A/HRC/12/50
was guaranteed by a number of management bodies. Despite some problems, such as
arbitrary arrests, corruption and other irregularities, several projects were being undertaken
with the financial assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
220. Regarding recommendations 1, 2, 4 and 26, the delegation underlined the fact that
summary and extrajudicial executions and torture had never been institutionalized by the
State. In that regard, a series of measures proved the willingness of the Government to
remedy this problem. Additional measures were being envisaged, such as the establishment
of a human rights day, the decentralization of the services of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, training of human rights stakeholders and the dissemination of texts.
221. With regard to recommendations 11, 16 to 19, 27 to 29 and 30, the delegation
underscored the fact that the Central African Republic had ratified the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Female genital mutilations
were not practiced on its territory and were prohibited by law. However, cultural beliefs
and practices and the interests of practitioners made its full implementation challenging.
The family code was being reviewed to ensure its compliance with international standards
and with a view to either maintaining or abolishing polygamy. The delegation stressed that,
owing to cultural concerns, the Central African Republic was not ready to sign a declaration
on discrimination based on sexual orientation, adding that no law prohibited or authorized
it.
222. On the recommendation to remove reference to the crime of witchcraft in the penal
code, the delegation indicated that witchcraft was a reality in Central Africa. The
Government envisaged training prison wardens who committed violence against women
suspected of witchcraft and developing sensitization programmes to modify behaviours of
the population and of the justice system.
223. With regard to recommendations 31 and 32 on defence and security forces, the
delegation welcomed the forthcoming adoption of the code of military justice. Other
positive measures had been taken in the areas of disarmament, demobilization and the
reintegration of children, the demobilization of women soldiers, the training of former
child-soldiers, the strengthening of peace and the elimination of supplementary police
forces.
224. Regarding recommendations 6 to 8, 10, 12, 14 and 15, relating to, inter alia, standing
invitations extended to special rapporteurs and independent experts, the delegation
indicated that the Central African Republic acknowledged their relevance and took
measures to facilitate the functioning of procedures and the respect of the United Nations
calendar.
2.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review
outcome
225. Algeria stated that the Central African authorities had demonstrated their serious
approach to the universal periodic review, as illustrated by their acceptance of 66 out of the
99 recommendations addressed to them. Among them, the recommendation of Algeria
relating to the implementation, with the assistance of OHCHR, of a training and awarenessraising programme on international human rights and humanitarian law for members of the
security forces, law enforcement officials and judicial officials was mentioned. Algeria
welcomed the concrete measures taken to effectively promote and protect human rights,
despite difficulties and constraints. Algeria was pleased with the Government’s readiness to
implement priorities set out in the poverty reduction strategy paper for 2008–2010 to
consolidate peace and stability, prevent conflicts and strengthen the macroeconomic
framework and ongoing reforms. It called on the international community to provide the
State with technical and financial assistance.
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