A/HRC/12/50
239. Interfaith International stated that it had reported many cases of torture, crime, rape,
sexual violence, summary executions, destruction of public property and enforced
disappearances in Bangui and in several regions following the coup d’état of 2003. It noted
that presidential and legislative elections in 2005 had brought peace to the country. It called
on the authorities to consider recommendations 2, 25, 26, 33 and 34, the implementation of
which was related to domestic legislative reforms that remained deficient. It called on the
State to remedy such deficiency and to demonstrate its political will for building a
democratic State.
240. The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues welcomed the commitments
of the Central African Republic. It noted that, since the second half of 2005, confrontation
between the army and rebel groups had led to summary executions, sexual violence, torture
and systematic looting, forcing 100,000 people to flee. While the State had undertaken to
punish perpetrators of violations, a 2008 amnesty law showed that it scorned victims. The
International Federation of Human Rights Leagues recalled the death of Wanfiyo
Goungaye, who had received threats since the opening of the Bemba case before the
International Criminal Court. It called upon the Council to monitor the respect by the
Government of its commitments.
241. Human Rights Watch welcomed the steps taken by the Government to end abuses by
the security forces. However, it was concerned about continuing attacks against civilians in
the context of the Government’s counter-insurgency operations against rebels in the north,
and about alleged abuses by paramilitary groups that were allied to the Government. It was
crucial to reform the security sector and to ensure that members of the security forces
underwent a thorough training and awareness programme in international humanitarian and
human rights law. It considered that the State should fully implement the recommendations
that it had accepted and ensure that all violations of human rights or humanitarian law are
investigated and those responsible are prosecuted and punished. The fact that the incidence
of attacks by Government security forces against civilians had fallen dramatically was
testimony to the capacity of the Government to take concrete steps to halt violations.
4.
Concluding remarks of the State under review
242. The delegation welcomed the acknowledgement of the international community of
its need for assistance on the road to peace, which implied respect for human rights
243. The delegation wished to provide clarification in relation to some concerns that had
been expressed, stressing that the Central African Republic had demonstrated its good faith.
Since 2003, tangible efforts had been made to address the issue of summary executions and
to ensure security. The delegation mentioned the situation in the east of the country, which
was experiencing incursions by rebels from Uganda. The international community was
fully aware of the situation as well as of the financial and military capacity of the State. The
delegation insisted on the necessary assistance by the international community in this
regard, while underlining that the Central African Republic should remain a State governed
by the rule of law.
244. With reference to the Wanfiyo Goungaye case, the delegation noted that efforts had
been made to address the situation.
245. The delegation added that amnesty was a legal means used to ensure national peace
and reconciliation and not to strengthen impunity. Stakeholders were involved in the
inclusive political dialogue, which had identified a number of measures to ensure peace.
246. Regarding the reform of the justice system, the strengthening of capacities and the
need to address the issue of prison overcrowding, the delegation underlined the fact that this
required financial resources and the assistance of the international community. The Central
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