Amnesty concerned over Chad refugees

London, 16 March-(ANA)-Amnesty international has expressed concern that refugees, internally displaced persons  and other vulnerable civilians could be at risk in eastern Chad and northern Central African Republic (CAR)  following the withdrawal of  the European Union Mission  on 15 March.

In an open letter the UN security council, Amnesty said the transition period before the full deployment of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) can produce a security and protection vacuum and jeopardize the fragile stability gained with the EUFOR presence in the region.

The Security Council should seriously take into consideration developments in the political and security situations in Chad, Sudan and the Central African Republic in order to prevent any risk to the safety of civilians living in the region, amnesty said.(ANA)

FA/ANA/16 March 2009---