Security Council Press Statement on Central African Republic

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly Churkin (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council heard a report by M. Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on the situation in the Central African Republic.  The members of the Security Council expressed strong concern at the reports of advances of armed groups towards the city of Bangui and their humanitarian consequences.  They condemned all attempts to undermine the stability of the Central African Republic.  They urged all parties to cease hostilities immediately.

The members of the Security Council called on all parties to refrain from any acts of violence against civilians, allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and to fully respect human rights and international humanitarian law.  They emphasised that those responsible for violations and abuses of international humanitarian and human rights law, including those involving violence against civilians, torture, summary executions, sexual and gender-based violence and recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, must be held accountable.  They recalled that such violations of international humanitarian law may amount to crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which the Central African Republic is a State party.

The members of the Security Council recalled the Security Council press statement of 20 March 2013 stressing the need for all parties to the Libreville agreements to fully implement their commitments.

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For information media • not an official record