UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on human rights situation in the Central African Republic

Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

The United Kingdom warmly welcomes this High Level Dialogue on the situation in the Central African Republic and we thank all the panellists for their interventions.

The United Kingdom welcomes efforts by CAR authorities to extend state authority to address the continued insecurity in remote areas that lack basic services. However, reliance on Russian proxies, with their widespread atrocities against civilians and exploitation of natural resources, threatens to undo this progress. CAR authorities must take concrete measures to hold all perpetrators of human rights abuses and violation to account.

Pursuing a political solution, which protects the rights of all individuals, is the only way to address local challenges and ensure long-term peace. We call on CAR to recommit to the Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation and fulfil the commitment to conduct local elections in 2024. Both are crucial to decentralise local governance and implement CAR’s policy frameworks on human rights and justice.

The UK remains concerned by continued human rights incidents against women and children, including conflict-related sexual violence. We welcome the Independent Expert’s call to prioritise women’s empowerment. The inclusion of all individuals is central for ensuring an effective and democratic peace process.

Panellists,

How can the international community step up its support for efforts to empower the marginalised in Central African Republic, and to better promote and protect the rights of women and children in the context of continued insecurity?

Thank you.