Oral Update on Central African Republic

38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Agenda Item 4:Oral Update from Independent Expert on Central African Republic (CAR)

Organisation: CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you Mr President

CSW remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Central African Republic.

Since November 2016 the fragmentation of armed groups has presented a significant challenge to peace and security. Armed groups that were once part of the Seleka Alliance have clashed in the north and eastern regions. This violence has been characterised by the targeting of civilians, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and mass displacement.

We continue to be concerned by the targeting of religious communities by armed groups. On 1 May at least 15 people including a Catholic Priest were killed and 100 were injured when gunmen attacked a mass service at the Our Lady Fatima Church in Bangui. The attack was reportedly carried out by armed groups from the KM5 district who subsequently entered neighbouring districts looting shops and homes and attacking civilians. Reprisal soon followed with a local Mosque being vandalised, and cars and personal property looted and burned.

In the south east of the country, anti-Balaka fighters continue to target the Muslim community living near Bangassou. The Catholic Church provided shelter for fleeing Muslims, and almost 2,000 Muslims currently live in the church’s compound.

We urge the government of CAR with the support of the international community to prioritise disarmament and demobilisation of armed groups that are threatening civilians across the country’s vast land mass.

We welcome efforts by the government and the international community to bring about peace and engage with armed groups; however, we also urge the authorities to ensure impunity is addressed. Leaders of armed groups who are suspected of violating international human rights and humanitarian law must be held to account. There can be no lasting peace while impunity is allowed to reign.

CSW welcomes the steps taken to operationalise the Special Criminal Court last month with the passing of the rules of procedure by the National Assembly. We hope that the court will be empowered to bring to justice those responsible for grave human rights violations during this recent crisis and that justice mechanisms will be a step towards a sustained peace in CAR.

We call on the government of CAR and the international community to work for the restoration of peace, security and the administration of the state in all parts of the country.

Thank you Mr President.