The Human Rights and Justice Section (HRJS) of BINUCA is mandated to support the Government's efforts in the protection and promotion of human rights, the rule of law, justice, and the fight against impunity—with particular attention to sexual and gender-based violence. Through training and joint activities, the Section strengthens the capacities of national institutions and civil society organizations in human rights and energizes the process of establishing a National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It also supports efforts to end the recruitment of children by armed groups through participation in the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) established by Security Council Resolution 1612 (9 June 2005). Human rights officers are based in Bangui and in BINUCA’s regional offices in Bouar, Bambari, and Bossangoa.
The HRJS also represents the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in CAR, allowing it to participate in UN Country Team meetings to reinforce a human rights-based approach in UN system activities through the UNDAF. OHCHR is not a UN agency but a part of the UN Secretariat.
For 2012, the three thematic priorities outlined in OHCHR’s country note are:
- Combating impunity and strengthening the rule of law;
- Reforming the prison system and promoting the rights of detainees;
- Protecting human rights in contexts of violence and insecurity.
What we do:
The Section’s main activity is monitoring the human rights situation throughout the CAR, through:
- Missions to areas covered by BINUCA’s regional offices or areas with limited UN presence;
- Trial observations;
- Visits to prisons and other places of detention administered by the gendarmerie and police.
Human rights officers welcome, advise, and guide individuals who wish to report fundamental rights violations.