HRC58: Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation in the Central African Republic

The 58th Session of the Human Rights Council

24 February - 4 April 2025

Item 10: High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic

1 April 2025

By En Xi Tan / GICJ

Executive Summary

On 1 April 2025, a high-level dialogue on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic was held as part of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). The Minister of State of Justice, the Promotion of Human Rights and Good Governance, Keeper of the Seals, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the CAR, Mr. Yao Agbetse and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Head of MINUSCA, Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza, shared their insights on the present human rights situation and how progress can be made towards peace, stabilisation, decentralisation and restoration of state authority. 

The dialogue was tied to the Resolution 57/35 adopted by the HRC on 11 October 2024, which mandates an expert to assess, monitor and report on the situation and make recommendations relating to technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights. In accordance with this mandate, the Independent Expert Mr. Yao Agbetse conducted an official visit to the country from 17-27 February 2025 and presented his assessment at the high-level dialogue. In light of current efforts made towards peace and stabilisation, such as the upcoming local elections scheduled for August 2025, the dialogue represented an opportunity to take stock of the human rights situation in the Central African Republic and discuss the way forward for peacebuilding and human rights protection.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) welcomes Resolution 57/35 and the progress made in the Central African Republic towards peace and stabilisation. In particular, we commend the adoption of laws to protect human rights defenders and the approved national development plan, and extend our appreciation to the delegates who reiterated their commitment to supporting the Central African Republic’s transitional justice efforts during the high-level dialogue. 

Background

The conflict in the Central African Republic has its roots in the overthrow of President François Bozizé by the Séléka rebel coalition in 2013. Widespread violence and the formation of anti-Balaka militias ensued, leading to the proliferation of atrocities, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the collapse of state institutions. This plunged the Central African Republic into a chaotic state of violence and a humanitarian crisis. Despite brief episodes of optimism after the election of President Faustin Archange Touadera in 2016 and the 2017 peace agreement, heavy clashes persisted. Various tenets of the 2019 peace agreement remain un-implemented. In light of the dire security and humanitarian crisis, the UN Security Council established a peacekeeping force in 2014, and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was established with a mandate to protect civilians and disarm militia groups. 

More recently, the adoption of a new constitution in August 2023 and preparations for upcoming local elections signal positive developments in rebuilding and stabilisation. However, documented human rights violations and armed conflict remain in many regions of the Central African Republic, thus underscoring the urgent need for proactive steps toward peace, stabilisation and justice.

Summary of Human Rights Council Resolution 57/35

Adopted by the HRC on 11 October 2024, Resolution 57/35 centres on technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights in the Central African Republic. It was adopted in light of the fragile security situation and rampant human rights violations in the Central African Republic.

Resolution 57/35 condemns human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including killings, gender-based violence and the recruitment and use of children. It also urges armed groups to observe an immediate ceasefire in accordance with their commitment under the Peace Agreement of 6 February 2019 and the joint road map of 16 September 2021. 

In light of these considerations, the Resolution calls upon the Government of the Central African Republic, with the support of the international community, to:

1.  create the conditions for dignified return of displaced person and refugees; 
2. prevent sexual violence against women and children, with the effective support of  technical and financial partners, to fulfil the commitments undertaken in 2019 with the signing of the joint communiqué between the United Nations and the Government of the Central African Republic;
3. provide support to the National Observatory for Gender Parity and to strengthen the organisation and operations of the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the High Council for Communication, the High Authority for Good Governance, the National Committee on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and All Forms of Discrimination, and other State institutions working for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, the fight against corruption and the promotion of democracy and good governance;
4. revitalise the disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation process;
5. to intensify their efforts in the run-up to the elections to ensure that they are held in accordance with the principles of freedom, transparency and democracy, and are inclusive and balanced in terms of gender and youth participation;
6. promptly adopt a national child protection plan and to consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure;
7. strengthen the financial and human resources allocated for the purpose of restoring, extending and consolidating the effective authority of the State over the entire country;
8. implement the national strategy for the protection of victims and witnesses participating in judicial proceedings; and
9. fully implement security sector reform to establish multi-ethnic, professional, representative and well-equipped national defence and internal security forces.

