ASF in the Central African Republic

Location: Bangui, Bouar, Berberati, Nola and Bambari Date of establishment: 2015 Team: 13 collaborators Contact: [email protected]

Context

The many political and military crises that have affected the Central African Republic (CAR) have for decades been undermining the establishment of the rule of law. Justice, perceived as arbitrary and not independent by a majority of the population, is faced with enormous challenges.

Legal personnel, mainly located in the capital Bangui, are too few to provide their services to the country’s 3 courts of appeal and 24 tribunals. Of the hundred or so lawyers officially registered, only one is located outside of the capital. Furthermore, the training of justice actors falls short in terms of quality.

The country’s needs in the justice sector are considerable, both in terms of supply and demand for justice:

  • For citizens seeking justice: lack of knowledge of rights and procedures, geographical remoteness, insufficient funds, lack of understanding of the role of justice actors, lack of trust and reluctance (religious, cultural, social) to seek formal justice, etc.
  • For legal personnel offering their services: lack of political will, problem of articulation between the formal and informal justice system, insufficient resources (human, financial, material), lack of training/supervision of institutional actors, insufficient geographical coverage, non-conformity, non-existence and inadequacy of the normative framework, corruption and other forms of abuse and lack of synergy between actors.

ASF’s intervention strategy

ASF highlights a holistic approach to access to justice in CAR, whilst supporting community justice actors (neighbourhood chiefs, customary and religious leaders) and strengthening the capacity building of key legal aid actors (bar associations and civil society organisations).

Projects

News

September 23, 2025

The Gbou Kôkô project in support of human rights defenders

Human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Central African Republic play a central role in promoting peace, consolidating the rule of law, and defending fundamental freedoms. Despite their crucial commitment, these actors operate in an environment characterised by insecurity, stigmatisation, a lack of effective protection mechanisms, and the still embryonic structure of their initiatives, particularly in regions far from the capital.

Human rights defenders | Central African Republic (the)

August 14, 2025

ASF Releases its 2024 Annual Report: Standing up for Human Rights in a Changing World

Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) is today releasing its 2024 Annual Report, which pays tribute to those who, across the world, put their freedom – and sometimes their lives – on the line to defend fundamental rights.

Uncategorized | Belgium | Central African Republic (the) | Congo (the Democratic Republic of the) | East Africa | Euro-Mediterranean region | Kenya | Morocco | Niger (the) | Tanzania | Tunisia | Uganda

November 25, 2024

The Justice ExPEERience network keeps growing: evolution and new features

Justice ExPEERience celebrated its 3rd anniversary this summer! To mark the occasion, the network’s coordination team is proud to present the Justice ExPEERience annual report.

Capacity building | Communities of practice | Decolonisation | Human rights defenders | Justice ExPEERience | Belgium | Central African Republic (the) | Congo (the Democratic Republic of the) | East Africa | Euro-Mediterranean region | Kenya | Morocco | Niger (the) | Tanzania | Tunisia | Uganda

Publications

August 14, 2025

Annual report 2024

Belgium | Central African Republic (the) | Congo (the Democratic Republic of the) | East Africa | Euro-Mediterranean region | Kenya | Morocco | Niger (the) | Tanzania | Tunisia | Uganda | Annual report

November 20, 2024

Annual report Justice ExPEERience 2024 (English)

Communities of practice | Decolonisation | Human rights defenders | Justice ExPEERience | Belgium | Central African Republic (the) | Congo (the Democratic Republic of the) | East Africa | Euro-Mediterranean region | Kenya | Morocco | Niger (the) | Tanzania | Tunisia | Uganda | Study-Report

November 20, 2024

Annual report Justice ExPEERience 2024 (French)

Capacity building | Communities of practice | Decolonisation | Human rights defenders | Justice ExPEERience | Belgium | Central African Republic (the) | Congo (the Democratic Republic of the) | Morocco | Niger (the) | Tanzania | Tunisia | Uganda | Study-Report