U.S. Statement at the UPR of the Central African Republic
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – 17th Session
Intervention for the Central African Republic
As delivered by Aleks Needham
UN Human Rights Council
Geneva,
October 25, 2013
The United States welcomes the delegation of the Central African Republic to the UPR Working Group and thanks them for their presentation today.
We are deeply concerned by reports of human rights violations and abuses committed by members of the Seleka rebel alliance and others. The transitional government must hold responsible parties accountable. We are concerned about the current transitional government’s ability to provide adequate protection to individuals in the country, including women, children, and members of all ethnic and religious groups.
We call on the Central African Republic to adhere to the Ndjamena Declaration and the Transitional Charter, which call for free, fair, and transparent elections by February 2015 and bar members of the transitional government from running for office.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that the Central African Republic:
- Support full, immediate, safe, and unfettered humanitarian access throughout the country; and ensure the protection of civilian populations, including vulnerable groups, through the immediate restoration of law and order;
- Fund and support the National Commission of Inquiry to investigate and prosecute, as appropriate, parties responsible for abuses committed during the conflict;
- Design and implement vetting procedures to ensure that Seleka members responsible for abuses are not integrated into the armed forces and to follow its obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict when considering any recruitment or use of children.
Thank you, Mr. Vice President.