UN Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert’s oral update on Central African Republic
The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered this statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert’s oral update on Central African Republic.
Thank you, Madam President.
The United Kingdom welcomes the Independent Expert’s sobering report, which shows the continued deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Since December 2020, outbreaks of violence have forced thousands more civilians to flee, leaving much of the population still in need of humanitarian assistance.
There is overwhelming evidence that parties to the conflict have committed widespread and multiple human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, including acts of sexual violence and prevention of humanitarian access. Armed group signatories to the Peace Agreement were responsible for these acts of violence as were members of the national armed forces and bilaterally deployed forces.
The United Kingdom calls on all parties to the conflict to cease all forms of violence immediately. We urge the CAR government and MINUSCA to investigate all allegations of atrocities and to take preventive action. This is essential to reaching a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.
Madam President,
We would like to ask the Independent Expert for his view on the long-term viability of the Peace Agreement and the effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms in CAR to prevent further atrocities.
Thank you.