Oral Statement during 128th session of the Human Rights Committee

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Mr Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr Chair and members of the Committee,

Violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief have occurred across the Central African Republic most acutely in the last decade and continue to date.

The main perpetrators are armed groups affiliated with the Seleka and anti-Balaka militias. In parts of the country where these groups operate, state influence is severely reduced and both militias exert control over citizens with impunity.

Mosques and churches have been regularly targeted, particularly between December 2013 and December 2015, with some attacks involving the use of grenades and home-made bombs.

In areas controlled by Seleka in the north of the country, the local population lives under severe restrictions. Seleka imposes informal and ad hoc taxes on the movement of persons and goods. This has a disproportionate negative effect on Christians and animists, as they are primarily subsistence farmers and were prevented from accessing their farms, while Muslim populations, who are largely traders, were also suffering under the demands, but were better able to pay the taxes.

These armed groups have restricted freedom of movement for local population, with Christians in these areas being forced to restrict their meetings to Sundays and cancel any other religious gatherings.

In anti-Balaka-held areas in the south-west of the country, the few remaining Muslims face severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, while Christian religious activities are largely permitted.

In Carnot, Muslims who fled their homes and took refuge in the town’s Catholic Church in February 2014 rarely left the compound for their own safety, and were therefore unable to travel to Muslim places of worship for daily prayers and religious celebrations. The situation in Carnot has improved but a community of Muslims still remain in the church compound for their own safety.

CSW urges the Central African Republic to work to re-establish state authority and administration throughout the territory in order to prevent armed groups from restricting the right to freedom of religion or belief.

We also recommend that the State Party works towards disarming and demobilising armed groups operating within its territory in order to ensure the right to life and security of person for all citizens.

One of the groups most vulnerable to violations of their right to freedom of religion or belief are those who have exercised the right to change their religion or belief.

Since conflict broke out in 2013, those who convert from Islam to Christianity or vice versa have been particularly vulnerable to the attacks of armed groups.

We call on the Central African Republic to ensure that the freedom to change one’s religion is guaranteed in law, and to support peace and reconciliation projects that aim to rebuild trust between religious communities.

Finally, CSW is particularly concerned by the targeting of religious leaders in the Central African Republic, who often play a key role in peacebuilding and promoting interfaith harmony. These efforts make them a target for Seleka and anti-Balaka.

For example, in April 2014 Seleka militants kidnapped the Bishop of Bossangoa along with three Catholic clergymen; in September 2015 the home of Reverend Nicolas Guerekoyame-Gbangou, chairman of the

Evangelical Alliance, was looted and burned; and in February 2017 three churches were burnt and a pastor was killed in the KM5 district of Bangui following the death of a gang leader at the hands of MINUSCA and the police.

CSW calls on the government to ensure protection for religious and community leaders who have been targeted by armed groups.

Thank you.