Central African Republic (S/2014/452)

The report of the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic to the Security Council, dated 1 July 2014 (S/2014/452), was issued in pursuant to  resolution 2127 (2013).

This report of the Panel of Experts was divided into the following sections: Summary; Background; Threats to peace and security; Violations of the arms embargo; Obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Central African Republic; Violations of international humanitarian law; Recommendations; and Annexes. In this report, the Panel of Experts, which was established under resolution 2127 (2013) to monitor the implementation of the sanctions regime, laid out the research that they have been doing in the country and neighboring countries and offers a glimpse of the conflict situation in the region.  The main concerns addressed in this report have to do with arms and ammunition as well as other security threats.

This report only briefly made reference to the women, peace and security agenda in relation to sexual violence. The report included a brief mention of rape and harassment as part of the human rights violations described with the emergence of a strong anti-foreign discourse although it did not mention whether it was women and girls or men and boys who suffered such violations (P. 24). Furthermore, the report discussed the incidents of sexual violence that the Panel was able to document during the reporting period and stated that it will do more research on the matter in the following months (para.111). Finally, this report offered further details about the cases of violence against women and sexual violence in its Annexes 23, 28 and 30.

Although it did include superficial references to sexual violence, this report did not offer a gender perspective on the situation in the CAR and failed to provide information on women’s participation concerns, as well as on the general protection of their human rights. The report missed the opportunity to offer a gender lens on matters such as: lack of accountability and impunity (especially in regards to violations and abuses of women’s rights); the illicit trade and exploitation of natural resources such as gold and diamonds; the transfer of weapons, including small arms and light weapons; the impact of religious extremism; poaching and wildlife trafficking; the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance; access to basic services; and violations of international humanitarian law. Moreover, the report did not discuss women’s participation in the conflict and in its prevention and resolution. It also failed to acknowledge the need for their inclusion in political activities such as the organization of free and fair democratic elections, and it failed to provide sex-disaggregated data on civilians being attacked or persons that have been displaced.

In comparison with the July 2014 MAP[1], this report’s record was inadequate as it did not take into consideration the suggestions provided in the MAP including: a focus on violations and abuses committed against women and children, medical and psychosocial services, and accountability for atrocities. However, it is important to note that the goal of this report was to report on the implementation of the sanctions regime.

This document was the first interim report of the Panel of Experts so there was no previous document to make a comparison.