New York/The Hague/Bangui, 26 November 2013

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) is deeply concerned at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Central African Republic, in particular in recent weeks.

PGA aligns itself with the many Statements made, including by the EU and the United Nations, seeking prompt international and regional attention and action to ward off a human tragedy of epic proportions. Words must now be swiftly translated into action and PGA calls for the immediate deployment of an international and/or regional military force to prevent still further violence and bloodshed in the Central African Republic.

PGA also calls for (1) the prompt and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2121 of 10 October 2013 pertaining to the situation in the Central African Republic (2) full respect for international law and the halting of all further acts of violence of any kind and (3) an immediate end to exports or transfers of arms and weapons to the Central African Republic other than those that may be needed by an international or regional peacekeeping force

In this regard, PGA observes that the ICC has jurisdiction over serious crimes of international concern that have been or may be committed in the territory of the Central African Republic, in accordance with the Rome Statute of the ICC. In her Statement on the Situation in the Central African Republic of 7th August, 2013, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, noted in no uncertain terms that her “…Office will do its part in investigating and prosecuting those most responsible for the commission of serious crimes, if necessary. Our past activities, notably the prosecution of Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba, have shown that we will not hesitate do so. My Office continues to closely monitor the situation and allegations of crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction.” [See full statement here]

PGA, as always, stands in solidarity with the PGA National Group in the National Assembly of The Central African Republic - comprised of 54 members from a multi-party group - and expresses its unwavering support for the people and the representatives of the democratic institutions of the Central African Republic.

Our thoughts are with all of the People of the Central African Republic at this time of great personal suffering and uncertainty.

Statements by PGA Members:

Mr. Ross Robertson MP (New Zealand), PGA President

"The current situation in the Central African Republic provokes only alarm and deep despair. Fresh, ever more harrowing reports emerge daily now, suggesting only continuing exacerbation of an already profoundly grave set of circumstances on the ground. The sands of time are fast slipping away. Further to UN Security Council Resolution 2121 of 10 October 2013, PGA calls on all sides within the Central African Republic to immediately de-escalate hostilities and refrain from all acts of violence. PGA similarly calls on all UN Member States to support the Government of France in its vigorous efforts to reverse the growing tide of appalling and increasingly depraved, murderous violence now engulfing the Central African Republic. Winston Churchill once observed "Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it" Has the international community and the Member States of the United Nations so quickly forgotten events in Rwanda of barely 20 years ago? Are not the warning signs emanating from the Central African Republic these past few weeks all pointing in one similar, devastating, direction? Now is the time for decisive action, not prevarication and vacillation."

Mr. Felipe Michelini, MP (Uruguay), Convenor, PGA International Law and Human Rights Program

“I am deeply concerned about the dramatic deterioration of the situation which risks to spiral out of control if we continue to look the other way. The serious reports of crimes committed in the Central African Republic are appalling and need to be addressed through genuine investigations and prosecutions by the National authorities and the International Criminal Court, which has jurisdiction over international crimes, as Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has continuously recalled. We, the international community, need to act and take responsibility to put an end to the unspeakable atrocities and to support the Central African Republic population so that the situation in the country does not remain another forgotten crisis.”

Mr. Lamine Thiam MP (Senegal), Convenor, PGA International Peace and Security Program

"I am profoundly worried and troubled by the continuing serious deterioration of the situation in Central African Republic. In this regard, I urge all those in a position to do so, to move swiftly and decisively to halt this precipitous, downward, but still unchecked spiral into massive violence and loss of human life. The international community has a deep moral responsibility to demonstrate that we have truly learned from past inaction and mistakes and that we therefore do not allow apathy and inaction to triumph once again when faced with a grave human crisis - with devastating consequences for us all."