URGENT PRESS RELEASE (ENGLISH VERSION)
BANGUI / GENEVA (20 June 2017) – The Central African Republic (CAR) is witnessing an “unsustainable” situation amid the spread of armed groups and increasing human rights violations, and the government must act now, a United Nations expert has warned.
The independent expert on human rights in the country, Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, said action by armed groups was spreading at a “worrying” rate in central and southern areas, particularly in the regions of Ouaka, Mbomou and Basse-Kotto.
"This situation is unsustainable and the country must regain the integrity and sovereignty of its territory without further delay, to ensure security and the rule of law," said Ms. Keita Bocoum*.
She warned of the consequences of these “unacceptable” human rights violations and said it was a matter of regret that the perpetrators remained free and investigations were not being conducted. Rumours were spreading freely and were fuelling revenge attacks, she noted.
The independent expert said the violence, and the lack of a strong government response, had sparked public outrage and “cries of distress” from citizens who needed protection.
"The State has an obligation to protect the population,” said Ms. Keita Bocoum. “The international community, especially the UN stabilization force MINUSCA, must work alongside the State to implement this responsibility effectively.”
She added: "The fight against impunity is essential to solve the country’s crisis. It is heartening to see some progress on this front, such as the appointment of a special prosecutor at the Special Criminal Court and the establishment of a National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
“But these steps forward must be placed in the framework of a national human rights policy, which gives people equal access to their economic, social and cultural rights.”
The expert reiterated the need for human rights violations to be investigated “without further delay” and suspects arrested for alleged violations they had committed, ordered or allowed, individually or collectively.
She also invited the Ministry of Justice to strengthen the resources of national courts, to ensure an effective judicial presence in the towns where they are operating.
"The authorities I met, including the diplomatic corps, government and parliament, unanimously affirmed their determination to combat impunity and to rule out any possibility of amnesty for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, in accordance with the Bangui forum, the CAR constitution and the international conventions ratified by the Central African Republic," said Ms. Keita Bocoum.
Welcoming the publication of a UN mapping report on CAR human rights violations, she stressed the need to continue documenting violations and to protect and assist victims and witnesses, so justice could be done and no serious incident left unpunished.
While the humanitarian situation remains critical, the independent expert highlighted the availability of natural resources, and encouraged the national authorities to assess the access to social and economic rights and to ensure control over the resources in order to explore economic opportunities and give signs of hope to the youth.
Ms. Keita Bocoum also noted the conflict’s disproportionate impact on women, reiterating a recommendation to strengthen their presence in peace and security negotiations and in development efforts. As well, she called on the government and international community to support reconciliation and social cohesion initiatives, and to find strategies to boost entrepreneurship and youth employment.
As well as meeting the government, parliamentary and diplomatic corps representatives, the expert also met officials from civil society, political parties, NGOs and the UN, as well as representatives of victims and displaced people in Bangui and Obo.
Ms. Keita Bocoum will report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council and will present her final report in September 2017.
ENDS
*Read the press communiqué (in French) delivered in Bangui on 15 June 2017 here.
The mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic was established by the Council of Human Rights on 27 September 2013. Ms. Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, a former professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, held various positions both in Côte d’Ivoire and in the UN. She was Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to UNOWA, as well as Director of the Division of Human Rights and the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Darfur.
The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, country page: Central African Republic
For more information and media requests, please contact: Vanessa Gosselin (+41 22 9179787 /vgosselin@ohchr.org) or write to ie-car@ohchr.org
Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.
Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
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The independent expert on human rights in the country, Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, said action by armed groups was spreading at a “worrying” rate in central and southern areas, particularly in the regions of Ouaka, Mbomou and Basse-Kotto.
"This situation is unsustainable and the country must regain the integrity and sovereignty of its territory without further delay, to ensure security and the rule of law," said Ms. Keita Bocoum*.
She warned of the consequences of these “unacceptable” human rights violations and said it was a matter of regret that the perpetrators remained free and investigations were not being conducted. Rumours were spreading freely and were fuelling revenge attacks, she noted.
The independent expert said the violence, and the lack of a strong government response, had sparked public outrage and “cries of distress” from citizens who needed protection.
"The State has an obligation to protect the population,” said Ms. Keita Bocoum. “The international community, especially the UN stabilization force MINUSCA, must work alongside the State to implement this responsibility effectively.”
