República Centroafricana (I y II)

The Central African Republic has experienced several periods of armed conflict. The ICC has opened two investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, focusing on crimes committed from 2002 to 2003 and crimes committed since 2012.

Situation phase:

Investigation – ongoing

Regions:

África

The Central African Republic (CAR) has experienced several periods of armed conflict since its independence in 1960. The CAR ratified the Rome Statute in 2001 and acceded to the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities in 2006. In 2007 the ICC opened an investigation (CAR I) into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the CAR from 2002-3. In light of renewed violence, the ICC prosecutor opened a second investigation (CAR II), this time looking at alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity since 1 August 2012.

Background

Widespread lawlessness prompts two ICC referrals A succession of coups, rebel uprisings and military rule since independence in 1960 has resulted in instability and conflict in the CAR. Two internal armed conflicts since the ICC’s establishment in 2002— arising from coup attempts in 2002-03 and in 2012—have been characterized by allegations of the commission of grave international crimes. The CAR, finding itself unable to deal with widespread lawlessness or prosecute perpetrators in national courts, referred both situations to the ICC in 2004.

ICC situation

ICC investigation into 2002-03 violence

In May 2007, the ICC prosecutor opened an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the country since 1 July 2002, with a particular focus on violence from 2002-03. In 2016, the single main case from the CAR I situation—against former rebel commander and later Congolese Vice-President Jean Pierre Bemba—resulted in a conviction and 18-year prison sentence for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Allegations of witness-tampering in the trial led to a second ICC trial for Bemba, along with and four associates, for offenses against the administration of justice.

Second ICC investigation into renewed violence since 2012

The CAR's transitional government made the second ICC referral in May 2014, amid allegations of sectarian violence between the Muslim Séléka and Christian anti-Balaka groups, which have been battling for control of the country since a failed 2012 coup attempt. In September 2014, following a brief preliminary examination, the ICC prosecutor opened an investigation into alleged grave crimes committed in the CAR since 1 August 2012.

National prosecutions

The CAR has often noted the weaknesses of its national justice system due to years of conflict, resulting in a lack of human and material resources to handle investigations into complex grave international crimes.

Special criminal court - but not for presidents

In April 2015, the CAR’s National Transitional Council approved the establishment of a Special Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute those responsible for atrocity crimes in the country since 2003. Lawmakers, however, decided against adopting provisions prohibiting immunity for heads of state and senior government officials.

Civil society advocacy

Victims, civil society, the UN Security Council, and national authorities have long lamented the obstacles to national justice for victims of grave crimes. The CAR ratified the Rome Statute in October 2001, and in 2010 parliament adopted legislation introducing ICC definitions of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes into the criminal code.

Civil society activities

Through the Central African Coalition for the ICC, civil society – including lawyers, NGOs, and victims’ associations – has been actively engaged in awareness-raising on the ICC and rule of law and information exchange with the ICC since 2007, and has been instrumental in advancing the special hybrid court.

Watch Human Rights Watch and National Geographic's collaboration telling the story of the crisis in Central African Republic:

República Centroafricana (I y II)

ICC investigation into 2002-03 violence

Second ICC investigation into renewed violence since 2012

Special criminal court - but not for presidents

Civil society activities

CONTACT US

MEDIA

LIBRARY

TAKE ACTION

Search form

República Centroafricana (I y II)

ICC investigation into 2002-03 violence

Second ICC investigation into renewed violence since 2012

Special criminal court - but not for presidents

Civil society activities

Jean-Pierre Bemba (Bemba I)

Un tribunal especial para la República Centroafricana

La justicia presente en las negociaciones de la RCA

La justicia presente en las negociaciones de la RCA

#GlobalJusticeWeekly – UN authorizes CAR peacekeeping mission

#GlobalJusticeWeekly – CAR government refers crisis to ICC prosecutor

#GlobalJusticeWeekly – UN peacekeeping mission in CAR urged to fight against impunity

#GlobalJusticeWeekly – Prosecutor opens second investigation in the Central African Republic

¿Un tribunal penal especial para la República Centroafricana?

Un tribunal especial para la República Centroafricana

¿Un tribunal penal especial para la República Centroafricana?

5 reasons to use video as evidence for ICC crimes

Jean-Pierre Bemba et. al. (Bemba II)

#JusticiaGlobal Semanal - Hambruna en Sudán del Sur | Continúa la crisis en la RCA | Sudáfrica pretende revocar su ley sobre la CPI

#JusticiaGlobal Semanal - Hambruna en Sudán del Sur | Continúa la crisis en la RCA | Sudáfrica pretende revocar su ley sobre la CPI

Bemba II: Primeras sentencias de la CPI sobre manipulación de testigos

Bemba II: Primeras sentencias de la CPI sobre manipulación de testigos

#JusticiaGlobal Semanal - Sentencia contra Bemba y sus asociados | Duterte responde a la CPI | Las protestas contra Kabila se reavivan

#JusticiaGlobal Semanal - Sentencia contra Bemba y sus asociados | Duterte responde a la CPI | Las protestas contra Kabila se reavivan

#JusticeGlobale hebdo - Bemba et autres condamnés | Duterte réplique face à la CPI | Plaintes contre Kabila relancées

Ongwen: ¿Castigo o perdón?

Ongwen: ¿Castigo o perdón?

Israel-Palestina: 50 años y contando | 15 años de impunidad en la RCA

Israel-Palestina: 50 años y contando | 15 años de impunidad en la RCA

Israel-Palestina: 50 años y contando | 15 años de impunidad en la RCA

La búsqueda de justicia en Irak y Afganistán

La búsqueda de justicia en Irak y Afganistán

Crisis en África central y oriental | Campaña JOIN | Más tiempo para nominar magistrados

Justice needed as crisis looms in central and east Africa

Crisis en África central y oriental | Campaña JOIN | Más tiempo para nominar magistrados

Progress and challenges in establishing the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic

Boko Haram en juicio | Violencia en la RCA | La CPI y Ocampo responden

Boko Haram en juicio | Violencia en la RCA | La CPI y Ocampo responden

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo absuelto por la Cámara de Apelaciones de la CPI

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo absuelto por la Cámara de Apelaciones de la CPI

Jean-Pierre Bemba (Bemba I)

Jean-Pierre Bemba et. al. (Bemba II)

CONTACT US

MEDIA

LIBRARY

TAKE ACTION