A/HRC/30/59 continue to support the ordinary criminal justice system, as the courts of the Centra l African Republic must be capable of trying persons accused of offences that do not meet the definition of crimes covered by the Special Criminal Court. Ensuring the safety of victims and witnesses as well as that of judges and national and foreign investigators will be essential to the Court’s success. B. Reconciliation and other transitional justice mechanisms 92. In November 2014, the Government developed a comprehensive strategy for national reconciliation. The goal of this strategy is to develop an extensive local, regional and national network of mediators and peace facilitators responsible for promoting and strengthening social, cultural, interfaith and intercommunity mediation activities, so as to reduce violence in all its forms, ease tensions between communities and initiate a participatory and inclusive dialogue for national reconciliation and a lasting peace. The Independent Expert welcomes this initiative and encourages its rapid implementation throughout the territory. She also notes the i mportant role of the Interfaith Peace Platform in the prevention of violence and welcomes the courage of those religious leaders who continue to take in displaced persons at churches and mosques in order to protect them. 93. The Republican Pact also calls for the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism and specifically for the establishment of a justice, truth, reparation and reconciliation commission, with branches at the local level, which will be responsible for identifying and investigating crimes and abuses committed in the country and recommending that perpetrators be brought to justice or that the victims receive reparations. 94. The Independent Expert welcomes the willingness of nationals of the Central African Republic to engage in a process of seeking the truth about the human rights violations committed in the past and analysing their causes and consequences. Each truth commission is a unique institution, but the activities of such commissions generally comprise the collection of testimonies of victims and witnesses, as well as thematic research, including analysis of violations, especially those based on gender and those targeting children, in addition to analysis of their causes and their consequences. Public hearings and other awareness programmes are then organized and the commission concludes with the publication of a final report outlining findings and containing recommendations. Developing a complete record of serious human rights violations is an important step in the realization of the right to truth. 95. The Independent Expert recalls the central role of victims in transitional justice programmes. She also recalls the importance of ensuring respect for the rights and opinions of the victims and setting up appropriate procedures tha t ensure their safety and dignity, as well as developing specific capacities to help, support and protect victims and witnesses. C. Prisons 96. The conditions of detention in prisons in the country generally do not meet international standards and are often inhumane. Basic necessities such as food, clothing and medicine are insufficient and inadequate and are often confiscated by the prison authorities. 97. There is no centralized file on the total number of prisoners in the country, though efforts are being made to remedy this, particularly in Bangui. There, men and women are held in separate facilities. Elsewhere they are detained in the same 18/22 GE.15-12489