UN human rights chief says impunity major challenge in run-up to elections in Central African Republic

BANGUI / GENEVA (19 February 2010) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Thursday that the conduct of the forthcoming election in the Central African Republic (CAR) would be a key test for the country’s efforts to consolidate peace and democracy, and noted that the continuing impunity for human rights violations was one of the biggest long-term challenges facing the country

“In the long run, strengthening the rule of law and the justice system, uprooting entrenched impunity within state authorities, including the armed forces, and putting a halt to violence and exploitation are all key to the future well-being of this great country,” she said.

She praised the government for its willingness to work with the UN human rights system, as well as the recent adoption by the National Assembly of revised penal and criminal procedure codes, saying she hoped these revised laws “will improve the administration of justice in CAR, in particular the independence of the judiciary and the fight against impunity.”

Pillay, who was speaking to journalists during a one-day visit to the country’s capital Bangui, noted that the Central African Republic, which is one of the poorest and most neglected countries, faces “many challenges on many levels, both domestic and international,” citing banditry and armed groups in the northern Vakaga region and the presence of “that particularly vicious group,” the Lord’s Resistance Army, in the east of the country.

The High Commissioner said it was “vital” to address the continuing impunity for human rights violations, “in particular among law enforcement agents and members of the armed forces.” She said she had urged the government to take more concrete measures to provide redress to victims and bring perpetrators to justice. “Summary executions, enforced disappearances, illegal arrests and detention are all issues that have surfaced in connection with state security and defense institutions, and strenuous efforts need to be made to put an end to these extremely serious abuses of power,” she said.

She expressed deep concern “about the widespread sexual violence facing women in the Central African Republic – allegedly at the hands of both state and non-state actors, including the LRA – as well as about violence directed against women accused of being witches, a gender-based calumny that has no place in any society in the 21st century.”

“All governments should act firmly to halt crimes such as these, and those responsible should be prosecuted and, if found guilty, should receive appropriate punishment, irrespective of who they are,” she said.

The High Commissioner also noted that female genital mutilation, although prohibited by law in the Central African Republic, is still carried out, and urged the government “to make a special effort to eradicate this extremely harmful practice.”

She also noted the continuing problem of recruitment of children by armed groups, saying that although there has reportedly been some improvement in this area, “children are particularly vulnerable and need extra protection from this type of illegal exploitation.”

Pillay said the election, scheduled to take place on 18 April, “presents a tremendous opportunity for the Central African Republic, both to show the world and the people of CAR that it can hold successful, free and fair elections, and to take a great leap forward towards securing a peaceful democratic future.”

“The importance of the work that is done over the next two months to try and ensure a successful election cannot be overestimated,” she added.

Noting the importance of freedom of expression and assembly, and the key role of the media in ensuring a fair election, she urged all sides, including the current government, opposition parties and the Independent Electoral Commission “to put aside any lingering differences and work to make sure that the result of the election – whatever it may be – is one which the people of this country can trust and respect.”

Pillay urged the government to speed up the process of creating a National Human Rights Commission, and also to adopt a National Plan of Action on Human Rights by the end of 2010.

During her visit -- the first-ever by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Central African Republic -- Pillay held a range of back-to-back meetings with the Prime Minister other senior government ministers and officials. She also met with NGOs and other members of civil society.

Link to full statement: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=9831&LangID=E