Human Rights Council

Twentie th special session

20 January 2014

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council

S-20/1.Situation of human rights in the Central African Republic and technical assistance in the field of human rights

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international instruments,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and 65/281 of 17 June 2011,

Recalling alsoits resolutions 5/1, on the institution-building of the Human Rights Council, and 5/2, on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders of the Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate holder shall discharge his/her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto,

Recalling further its resolutions 23/18 of 13 June 2013 and 24/34 of 27 September 2013,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Central African Republic,

Deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration of the security situation in the Central African Republic, characterized by the total breakdown of law and order, the absence of the rule of law, and religious and inter-sectarian tensions, in particular the communal violence that took place in December 2013 and resulted in the death of hundreds of civilians,

Deeply concerned also by the multiple and increasing violations and abuse of international human rights law, notably, those involving executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence against women and children, rape, the recruitment of child soldiers and attacks against civilians,

Reaffirming that all States are under an obligation to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments to which they are party,

Welcoming the communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council at its 411th meeting, held at the level of Heads of State and Government, in Banjul, on 30 December 2013, on the situation in the Central African Republic, including the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic,

Welcoming also the mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Central African Republic from 12 to 24 December 2013, and taking note of its findings,

Commending the Mission of the Economic Community of Central African States for the Consolidation of Peace in the Central African Republic and the international assistance provided to address the situation in the Central African Republic,

Welcoming the initiative to organize a donors’ conference on 1 February 2014 in Addis Ababa to strengthen the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic,

Welcoming also the final communiqué of 10 January 2014 of the sixth extraordinary session of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States, which invited the National Transitional Council and all sectors of Central African society to continue their efforts to resolve the political crisis without delay,

Encourag inginclusive national efforts aimed at accountability, reconciliation and the re-establishment of State institutions and the rule of law, and stressing in this context the importance of interfaith and inter-communal dialogue,

Taking note ofthe efforts of the Secretary-General to rapidly establish an international commission of inquiry in order to immediately investigate reports of violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and abuses of human rights in the Central African Republic by all parties since 1 January 2013,

1.Strongly condemns the continued and widespread violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated by all actors, and stresses that the perpetrators of such violations and abuses should be held accountable and brought to justice;

2.Demands an immediate halt to all human rights violations and abuses and acts of violence by all parties, and the strict observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the restoration of rule of law in the country, and in this regard reminds all parties of their responsibilities under international human rights law;

3.Urgesall parties in the Central African Republic to protect all civilians, in particular women and children from sexual violence;

4.Emphasizes the need for all parties to facilitate humanitarian access for the United Nations and humanitarian organizations for all persons in need of assistance, and for humanitarian organizations to continue to deliver appropriate humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons and to respond to the challenges associated with the humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic;

5.Expresses grave concern at the dire conditions of internally displaced persons in the Central African Republic and of refugees, and calls on the international community to assist the national authorities and neighbouring host countries to ensure protection of and assistance to those fleeing the violence, especially women, children and persons with disabilities;

6.Commendsthe Economic Community of Central African States, the African Union, the United Nations and its agencies, and the partners of the Central African Republic for their continued assistance to the national authorities of the Central African Republic, and encourages the international community and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen their efforts in assisting the Central African Republic in restoring peace, stability and security in the country;

7.Requests the support of the international community and all relevant stakeholders to meet the urgent financial, humanitarian and technical needs of the national authorities of the Central African Republic;

8.Emphasizesthe urgency of appointing an Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, requests the immediate operationalization of the mandate, and also requests the Independent Expert to cooperate with relevant human rights mechanisms;

9.Calls up on all parties to cooperate fully with the Independent Expert;

10.Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the Independent Expert with the financial and human resources necessary to accomplish his/her mandate;

11.Requests the Independent Expert to undertake an urgent visit to the Central African Republic, to present an oral update on the situation to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fifth session, and to submit a preliminary report to the Council at its twenty-sixth session, pursuant to Council resolution 24/34;

12.Decides to remain seized of the matter.

2nd meeting

20 January 2014

[Adopted without a vote.]