UP rape and murder: 'No justification, no impunity for rapes'

A United Nations body has demanded justice for the families of the young girls raped and killed in Uttar Pradesh, saying there can be no justification for such "unspeakable crimes" against girls and women and "certainly no impunity" for those who commit such acts.

UNICEF "renews the call for justice: justice for the victims of these brutal crimes, for their families, and for the millions of girls and victims around the world who fall prey to brutal sexual violence," the UN body said, amid reports of yet another rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district.

In a statement, UNICEF said that there can be "no justification, no excuse, and certainly no impunity for such crimes, which not only harm individual girls and women but tear the very fabric of their societies.

"Such unspeakable crimes violate the most fundamental values at the heart of all human civilisation. We must condemn such violence and we must combat it wherever we find it."

Expressing regret that nothing can bring back the girls who died, UNICEF said, "we can and must recommit ourselves to realising the right of every child to live in safety and dignity. Violence against children is always wrong."

Last week UN chief Ban Ki-moon had said he was appalled by the "brutal" rape and "gruesome" murder of two teenaged girls in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district, demanding action to end the "intolerable" acts of violence against women.

The UN system in India had also condemned the gang rape and murder of the two teenaged girls.

Resident Coordinator of the UN system in India Lise Grande had called for immediate action against the perpetrators and to address violence against women and girls across India.