She added: "The fight against impunity is essential to solve the country’s crisis. It is heartening to see some progress on this front, such as the appointment of a special prosecutor at the Special Criminal Court and the establishment of a National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
“But these steps forward must be placed in the framework of a national human rights policy, which gives people equal access to their economic, social and cultural rights.”
The expert reiterated the need for human rights violations to be investigated “without further delay” and suspects arrested for alleged violations they had committed, ordered or allowed, individually or collectively.
She also invited the Ministry of Justice to strengthen the resources of national courts, to ensure an effective judicial presence in the towns where they are operating.
"The authorities I met, including the diplomatic corps, government and parliament, unanimously affirmed their determination to combat impunity and to rule out any possibility of amnesty for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, in accordance with the Bangui forum, the CAR constitution and the international conventions ratified by the Central African Republic," said Ms. Keita Bocoum.
Welcoming the publication of a UN mapping report on CAR human rights violations, she stressed the need to continue documenting violations and to protect and assist victims and witnesses, so justice could be done and no serious incident left unpunished.
While the humanitarian situation remains critical, the independent expert highlighted the availability of natural resources, and encouraged the national authorities to assess the access to social and economic rights and to ensure control over the resources in order to explore economic opportunities and give signs of hope to the youth.
Ms. Keita Bocoum also noted the conflict’s disproportionate impact on women, reiterating a recommendation to strengthen their presence in peace and security negotiations and in development efforts. As well, she called on the government and international community to support reconciliation and social cohesion initiatives, and to find strategies to boost entrepreneurship and youth employment.
As well as meeting the government, parliamentary and diplomatic corps representatives, the expert also met officials from civil society, political parties, NGOs and the UN, as well as representatives of victims and displaced people in Bangui and Obo.
Ms. Keita Bocoum will report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council and will present her final report in September 2017.
ENDS
*Read the press communiqué (in French) delivered in Bangui on 15 June 2017 here.
The mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic was established by the Council of Human Rights on 27 September 2013. Ms. Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, a former professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, held various positions both in Côte d’Ivoire and in the UN. She was Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to UNOWA, as well as Director of the Division of Human Rights and the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Darfur.
The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, country page: Central African Republic
For more information and media requests, please contact: Vanessa Gosselin (+41 22 9179787 /vgosselin@ohchr.org) or write to ie-car@ohchr.org
Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.
Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
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URGENT PRESS RELEASE (FRENCH VERSION)
La République centrafricaine doit agir maintenant pour protéger sa population et mettre en œuvre la justice
BANGUI / GENEVE (20 Juin 2017) – La République centrafricaine est témoin d'une situation «insoutenable» de la propagation de groupes armés et de violations croissantes des droits de l'homme, et le gouvernement doit agir maintenant, a averti une experte des Nations Unies.
L’experte indépendante des Nations Unies sur la situation des droits de l’homme en République centrafricaine, Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, a noté la progression très inquiétante des groupes armés dans le Centre et le Sud du pays, et en particulier dans les régions de la Ouaka, du Mbomou et de la Basse-Kotto.
« Cette situation est insoutenable et l’Etat centrafricain doit retrouver sans plus tarder l’intégrité et la souveraineté de son territoire pour y assurer sécurité et Etat de droit » a dit Mme Keita Bocoum*.
Elle a alerté sur les conséquences de ces violations inadmissibles et a regretté qu’encore une fois, les auteurs ne sont pas inquiétés, les enquêtes ne sont pas menées, laissant ainsi les rumeurs nourrir l’esprit de vengeance.
L’experte indépendante a constaté que la violence du conflit et la faible réponse de protection qui s’en est suivie, ont suscité l’indignation et les cris de détresse de la population.
« La responsabilité de protéger les populations est une obligation de l’Etat, et la communauté internationale, particulièrement la MINUSCA doit pouvoir être à ses côtés pour la mettre en œuvre efficacement », a affirmé Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum.
Elle a ajouté que « la lutte contre l’impunité apparaît comme essentielle à la résolution de la crise en République centrafricaine. Il est encourageant de voir quelques améliorations en ce sens, telle la nomination du Procureur Spécial de la Cour pénale spéciale et la création de la Commission nationale des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales ».
