Akhir 22, 1432 H/March 27, 2011, SPA -- The EU called Sunday for the Central African Republic to respect human rights, saying that opposition officials had their movements restricted and "arbitrary detentions" had taken place, according to dpa. Catherine Ashton, the European Union's top foreign policy official, in a statement urged CAR authorities to ensure that "freedom of movement is fully guaranteed" and the release of those detained without being charged. The residents of the impoverished, land-locked country have had little to cheer about since independence from France in 1960. Self-declared emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa ruled from 1966-79, until he was overthrown in a French-backed coup. Since then, the country has struggled to escape the cycle of ousters and armed rebellion. President Francois Bozize was re-elected in February with 66 per cent of the vote, but opposition candidates alleged foul play. Bozize won the previous election in 2005 with around the same margin, which consolidated his position two years after he seized control of the country in a coup. The election came amid a backdrop of unrest from domestic armed groups despite a peace process that began in 2008, and deadly raids on CAR villages by Lord's Resistance Army, a Ugandan rebel group.
