Former CAR president François Bozizé must face trial for crimes against humanity - Amnesty International
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has called on Guinea Bissau to arrest former president of the Central African Republic (CAR), François Bozizé, without delay and transfer him to the country's authorities who must "promptly" bring him before the Special Criminal Court (SCC) of the country.
Responding to the arrest warrant issued by the SCC, Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, expressed delight at the warrant against the former president who currently resides in Guinea Bissau.
She said: “The issuance of an arrest warrant against a high-level suspect such as François Bozizé is a very encouraging step in the quest for justice for victims of the numerous crimes committed in Central African Republic."
Daoud said the SCC, however, can only fulfill its mandate of investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the numerous atrocities committed in the country if national authorities and all States fully cooperate.
She said at least 25 arrest warrants have previously been issued by the SCC, but the suspects are still at large.
"Whether they are still in CAR or in neighbouring countries, all should be arrested and brought to the SCC without further delay,” Amnesty International said.
Bozizé is the leader of the main rebel group fighting in the CAR.
On 30 April 2024 the SCC publicly issued an arrest warrant against François Bozizé, on multiple counts of crimes against humanity allegedly committed between February 2009 and March 2013 during his presidency. The court’s press release confirms that the suspect currently lives in Guinea Bissau.
The SCC is a hybrid court established in the CAR since 2018. It is composed of CAR and non-CAR judges and personnel. It was created to investigate, prosecute and judge the most serious crimes committed since 2003.
Amnesty International said in 2020 and 2021 it published two reports analysing the challenges facing the SCC. The organisation called for increased support for the court and greater transparency.
-0- PANA MA 1May2024
