A/HRC/33/63 96. In his keynote address, the Prime Minister placed emphasis on national reconciliation and said that no effort would be spared to ensure its realization. He also stated that the Government wished to set up local peace and reconciliation committees in order to foster a culture of peace and human rights. 97. He also committed to establishing a truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation commission in accordance with the recommendations of the Bangui Forum. One year after this important consultation process, the Independent Expert notes that extended thematic consultations are yet to be held, in order to consider these issues in greater depth before the formation of the aforementioned commission, and to place victims at the centre of the design and implementation of transitional justice mechanisms. 98. The Independent Expert considers that it is essential to ensure the safety and protection of victims and witnesses. Where this is not the case, it is likely that victims and witnesses will remain silent on the perpetrators of serious violations. 99. The Pope’s visit reassured communities and offered the first signs of hope and opening towards peace and forgiveness. The stated readiness of the inhabitants of PK-5 to move towards reconciliation illustrates the importance of an inclusive dialogue and of popular consultation to alleviate frustration. 100. In his inaugural address, the President made a solemn appeal to all Central Africans for national reconciliation and cohesion, without which there can be no development. His visit to the PK-5 enclave one week after his investiture was appreciated as a sign of the political will to achieve inclusion. 101. Several community-level initiatives to promote dialogue and reconciliation have emerged with the support of the Ministry for National Reconciliation and of international partners. On 11 February, following efforts to promote intercommunity reconciliation, the Muslim communities of the third arrondissement of Bangui and Christians from the Boeing neighbourhood signed a “non-aggression pact” under the auspices of MINUSCA and France. Access to the Muslim cemetery in Boeing has been secured as a result of this agreement. 102. Pending the completion of a detailed, coherent and accepted road map on transitional justice initiatives, it is important to continue to promote the right to truth, including through information-gathering and the documentation of the violations committed. Equally, it is crucial to ensure the preservation, accessibility and use of existing archives. 103. As regards reparations, the Government has instituted 11 May as a day in commemoration of the victims, and intends to erect a memorial. These symbolic actions should be welcomed, and the authorities encouraged to further reflect on establishing a national programme of potential individual and collective reparations, in coordination with the affected communities, particularly victims, women, and marginalized groups. Such a programme should take account of the particular needs of the victims of sexual and sexist violence. 104. Capacity-building is essential to civil society’s understanding of transitional justice measures, and will enable it to make a contribution towards truth, justice and reconciliation. Civil society should be able to support victims and witnesses in these transitional justice processes, among other capabilities. 105. Communication — in respect of the various forms of transitional justice — and an inclusive intercommunity dialogue involving displaced persons, refugees, minority groups, young people and women, are crucial tools in restoring social cohesion and taking full ownership of these mechanisms. Consultations with civil society during the previous mission of the Independent Expert revealed frustration and a sense of exclusion among 16 GE.16-12727