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Central African Republic: All stakeholders must act to end impunity, says UN expert

 

BANGUI (18 February 2022) – A UN human rights expert today urged all necessary steps be taken to end impunity in the Central African Republic to ensure lasting peace in the country, and expressed the need to strengthen efforts to provide more holistic responses to victims.

 

Following a seven-day official visit to the country, the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, Yao Agbetse, called on authorities to provide the transitional justice institutions, particularly the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission (CVJRR), and the Special Criminal Court with adequate resources.

 

"It is important that these institutions be provided with adequate resources to carry out their missions,” Agbetse said in a statement (French only). “In this regard, prompt and substantial assistance from international partners is essential. The CVJRR must be provided with a headquarters without delay in order to carry out its activities, and its independence must be assured.”

 

During the visit, the UN expert met State authorities, justice institutions, UN agencies and bodies, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Central African and international civil society organizations, media and humanitarian workers.

 

Agbetse said he received testimonies reporting abuses committed against civilians by all parties to the conflict, including Russian security contractors deployed under an agreement between the Governments of CAR and the Russian Federation. He cited instances of sexual violence, acts of intimidation, destruction of homes, threats, racketeering, as well as acts of torture, cruel, humiliating, inhuman and degrading treatment.

 

“It is urgent that appropriate measures be taken, in the short term, to put an end to these violations of the rights of the civilian population,” he said. 

 

The Independent Expert said he was informed that while the armed groups' capacity to cause harm had been greatly reduced, they continued to pose threats to the population. They continue to make day and night raids on villages and collect taxes on the roads.

 

He expressed concerns about the use of explosive devices in the west of the country, particularly in the localities of Kaga-Bandoro, Baboua, Niem-Yéléwa, and Boda. It is urgent that the international community support that the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSCA) and the humanitarian community in demining these areas, the UN expert added.

 

Agbetse urged the authorities to make education, technical and agricultural education, and vocational training a priority to promote the participation of youth in the decision-making process.

 

He also called on the international community to continue to support the timely organization of local elections in 2022. “All actors, including political parties and the media, should refrain from hate speech, avoid inciting violence, and avoid using manipulation and disinformation,” he said. “The necessary measures for free, transparent and peaceful elections must be taken now with the participation of women (quota of at least 35 percent) and youth."

 

ENDS

 

Mr. Yao Agbetse (Togo), Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, is a human rights lawyer, researcher and teacher who has devoted the last 25 years of his life to justice and human rights, including the rights of the child. He has implemented human rights programs at the national level and has provided legal and technical advice for the development and monitoring of national human rights laws and policies, particularly in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Togo. He has created a space and tools for dialogue and joint efforts by state actors and CSOs. In the DRC, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, it has implemented DDR programs, trained army and police chiefs, and provided support to mandate-holders and United Nations operations, including participating in the interactive dialogue under item 10 during sessions of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. He provided first-hand and factual information to UN experts to help them assess human rights challenges in different countries and made specific and workable recommendations to ensure accountability and access to Justice.

The mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic was established by the Human Rights Council on 27 September 2013.

Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. 

UN Human Rights, Country Page: Central African RepublicFor more information and media requests, please contact: Isatou Harris (+41 22 928 9422 / isatou,harris@un.org) or write to ie-car@ohchr.org

For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Jeremy Laurence (jeremy.laurence@un.org).

 

Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.

 

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