| For a summary of the CRA’s review at the first UPR cycle please click here. |
17th UPR session
Date of review: 25 October 2013
Date of report adoption: 20 March 2014
Working Group report: A/HRC/25/11
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SUMMARY SOGIESC issues during Central African Republic’s 2nd UPR review |
I. Key issues/recommendations identified by NGOs
Review the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on sexual orientation and gender identity and give consideration to implementing the recommendations therein.
II. Excerpts from input reports
There were no references to sexual orientation or gender identity in either the national report, the compilation of UN information, or the summary of stakeholder information.
III. References to SOGI during the Working Group review
A. Presentation by the State under review
17. Concernant les femmes, la délégation a précisé que le gouvernement de la République Centrafricaine a engagé des processus de réformes juridiques pour la promotion et la protection des droits de la femme, notamment un projet de loi sur la parité, la révision du code de la famille pour tenir compte des standards internationaux et l’implication des femmes dans le processus de résolution des conflits conformément à la Résolution 1325. Elle a indiqué que sur le plan politique, les femmes sont encore faiblement représentées;
B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
30. Sweden was concerned by the pillage, rape, summary executions and other human rights violations and the near-total impunity for those acts, and the widespread practice of child marriages and FGM. It made recommendations.
50. Ireland commended the Central African Republic’s dialogue with the HRC and highlighted the importance of combating impunity. Ireland urged it to respond to sexual and gender-based violence. It made recommendations.
52. Japan encouraged restoration of constitutional order, noting the worsening security and humanitarian situation. It hoped that impunity will be eradicated, arbitrary detention and torture prohibited. Sexual violence against women was of concern, and legislation against FGM should be enforced. It made recommendations.
61. The Netherlands remained concerned about human rights abuses, especially sexual violence against women and the lack of access to humanitarian assistance. It encouraged the restoration of peace, security, and the rule of law. It made recommendations.
64. The Republic of Korea acknowledged efforts to improve the human rights situation, particularly of vulnerable groups, despite challenges resulting from conflict. Sexual and gender-based violence was of concern. It made recommendations.
71. Slovakia encouraged Central African Republic to cooperate with the HRC Special Procedures, including the independent expert. It expressed concern over the enrolment of child soldiers and the continuous reports of sexual and gender-based violence. It asked what measures, in addition to amending the Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedures, were envisaged to address sexual violence. It made recommendations.
72. Slovenia expressed concern over the reports on the situation of children, who were recruitment and use of child soldiers, kidnapped, killed maimed and were victims of sexual violence. It also expressed concern over conflict-related sexual violence, as well sexual and gender based violence rooted in the customs of the population. It made recommendations.
[Response by the State under review]
103. En ce qui concerne les questions relatives à la violence contre les femmes, plusieurs initiatives ont été évoquées, notamment une campagne de prévention en cours de préparation par le Ministère des droits de l’homme et le Ministère des Affaires sociales et un travail initié avec le Ministère de la Justice en ce qui concerne des poursuites. Concernant la mise en œuvre de la Résolution 1325, plusieurs mesures ont été prises, notamment l’adoption en 2005 d’un document de politique nationale de promotion d’égalité et d’équité assortie d’un plan d’action, et l’adoption en 2006 de la loi portant sur la protection des femmes contre toute forme de violence. De plus, les femmes ont été impliquées dans les processus de paix et ceci, depuis les accords de Libreville jusqu’à la mise en place du CNT de la transition.
IV. Conclusions and/or recommendations
105. The recommendations listed below have been examined by the Central African Republic and enjoy the support of the country Central African Republic:
105.28. Strengthen the institutional and legal human rights framework, in order to ensure effective and impartial investigations into all reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, other ill-treatment and sexual violence against women and children and to bring those responsible to justice (Lithuania);
105.29. Take all measures to ensure protection of women and girls from violence and to end impunity of perpetrators of such crimes (Slovakia);
105.30. Enforce existing laws to bring to justice perpetrators of extensive extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, attacks on civilians (including children) and instances of sexual and gender-based violence (Sierra Leone);
105.34. Facilitate immediate access for victims of sexual violence to available services (Lithuania);
105.35. Continue its efforts in fighting acts of sexual violence, including the establishment of mechanisms for the identification, reporting and monitoring of such cases (Republic of Moldova);
105.36. Develop and apply, as a matter of priority, strategies aimed at combatting sexual violence against women, and especially girls, and ensure that they are provided with support for physical and mental health (Croatia);
105.37. Put in place special measures to monitor, identify, and report sexual and gender-based violence, with a view to its prevention and punishment, bearing in mind the need to exclude these crimes, where feasible, from amnesty processes. (Ireland);
105.38. Deploy further efforts to prevent and punish grave forms of violence against women, in particular when they result in widespread rape (Italy);
105.39. Take appropriate measures to put an end to violence against women (Rwanda);
105.40. Establish training and awareness mechanisms to combat sexual violence against women and fight the culture of denial and stigma so the women may seek medical care and establish judicial complaints against perpetrators (The Netherlands);
105.41. Step-up efforts aimed at combating and eradicating FGM and other traditional harmful practices (Slovakia);
105.42. Strengthen the legislation and effective measures in order to better protect vulnerable groups, in particular women and children, and eradicate the customary practices that are harmful to them (Viet Nam);
105.53. Fight against impunity and ensure that those responsible for the serious human rights violations and acts of violence perpetrated against the civilian population, including sexual violence against women and children, torture and summary executions, are brought to justice and held accountable (Portugal);
105.80. Take additional steps to strengthen the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women (Sweden).
V. Adoption of the Report
The report of the working group was adopted at the 25th regular session of the Human Rights Council in March 2014.
STATEMENTS
Central African Republic
En matière de droits de l’homme, la feuille de route du Gouvernement de Transition a dans ses préoccupations :
– La protection de la population civiles vulnérables contre toutes les formes de violences en particulier celles basées sur le genre ;
– L’assistance humanitaire en vue d’assurer un retour rapide des populations déplacées et réfugiés dans leurs communautés de base ;
– La bonne Gouvernance et l’Etat de droit, à travers une bonne administration Judiciaire et l’intensification de la lutte contre l’impunité.
Statements by States and other stakeholders
The following delegations took the floor to express support for the adoption of CAR’s UPR report: Venezuela, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, USA, Mauritania, Angola and Benin.
There were also no NGO statements on sexual orientation, gender identity or related issues. However, Amnesty International, Jubilee Campaign and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and Rencontres Africaine pour la defense de droits de l’homme expressed concern about extrajudicial executions, sectarian violence based on religion, civilian protection, violence, torture, rape, the collapse of government, and the situation of refugees and IDPs.
VI. Further information
UPR Documentation