Amnesty slams CAR over human rights

Amnesty International says the Central African Republic is a “black hole” when it comes to human rights.

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Libreville - The Central African Republic is a human rights “black hole”, Amnesty International said on Thursday, accusing the government there of failing to end decades of violence and protect civilians.

“The CAR covers an enormous territory and most of it is a black hole in terms of human rights,” the London-based rights group's Central Africa researcher Godfrey Byaruhanga said in a statement.

“At least 14 armed groups are currently operating in the country yet the government has consistently shown itself to be incapable or unwilling to take action to protect its citizens,” he said.

Amnesty said frequent amnesties included in ceasefire or peace deals with the various rebel groups, as well as a failure to prosecute any government security officials over suspected war crimes encourages all sides to continue.

“Grave human rights violations, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, are committed with appalling frequency but the justice vacuum that exists in CAR means there's no end in sight,” Byaruhanga said.

Earlier this month, Washington announced it was sending 100 troops to root out the remnants of the Lord's Resistance Army, originally a Ugandan rebel group which is now sowing terror across the region, including in the CAR.

France has also offered Bangui military assistance.

Amnesty argued it was time for more international coordination in bringing about a credible justice system in the conflict-wracked country.

“The country's international partners must now commit themselves to the implementation of new, viable measures to address this diabolical situation,” the group said. - Sapa-AFP

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/amnesty-slams-car-over-human-rights-1.1160720

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