from OMAN MBIKO in Bangui, Central African Republic
CAR Bureau
BANGUI, (CAJ News) – THE conviction of former fighters of the Popular Front for the Renaissance of the Central African Republic (FPRC) for crimes against humanity and war crimes is a step forward in the fight against impunity for serious violations.
The Special Criminal Court (SCC) has slapped sentences on these individuals.
Six defendants have been convicted of crimes against humanity, including murder, attempted murder, inhumane acts, persecution and war crimes.
The SCC has sentenced them to between 18 and 25 years in prison.
In March 2020, the northeastern town of Ndélé was the scene of attacks by members of the FPRC, an armed group that emerged from the former Séléka coalition, a Muslim grouping.
The violence left dozens dead and displaced hundreds in the landlocked Central African country.
Alice Banens, legal advisor at Amnesty International, however noted several suspects of serious crimes who are the subject of SCC arrest warrants were still at large.
“This situation continues to deprive victims of their right to truth, justice, and effective reparation,” she said.
“The execution of arrest warrants remains an essential condition for ensuring that the fight against impunity is not selective.”
CAR, a country of 5 million people, has been beset by a series of conflicts since independence in 1960.
– CAJ News