A/HRC/36/64
the embargo on the supply of weapons to the Central African Armed Forces, citing by
way of justification the inability of MINUSCA to provide effective protection and even
going so far as to accuse certain battalions of conspiring with the armed groups. The
Independent Expert has already underlined the importance of far-reaching reform of
the security sector, of the setting up of a vetting process to ensure that those
responsible for serious violations are prevented from re-enlisting in the armed forces
and of the establishment of an army that is responsible, national and democratic.
104. The fight against impunity is essential to the resolution of the crisis in the
Central African Republic. The population has waited too long for specific measures to
re-establish the rule of law. The appointment of the Special Prosecutor of the Special
Criminal Court is proof that progress can be made. That achievement must now be
built on as a matter of urgency to ensure that the Court becomes operational and to
break definitively with the past, which was characterized by a tendency to turn a
blind eye to the actions of war criminals and to reward violence.
105. The multiple mediation efforts must include not only the Government and the
armed groups, but also women and the Central African political parties. The
Independent Expert recalls that discussions on peace and development can bear fruit
only if they are inclusive and involve the effective participation of women from all
sections of society.
B.
Recommendations
106. The Independent Expert reiterates the recommendations contained in her
previous report (see A/HRC/33/63, para. 122), which remain pending. She calls on the
Government, with the support of the international community:
(a)
To continue to participate actively, transparently and with due respect
for its human rights obligations in conflict-mediation initiatives in order to achieve an
immediate end to hostilities and a lasting peace in a sovereign and united Central
African Republic;
(b)
To encourage and ensure women’s participation in all peace and security
negotiation initiatives, in line with Security Council resolution 1325 (2000); and to
include the Central African political parties in negotiations on peace, reconciliation
and the future of the country;
(c)
To reiterate its commitment to refrain from granting amnesty to those
responsible for serious crimes under international law, such as war crimes, acts of
genocide and crimes against humanity or serious human rights violations, and to
reaffirm the right of victims to know the truth about those violations and their right to
redress and reparation, in accordance with the will of the Central African people as
expressed at the Bangui Forum and in the Constitution of the Republic;
(d)
To cooperate with the Special Prosecutor of the Special Criminal Court
in order to ensure that perpetrators, instigators of and accomplices to the most serious
international crimes, regardless of their status and/or political or religious affiliation
or ethnicity, are identified, arrested and put on trial without delay; to provide regular
information to the population, civil society organizations and community leaders
about the progress made in setting up the Special Criminal Court and to intensify
training for all stakeholders, including judicial personnel, lawyers and the Bar;
(e)
To strengthen the resources of the country’s courts in order to ensure
that judges have an effective presence in the towns to which they have been posted
and hold ordinary court sittings and assize court sessions on a more regular basis;
(f)
To finalize and implement without delay a victim and witness protection
strategy so that conditions are in place in which they can testify and obtain justice and
reparation in complete safety;
16
GE.17-12914
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents