Rights expert commends peace efforts in Central African Republic
Bangui, Central African Reoublic (PANA) - An expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council has urged the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to continue efforts towards peace and stability.
Yao Agbetse, Independent Expdrt on human rights in the CAR, concluded a 10-day visit to the country on Tuesday, a UN statement said.
He welcomed efforts by the Government to extend security to significant parts of the territory, while highlighting remaining challenges beyond urban areas.
“Despite progress, daily insecurity persists due to armed groups entrenched in remote regions, particularly forests and mining sites,” he said in a statement.
The rights expert addressed recent incidents, such as an attack on the village of Nzakoundou, located in Lim-Pendé prefecture, where the 3Rs armed group allegedly targeted army checkpoints, resulting in casualties and civilian deaths.
Condemning the violence, he stressed the importance of holding perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity to account.
“The use of explosive devices in various prefectures has further aggravated the situation, causing civilian casualties, with children being particularly affected, and disrupting essential activities such as schooling and agricultural activities,” he added.
He also called for support for demining efforts, urging technical and financial partners to provide assistance to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and to integrate demining specialists into the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSCA.
Independent experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.
They receive their mandates from the Council, are not UN staff and receive no payment for their work.
-0- PANA MA 28Feb2024
