NewsA UN human rights expert called for “calm and for all sides to exercise restraint” in the Central African Republic (CAR) Thursday, according to a UN statement [press release].
Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR, “urged authorities to strengthen the protection of civilians amid an upsurge in violence across the country.” The call came in response to a series of deadly attacks in the CAR, the latest on a church in the capital Bangui [NYT report] Tuesday that killed 26.
Keita Bocoum also said the “upsurge in violence underscored the need to look at implementing a sub-regional strategy on the circulation of arms and the neutralization of armed groups” and noted the forming of an action plan for implementing a UN Security Council resolution on women, peace and security.
