UN condemns human rights abuses in Central African republic

United Nations officials on Monday condemned continued human rights abuses in the Central African Republic (CAR) and called for a stronger response to prevent further human suffering. Ban "strongly condemned continued and widespread violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated by all actors, and stressed that the perpetrators should be held accountable and brought to justice," in a statement delivered by Michael Moller, the acting Director-General of the U.N. Office in Geneva, during the special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council. The Council also urged the parties in the CAR to protect all civilians, in particular women and children from violence, and emphasized the need for all sides to facilitate humanitarian access for the United Nations and other relief organizations for all persons in need of assistance.