Ros-Lehtinen: Joseph Kony ‘Evil,’ Must Be Held Accountable for Massive Crimes against Civilians in Uganda, Central Africa

Ros-Lehtinen: Joseph Kony ‘Evil,’ Must Be Held Accountable for Massive Crimes against Civilians in Uganda, Central Africa

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today reiterated her support for efforts to remove the threat of Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which have perpetrated unspeakable atrocities against civilian communities in Uganda and other Central African nations. The LRA is largely comprised of children abducted by Kony and forced to carry out horrific acts of violence. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Joseph Kony is an evil mass-murderer whose unspeakable crimes against innocent civilians, particularly children, span decades. The sole purpose of the Lord’s Resistance Army is to kill, maim, and cause suffering. It is responsible for widespread atrocities including mass murders, abductions, mutilations, and sexual enslavement, many of which are committed by children who were abducted and forced into the LRA’s ranks.

“I am grateful for the recent efforts of so many on social media outlets to raise awareness about Kony, his brutal acts, and the need to bring him to justice. Kony will go down in history as one of the most brutal human rights abusers the world has ever seen. We must never give up on our efforts to hold him accountable for his unspeakable actions.”

NOTE: In October, Ros-Lehtinen held a Committee hearing examining the implementation of the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. To view a video of Ros-Lehtinen’s statement at the hearing, please click here. To view a video of Ros-Lehtinen’s statement in support of the Act, which became law in 2010, please click here.

Ros-Lehtinen also signed a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressing concerns about the atrocities being carried out by the LRA, and urging U.S. leadership to prevent further violence in Central Africa. Click here to view the letter.