« Mais ces avancées doivent s’articuler autour d’une politique nationale des droits de l’homme, qui tienne compte de l’égal accès des centrafricains aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels ».
Réitérant l’impératif d’enquêter les violations des droits de l’homme sans plus tarder et faire procéder aux arrestations de ceux qui ont pu commettre, ordonner ou laisser faire ces violations, individuellement ou collectivement.
L’experte indépendante a aussi invité le Ministère de la justice à renforcer les moyens mis à la disposition des juridictions nationales pour assurer la présence effective des autorités judiciaires dans les villes où ils ont été redéployés.
« Les autorités que j’ai rencontrées, y compris le corps diplomatique, le gouvernement et le parlement, ont unanimement affirmé leur détermination à lutter contre l’impunité et à proscrire toute possibilité d’amnistie pour les crimes de guerre, crimes contre l’humanité ou crimes de génocide, conformément au forum de Bangui, à la Constitution et aux conventions internationales ratifiées par la République Centrafricaine », a tenu à clarifier Mme Keita Bocoum.
Exprimant sa satisfaction pour la publication du rapport Mapping des Nations Unies, elle a insisté sur la nécessité de continuer à documenter ces violations, et de protéger et assister les victimes et les témoins afin que justice soit rendue et qu’aucun fait grave ne reste impuni.
Alors que la situation humanitaire reste critique, L’experte indépendante a souligné les richesses naturelles dont dispose la République centrafricaine, et encouragé les autorités nationales à évaluer l’accès aux droits économiques et sociaux et à assurer le contrôle des ressources naturelles afin d’explorer les opportunités économiques qui existent dans ce pays et de démontrer aux jeunes qu’elles sont porteuses d’espoir.
Mme Keita Bocoum a également noté l’impact disproportionné du conflit centrafricain sur les femmes, réitérant sa recommandation de renforcer la présence des femmes dans les négociations pour la paix et la sécurité et dans les efforts de développement. De même, elle appelle le gouvernement et la communauté internationale à soutenir les initiatives de réconciliation et de cohésion sociale et à définir des stratégies qui facilitent l’insertion des jeunes dans le marché du travail et de l’entrepreneuriat sur toute l’étendue du territoire.
Au cours de sa visite, l’Experte a rencontré des représentants du gouvernement, du parlement, du corps diplomatique, de la société civile, des partis politiques, des organisations non gouvernementales et des Nations Unies, ainsi que des représentants de victimes et de personnes déplacées, à Bangui et à Obo.
Mme Keita Bocoum rendra compte de ses conclusions au Conseil des droits de l’homme de l’ONU et présentera son rapport final en septembre 2017.
FIN
* Lire aussi le communiqué de presse à Bangui le 15 juin 2017 ici.
Le mandat de l’Experte indépendante sur la situation des droits de l’homme en République centrafricaine a été créé par le Conseil des droits de l’homme le 27 septembre 2013. Mme Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, ancienne professeure à la Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines de l’université d’Abidjan en Côte d’Ivoire, a occupé différents postes tant dans son pays qu’au sein de l’ONU. Elle a été Rapporteuse spéciale sur la situation des droits de l’homme au Burundi, Représentante de la Haut-Commissaire aux droits de l’homme auprès de l’UNOWA, mais également Directrice de la division droits de l’homme et Représentante de la Haut-Commissaire aux droits de l’homme au Darfour.
Les Experts indépendants font partie de ce qui est désigné sous le nom des « procédures spéciales » du Conseil des droits de l’homme. Les procédures spéciales, l’organe le plus important d’experts indépendants du Système des droits de l’homme de l’ONU, est le terme général appliqué aux mécanismes d’enquête et de suivi indépendants du Conseil qui s’adressent aux situations spécifiques des pays ou aux questions thématiques partout dans le monde. Les experts des procédures spéciales travaillent à titre bénévole; ils ne font pas partie du personnel de l’ONU et ils ne reçoivent pas de salaire pour leur travail. Ils sont indépendants des gouvernements et des organisations et ils exercent leurs fonctions à titre indépendant.
Page du HCDH sur le pays : République centrafricaine
Pour des informations additionnelles et des demandes des médias, prière de contacter Vanessa Gosselin (+41 22 9179787 / vgosselin@ohchr.org) ou d’écrire à ie-car@ohchr.org
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