A/HRC/26/53 human rights (the Paris Principles).4 When the conflict broke out in December 2012, the law establishing the commission was awaiting parliamentary approval. This structure will serve as a focal point between the Human Rights and Justice Section of MINUSCA and the Government as part of efforts to strengthen human rights capacity and dialogue. An effective national human rights commission could contribute to capacity-building and the development of mechanisms to promote and protect human rights in the Central African Republic. VI. Observations and recommendations A. Observations 41. The Independent Expert observed that human rights violations are continuing in the Central African Republic, although the number of reported killings has fallen. The threat posed by anti-Balaka and former Seleka elements continues to weigh on the capital and the rest of the country. The Independent Expert again condemns these human rights violations and reiterates that the instigators and perpetrators of these acts cannot remain unpunished. 42. As the Independent Expert emphasized in her oral update in March 2014, the authority of the State outside the capital, Bangui, remains weak. The country lacks adequate security institutions, and justice cannot be implemented without a legitimate force to maintain law and order. Some interlocutors described the Central African Republic as a failed, bankrupt State or a State in name only. Be that as it may, what the Independent Expert observed during her two visits was a country that has faced perpetual armed conflict since independence and has never received adequate attention from the international community. 43. Combating impunity remains the priority for the transitional authorities as well as for most of the interlocutors. The training needs of judicial personnel have been mentioned. There is also the issue of the safety of judges and other judicial personnel. The lack of security for judges, trial venues and places of detention, and the lack of suitable facilities are serious obstacles to combating impunity effectively. The Independent Expert took note of ongoing initiatives at the Ministry of Justice to rebuild the criminal justice system and establish investigation units to combat impunity nationwide. She also took due note of the technical assistance which international partners such as France, the European Union and the specialized agencies of the United Nations have begun providing to the different ministries. Moreover, with the exception of the central prison of Bangui, not a single prison is operating in the interior of the country, because they have been either destroyed or emptied of their prisoners since the outbreak of the crisis, or again simply because they are dilapidated. Problems of prison administration and security persist, including in the central prison of Bangui. 44. The Independent Expert again observed that the insecurity and violence for which the armed groups in the Central African Republic are responsible are hindering the new authorities’ efforts to combat impunity. Indeed, in the absence of a programme to disarm and demobilize all those groups, and as long as judges live in fear and the security of victims and witnesses is not assured, it will be difficult to administer justice. In addition, despite the efforts made by the international forces, 4 14 General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993, Annex. GE.14-03816