[JURIST] The UN Security Council [official website] on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution [press release] which extends the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) and imposes travel bans and asset freezes on those suspected of war crimes in the CAR. The resolution authorizes the International Support Mission in the CAR (MISCA) and EU military personnel “to take all necessary measures,” including the use of force, in maintaining security and combating the “increasing cycle of violence and retaliation” flowing from continued sectarian conflict within the CAR. According to the UN, Christian and Muslim militias continually clash, and violence often befalls civilians. Reports show the conflict has forced children to abandon their homes where they are later recruited by the armed groups. The mandate calls on CAR authorities to assist in any way in restoring order and the rule of law.

International concern continues to grow in the wake of reports of gross human rights violations in CAR since the Seleka rebel forces seized the nations capital in March of 2013. In January the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng warned [JURIST report] that urgent national and international action is necessary to stop the violence in CAR. Also, the UN reported last week that more than 6,000 child soldiers may be involved [JURIST report] in the conflict in the CAR. Earlier this month the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons urged [JURIST report] the international community to assist the approximately 1 million individuals who have been internally displaced by the ongoing violence in CAR. In December UNICEF issued a report [JURIST report] detailing horrific attacks against children in CAR. Also in December the UN Security Council voted unanimously [JURIST report] to authorize the deployment of peacekeepers to CAR. In November UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned [JURIST report] that the continued violence between militias, rebels and government forces in CAR threatened to lead the country into renewed conflict. UN Sectetary General Ban Ki-moon condemned [JURIST report] the coup by the Seleka rebels last March and advocated for a “swift restoration of constitutional order.”