MOSCOW, November 10 (RIA Novosti) — Human Rights Watch has urged the International Contact Group for the Central African Republic (CAR) to call for an end to sectarian violence in the country, a statement issued by the watchdog Monday said.
"Ending the violence against civilians in the Central African Republic should be the top priority at the contact group's first meeting in Bangui," Human Rights Watch Director for Africa Daniel Bekele said in the statement.
"This is a critical moment for international policy makers to say loudly and clearly that those who kill, torture, and rape will one day face a court of law. The time of impunity is over," he added.
The watchdog notes the Muslim Seleka insurgents, who seized power early in 2013, killed civilians, burnt and looted homes as well as committing other crimes. The situation in the Central African Republic got even worse when groups describing themselves as anti-balaka started mounting a fight against the Seleka, making attacks on Muslim civilians.
The situation continues to remain worrying despite a ceasefire being landed in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on July 23, the organization said
"The group, meeting for the first time in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, should remind all armed actors that those responsible for grave human rights abuses will be held to account," the statement warned.
The watchdog also urged the contact group to call for humanitarian organizations to be given the opportunity to reach those in need.
