A/HRC/42/61 context of the Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation in 2015, during which representatives from a range of sectors spoke on the main issues that should form the basis for peace, reconciliation and a new social contract. Reforms have been carried out to strengthen the institutional framework, including the establishment of the National Committee on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and All Forms of Discrimination, as well as the establishment of the High Council for Communication and, more recently, the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. These are all advances that should contribute to better protection of human rights. 92. In the field of justice, the Independent Expert welcomes the implementation of an inclusive and comprehensive approach to the transitional justice process, with the organization of consultations on the expectations of the population, the establishment of the Special Criminal Court, the creation of a reparations fund for victims and the adoption of key legislation such as the Gender Equality Act, the Act on the Protection of Victims and Witnesses and the Code of Military Procedure. She notes the identification of pilot areas where innovative peace and security initiatives are being developed. In this regard, the example of Bangassou, which the Independent Expert visited three times during her mandate, ultimately demonstrates the implementation of a suite of actions that have clearly contributed to improving security in the area. This approach brings together the redeployment of defence and security forces and public administration, the military presence of MINUSCA and the development of violence reduction programmes that enable young people who have laid down their arms to learn a trade and receive support in launching income-generating activities. 93. During her mandate, the Independent Expert also called for greater regional involvement in resolving the Central African crisis, as well as for increased international assistance in security and economic development. 94. The Peace Agreement signed in Bangui on 6 February 2019 represents a real opportunity for peace for the people of the Central African Republic. However, the peace process can only succeed if it is implemented in good faith by all parties to the conflict, if weapons fall silent, if the violence ends and if justice prevails. 95. The Central African authorities must sustain their efforts to reclaim their territory by continuing to deploy administration officials, with assistance from MINUSCA and other partners. As a matter of urgency, the population must begin to feel the positive effects of the Peace Agreement, especially a reduction in the violence they suffer on a daily basis and improvements in access to services, particularly health and education services, in accordance with the strategy developed in the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan. It is equally important to ensure that the Central African authorities can exert their sovereignty and protect the population by facilitating access to weapons for the defence and security forces. 96. During the period under consideration, the human rights situation changed dramatically, with the number of violations recorded remaining high in 2018, but declining sharply in the first half of 2019. B. Recommendations 97. The Independent Expert welcomes the implementation of the recommendations made in her previous reports and reiterates those that remain pending. 98. The Independent Expert calls on the Government, with support from the international community, to take the following measures: (a) Prioritize the implementation of the Peace Agreement by adopting a human rights-based approach and a spirit of consultation and dialogue with all national actors, in particular civil society and political parties; (b) Make the necessary efforts to ensure that all Central Africans, including refugees, take ownership of the Peace Agreement; 16 GE.19-13726