A/HRC/45/55 and security forces is strengthened. Furthermore, if any instances of wrongdoing were to occur, they would be immediately punished. 44. As conveyed to the Independent Expert, the shortage of judges and prison staff in certain areas of the country contributes to the ongoing climate of impunity in the Central African Republic. This situation leads to the continuation of violations and, at times, the development of a parallel justice system that can give rise to many abuses. Although he is aware that the security situation may deter some judges from travelling to their assigned areas and that they face logistical and material difficulties, the Independent Expert calls on judges to contribute to ensuring that the right of access to justice for all is respected and that violations are prevented. D. Conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence 45. Conflict-related sexual violence remains a major concern for the Independent Expert. He notes that all signatories to the Peace Agreement have an obligation to prevent and punish sexual and gender-based violence, to ensure that there is no de facto or de jure amnesty for the perpetrators and to promote the active participation of women in the peace and reconciliation process. 46. The Human Rights Division of MINUSCA, which has a special unit specializing in sexual violence, monitors gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. On 31 May 2019, a joint communiqué on preventing and combating conflict-related sexual violence was signed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the deputy to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Central Africans Abroad.8 The joint rapid response unit to combat sexual violence against women and children provides the authorities with robust technical support. The fulfilment of the commitments set out in the joint communiqué has yet to be achieved. 47. The parties to the conflict, in particular the armed groups, have reportedly been responsible for many cases of conflict-related sexual violence, mostly involving rape, attempted rape, sexual slavery or forced marriage. Victims are often reluctant to file a complaint for fear of reprisals and stigmatization. In addition, medical, judicial and psychosocial services have very limited capacity to respond to cases. 48. The Independent Expert insists that background checks be performed on members of the parties to the conflict so that the perpetrators of sexual violence and their accomplices may be duly identified and brought to justice. He considers that, beyond the judicial dimension, it is important to provide psychosocial assistance to victims and to implement specific social and economic reintegration programmes to facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration. 49. The humanitarian country team has set out to identify the areas most affected by sexual violence in order to adapt the protection response accordingly and to strengthen security in those areas as a matter of priority. A multipurpose reception centre for victims has also been set up in Bangui. 50. The country team also conducted a perception study on peace, justice and security in early 2020, on which a report focusing on victims of sexual violence, which will include more recent data, will be published this year. 51. During his visit to the country in February 2020, the Independent Expert met with the leadership of the joint rapid response unit to combat sexual violence against women and children. The aim of this special unit, which is made up of police officers and gendarmes, is to provide advice and protect citizens’ well-being. 52. As for the allegations of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse by MINUSCA personnel, the measures taken by the Secretary-General pursuant to his zero-tolerance 8 GE.20-10998 Central African Republic and the United Nations, Joint communiqué between the Central African Republic and the United Nations: Preventing and combating conflict-related sexual violence, 31 May 2019. 9