HRC51: Oral statement during ID with the Independent Expert on CAR

Item 10:Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Central African Republic (oral update)

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW thanks the Independent Expert for his oral update and important work.

We are particularly concerned by alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Security Group and the impact of these violations on security, peace and reconciliation.

Between 10 and 15 civilians were reportedly killed in heavily armed attacks on the localities of Gordile and Ndah between 11 and 12 April 2022. One Muslim man was allegedly arrested during the attack and forced to eat his own ears during the period of Ramadan in a violation designed to compound his distress.

The summary executions by mercenaries of the former mayor of Bambari and his family in 2021, and of the mayor of Ndachima in 2022, for allegedly collaborating with rebel armed groups, are of grave concern.

As noted in the Independent Expert’s report, displaced rural communities remain under the effective control and parallel administrations of armed groups, which regularly extort locals and restrict their right to freedom of movement.

In this context, frequent reports of sexual and gender-based violence, including by Russian mercenaries, remain particularly egregious. On 10 April, three Russian mercenaries reportedly raped and sexually assaulted patients and staff at the maternity ward of the gendarmerie infirmary of the Henri Izamo military camp in Bangui.

These mercenaries, who were invited by the government to CAR to assist with the restoration of security, are committing severe violations with impunity, some of which may constitute crimes against humanity. The lack of accountability mechanisms within their operational remit in the country renders justice elusive for their victims.

Their presence is further eroding trust and social cohesion between citizens, especially those from minority religious communities, and exacerbates tensions that have yet to be addressed through the Republican Dialogue.

We call on Member States to both pressure and assist the government of CAR to put in place accountability mechanisms designed to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice, and urge CAR to cooperate with international organisations, including the UN peacekeeping mission.

Thank you