Decades of unrelenting conflict have left countless Central Africans seeking justice. Accessing information on how to pursue justice can be especially challenging for people living with disabilities. Reason for MINUSCA and the organization ‘Action for the Promotion of Human Rights, Solidarity and Progress’ to organize a workshop on transitional justice, for blind people.

50 participants gathered at Bangui’s Stade 20 000 Places on 11-12 March for the two-day discussion on the law that established the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission (CVJRR), which together with the Central African Special Criminal Court, comprise the two mechanisms for implementing transitional justice in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Spreading the word on the CVJRR will help improve access to justice for victims of armed conflict, conflict-related sexual violence, gender-based violence and many other human rights violations.

“Among the victims of conflict are people living with disabilities in general and blind people in particular. The government would like to reassure them that it will spare no effort in supporting initiatives for their dignity and welfare. I invite the organizers of the workshop to use appropriate language and techniques to enable the participants understand the content of the law behind the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission,” said Joachim Magombassa, a representative of the CAR Minister for Humanitarian Action and National Reconciliation.

MINUSCA is committed to promoting transitional justice – a key to lasting peace – through providing technical and financial assistance for its implementation.  

“It is no secret that the Central African crisis has affected all parts of society and that the blind population is particularly vulnerable. It is therefore important to enable this section of the population to access the provisions of the text,” noted MINUSCA Transitional Justice Coordinator Sylvestre Pakabombo.