Amnesty International on Wednesday sounded an alarm that the Special Criminal Court (SCC) of the Central African Republic (CAR), a hybrid tribunal established to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity, is facing an existential threat. Amnesty warned that the court is at “serious risk of closure” because of severe funding shortages.

Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa, Marceau Sivieude, stated:

Victims and survivors of crimes under international law have a right to truth, justice, and reparations. We call on all partner states of the Central African Republic to urgently commit financial and human resources to the SCC so that justice can be served for these victims and survivors. Without this, impunity will prevail.

This development raises profound concerns about justice, accountability, and the future of the rule of law in a country scarred by decades of conflict. The SCC was created as a unique mechanism staffed by both national and international judges, designed to address atrocities that domestic courts lack the jurisdiction to prosecute.

Since its inception, the court has launched investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during CAR’s civil war since 2013. The SCC opened its first trial in 2022, with 36 people indicted as of August 2025. The court’s work has been hailed as a “significant opportunity to end the widespread impunity that victims of the cycles of violence…have faced.” This judicial mechanism may also serve as a model for other countries that pursue justice for international crimes in their national systems.

Notably, the SCC is largely funded by voluntary international donors. In 2019, Human Rights Watch (HRW) also expressed concerns over a “funding gap” of nearly US$1 million hindering the court’s full operation. Experts like Tetevi Davi argue “the entirely voluntary nature of the contributions has meant that the Court has struggled to secure a consistent and adequate stream of funding for its operations.” 

The Special Criminal Court embodies the principles of the rule of law, which requires that laws are applied equally, that judicial institutions function independently, and that victims have access to remedies. Its closure would undermine CAR’s fragile justice system, erode public trust in institutions, and signal to perpetrators that crimes can be committed without consequence.

Amnesty’s warning reflects the recognition that CAR alone cannot sustain the court. The possible closure of the Special Criminal Court in CAR is more than a financial issue, as it goes against the rule of law and the rights of victims. Without sustained support, CAR risks sliding back into impunity, undermining peace and reconciliation efforts.