In this report, the independent expert updates the oral report presented to the Human Rights Council on 26 March 2014. She gives an account of the two visits she undertook to Central African Republic from March 4 to 14 and from April 10 to 18, 2014. In this context, the independent expert met with political leaders and transitional authorities, in particular the head of state of the transition. She also met with members of the diplomatic corps, the commander of the French forces, the representatives of the United Nations Integrated Office for Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic, the specialized agencies of the United Nations, the African Union, international non-governmental organizations, civil society, women, youth and community leaders.
She began her second visit on the day the Security Council adopted the resolution 2149 (2014) which established the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and decided on the transfer of responsibilities from the African Union led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) to MINUSCA.
During her first visit, the Independent Expert found that violations of the right to life, to security and physical integrity through assassinations and summary executions and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment took place in the Central African Republic. In addition, the exercise of civil and political rights, especially freedom of conscience and religion and freedom of movement and freedom to choose his residence, is considerably limited by the deteriorating security situation, impunity and the fragility of state institutions.
The overcrowding of the prison in Bangui, the prevailing insecurity, the lack of appropriate places of detention in the rest of the country added to the weaknesses of the judicial system and the ineffectiveness of the criminal justice system is an obstacle to justice and to the fight against impunity. This situation appears to be one of the underlying causes of instability that threatens social peace and ruin the efforts of dialogue and intercommunal reconciliation.
Breaches of international humanitarian law have been reported to the independent expert during her two visits: forced displacement of the civilian population, particularly Muslim, destruction of properties indispensable to the survival of the population (health centers, schools, housing, fields), attacks against the civilian population in some parts of the country, rape and other sexual violence and recruitment of children by armed groups. The weakness of state institutions and the fragility of the rule of law have promoted a general climate of fear and insecurity, and a sense of distrust and suspicion that perpetuate the cycle of violence in the country.
The Independent Expert notes that, despite the willingness expressed by the transitional authorities to effectively fight against impunity and ensure the presence of the administration throughout the country, serious obstacles remain because of the lack of resources, the lack of security for judges, courts and detention centers, inadequate public infrastructure and delays in the deployment of staff in the public administration.
The independent expert noted the development of local initiatives intercommunity reconciliation in Bangassou. Similar initiatives were launched by the people of the third district of Bangui and those of a few towns in the interior similar initiatives were reported to her. Similarly, it has been reported the existence of pockets of stability in south-west, in Boda and Berbérati, in northwest, Bozoum. Economically and socially, the independent expert noted that the crisis in the Central African Republic since December 2012 has led to a collapse in economic activity, paralyzed administration and caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with nearly a quarter of the population displaced or taken refuge.
The economic recovery remains dependent on the normalization of security, return of displaced persons and refugees and the gradual recovery of economic activity, particularly in agriculture and trade. The precarious economic situation considerably undermines the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, even though the independent expert noted the reopening of schools, particularly in Bangui and Bangassou.