Amnesty International calls for CAR to urgently rebuild justice system

Amnesty international has called on the urgent need to reconstruct the Central African Republic’s (CAR) judiciary system in light of a new report.

The human rights organisation highlighted in a report released on Wednesday that alleged perpetrators of war crimes including killing and rape during the conflict in the country are yet to be held accountable.

According to Amnesty international some of the suspected culprits are evading probes and arrests and some leave side by side with their victims.

As a result, the organisation is calling for not only reconstruction of the justice system but also the establishment of a special court.

The Special Criminal Court will aid in bringing culprits to account.

“The only long-term solution to this entrenched impunity is the comprehensive overhaul of CAR’s national justice system, including by rebuilding its courts, prisons and police force. In the meantime, sustainable funding for the Special Criminal Court, including robust witness protection programmes, is an essential step towards justice,” said the organisation.

The report dubbed ‘The long wait for justice: Accountability in Central African Republic’ makes key recommendations to make sure that the special court is set up quickly in a way that ensures effective investigations and fair trials.

In 2013, CAR was plunged into chaos, as its majority Muslim fighters went to war with the mainly Christian militia.

Thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands more were forced to flee their homes.