Amnesty International wants the Special Criminal Court in CAR fully operational
Paris, France (PANA) - Amnesty International (AI) has called for renewed efforts to make the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic (CAR) fully operational, saying it will be a major step forward in a country where civilians are paying a heavy price for atrocities committed by armed groups.
AI, in a statement on the fifth anniversary of the court's establishment, said: "the Special Criminal Court, considered a symbol of hope by many victims, was established in response to a unanimous call for justice and accountability."
"However, more needs to be done to make it fully operational and to ensure that victims of the hate crimes that have been committed can soon attend the first trials," the international organization said on Wednesday.
In particular, AI called for increased and sustained financial assistance from international partners and better coordination with national criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court.
"The series of arrests of persons recently transferred to the Special Criminal Court contributes to the fight against impunity in the Central African Republic. These individuals must appear promptly before judges, be informed of the reasons for their detention, and be assisted by lawyers," said Amnesty International.
The Special Criminal Court of the Central African Republic, established by law on 3 June 2015 and inaugurated in October 2018, is a "hybrid" court with jurisdiction to try serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the Central African Republic since 2003.
According to latest information, the Court currently has eight cases for which investigations have been completed, eight cases under investigation, and around 15 cases under preliminary investigation.
The Central African Republic, which has a history of coups d'état, armed conflict, and violence targeting the civilian population, is currently facing a conflict that erupted in March 2013 between Seléka, an armed coalition with a Muslim majority, and the anti-Balaka, animist and Christian militias.
Both sides have committed crimes under international law and the situation has also been under investigation by the International Criminal Court since September 2014.
A peace agreement was signed on 6 February, 2019, between the Government of the Central African Republic and 14 armed groups, but this has not prevented serious abuses against the civilian population, including unlawful killings and sexual violence, while approximately 80 percent of the territory remains under the control of armed groups.
-0- PANA BM/BEH/MTA/VAO 3June2020
