Urgent action sought to end Central African Republic crisis

The United Nations’ top human rights official is pleading for a stronger effort to prevent Central African Republic sliding into an all-out sectarian conflict.

The country’s rebel leader-turned-president stepped down this month amid mounting criticism of his inability to stem bloodshed. More than 1,000 people have been killed since violence exploded a month ago, and nearly 1 million people have fled their homes.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Monday that “a strong and concerted nationwide effort is essential to stop CAR crossing the tipping-point into an all-out sectarian conflict.”

She told a special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council that “a more robust response to the crisis is urgently needed” and urged the international community to do more to help restore security and government authority.