personal dignity, as opposed to attacks on physical integrity. This approach diminishes the serious nature of the crime and contributes to the widespread misperception of rape as an attack on honor that is an "incidental" or "lesser" crime relative to crimes such as torture or enslavement.

Interpol which is the largest international policing group and the U.N. are partnering to step up its efforts to battle crime worldwide, claiming the need for its own special passports, shared global DNA and biometric information databases, cooperation with the UN’s military arm and much more. It is the first step toward creating what Interpol calls a "global policing doctrine."

The following is from the New American that is opposed to furthering the powers of Interpol and the U.N. citing these organizations are governed by the U.S. Constitution.  They do not address the abuses of women and children in war zones.

“As the world’s largest police organization, Interpol needs to remain at the forefront of all activity which enhances member country security and safety,” explained Interpol President Khoo Boon Hui. The organization — officially known as 'THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION - INTERPOL' — is comprised of more than 180 member nations, including a wide array of repressive regimes like China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Sri Lanka (which is currently operating concentration camps), and even Zimbabwe. It was originally founded in 1923 and is based in Lyon, France.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/world/europe/12iht-interpol.html?_r=2

Congo is a member of Interpol that currently has 188 members internationally.

Considering the rise in terrorism, perhaps an international policing agency could at least contribute to the investigation and intelligence gathering of terrorists.  If Interpol is in partership with the U.N., there would be a check and balance system that could protect compromising sovereighty of participating nations and countries. 

Interpol is a policing agency without conventional police powers.  The functional abilities are its strength.  For example, it has its own communications network and operates systems for gathering, storing and exchanging information on criminal intelligence globally.  They make this information available to member nations and makes legal action possible against criminals that might otherwise be immune. They are also uniquely capable of intiating action some forms of crime where no nation agency is able to do so.  It can set a pattern to follow as in the cases of civil aircraft hijacking and theft or the confiscation of assets that are generated by major criminal enterprises.

So, instead of interventions that we control and we pay for and we man as well, we let "other people" make us spend our money and control how we do it and demand our manpower as well?

The U.S. does not operate in a vacuum, and we cooperate with international entities globally already. 

I would not favor "individual" control of anything that effects our country or any other country, but if a cooperative effort can bring about the adherence to the Geneva Convention and its subsequent articles then working toward this end is in the best interests of the international community.