Amnesty international says no to impunity in Central African Republic

Authorities in Central African Republic (CAR) should amend clauses in a proposed new constitution that could undermine the fight against impunity, Amnesty International said ahead of a national reconciliation forum in Bangui.

In an open letter to delegates attending the Bangui Forum starting on 4 May, the organisation warns that the current draft constitution could allow any serving president immunity from prosecution for all charges except “high treason”. Likewise former presidents could be exempt due to their honorary membership of the Constitutional Court.

“Amnesties and immunities only perpetuate the cycle of conflict and injustice. The current draft constitution should be amended to recognise that everyone, no matter their position, can be held accountable for crimes under international law,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

“The population of CAR has clearly called for an end to impunity and the CAR authorities have recently taken positive steps by establishing a new court to prosecute those suspected of crimes under international law. Ensuring that a new constitution builds on this progress, rather than undermining it, would be a valuable legacy for the transitional authorities to leave.”

While CAR’s current Criminal Code appears to outlaw immunity for those suspected of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, the draft constitution fails to prevent future parliaments from introducing immunity laws for these and other crimes.

In an open letter to the transitional authorities Amnesty International warns that justice must be at the heart of the reconciliation process, including by opening investigations on anyone suspected of serious human rights violations and supporting the newly created Special Criminal Court.

In nationwide grassroots consultations in advance of the Bangui Forum, ordinary citizens repeatedly said that without justice there will be no chance of reconciliation.

(By Amnesty international)