Freedom in the World 2001 - Central African Republic

2001 Scores

Status: Partly Free
Freedom Rating: 3.5
Civil Liberties: 4
Political Rights: 3

Overview

The Central African Republic (CAR) was becoming increasingly unstable toward the end of the year. Fuel shortages and resultant high prices, caused by the war in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, was exacerbating an economic crisis. Thousands of people marched through the streets of the capital, Bangui, in November against salary arrears. Calls were escalating for a no-confidence vote to be passed against Prime Minister Anicet Georges Dologuélé, whom critics accuse of taking advantage of his position and failing to relieve economic hardship.

The CAR, a sparsely populated country, gained independence from France in 1960 after a period of particularly brutal colonial exploitation. Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa seized power in 1967 and, as self-declared emperor, imposed an increasingly bizarre personal dictatorship on the renamed Central African Empire. After Bokassa began to murder schoolchildren, French forces finally ousted him in 1979. A French-installed successor was deposed by General Kolingba in 1981. Kolingba accepted a transition to a multiparty system that led to democratic elections in 1993, which Patassé won.

Profound divisions linger within the security forces that could reverse steps made toward peace. President Ange-Félix Patassé's former presidential guard, the Special Forces for the Defense of Democratic Institutions, has technically been dismantled, but the troops have not yet been integrated into the armed forces. They were largely drawn from Patassé's base in the north. The southern-dominated military traditionally has been loyal to former military ruler André Kolingba.

The National Program for Demobilization and Reintegration has been put on "technical hold." The government blames international donors for failing to provide the necessary funds, while the donors accuse the government of moving too slowly on reforms. Rumors abound of military subversion, and there are growing fears of social unrest.

A United Nations peacekeeping mission to CAR ended its mandate in February after helping create conditions necessary for elections in 1999. The UN mission was established in April 1998 following mutinies in 1996 and 1997 that wracked Bangui. The UN troops replaced African peacekeepers who were brought in to help maintain security following vigorous French military intervention.

Most of the country's people are subsistence farmers. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have accused the government of executive interference in the country's privatization program, which is proceeding slowly.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Presidential and legislative elections were held in 1993 in line with the 1986 constitution, giving the CAR's people their first opportunity to choose their leaders in an open and democratic manner. President Patassé, leader of the Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People, was reelected in September 1999 for another six-year term, defeating André Kolingba. The incumbent narrowly won the first round, eliminating the need for a runoff. UN peacekeepers watched over the voting, and international observers judged the vote to be free, although there were reports of irregularities such as ballot shortages in some areas with a strong opposition following. Kolingba and other candidates claimed fraud. President Patassé's triumph was not matched by his party in the December 1998 national assembly elections, which produced a nearly even split between his supporters and his opponents.

Corruption, political interference, and lack of training hinder the efficiency and impartiality of judicial institutions. Limitations on searches and detention are often ignored. Conditions for prisoners, including many long-term pretrial detainees, are extremely difficult and sometimes life-threatening. Police brutality is also a serious problem, and security forces act with impunity. Extrajudicial executions of criminal suspects are reported, and robbery and other abuses by various military factions have become a serious problem in the capital. A special anticrime police unit was less active in 2000, although it still had popular support and carried out extrajudicial executions of suspected criminals.

The UN-sponsored Radio Minurca provides nonpartisan civic and voter educational programming. Other broadcast media are dominated by the state and offer little coverage of opposition activities. The only licensed private radio stations are music- or religion-oriented. Legislation enacted in 1998 rescinded the government's authority to censor the press, but authorities have occasionally been restrictive and have used draconian criminal libel laws to prosecute journalists. In December 1999, President Patassé warned that action would be taken against media that have "a tendency to incite rebellion." At least three journalists were arrested in 2000.

Open public discussion is permitted, but constitutionally guaranteed freedom of assembly is not always honored by authorities. Discrimination against indigenous Pygmies exists. Several human rights and other nongovernmental organizations operate unhindered. Broad prohibitions against "fundamentalism" are widely considered to be aimed at Islamist tendencies and could provide scope for official restrictions on worship. Religious groups must register with the government, although religious freedom is generally respected in practice.

The CAR's largest single employer is the government, and government employee trade unions are especially active. Worker rights to form or join unions are legally protected. Two of five labor federations are independent. For strikes to be legal, a conciliation process is required. Wage guidelines are set by the government in consultation with employers and unions, but unions sometimes reach agreements with employers through collective bargaining. There were a number of strikes in 2000 over salary arrears

Societal discrimination in many areas relegates women to second-class citizenship, especially in rural areas, and constitutional guarantees for women's rights are generally not enforced. Women's access to education and jobs has been limited. However, women have made some gains in the political sphere; 80 women contested the national assembly elections in 1998. Eight won seats. Female genital mutilation is still practiced, but is reportedly diminishing.