New York/The Hague, 30 July 2014:

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) welcomes the cease fire agreement signed on 23 July 2014 between ex-Seleka, anti-Balaka, and other armed groups for the Central African Republic. Signed in the capital of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville, under the mediation of the President Sassou Nguesso, this agreement was reached after a three day forum where CAR’s interim president, Catherine Samba-Panza, other heads of State, civil society representatives, political parties, armed groups and refugees were present.

PGA recognizes the importance of this agreement as the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Central African Republic has long been the source of deep concern for its members. Indeed, PGA has issued various statements (November 2013, March 2014) and called for action (February 2014) of the international community to stop and put an end to the impunity of the atrocities committed in the CAR territory, welcoming therefore  the decision by the Office of the Prosecution to open an investigation on 7 February 2014 and the referral made by CAR on 30 May 2014.

PGA notes with serious concern allegations made that the cease fire has already been broken and that violence has restarted in various areas of the territory and therefore calls on all armed actors in this long lasting and complex conflict to exercise restraint and respect the terms of the agreement. Cooperation in good faith by all parties is necessary for the cease fire agreement to be effective and conducive to long term peace.
As done in the past, PGA also calls for:
 

• the prompt and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2121 of 10 October 2013 pertaining to the situation in the Central African Republic,
• full respect for international law and the halting of all further acts of violence of any kind, and
• 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

PGA further notes that the ICC has jurisdiction over the most 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. Ms. Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of the ICC, in her Statement on the Situation in the Central African Republic has urged all groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) engaged in the on-going conflict to immediately cease the violence and has warned that those alleged to be committing crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be held individually accountable. [See full statement here]

PGA remains committed to the fight against impunity in CAR through its Campaign for the effectiveness and universality of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the members of the PGA CAR group who remain mobilized to take relevant action.

Statement by Chair of the PGA National Group in CAR, Hon. Marcel Djimasse: “It was about time for this cease-fire to be signed, as the people of the CAR has already suffered long enough from this crisis. However, while it is certainly a very important development in order to protect civilians and break these continuous cycles of violence, it is also of outmost importance to address the issue of accountability and ensure that the that perpetrators of international crimes that have been and are being committed in the territory of CAR are brought to justice without any further delay.”

Statement by Dip. Felipe Michelini, PGA Member and Covenor of the International Law and Human Rights Program: “I warmly receivethese good news, but I am also well aware and concerned that the agreement will not succeed unless all parties are truly committed to respect such agreement and take concrete, timely and meaningful steps for its full and immediate implementation. I have been and continue to be very concerned regarding the deterioration of the situation which has led the loss of so many civilian lives and casualties.”

About PGA
Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) is the largest transnational network of Members of Parliaments from all regions of the world who, in their individual capacity, support the effective operation of the ICC and domestic jurisdictions to end impunity. The PGA network is supported by a small secretariat that facilitates the cooperation and exchange by member MPs to achieve these goals and provides technical assistance regarding legal advice and project management. The PGA Complementarity Project for the DRC and Uganda receives the support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Members of PGA have contributed to 76 of the 122 ratifications of, or accession to the Rome Statute to date. PGA is a member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition for the ICC. The PGA Campaign for the Universality and Effectiveness of the Rome Statute system receives support from the European Commission, European Union and the Governments of The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Estonia, as well as from Humanity United. In addition PGA benefits form the core funding form SIDA, DANIDA and Liechtenstein.