UN: Instructors of Wagner PMCs from Russia intimidate residents of CAR | News from Germany about events in the world | DW

Russian instructors from Wagner’s private military company (PMC) are involved in the violent persecution and intimidation of civilians in the Central African Republic, as well as journalists, humanitarian workers and representatives of minorities in this state. This statement was made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Wednesday, October 27, expressing extreme concern over the situation.

PMC instructors from the Russian Federation work closely with the local police and military personnel of the Central African Republic and, among other things, are involved in detentions, the UN said. Their victims are often denied justice and do not dare to file formal complaints, which fosters an atmosphere of impunity, the organization noted.

Many groups of fighters, including PMC Wagner, are implicated in systemic and gross violations of human rights in the CAR, including arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial executions, UN experts reported in the spring.

UN urged the CAR authorities to sever relations with all PMCs

The organization has repeatedly received reports of the involvement of the Wagnerites in sexual violence against both women and men in many regions of the country. The exact number of victims is unknown, as many of them are afraid to go to court, fearing revenge, the statement said. The UN called on the CAR government to “end all relations with private military personnel, especially with the Wagner group,” and to fulfill international obligations to bring human rights violators to justice.

In early October, the CAR authorities admitted that both government troops and Russian “military advisers” had violated human rights during the offensive against the rebels.

PMC Wagner is the most famous private military company from the Russian Federation. The Russian authorities deny their involvement in this armed group. According to media reports, PMC fighters are present in several countries in Africa and the Middle East.

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