The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday reiterated its decision to apply the asset freeze and travel ban on individuals and entities engaging in or providing support for acts undermining the peace and stability in the Central African Republic (CAR).
In a statement read out by Council President, Romàn Marchesi, members also reiterated that those responsible for the recent violence, both perpetrators and those otherwise participating, should be held accountable.
The Council strongly condemned such violence, including all attacks against civilians, inter-communal violence, targeted violence against women and children, lootings of humanitarian premises and attacks against United Nations peacekeepers.
“The Security Council emphasises that some of these attacks may constitute war crimes and that those responsible for all abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable.
“Members reiterate their strong condemnation of all violations of applicable international law and demand that all parties concerned strictly comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable.
“The Security Council reiterates its support for the Transitional Authorities, under the leadership of Catherine Samba-Panza as the Transitional Head of State,” Marchesi said.
The president of 15-Member body also reiterated that some recent acts of violence might amount to crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which the country was a party.
He said that members agreed that all those who sought to weaken the Transitional Government from within and outside the CAR must cease all violence and destabilising activities immediately, the Council demanded.
Marchesi said: “they must lay down their arms and implement fully the agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities and Violence, signed on July 23, 2014 in Brazzaville, Congo.
“They must also implement the agreement on the principles of disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and security sector reform, adopted at the Bangui Forum in May.”
The Council called upon the Transitional Authorities to launch, with technical assistance from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), investigations to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
It also reiterated the “critical importance and urgency” of upcoming elections to be held by the end of 2015 in a free, fair and transparent manner.
This, they said must be inclusive of all components of society, in accordance with the Transitional Constitutional Charter.
The Council encouraged countries in the region to further use their leverage and regional meetings to encourage progress on the transition and towards the elections.
Members also encouraged countries in the region to prevent “spoilers” within and outside the CAR from attempting to disrupt those processes. (NAN)
