The Impartial Knowledgeable on the human rights state of affairs within the Central African Republic, Yao Agbetse in the present day welcomed the adoption of a regulation to guard human rights defenders within the Central African Republic (CAR) which was adopted by the Nationwide Meeting on 27 December 2024.
“This historic laws marks an important stage within the recognition and safety of organisations and people who dedicate their lives to the defence of elementary rights, and the preservation of their working house,” Agbetse mentioned.
Agbetse mentioned the brand new laws marked a big improvement within the democratic evolution of the CAR and could be decisive within the promotion, safety and implementation of human rights within the nation.
The regulation supplies for enhanced safety measures for human rights defenders, together with safety mechanisms, authorized assist and ensures towards reprisals. These provisions are important to make sure that defenders can proceed their important work with out concern of persecution or violence, the knowledgeable mentioned.
“This laws is a step in the appropriate path, and it’ll safeguard freedom of expression, affiliation, meeting and peaceable demonstration, and defend civic house within the nation,” Agbetse mentioned. “It additionally recognises the contribution of civil society organisations to the nation’s improvement and to the peace course of.”
The regulation is meant to strengthen the contribution of civil society organisations to the implementation and monitoring of sectoral programmes, the Nationwide Human Rights Coverage and the Nationwide Growth Plan.
Agbetse mentioned the regulation was a victory for all those that battle for justice and equality and are dedicated to a dynamic and participatory democracy.
“It is vital that human rights defenders, who’re the general public watchdogs of democracy, are protected,” the knowledgeable mentioned. “Peace can solely flourish when human rights are revered. Those that make investments themselves in defending rights and dealing for justice need to be protected in flip.”
The knowledgeable mentioned the laws was an important step in direction of a extra simply and equitable society and inspired authorities to undertake measures to implement it as quickly as potential.
“I pledge to assist, along with different actors, the implementation of this regulation and to work intently with the authorities to make sure that human rights defenders obtain the mandatory safety and assist,” Agbetse mentioned.
“I invite the state authorities, the Nationwide Fee for Human Rights and Elementary Freedoms and technical and monetary companions to supply long-term assist for civil society organisations and human rights defenders,” he mentioned.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Workplace of the UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).