Armed groups continued to commit war crimes and other human rights abuses. Sexual violence remained widespread. The justice system made important but limited progress towards combating impunity for crimes under international law. The right to health was severely restricted. Foreign companies were...

Amnesty International has learnt that journalist Faustin Bambou was released on 23 February 2008. His release followed an announcement on the government radio that he had been pardoned by President François Bozizé.

On 28 January 2008, after an unfair trial, journalist Faustin Bambou was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a symbolic fine of one CFA Franc (a Central African currency used in six countries; one CFA Franc is equivalent to 0.2 US cents) by the High Court (Tribunal de grande instance)....

Amnesty International has learnt that opposition politician Claude Yabanda was released on 11 November 2006. He has now joined family members living in France.

Amnesty International has received confirmation that Reymond Béhourou, Marcel Bagaza, Barthélemy Boguina, Tom Mahamat, Roger Yamokoa, Joseph Kada, Georges Djungon, Elysée Doléance Tamkimadji, Serge Radas Dilkake, Honoré Mberna, Clémenceau Dorkem, Jacques Mobeang, Aimé Natayo and Raïkina Mamadou...

Fourteen men (Raymond Béhourou, Marcel Bagaza, Barthélemy Boguina, Tom Mahamat, Roger Yamokoa, Joseph Kada, Georges Djungon, Elysée Doléance Tamkimadji, Serge Radas Dilkake, Honoré Mberna, Clémenceau Dorkem, Jacques Mobeang, Aimé Natayo and Raïkina Mamadou) were taken on 13 September by...

Opposition political activist Claude Yabanda who was arrested on 29 April has been ill-treated and is at risk of torture, at a prison near the capital, Bangui. He is reportedly due to go on trial on 6 June, on charges which carry the death penalty. There have been no executions in the CAR since...

At least 20 and possibly many more people have reportedly been summarily executed or subjected to human rights abuses following a failed coup attempt in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). Many people, including Maxime Koko, have “disappeared” and are thought to be at risk of...

Abdoulaye Aboukari Tembeley, president of the Mouvement de Défense des Droits de l’Homme (MDDH), Human Rights Defence Movement, was pardoned by President Ange-Félix Patassé on 6 March. He was unconditionally released early today.

On 5 March Abdoulaye Aboukari Tembeley was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and a fine. He was convicted of “inciting hatred and violence against a democratically elected institution” (“incitation à la haine et à la révolte contre une institution démocratiquement élu”).

Journalist Abdoulaye Aboukary Tembeley was arrested on 14 February, after publishing an article on President Patassé. He was reportedly severely beaten after his arrest. Furthermore, he needs constant medication for a heart condition, which appears to have been aggravated by his ill-treatment. He...

The four gendarmes named above, who had been sentenced to death for murder, are reported to have escaped from prison on 4 December 1994. As long as they remain in this so-called etat d’illegalite (state of illegality), the cassation procedure will apparently be suspended.

The four gendarmes named above have been sentenced to death, having been found guilty of murder by the Permanent Military Court of the Central African Republic. Apart from a review by the Supreme Court, which may grant a retrial, there is no right of appeal against the verdict of a military court....