UK concerned about increasing human rights violations in CAR
The CPC was formed last December before the country held its elections. The coalition launched a series of attacks against CAR’s President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s government across the Central African nation.
CAPE TOWN, March 23 (ANA) – The United Kingdom was deeply concerned about the “volatile security situation” in the Central African Republic (CAR) in the aftermath of December presidential and legislative elections, the UK’s International Human Rights Ambassador Rita French said.
“The number of reported human rights violations and abuses have significantly increased since the first round of voting, and throughout the state of emergency,” she said.
French delivered her speech on Monday during the 46th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue on the human rights situation in the CAR.
Armed attacks escalated before the country’s December 27 elections which were also mired by violence and attacks by rebel groups who sought to take control amid allegations of voting irregularities.
The human rights ambassador said armed groups, in particular the Coalition Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), are responsible for killing and abducting civilians, as well as the deaths of seven UN peacekeepers.
“They have burned down polling stations, destroyed election materials, and threatened and intimidated Central Africans, preventing them from exercising their right to vote,” French said.
“This is unacceptable.”
The CPC was formed last December before the country held its elections. The coalition launched a series of attacks against CAR’s President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s government across the Central African nation.
Touadéra was re-elected in January for a second term after securing more than 53% of the votes.
“We urge all sides to cease all attacks on civilians, humanitarian actors and peacekeeping personnel immediately, and to engage in political dialogue in good faith,” said French.
“The UK stands ready to agree appropriate measures, including UN sanctions in line with Article 35 of the Peace Agreement, in response to continued violence or further human rights violations and abuses.”
She further said the UK would welcome the Independent Expert’s assessment of the state of the Peace Agreement, and any steps the CAR government, regional partners and the international community can take to strengthen peaceful and inclusive dialogue in CAR.
The government and 14 armed groups signed the historic peace deal on February 6, 2019, under the auspices of the AU. However, some signatories have continued to violate the agreement and exploit the deal to consolidate their control over territory.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Devereaux Morkel
