A/HRC/30/59 individuals or members of armed groups, particularly in the west of the c ountry. These accusations of witchcraft are usually brought against members of the most vulnerable population groups, including women, the elderly, children and persons with disabilities. Persons with albinism are not immune either. 57. Persons suspected of witchcraft have also reportedly been victims of acts of mob justice, which are often carried out by anti-balaka militias with the complicity of the local authorities. The situation of conflict, instability and intercommunal hostility and the absence of State authority encourage the emergence of such practices. 58. During her visit in February 2015, the Independent Expert received damning information about cases of persons accused of witchcraft, particularly elderly persons and children, and especially in Bouar, being tortured and murdered. They have included individuals being horrifically burned and allegedly being buried alive. The Bouar police and gendarmerie said that they were powerless against the armed anti balaka fighters. 59. The Independent Expert also noted that a number of women have been imprisoned because they have been accused of witchcraft, often without evidence. This was particularly the case in the Berbérati prison, where a woman who had been detained on the basis of allegations of witchcraft was finally released following the Independent Expert’s visit and follow-up monitoring by the Human Rights Division of MINUSCA. 60. Under the pretence of witchcraft accusations, such practices are perpetrated by armed individuals seeking to extort money from villagers. This is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of national and international law, and the Independent Expert has alerted the authorities to these practices. She has asked that they arrest those responsible without further delay, publicly condemn these heinous crimes, and launch an awareness-raising campaign to deter such acts. Although a few perpetrators of such violence have been arrested, the Independent Expert noted that the Central African authorities have thus far not responded appropriately and effectively to put an end to mob justice. 61. Articles 149 and 150 of chapter XI of the country’s Criminal Code of 6 January 2010 criminalize such practices and establish penalties ranging from fines to life imprisonment in cases where such acts result in death. When the Expert discussed this matter with the authorities, the response provided was that witchcraft had been criminalized in order to protect persons accused of witchcraft from mob justice and to enable them to have a fair trial. 62. This argument is valid only if the State institutions, security forces and, in particular, the judiciary function properly and implement the law. The security forces should severely punish any armed militias that misuse the law to justify taking the place of the courts and dispensing justice themselves. 63. MINUSCA has established a working group on charlatanism and witchcraft that brings together United Nations bodies, NGOs and government officials to begin reflecting on the root causes of violence connected with witchcraft and on ways of addressing them. The actions considered include conducting awareness -raising campaigns, training local and international stakeholders, reviewing and amending existing legal instruments, and identifying and arresting t he perpetrators of related offences. GE.15-12489 13/22