Central African Republic: Security Council authorizes MISCA and France's troops, but still no UN peacekeeping mission

PARIS, France, December 5, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution today providing technical and financial support to MISCA, the African Union’s peacekeeping force currently being deployed in the Central African Republic (CAR). The resolution also authorized the deployment of more French troops to the country to help quell the escalating violence and inter-religious attacks.

Given the complicated task of stabilizing the CAR, FIDH has repeatedly called for the immediate deployment of a UN-led peacekeeping mission to this country, but the UNSC did not authorize such a UN force at this time. Nevertheless, the UNSC resolution does contain some other important elements that FIDH called for in an open letter this past week, including plans to reform the national security forces, monitor and protect human rights in the country, and the need to fight against impunity for the most serious crimes, including sexual crimes.

“The security situation in the CAR is deteriorating every day, with civilians facing increasing attacks by armed groups and no functioning national security forces to protect them,” stated Karim Lahidji, FIDH President. “The UN must give its full support to MISCA and France’s forces in the CAR, and begin preparations as soon as possible to create a UN peacekeeping mission that will be able to address the long-term issues of political transition and justice for human rights violations.”, he added.

The UNSC resolution passed today also calls for the creation of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate violations of international law by all parties throughout the country, and leaves open the possibility of imposing sanctions on those found to be responsible for these crimes.

Given the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in CAR, and the risk this poses for spreading violence and instability in neighboring countries, FIDH calls for increased UN engagement in the CAR, especially in terms of protecting civilians from violence and fighting impunity for human rights violations.