In light of the fragility of the state, the Resolution also called on Member States and international organisations to continue and strengthen their financial support for processes and initiatives to promote peace, security and reconciliation for the Central African Republic, including the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission.

High-level dialogue

Opening Statements

To begin the High Level Dialogue, Director of the Global Operations Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Marit Cohen-Sheriff, acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Central African Republic Governments to promote and protect human rights under its international obligations and national policies. She highlighted how this attests to the political will of the government to enhance human rights in the country together with a large section of stakeholders. However, she also highlighted the persisting human rights violations by all parties to the conflict, including sexual violence and violence against children. In light of this, she called on the government to conduct speedy, effective and transparent investigations in accordance with international law and underscored the value of decentralisation processes for responsible local governance. In concluding her statement, she reiterated the need for an effective transitional justice process that includes civil society and which adequately compensates and includes victims. 

Next, the Minister of State in charge of Justice, Human Rights and Good Governance, Keeper of the Seals of the Central African Republic, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, paid tribute to the efforts of the UN in promoting respect for human rights, democratic governance, peacebuilding and security in the country. Subsequently, he outlined the various steps taken by the government in administrative decentralisation,  democratisation and operational defense. He also highlighted the adoption of a central justice policy, which created a Court of Appeal to ensure access to justice across  all seven regions. Additionally, he emphasised the implementation of the national human rights policy and national development plan, which together form  the country’s recovery and peacebuilding strategy. He ended his statement by calling for solidarity among the international community to keep the Central African Republic on the agenda and provide the necessary support for the realisation of human dignity in the country.

The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, Mr. Yao Agbetse, introduced the results witnessed during his visit from 17 to 27 February 2025. He welcomed positive developments like the appointment of 11 new commissioners, adoption of laws protecting human rights defenders, and the approval of the national development plan. However, he also raised concerns on reported human rights violations in areas where armed groups operate and called for the implementation of recommendations outlined in the MINUSCA report. Additionally, he underscored the crucial role of  international  support for the Central African Republic and affirmed that strengthening local governance is key to MINUSCA’s exit strategy.

Next, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for MINUSCA, Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza, acknowledged the timeliness of the dialogue at a promising but delicate moment in the history of the Central African Republic. Beyond echoing other speakers in highlighting the importance of decentralisation and local governance, she also asserted their centrality to MINUSCA’s actions. She outlined the various ways MINUSCA has supported the peace process and national reconciliation, including partnering with UN Women to enable representation of women in elections. In light of the fragile security context in the Central African Republic, she reiterated that the Central African Republic is at a crossroads, where there is a real opportunity to consolidate and to extend. To achieve this, she highlighted that the authority of the state must be extended with justice as its guiding force.

Through a video statement, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and Head of the AU Mission for the Central African Republic and Central Africa (MISCA), Mr. Antonio Egìdio De Sousa Santos, joined fellow opening speakers in reiterating the importance of the upcoming local elections in bolstering local governance, encouraging citizen participation, and enhancing the accountability of local governments.  He also underscored the commitment of the African Union to increasing accountability and improving equitable access to resources and basic services throughout the country. 

Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) in Central African Republic and coordinator of the Women's Consortium of CSOs and the CSOs’ Platform on Penitentiary reforms, Ms. Chantal Solange Touabena, ended the segment by highlighting the plights of women in the Central African Republic and the importance of including them in public and political life. While acknowledging the new electoral law which provides representational opportunities for women in municipal elections, she highlighted the need for concrete measures to ensure the safety of women during municipal elections. 

Country and Regional Statements

Following the opening statements, various countries took the floor to express their positions on the developments in the Central African Republic.

Speaking on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries, the Ambassador of Norway welcomed the adoption of a law to protect human rights defenders and called on the government to investigate all human rights violations and to hold perpetrators accountable. In the lead-up to local elections, he also posed a question regarding how the international community can support the Central African Republic government in ensuring the meaningful participation of women in upcoming elections. 

