24th session of the Human Rights Council

Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Human Rights Council,
Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to present the interim report on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic (A/HRC/24/59). The report builds on the findings of a fact-finding mission which the High Commissioner deployed in the Central African Republic from 20 June to 11 July 2013, to collect information on human rights violations committed in Bangui and other localities between 10 December 2012 - when the Séléka offensive started - and 11 July 2013, when the mission left the country. 

The fact-finding mission conducted its work in an extremely volatile security situation, which significantly restricted its movement within the Capital and in other localities where human rights violations had been reported. Throughout its visit, the mission witnessed the palpable sense of fear experienced by the population, with many victims and witnesses being reluctant to talk about the ordeals they had been through.

Nonetheless, the mission was able to collect and verify credible information from various sources in Bangui and several localities, through 235 interviews, including with victims and witnesses. On this basis, the report describes violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by the former Bozizé regime and the non-state armed group, the Séléka coalition, during the armed conflict that took place from December 2012 to 23 March 2013. The report also reviews allegations of human rights violations committed after the Séléka seized power on 24 March 2013 and thereby assumed civil and military responsibilities throughout the country.

During the conflict, both parties committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including summary executions and extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and looting of private and public properties. The Séléka also engaged in sexual violence and in grave violations against children. Those acts constitute gross human rights violations and may amount to war crimes. At the end of the armed conflict, after 24 March 2013, gross violations of international human rights law such as summary executions, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers, and the looting of properties, including hospitals, schools and churches, committed by the Séléka have continued unabated, and engage the responsibility of the State.

From 29 July to 2 August 2013, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Simonovic, visited the Central African Republic to discuss with the transitional authorities the preliminary findings of the OHCHR fact-finding mission and identify ways to address human rights challenges and prevent further violations. Along with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, the Assistant Secretary-General visited Bambari, one of the cities most affected by the crisis, which the OHCHR fact finding mission had not been able to visit due to security constraints. There, he was able to gauge the scale of human rights violations when interviewing victims and visiting places where grave violations were committed, including the site of a possible mass grave.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The current crisis in the Central African Republic began long before the Séléka rebellion seized power. It is rooted in long-standing gaps and tensions, including weak State institutions, fragile social cohesion, and deep-seated feelings of marginalization among some communities, notably in the northern part of the country. These conditions were exacerbated by corruption, nepotism, abuse of power, cyclical conflicts, and the deteriorating capacity of the national security forces.

Many issues, such as the weak justice system and poor access to health and education, are not new. However, the conflict was marked by an unprecedented level of violence, looting and destruction which have further exacerbated these gaps.

Today, insecurity prevails throughout the country and the state institutions have collapsed, with a consequent breakdown of law and order. This situation fosters criminality and human rights violations, engendering a climate of fear and impunity. The high number of cases of sexual and gender-based violence committed in the Central African Republic is appalling.

The political landscape is deeply fractured, with 53 political parties, while non-governmental organisations are, at best, extremely weak.

It is of the utmost importance that the Transitional Government takes urgent measures to restore security, constitutional order and democratic governance throughout the country, including by ensuring the effective functioning of accountable security and judicial institutions. The Transitional Government should also engage in fighting impunity by ensuring that exhaustive, impartial and transparent investigations into all abuses and violations of both domestic and international law committed by any group or individuals, including Séléka soldiers, are conducted and that perpetrators are brought to justice.

While this report is being presented, the security situation remains very fragile and people in the Central Africa continue to be subjected to human rights violations, as shown by the attacks of 7 to 9 September, in the town of Bossangoa and surrounding villages, reportedly perpetrated by armed persons loyal to the former regime against Muslim communities and the retaliation from Seleka troops against Christian communities. These incidents raise serious concerns about the instrumentalisation of ethnico-religious dimensions, which could lead to a further deterioration of the crisis. 

As you know, on 14 August 2013, the Security Council issued a press statement indicating its “willingness to consider the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Central African Republic (BINUCA) in light of the alarming political, humanitarian and human rights crisis.”

Thank you for your attention.