Human Rights and Democracy Report 2015 - Central African Republic (CAR)

The overall human rights situation in CAR remained very poor throughout 2015. Extra-judicial killings, kidnapping, banditry, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, torture and the recruitment of child soldiers continued. Inter-communal tensions remained high throughout the year. Violence surged in September with a spate of killings and the wanton destruction of many properties across Bangui. This violence saw a backlash against enclaved communities, with heightened tensions and obstructions to their freedom of movement imposed by armed groups. More than 60,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported to humanitarian agencies in 2015. There were persistent allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by UN, African Union (AU), French and EU troops (see Chapter II).

The UK's key human rights objective in CAR in 2015 was to secure an end to the impunity that encourages such widespread abuse, through support to both security sector reform and elections. To this end, we supported the EU Military Advisory Mission, which provides the government of CAR with expert advice to reform the military, and provided diplomatic and financial support to the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA). UK aid also supported programmes addressing the protection and health needs of victims of violence, and aiming to prevent human rights abuse.

CAR made some limited progress during 2015. We welcomed the passing of a law creating a Special Criminal Court, and worked with CAR authorities and international partners to support it. In a significant development, presidential elections went ahead in a largely peaceful manner. However, human rights continued to be violated in CAR on a regular basis, and with impunity. Security sector reform has not significantly progressed, constrained by lack of political engagement. Allegations of SEA, committed by international peacekeeping troops undermined the international community's ability to lead change. The ease with which armed groups move in the ungoverned space outside Bangui and small arms proliferation made it difficult for aid and remedial services to reach those worst affected, or for international peacekeepers to be effective.

The humanitarian situation in CAR continues to be a cause for deep concern. More than 2.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 452,000 internally displaced people and 451,100 CAR refugees in neighbouring countries. The UK pledged an additional £7 million in humanitarian assistance, bringing the total UK aid contribution for the year to CAR and CAR refugees to £25 million. The UK remains one of the largest humanitarian donors to CAR, providing £58 million through NGOs and international organisations to assist CAR populations and CAR refugees since 2013. This money has helped provide essential healthcare, food and livelihood assistance, and protection to populations affected by the conflict.

It is imperative that the unacceptable levels of human rights violations and abuses in CAR are reduced during 2016. The new President-elect and his government will be key to reconciliation and the reintegration of refugees and internally displaced people, as well as bringing an end to impunity, while continued security sector reform will help strengthen critical institutions. The peace-keeping mission MINUSCA will need to play a critical role alongside CAR authorities to address insecurity across the country. Successful legislative elections and efforts to rebuild the judiciary will facilitate progress. We will continue to work with the new government and international partners to achieve these goals, including by providing diplomatic and financial support through an EU Mission to train CAR armed forces.