The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic (CAR), Marie-Thérèse Keita-Bocoum, made her sixth visit to the nation on Wednesday and shared an update [press release] on the human rights situation with President Faustin Archange Touadéra. Touadera was elected [BBC report] in February. Keita-Bocoum noted improvements in the nation’s human rights situation, but urged the government to return security by working to end impunity and to disarm the violent groups prevalent in central and eastern regions. The expert also thanked the government for its cooperation in the effort to develop human rights. At the end of her visit, the expert warned of the harm that could be incurred by the CAR if it were to elect new officials with histories of human rights violations. She also expressed concern about the nation’s victims of violence, particularly those of sexual violence.

In February the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) [official website] called [press release] on the government to address numerous human rights violations [JURIST report] stemming from an outbreak of violence in Bangui last year. Last fall an eruption of violence in the capital city of Bangui resulted in at least 47 civilian deaths, at least a dozen rapes and the displacement of 42,000 people. Violence has persisted in the CAR since the predominately Muslim-based Seleka rebels ousted former president François Bozize [BBC profile] in March 2013. More than 400,000 people remain displaced due to the violent overthrow, with over a half million more people seeking refuge in other countries. In November UNICEF [official website] called for [press release] aid to approximately 1.2 million children distressed by conflict [JURIST report] in the CAR.