"Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Central African Republic A/HRC/45/55

Agenda Item 10: Technical assistance and capacity-building"

Statement by: International Organization for All Forms Of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD)

2 October 2020

Thank you, Mr. President.

We welcome the new Independent Expert and thank him for his report on the situation of human rights in Central African Republic.

Amidst the conflict in CAR, we note that in recent years humanitarian workers and IDP sites have been targeted by armed groups including basic facilities and sites where displaced people take refuge. We regret to note that in this critical situation one in four children are either displaced or has refugee status.

Furthermore, the armed conflict has deteriorated the health situation for children, and reports of malaria and other serious ailments have surfaced. As previously mentioned, the attacks on humanitarian and aid workers adversely impacts their efforts toward attending to the needs of children.

1.5 million Children need humanitarian assistance where many require therapeutic care; and 10s of thousands of children under 5 years of age in IDP sites and enclaves desperately need access to essential health services and medicines. To make matters worse, safety for health personnel is in jeopardy as they work under extremely difficult security conditions.

Moreover, the most vulnerable children are recruited by armed forces and forced to work as child soldiers where they face additional dangers.
In light of this dire situation EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice urgently recommend:

• technical assistance to ensure the adequate restoration and security of schools and hospitals, and to
• Provide the necessary access to basic nutrition and medical needs.

In conclusion Mr.  President, we would like to ask the independent expert what challenges and barriers lie ahead towards attending to the most vulnerable children in conflict-affected areas of remote parts of the country?

Thank you.