Human Rights

As the human rights component of the Mission, the Human Rights Division (DDH) represents the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the Central African Republic. In this capacity, its Director is a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT). The Division supports the UN mechanisms of protection of human rights in the CAR, including the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights as well as other treaty bodies.

The DDH’s role focuses on the promotion and protection of human rights as part of the implementation of MINUSCA’s overall mandate as set out in Security Council resolutions 2149 (2014) and 2217 (2015).

Resolutions 2149 (2014)

Para.30.

Promotion and protection of human rights

 (i) To monitor, help investigate and report publicly and to the Security Council on violations of international humanitarian law and on abuses and violations of human rights committed throughout the CAR, in particular by different armed groups, including the former Seleka and the anti-Balaka, and to contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators, and to prevent such violations and abuses, including through the deployment of human rights observers;

(ii) To monitor, help investigate and report specifically on violations and abuses committed against children as well as violations committed against women, including all forms of sexual violence in armed conflict, and to contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators, and to prevent such violations and abuses;

(iii) To support the International Commission of Inquiry and the implementation of its recommendations;

(iv) To assist the CAR authorities in the effort to protect and promote human rights;

Support for national and international justice and the rule of law

(i) To support and work with the Transitional Authorities to arrest and bring to justice those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country, including through cooperation with States of the region and the ICC;

(ii) To help build the capacities, including through technical assistance, of the national judicial system, and of the national human rights institutions and assist with national reconciliation efforts, coordinating with the Independent Expert as appropriate;

(iii) To provide support and to coordinate international assistance to the police, justice and correctional institutions to reinstate the criminal justice system, within the framework of the United Nations global focal point on rule of law, including through assistance in the maintenance of public safety and basic law and order, in a manner that emphasizes civilian oversight, impartiality and the protection of human rights and to support the restoration and maintenance of public safety and the rule of law including through the presence and assistance of United Nations police.

Resolution 2217 (2015)

Para. 32 & 33.

Resolution 2217 of 28 April 2015 extended MINUSCA’s mandate for a year and set out additional tasks related to the protection and promotion of human rights, including :

i)To monitor, help investigate and report publicly and to the Security Council on violations of international humanitarian law and on violations and abuses of human rights committed throughout the CAR, in particular by different armed groups, including the former Seleka and the anti-Balaka, as well as in connection with the Bangui Forum and the electoral process, and to contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators, and to prevent such violations and abuses, including through the deployment of human rights observers;

(ii) To monitor, help investigate and report on violations and abuses committed against children, women as well as persons with disabilities, including rape and other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict, and to contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators, and to prevent such violations and abuses;

(iii) To support the implementation of relevant recommendations of the International Commission of Inquiry;

(iv) To assist the CAR authorities in the effort to protect and promote human rights, including through the establishment of a national human rights commission and to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations.

Activities 

The DDH, through its Director and UN staff based in Bangui as well as in the provinces actively works to implement these mandated tasks. To that end, the Division continuously monitors and reports on human righs violations and abuses throughout the CAR, including through regular visits to prisons and detention facilities, visits of IDP camps, fact-finding missions as well as joint protection of civilians missions. It prepares and disseminates daily, weekly, monthly internal reports and will release its first bi-annual report to the Security Council on the human rights situation in the country. Additionally, the Division undertakes advocacy efforts with Government authorities to promote the ratification of international human rights instruments which have not been ratified by the CAR, the establishment of a national human rights commission in line with the «Paris Principles » of independence and impartiality as well as for the implementation of relevant recommendations formulated by international mechanisms of promotion and protection of human rights. The Division develops, supports and implements several capacity building projects for government officials and civil society members on human rights, transitional justice and the fight against impunity.

CAR mapping report

PDF iconReport of the Mapping Project documenting serious violations of international Human Right law and international humanitatian law committed within the territory of CAR between January 2003 and December 2015 

News release 

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