An increasing number of Russian mercenaries has been linked to human rights violations committed in the conflict-torn Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations said on Wednesday.
A group of UN experts expressed concern at the “increased recruitment and use of private military and foreign security contractors by the Government of Central African Republic, and their close contacts with UN peacekeepers,” according to a statement.
The experts were especially alarmed about the collaboration of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group with the security firm Sewa Security Services and Russian-owned Lobaye Invest Sarlu. These firms had been linked to “violent attacks” since the presidential election in CAR last December, the experts said.
The experts also said the private contractors had repeatedly been in contact with UN peacekeepers of the MINUSCA mission in the region.
“This blurring of the lines between civil, military and peacekeeping operations during the hostilities creates confusion about the legitimate targets and increases the risks for widespread human rights and humanitarian law abuses,” said the experts.
The reports of human rights abuses included mass executions, arbitrary detentions, torture and forced displacement of the civilian population, among others, the UN experts said.
Recent fights between armed groups and government troops have led to the displacement of around 180,000 people.
CAR is one of the poorest countries in the world, occupying the second to last spot on the UN Development Program’s ranking for human development.
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