The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) "strongly condemns" the recent military takeover in Central African Republic, according to its newly published statement.

The ACHPR "strongly condemns this military takeover and underscores that the loss of lives is a serious violation of the rights guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights which was ratified by the Central African Republic on 26 April 1986," it noted in the statement received here on Thursday.

The commission, which has its office in the Gambian capital Banjul, also condemns the pillaging and armed violence experienced by the people of Central African Republic, demanding that the perpetrators of these acts be brought before the competent courts.

The commission calls on those responsible for the military takeover to take necessary measures to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of citizens across the country, emphasizing that Central African Republic has to comply with its regional and international human rights commitments.

The commission says the military takeover of power by the Seleka rebels is unconstitutional and violates the democratic principles and values upheld by the African Union in its Constitutive Act, the Lome Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance ratified by Central African Republic.

The commission calls on the international community, in particular the AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), to take necessary steps towards the restoration of constitutional order and for the implementation of the Libreville Agreements signed on Jan. 11 towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Central African Republic.