The delegate of the European Union similarly welcomed positive developments in the country, and highlighted its presence on the ground through its PSDC mission. She ended her statement by encouraging the authorities and their partners to follow the recommendations in the independent expert report. 

In a similar vein, the delegate of Gabon welcomed the tangible efforts made by the Central African Republic authorities and reiterated Gabon’s commitment to peacekeeping and stability in the Central African Republic, including by deploying its troops within MINUSCA. 

Joining other delegates in welcoming the efforts by the Central African Republic, the delegate of Morocco emphasised that local elections will be a unique opportunity to ensure the effectiveness of the state’s presence.

The delegate of Malawi raised concerns on documented human rights violations and abuses in the Central African Republic and called upon MINUSCA to adopt a proactive and effective approach to the protection of civilians, and called for the rendering of all necessary assistance to the work of the special criminal court. 

Similarly, the delegate of Ireland expressed alarm at the continued attacks against civilians, which threaten to undermine efforts made thus far to restore state authority. She urged the Central African Republic to investigate all allegations of serious human rights violations and to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. She ended her statement by emphasising the importance of open and transparent accountability processes for a lasting peace, and asserted that the upcoming elections will be an important starting point to enhance women’s political representation in the country. 

The delegate of the Russian Federation raised the security threats and military crises remaining in the Central African Republic. Notably, he cited the military-political crisis in neighbouring Sudan which has led to an increase in the number of refugees to the Central African Republic, and claimed that this risks replenishing the ranks of illegal armed groups and aggravating the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic. 

The delegate of China next took the floor to advocate for technical expertise based on the wishes of the governments, and criticised the usage of human rights as an excuse to interfere in internal affairs. In the context of the Central African Republic, he encouraged OHCHR and other UN human rights agencies to play an active role in restoring peace and stability based on the wishes of the government and people of the Central African Republic. Lastly, he added that China will accelerate the implementation of initiatives in the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation to provide assistance to the Central African Republic.

Statements from Non-Governmental Organisations

Various non-government organisations took the floor to share their views on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic. Representatives acknowledged that the upcoming elections will be a critical phase in the consolidation of peace in the Central African Republic, but raised concerns about the ongoing human rights violations and violence in the Central African Republic, including gender-based violence, sexual violence and child soldier recruitment. Notably, a representative emphasised the inadequacy of responses to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) as a result of stigma, low understanding of rights and deficient legal avenues for justice and accountability. Representatives also urged the Central African Republic and the international community to contribute necessary resources and combat impunity in the Central African Republic.

Concluding Statements

In the concluding section of the dialogue, Mr. Yao Agbetse acknowledged the importance of 2025 as an electoral year and asserted that channels of dialogue have to remain open. To this end, he highlighted the role of the High Council of Communications in regulating and overseeing both conventional and digital media. Regarding questions posed by some country delegates on the support the international community can provide, he outlined the importance of sustaining the implementation of the national human rights policy and priority projects defined in the national development project. Further, he highlighted the importance of ensuring sufficient training for the armed and interior security forces. Given the theme of local governance, he ended his statement by urging the international community to support the implementation of the national decentralisation and territorial development policy, which is crucial for fulfilling the basic needs of the population. 

Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) welcomes Resolution 57/35 and the progress made in the Central African Republic towards peace and stabilisation. In particular, we commend the adoption of laws to protect human rights defenders and the approved national development plan, and extend our appreciation to the delegates who reiterated their commitment to supporting the Central African Republic’s transitional justice efforts during the high-level dialogue. 

However, we also note with alarm that human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence and child recruitment, remain especially where armed militias are present. We condemn the international humanitarian law and human rights abuses perpetrated by parties to the conflict, and urge authorities and concerned institutions to take proactive approaches to investigating such cases and upholding accountability for perpetrators. 

In light of the upcoming local elections, which constitute a critical juncture in the Central African Republic’s move towards decentralisation and civic participation, we call on Central African Republic authorities and their partners to ensure the safety and empowerment of female voters and candidates, who have been historically excluded from political life. 

Finally, we encourage all States to render necessary support and technical assistance as the Central African Republic navigates a difficult journey towards peace and stabilisation, which must be a process centred on justice, accountability and security.

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