Central Africa
Middle (Central) Africa
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
The situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to worsen, and civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict and the absence of rule of law in the country. On 10 October, the Security Council updated and reinforced the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) through the adoption of resolution 2121 (2013). However, to implement the new mandate, the Mission will need considerable extra resources in order to “monitor, help investigate and report to the Council” on any abuses or violations of international human rights or humanitarian law committed anywhere in the country. In order to do this, there must be gender advisers, and deployment of women protection advisers and child protection advisers, to focus on violations and abuses committed against children and women, including all forms of sexual violence in armed conflict, as stated in SCR 2121 (2013). The Council should ensure these extra resources are forthcoming and maintained moving forward in order to ensure women are not only protected, but their participation in any peace process, as well as peacebuilding efforts and future elections, is supported to the fullest extent. The Security Council should be ready to swiftly consider the options to be presented by the Secretary-General for MISCA to allow for this force to deploy in adequate numbers and with the necessary training, resources and capacity to protect civilians from harm, with the strict application of the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. The Council should seriously consider the possibility of transforming MISCA into a United Nations peacekeeping operation, without delay, if this would be the most effective tool for the protection of the civilian population in the CAR and the promotion and protection of its human rights. The Council should inquire into accountability for atrocities committed by all armed groups and security forces operating in the country, and reinforce efforts to ensure justice systems are re-established and investigations and prosecutions are conducted according to international standards. With the support of international forces operating in the CAR, the Council should press the authorities to make sure that those persons under arrest warrants by the ICC are apprehended and transferred to the Court.