Thirteen years of conflicts and serious human rights violations documented in the Central African Republic

Injured persons internally displaced by the violence in Bangui wait in line for medical treatment at an airport clinic. Photo: @S.Phelps/UNHCR

The 30 May 2017 publication, in Bangui, of the report of the Mapping Project documenting serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law within the territory of the Central African Republic provided an opportunity for the people of the CAR to exercise their right to the truth and lay the foundation for transitional justice. 

The report documents horrific cases of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, looting, large-scale destruction of homes and property (a scorched earth policy), kidnappings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture and the recruitment of child soldiers.

The preliminary legal characterization of these acts of violence refers to serious violations and abuses of human rights that could constitute crimes of war, crimes against humanity and, possibly, the crime of genocide.

The UNDP, working closely with MINUSCA and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights  (OHCHR) started work on this project in May 2016. The Mapping Report is the conclusion of more than 12 months of research and inquiry, documenting 620 of the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the Central Africa Republic from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2015.

More than 100 representatives of civil society and governmental, parliamentary and judicial bodies participated in the publication of this report. The content of the Mapping Report, its methodology and its recommendations to national authorities and institutions, United Nations bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society and international partners were presented and published jointly by the UNDP, MINUSCA and OHCHR.

A two-day conference also provided an opportunity to explore the best approaches and strategies for supporting Central African authorities in their efforts to combat impunity and implement a comprehensive, inclusive process of transitional justice.

Pursuant to Resolution 2301 (2016) Adopted by the Security Council, the goal of the mapping is to contribute to the efforts of the future Special Criminal Court and to the development of additional transitional justice mechanisms, such as a Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission. In the context of continuing violence, the Mapping Report should also serve as a deterrent and a means to prevent serious violations of human rights and breaches of international humanitarian law.

For information on the project (in French): http://www.cf.undp.org/content/car/fr/home/operations/projects/democratic_governance/projet-conjoint-dappui-a-la-lutte-contre-les-violations-des-droi.html

To download the report: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/CF/Mapping2003-2015/2017CAR_Mapping_Report_EN.pdf