GENEVA (8 August 2023) – The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic (CAR), Yao Agbetse, will conduct an official visit to the country from 8-18 August 2023.

The visit is in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 51/37, mandating the expert to assess, monitor and report on the situation in the CAR and make recommendations relating to technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights.

During his mission, Agbetse will meet Government officials, representatives of UN entities, the National Human Rights Commission and other institutions and civil society to strengthen engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, promote human rights and facilitate capacity-building activities.

Agbetse will visit a detention facility to assess conditions of detention. He will also visit the countryside to assess the human rights and humanitarian situation with respect to internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees. 

The expert will share his preliminary observations from the visit at a press conference on 18 August 2023 in the Main Conference Room at MINUSCA Headquarters, at 15:30 local time. Access will be strictly limited to journalists. To register for the press conference please contact: Vladimir Monteiro, MINUSCA Spokesperson, at monteiro6@un.org. 

Agbetse’s observations from the visit will be discussed at the Human Rights Council in September 2023. He will also present his findings to the UN General Assembly in October 2023.

ENDS