U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of the Central African Republic

 31^stSession
Geneva, November 9, 2018
As delivered by Charles Bentley

The United States welcomes the delegation of the Central African Republic.

We recommend that the Central African Republic:

1. Prevent armed group members responsible for human rights abuses, including abuses against children, from being integrated into the armed forces, police, or gendarmerie.
2. Train police, gendarmes, prosecutors, and judges on best practices for investigating and prosecuting cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
3. Provide permanent work facilities for the Special Criminal Court investigators, magistrates, and support staff.

We welcome the progress the Government of the Central African Republic has made to strengthen justice, accountability, and the rule of law.  The United States commends the government’s recent success in holding criminal court sessions, the conviction of General Adjilo, and the National Assembly’s adoption of regulations for the Special Criminal Court.

We remain deeply concerned by reports of violations and abuses by government agents, including torture and arbitrary arrest, as well as by reports of widespread abuses by armed groups, such as unlawful killings, involuntary disappearances, torture, pervasive sexual violence, unlawful interference with individuals’ ability to move freely within the country, and the continued use of child soldiers.

We urge the government to increase its efforts to hold accountable both government and non-government actors who are responsible for human rights abuses and violations.