International lawmakers call for UN action in Central African Republic

An international group of lawmakers on Wednesday called on all United Nations member states to back the French government's efforts to stop the "unspeakable horrors" happening in the Central African Republic. The African nation appeared to be "on the verge of genocide," according to the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). "The current situation in the Central African Republic is alarming. Reports are emerging almost daily of an escalation of an already profoundly grave set of circumstances on the ground," PGA president and New Zealand Member of Parliament Ross Robertson said in a statement. Further to a UN Security Council resolution, Robertson called on all sides in the Central African Republic to immediately curb hostilities and refrain from all acts of violence. He also called on all UN member states to support the French government in its efforts to reverse "the growing tide of appalling and murderous violence." France has already sent 400 servicemen to the Central African Republic where sectarian clashes forced thousands of people to flee violence after rebels overthrew former president Francois Bozize in March.