The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 14th Extra-ordinary Session held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 20 to 24 July 2013
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling the obligations of the Central African Republic under the African Charter and other regional and international human rights instruments ratified by the country;
Deeply concerned by the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the Central African Republic especially in respect of the humanitarian situation since the military coup of 24 March 2013 by the Seleka rebels;
Deeply concerned by the unprecedented food crisis following the persistent insecurity which resulted in farmers abandoning their plantations and the systematic looting of food stocks by rebels;
Concerned by the serious human rights violations perpetrated by the Seleka group during their offensive against the civilian population, in particular summary execution, rape and other forms of sexual violence, acts of torture, looting and other serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law;
Recalling its statements of 27 March 2013 and 21 April 2013 in which the Commission strongly condemned “the pillaging and armed violence experienced by the people of the Central African Republic and underscored that “the perpetrators of these acts must be brought before the competent courts”;
Recalling the Roadmap adopted by the 4th Extraordinary Summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Heads of State and Government held in Ndjamena, on 18 April 2013;
Noting the establishment of a National Transition Council in charge of ensuring the democratic process;
Calls on the National Transition Council to take the necessary measures to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of citizens across the country;
Calls on the National Transition Council to take all necessary measures to ensure an immediate end to all acts of violence against the civilian population throughout the national territory, and bring the perpetrators to justice;
Further calls for the restoration of constitutional order through the organization of free, pluralistic, transparent and secured elections, and that the contesting parties, in particular parties of the opposition, are given equitable access to state controlled media and resources;
Appeals to the African Union and the international community to remain seized of the situation in the Central African Republic.
Done in Nairobi, Kenya, 24 July 2013
