A/HRC/45/55 II. General situation A. Health situation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic 9. As at 22 July 2020, the Central African Republic had recorded 57 deaths (11 in hospital and 46 out of hospital) and 1,437 recoveries out of a total of 4,574 confirmed cases. 10. The Central African authorities reacted quickly by taking measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Independent Expert wishes to pay special tribute to the World Health Organization, MINUSCA and international partners for supporting the ongoing efforts of the Central African authorities. These joint efforts must continue, including in the context of the elections being pursued by UNDP and international partners. 11. In view of the current security problems, political context and humanitarian situation, COVID-19 represents an additional threat to the population. It heightens concerns about marginalization, discrimination, exclusion and stigmatization. It is therefore important that any restrictive measures (such as restrictions on freedom of movement and the requirement to wear a mask in public spaces and on public transport to limit the spread of COVID-19) are imposed in accordance with the law. The Independent Expert therefore urged the Government and all stakeholders to enforce these measures throughout the country, in accordance with fundamental human rights principles, including those relating to public health, which call for proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory action. B. Political context and peace process 1. Political context 12. The reporting period was marked by the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Peace Agreement, which was celebrated on 6 February 2020. Despite the State and armed groups’ having renewed their commitments, the Agreement, which is the only instrument that has remained in effect for a full year since the crisis began in 2013, remains fragile and needs to be implemented in good faith by the signatory parties. The Independent Expert took part in the commemoration ceremony at the presidential palace, which provided an opportunity for signatories,1 guarantors and facilitators, partners of the Central African Republic and civil society to assess the status of implementation of the Agreement. 13. On 28 March 2020, the Central African defence and security forces arrested 16 people, including 11 military personnel and 5 civilians, who were attending a meeting in the Galabadja district at the home of Dieudonné Ndomaté, a former anti-balaka leader who became Minister for Arts, Culture and Tourism under the Peace Agreement, to which he is a signatory.2 14. On 3 April 2020, law enforcement officers arrested several people in the Sassara and PK12 districts, and at the northern exit of Bangui, on suspicion of having colluded with the 16 people arrested on 28 March 2020. These people are close to the former Head of State, François Bozizé. 15. In a communiqué dated 3 April 2020, the prosecutor’s office at Bangui Court of Appeal stated that a judicial investigation had been opened in relation to the 16 persons arrested on 28 March and the 6 persons arrested on 3 April for “criminal association, offences against national security and conspiracy”, crimes provided for and punishable under articles 285, 286, 295, 411 and 412 of the Central African Criminal Code, and that no warrant had been issued in respect of the former Head of State, François Bozizé. In its communiqué of 5 April 2020, the Coalition de l’opposition démocratique stated that, in its 1 2 4 Only one armed group was not represented. It forwarded a statement which was read out during the ceremony. S/2020/662, para. 24. GE.20-10998