UN experts: Human rights violations in CAR detention centres need urgent addressing
The report highlighted torture of prisoners, ill-treatment, arbitrary and unlawful arrest and detention, malnutrition and poor health care.
Thousands of people are being held in overcrowded facilities across CAR with little access to basic needs such as food, water, sanitation and healthcare.This alarming situation is detailed in report by the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
‘Important opportunity’ for reform
High Commissioner Volker Türk said he was very concerned about the findings in the report and called on governments to take urgent and concrete action.
He noted that “ongoing reforms in the prison system offer an important opportunity for the Central African Republic to address these human rights violations.”
Covering the period from January to December 2023, the report lists numerous shortcomings, including failure to comply with legal detention terms, excessive pre-trial detention and generally poor prison conditions. It also notes challenges facing the judiciary – although it acknowledges some progress made by the government.
The report reveals a worrying pattern of unlawful and arbitrary arrests and detentions by military and security forces in CAR with more than 1,500 people affected in 2023 alone.
By the end of the year, 1,749 people were in pretrial detention, some for nearly six years. The report found that detention orders were issued without adequate consideration of whether detention was necessary and proportionate to the crimes for which many were charged.
Pandemic
Malnutrition, poor health care and unsanitary conditions have led to outbreaks of disease in prisons. The report calls for adequate resources to meet the basic needs of detainees.
The report also calls on authorities to respect statutory detention periods and that pre-trial detention should be the exception rather than the rule, and justified only by the principles of necessity and proportionality.
Mr. Türk also called for prompt and independent investigations into all cases of torture and ill-treatment and for those responsible to be held accountable. He called on all partners to support the Government in improving detention conditions.
Both the High Commissioner and MINUSCA Chief Valentine Rugwabiza acknowledged the Government’s efforts on human rights in detention.
Including increasing the frequency of court hearings, renovating and reopening three prisons by 2023 and hiring more prison staff.
To support these efforts, they pledged that the United Nations will continue to support the Government to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law in CAR, particularly with regard to the detention system.
