STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 52nd Session.
Item 10 - High-level interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic.
Statement delivered by Ms. Jannicke Graatrud, Minister, Deputy Permanent Representative on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden
Check against delivery
31 March 2023
President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.
We remain deeply concerned about the security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the Central African Republic. The scope and character of the human rights violations and abuses continue to alarm and grieve us.
The perpetrators are not only the armed groups. The Central African armed forces and its Russian allies are responsible for the majority of the human rights violations. We call on the CAR government to investigate all incidents and hold perpetrators accountable in order to build peace.
We are particularly worried about the grave violations and abuses committed against children. Increased effort must be made to protect them. Their childhood, education and future are at stake, and thus, the future of the Central African Republic.
We have previously urged the CAR government to take specific measures to give effect to the Child Protection Code provisions to prevent and punish the recruitment and use of children in conflict, early marriages, and trafficking in persons. We would appreciate if you could elaborate on the progress on the government’s implementation of the Child Protection Code.
Thank you.