[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.  The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore CAR remained on Tier 2.  The government adopted a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, which strengthened existing criminal provisions within the penal code and included new provisions on victim protection and prevention efforts.  The government investigated more trafficking crimes and trained law enforcement, security forces, and public sector employees on the new anti-trafficking law.  The government revised its standard operating procedures on victim identification and referral to services, which now required law enforcement officers to screen for trafficking indicators among vulnerable populations.  The government also coordinated with international organizations to demobilize and provide reintegration services to child soldiers, cease the detention of former child soldiers, and increase prevention efforts to minimize their re-recruitment by armed groups.  However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.  The government did not report any prosecutions or convictions of traffickers and victim services remained inadequate.  Official complicity in human trafficking continued to remain a significant concern.

Prioritized Recommendations

Vigorously investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, including complicit officials, which should involve significant prison terms.

Appoint a specialized prosecutor to focus solely on trafficking crimes.

Using the established SOPs, systematically and proactively identify trafficking victims, including among vulnerable populations.

Work with civil society to increase public awareness of human trafficking crimes.

Allocate additional in-kind and financial resources from relevant ministries to support the Mixed Unit for Rapid Intervention and Repression of Sexual Violence to Women and Children’s (UMIRR) operations.

Increase the number of court hearings, separate from informal mediation, for suspected trafficking cases.

Ensure trafficking victims are not inappropriately penalized solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked.

In collaboration with international organizations and NGOs, increase the quantity and quality of victim services.

Cease the recruitment or use of child soldiers by all government forces, hold complicit officials accountable, and expand efforts to sensitize national security forces on CAR’s anti-child soldiering directives.

Cease support to and coordination with non-state armed groups, including the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group, that recruit or use child soldiers, including children who took a direct part in hostilities and in support roles.

Allocate funding and in-kind resources for anti-trafficking efforts, including implementation of the NAP.

Develop and implement, in partnership with NGOs and foreign donors, a comprehensive and centralized database to accurately report the government’s anti-trafficking statistics.

Train prosecutors to systematically request restitution for victims in trafficking cases.