A/HRC/42/61 during her country visits. She therefore urges the groups to end the violence, in accordance with their commitments within the framework of the peace process. C. Violations attributed to State officials 47. The deployment of security forces and public administration officials in several regions is a positive development. However, the Independent Expert noted the lack of staff and logistical and material resources, as well as the difficulties in remunerating State officials deployed in the field. 48. State officials, including members of the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic and the Internal Security Forces, continue to commit human rights violations such as arbitrary detention, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and illegal taxation. According to the highest authorities, respect for rights is improving as training for defence and security forces is strengthened. Furthermore, if any instances of wrongdoing were to occur, they would immediately be sanctioned. 49. The Independent Expert is particularly concerned about violations of freedom of expression. The repression of the demonstration by civil society and members of the opposition on 15 June 2019 must be investigated and those responsible must be punished. The Independent Expert is particularly concerned about the behaviour of members of the Central African Office for the Suppression of Banditry, who reportedly arrested two journalists and an opposition member during the demonstration. She was also informed of arbitrary arrests and detentions and acts of torture perpetrated by officials from the Office, some of which resulted in deaths. She also warns of the slow pace of judicial processes at Bimbo prison, where women wait several months to see a judge. She invites the competent authorities to conduct investigations to shed light on these allegations and, if they are found to be true, to punish those responsible. She urges the Human Rights Division of MINUSCA to strengthen its monitoring of places of detention and to prepare regular reports on the situation. 50. The Independent Expert continues to be concerned about the existence of illegal places of detention. She is also concerned that there is no centre for minors, who continue to be detained alongside adults, particularly outside the capital, contrary to the provisions of international instruments. 51. The shortage of judges and prison staff, as observed by the Independent Expert in Bangassou recently, is a contributing factor in ongoing impunity in the Central African Republic. This situation encourages continued violations and, at times, the development of a parallel justice system that can give rise to many abuses. Although she is aware that the security situation might deter some judges from travelling to their assigned areas and that they face logistical and material difficulties, the Independent Expert calls on judges to contribute to respect for the right of access to justice for all and to the prevention of violations. D. Gender-based violence 52. Conflict-related sexual violence remains a major concern for the Independent Expert. She notes that all signatories to the Peace Agreement have an obligation to prevent and punish sexual and gender-based violence, to ensure that there is no de facto amnesty for the perpetrators and to promote the active participation of women in the peace and reconciliation process. 53. The parties to the conflict, particularly armed groups, have reportedly been responsible for many cases of conflict-related sexual violence, mostly involving rape, attempted rape, sexual slavery or forced marriage. In the south-east of the country, where there were repeated episodes of violence between anti-balaka groups and the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique in 2018, most of the women and girls reported to have been raped by parties to the conflict were allegedly attacked while travelling to farms or fleeing in search of safety (S/2019/280, para. 35). GE.19-13726 9