The 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

9 September - 11 October 2024

Item 10: Technical assistance and capacity-building

7 October 2024

Statement of the International Organisation for Eliminating all Forms of Racial Discrimination and Geneva International Centre for Justice

Delivered by Julius Schmitz / GICJ

Thank you, Ms Vice-President,

We thank the Independent Expert for their report and commend the Central African Republic’s government for its progress toward peace and reconciliation, especially through disbanding a number of armed groups that remain responsible for the majority of human rights violations in the country.

Yet, with local elections on the horizon, the recent progress will be challenged. Suspected tampering in past elections, widespread corruption, and human rights violations by government agents, undermine the trust between the population and different political actors. The resolution of issues and the effective implementation of the Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Reconciliation Committee is essential. It is vital that the political opposition engages in the elections and recognizes their results. Only a climate of trust can enable all parts of society, to partake in the elections, thus turning them into an accelerator on the trajectory toward peace and prosperity.

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge the government of the Central African Republic to make every possible effort to reduce corruption and violence by government agents and to establish a confidence-building dialogue between all involved actors. Furthermore, enabling free, fair, and transparent elections is imperative. Establishing trust is a cornerstone on the path toward long-lasting peace and prosperity and will break the cycle of suffering and violence.

Thank you.

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