Wednesday, April 9, 2014

No justice for Muslims in CAR, HRW official says



A Human Rights Watch official says there is no justice for Muslims in the conflict-ridden Central African Republic (CAR).



Philippe Bolopion, the United Nations director for Human Rights Watch, made the remarks, after he returned from the country, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.


Bolopion said he showed enlarged photos of a Muslim man being stabbed and stomped to death by soldiers in the capital Bangui to CAR high-ranking officials last week, asking them what was being done to bring the perpetrators to justice.


In response, the country’s chief prosecutor told him that he had the names of those responsible for the February 5 attack, “but nobody will arrest them.”


The atrocities take place despite the intervention of French troops in the former colony.


On December 5, France invaded the CAR after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to the country.


Many believe the French troops, known as the Sangaris, turn a blind eye to Christian militia, an accusation Paris rejects.


There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.


NT/AS/MHB



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