In particular, since 2003, FIDH has reported numerous testimonies that give an account of civilians who were seriously injured or murdered during combat, of summary executions and looting, and that underline as well the systematic and generalised practice of rape, used as an authentic weapon of war. Since then, OCODEFAD, single organisation of victims, keeps a registry of and provides physical, psychological, social and economic support to a large number of women, men, children and elderly people who have been victims of sexual violence, sexual slavery and forced pregnancy.
The decision of the ICC Prosecutor to open an investigation into these crimes comes, therefore, after four long years during which victims suffered both of the indifference of the international community and the stigma within the Central African society; four long years of analysis that have risked losing evidence. It was necessary to wait for the Central African State to refer the same situation to the Prosecutor in December 2004, then the decision of the Cour de cassation of CAR - of April 2006 - which confirmed the incapacity of Central African tribunals to try those responsible for the most serious crimes and referred the case to the ICC, and finally the request for explanations on the slowness of the analysis carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor on the situation in CAR, made by the judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber III of the ICC, for the Prosecutor to finally respond to the hope that independent justice will attempt to break the cycle of impunity.
The determination and the courage of victims supported by OCODEFAD, LCDH and FIDH have made the ICC Prosecutor become aware that the specially serious sexual crimes committed in CAR affect the international community as whole and must not go unpunished. "Finally the most execrable sexual crimes committed in CAR are qualified and find the beginning of a legal answer" said Sohayr Belhassen, President of FIDH. "We hope in particular that the opening of an investigation will have a deterrent effect on those responsible for international crimes still committed today", she added.
For FIDH, the opening of an investigation must respond to Central African victims’ rights and also constitute an efficient deterrent signal in view of the recurrence of crimes committed against the civilian population in the north of the country during violent fighting between the rebel factions and the Central African Army (See also the Dossier).
This decision was all the more expected since it is feared that the conflict in Darfur, bordering with CAR, might extend to the nord of the latest.
FIDH, LCHD and OCODEFAD request:
that the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC carries out a fair and efficient investigation into the crimes committed in 2002-2003 and ever since, and in particular into sexual crimes; that the Registry of the ICC sets up of an outreach programme to sensitise the Central African population and provide information on victims’ rights to participation - giving due consideration to their security - as well as protection programmes for victims, witnesses and also the intermediaries of the ICC; that the Government of CAR ensures the safety of all persons, victims, families, NGO representatives, likely to have their physical and moral integrity threatened due to the opening of the investigation; facilitates the prompt adoption of the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Proceedings, taking into account in particular the mesures necessary to cooperate with the ICC; and cooperates fully with the different divisions of the ICC in the framework of the investigation, in accordance with the Rome Statute. that all States Parties to the Rome Statute cooperate as much as needed with the organs of the Court.
Press Contact : +33 1 43 55 90 19
