International Criminal Court (ICC)
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: ICC opens war crimes preliminary investigation
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR). ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said her office has reviewed reports detailing acts of extreme brutality by various groups, including hundreds of killings, cases of rape and sexual slavery, destruction of property, pillaging, torture, forced displacement, and recruitment and use of children in hostilities. The violent conflict in the Central African Republic between the Government and the Séléka coalition of rebel groups has lasted for over a year. According to Médecins Sans Frontières, all communities are affected by the violence, although lately there have been collective reprisals against Muslims. About 30,000 refugees have fled to Chad and 10,000 to Cameroon. (ICC, BBC, 07/02/14, Hirondelle News, 08/02/14, Jurist, 10/02/14)