At the end of her seventh visit in Central African Republic, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, expressed her concern about the threats from armed groups affiliated with Anti-Balaka and ex-Selekas and large-scale banditry to the protection of civilians, natural resources and to the crisis recovery process.
Despite current opportunities to improve the human rights situation, Ms. Keita Bocoum found that, the security situation remained precarious and unpredictable, marked by violence since June 10 in the PK5 district in Bangui and in Ngaoundaye in the west.
“I urge the government in coordination with international forces to implement robust measures to stop the fighting, ensure the imperative of protecting civilians and humanitarian actors, and to assist victims and displaced people,” said Ms. Keita Bocoum. She noted the urgency of disarming armed groups, reforming the security forces and national defense and restoring state authority by an effective presence of the administration throughout the Central African territory.
“During my visit, I met with civil society representatives that expressed concerns at the situation and were expecting the new government to implement key measures, in an inclusive and strategic manner, particularly in the areas of security and justice. I also noted the frustration and the feeling of exclusion among the youth, women and religious communities in Bangui and within the country,” the expert said.
The day after the Government’s policy speech at the National Assembly, Ms. Keita-Bocoum encouraged the authorities to operationalize the road map and the sectorial action plans as soon as possible, with the coordinated support of international partners. She welcomed the authorities’ decision to implement the measures of the Republican Pact adopted at the Bangui Forum last May, including on the fight against impunity, and on the inclusion of individuals and groups who feel marginalized.
The expert also welcomed recent progress towards the establishment of the Special Criminal Court mandated to investigate crimes committed since 2003, including the adoption of the operating budget. She encouraged the authorities to speed up the recruitment process, to start investigations quickly and to establish a protection program for victims and witnesses who will participate in court proceedings.
In terms of ordinary justice, the Independent Expert invited the authorities to validate the roadmap on the justice reform and to implement the first emergency actions, including holding the second session of the Criminal Court.
She stressed the need for non-judicial mechanisms to seek truth and reparation measures in order to shed light on the past, turn the page on the legacy of violence and ensure the guaranty of non-repetition.
During her visit in Bangui and Ndele, Ms. Keita-Bocoum met with several representatives of the new government, including the Prime Minister, ministers of justice, interior, public security and the administration of the territory, social affairs and reconciliation, and environment. She also exchanged with the President of the National Assembly and his executive office, international partners, representatives of civil society and religious authorities.
The Independent Expert also inquired into the allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against the international forces. She noted the efforts carried out to investigate the allegations, protect the victims and witnesses and prevent from this scourge.
On 28 June at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ms. Keita Bocoum will discuss the issue of transitional justice with representatives of the Central African authorities, MINUSCA and civil society organisations.
The UN Independent Expert will submit her final report to the Human Rights Council in September 2016.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Source: Apo-Opa
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