TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 47

CONFIDENTIAL

CENTRAL AFRICAN EMPIRE

Report by HM Embassy, Yaoundé.

General Observations

The Central African Empire is probably one of the worst countries in Africa for consistent violation of human rights, even though Emperor Bokassa is perhaps not in this context the human ogre he is sometimes portrayed as in the foreign press and the situation is certainly better than in Equatorial Guinea.

Right No.

Almost all suspected, active political opponents of the régime have been exiled

Rating Suggested

by Post

(i)

or killed, so the number of political prisoners in long-term custody is therefore probably small. Arbitrary arrest for shorter periods is, however, common.

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(ii)

The use of torture is probably widespread, particularly after failed coup d'états. Mutilation, usually taking the form of cutting off ear(s) and/or hand(s), is wide- spread as a punishment for theft and other criminal acts but is probably not used for political punishment.

(iii) There is probably no slavery, with the

possible exception of labour on some of the Emperor's personal projects.

In any case, the standard of living and economic expectations are so low that slavery would probably not be regarded as a degradation of status or infringement of rights by the majority of the rural population.

(iv)

All press, radio and television are closely controlled by the Government and largely devoted to adulation of the Emperor. There is a widespread fear of speaking freely even in private.

There is barely any legal system at all, let alone an independent judiciary.

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(v)

(vi)

There is no trades union movement.

(vii)

There are no effective controls over crossing the border. For educated Central Africans an exit permit is necessary and the granting of these would depend on the whim of Emperor

Bokassa.

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CONFIDENTIAL