Experts say all parties to China-Africa conflict violate civilian human rights

Human rights experts accuse all parties to the conflict in the Central African Republic of serious human rights violations and abuses against civilians.

Experts held a high-level dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday to assess developments in the Central African Republic, warning that ongoing violence and instability in the country have adversely affected the human rights of civilians and plunged the country into poverty. .

Nada Al-Nashif, the UN deputy high commissioner for human rights, attributes “51 per cent of violations to armed groups and the remaining 49 per cent to state actors”.

She said that between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the United Nations peacekeeping force (MINUSCA) reported 2,100 abuses and violations, affecting 4,676 victims.

She said hundreds of women and girls were among the victims “who suffered conflict-related sexual violence.”

“These violations were committed mainly by armed groups, but also by the military and other security personnel,” she said, adding that the warring parties also committed other serious violations such as extrajudicial killings, trafficking, forced recruitment and use, and forced marriage.

Children are also victims of serious human rights violations, she said, “with the recruitment and use of children as well as abduction and sexual violence being the most common.” … Armed groups remain the main perpetrators in this regard. “

Nassif noted that the government has taken some measures to improve the poor human rights situation in the country. However, she stressed that this was only a first step and said intensified measures were urgently needed to eliminate all forms of exploitation and abuse.

Responding to the Deputy High Commissioner’s remarks, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, CAR’s Minister of State for Justice, explained that the CAR has experienced years of conflict and unrest, leading to “serious violations of human rights and Women and girls are gravely violated under international humanitarian law.” The main victim. “

President Faustin-Archanche Touadera is determined to rectify the situation, he said, noting that the president has placed “the promotion and protection of human rights at the center of his public policies,” with special emphasis on the rights of women and girls.

He detailed and recounted the many new and revised constitutional and other legal remedies his government had implemented to address gender-based violence. Some of them aim to eliminate discrimination, strengthen women’s rights, protect women and children from abuse and seek justice for crimes against them, he said.

“During the criminal sessions of the Bangui Court of Appeal in 2020 and 2023, a number of criminal cases of rape were heard, and the convicted perpetrators and accomplices were severely punished,” he said, adding that “the current appeal in Bangui Several cases are under investigation by the courts.” Level of Court. “

Joanne Adamson, the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for MINUSCA, praised the government for “significant progress on human rights,” including the adoption of a national human rights policy, the extension of operations to combat conflict-related sexual violence, and the government’s commitment to combat Impunity for conflict-related sexual violence.

“However, despite these efforts and improvements in some areas, the security situation across the country remains unstable and continues to pose human rights challenges, particularly in remote areas where armed groups remain active,” she said .

“Conflict-related sexual violence remains a reality due to persistent gender inequalities and harmful traditional practices,” which often results in abused women remaining silent.

Adamson said many victims don’t seek justice because they “fear retaliation, feel shame or fear of being stigmatized and are afraid to speak out.”

Allowing women to participate more fully in political and public life would help “consolidate peace, reconciliation and development,” she said.

Deputy High Commissioner Nassif noted that the Central African Republic ranks 188th out of 191 countries for gender equality.

“Gender-based discrimination and exclusion from public and political life remain deeply entrenched,” she said.

“Regrettably, the revised Electoral Code passed by the National Assembly in January 2024 does not contain provisions to implement the 35% quota for women in accordance with the Gender Equality Act of 2016.”

Adamson called on the government to “ensure women’s political participation in all decision-making bodies through effective legal frameworks and policies”.