Mr. Chair, Canada shares the serious concern expressed by the United Nations Security Council in its resolution 2134 with regard to the continuing deterioration of the security situation in the Central African Republic and by the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. We are particularly alarmed by the increasing cycle of violence and retaliation in the Central African Republic and the risk of further deterioration of the situation. There are credible reports of a total breakdown in law and order and widespread human rights abuses.
The prosecutor of the ICC has opened a preliminary examination into the current situation in the Central African Republic in order to determine if a formal investigation into these allegations of killings, rape, destruction of property, pillaging, torture, forced displacement, and recruitment of children in hostilities is required.