HRC49: Oral statement during ID with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR

Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Ellis Heasley

Thank you, Mr President,

We thank the Independent Expert for his report and for shedding light on important issues.

CSW remains concerned by the operational challenges faced by the Special Criminal Court in conducting trials of those accused of the gravest of crimes.

In November 2021 an arrest warrant was executed for government minister and former member of the UPC armed group, Hassan Bouba. He was placed in custody, but was subsequently released despite the Court’s objection.

He was arrest in relation to the November 2018 attack on an IDP camp in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Aliando Town. We echo the concerns raised by the Independent Expert and urge the government to ensure an end to impunity by cooperating fully with the Court.

Challenging impunity is vital to sustainable peace and reconciliation, given the length and complexity of conflicts in CAR over the last decade.

We remain concerned by allegations of human rights and humanitarian law violations by Russian Mercenaries invited to CAR and supported by the government who work with the national army.

We are particularly alarmed by the targeting of anyone criticising and highlighting these violations. Of note is a seeming focus on the Muslim community, and specifically on leaders who are critical of the army and Russian operatives.

We are disturbed by allegations of the involvement of Russian paramilitaries in the death of the Sultan Mayor of Koui, his assistant and bodyguard in June 2021. We are also concerned by the disappearance of the Imam of Koui in August 2021 after his home was reportedly raided by Russian fighters.

We are mindful of the UN Secretary General’s report indicating Russian paramilitaries were responsible for 40% of violations between October 2021 – February 2022.

We urge the government to bring to justice all who are responsible for these crimes and cooperate with international organisations such as the UN peacekeeping mission, which is mandated to monitor and report on abuses.

Not only do these attacks violate international law; the asymmetric targeting of certain groups also threatens prospects for peace, undermining a decade of work to reconcile diverse religious and ethnic groups and rebuild social cohesion.

Thank you.