A/HRC/30/59 45. The Independent Expert has received reports of fighting that took place in late April and early May 2015 between the anti-balaka and the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique former Séléka faction over control of Kouango sub -prefecture, as a result of which many villages were destroyed and more than 32 people were killed. MINUSCA has confirmed that 36 villages have been abandoned, 27 of them completely or partially burned, and it has established a base in the prefecture to effectively protect the population and prevent attacks and reprisals. 46. The Independent Expert has also received reports of several incidents involving security forces, including cases of ill-treatment in places of pretrial detention or during the arrest of suspected criminals. These reports include, in partic ular, allegations against the Centre to Combat Crime. She has also been informed of cases in which national security forces were reportedly reluctant to take action against human rights violators, particularly when the latter were anti -balaka. B. Minority rights 47. Before the conflict, the Muslim minority represented about 15 per cent of the population, 5 but most of the various Muslim communities in the west of the country have either left or become isolated in enclaves. 6 In response to systematic attacks by anti-balaka groups on civilians identified as receiving or having received support from the Séléka forces, or from the Fulani, or from Muslims in general, they gathered together and were then forced to leave. 48. Religious buildings and schools have been systematically attacked. All mosques between Bangui and Boali have been attacked and totally or partially destroyed, including most of the mosques in Bossangoa, Bossembélé and Bouar. Most of the mosques still standing are serving as shelters for civilians under attack; this includes the central mosques in Boda, Bangui, Berbérati and PK12. 7 Of the 23 mosques in Bangui, only 4 have escaped attack and destruction. 49. A year after the signing of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities, the situation remains worrying, and the Independent Expert has observed only very limited trade and return to peaceful coexistence between the religious communities. In Bangui, Muslims living in the PK5 area cannot venture beyond their neighbourhood, and most have not been able to find new jobs or any way of attending university or school. Other citizens who have taken refuge in the PK5 area are unable to return to their neighbourhoods of origin. In Berbérati, Muslims and Christians live on opposite sides of the river, and the bridge is crossed only by the staff of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In Boda, Muslim and Christian residents no longer mix with each other at all. 50. The issue of the rights of Muslim minorities was discussed during the Bangui Forum, and the Independent Expert took note of the decision to officially celebrate Muslim holidays in the Central African Republic. This decision was welcomed by the Muslim community as a new framework for social cohesion. At the time of the writing of this report, however, no formal decision to that effect had yet been promulgated or adopted. Protecting the Muslim minority’s identity is crucial for peace and social cohesion. __________________ 5 6 7 GE.15-12489 www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html. The seven enclaves are: Yaloké, Carnot, Berbérati, Bouar, Boda, Dékoa and the PK5 area in Bangui. The International Federation for Human Rights and the Ligue c entrafricaine des droits de l’homme, “Central African Republic: They Must All Leave or Die” Investigative report, June 2014, p. 47 (www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/rapport_rca_2014-fr-ld.pdf). 11/22