Côte d’Ivoire / Human Rights: UN expert highlights challenges to national reconciliation
ABIDJAN / GENEVA (20 January 2017) – The United Nations Independent Expert on capacity building and technical
cooperation for Côte d’Ivoire in the field of human rights, Mohammed Ayat, today examined the challenges for the new
Ivorian political and social landscape in view of the imminent withdrawal of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).
At the end of his fifth visit to Côte d’Ivoire, from 10 to 17 January, Mr. Ayat called for vigilance to preserve
achievements and strengthen progresses in the country’s security and stability, political dialogue, transitional justice
and human rights.
“I call on the Ivorian authorities to continue without delay the reform of the security sector and the strengthening of
institutions for peace and good governance as vital steps to achieve the objectives of emergence set for 2020,” he said.
The Independent Expert expressed concern at the military and police mutinies, and the violent incidents at a high school
in Abidjan, as well of civil servants’ strikes. Mr Ayat recalled that their demands have to be expressed and heard in an
atmosphere conducive to dialogue and respect for human rights.
“The successful organization of the 2015 and 2016 elections in a peaceful and serene atmosphere is a remarkable step
forward in a country where electoral periods are very much apprehended because they were in the past the frame of
political tensions and serious violence,” the expert added.
Mr Ayat noted with satisfaction the publication of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Dialogue Committee
in November 2016 and encouraged a careful study of the recommendations for optimal implementation. He also drew
attention to the instructions given by the President of the Republic for the publication of the report of the National
Commission for the Reparation and Compensation of Victims, which lists the victims of the crises in Côte d’Ivoire and
proposes concrete modalities for reparation and compensation. The expert referred to the request of Ivoirians,
particularly victims, displaced persons and refugees, to have diligent access to this report.
On the aspect of national reconciliation devoted to justice, Mr. Ayat recalled that “Justice remains a priority area for
national reconciliation, since it leads to the manifestation of the truth while respecting the guarantees of a fair
trial.”
On the economic front, Côte d’Ivoire has registered very encouraging development indicators since 2012. The expert
stressed the challenges of strengthening human development in parallel with macroeconomic development with a view to a
better distribution of national wealth.
Mr Ayat noted with satisfaction the five priority projects of the Government’s program, reiterated during the
investiture speech of the Vice-President, notably the structural transformation of the economy and the improvement of
living conditions of the population.
The expert took note of the plan for the handover and consolidation of the peacekeeping achievements drawn up by the UN
and the Government to continue the support to the Ivorian institutions in the field of human rights. He questioned the
national authorities on the merger of the Ministries of Justice and Human Rights in the new Government of January 11,
2016.
“I encourage the Government to seize the opportunity of the current context to adjust the handover plan with UNOCI and
the United Nations country team to ensure necessary support for the promotion of human rights,” he said.
Mr Ayat congratulated the National Commission for Human Rights in Côte d’Ivoire (CNDHCI) for its growing dynamism and
stated that “the recommendations of the annual report of the CNDHCI constitute an ambitious plan that the State will
have to support, with the international community.”
In particular, the independent expert welcomed the mechanism for monitoring violations of human rights established by
the CNDHCI and the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire with the support of UNOCI, with a view to reducing violations of human
rights including sexual abuse. He encouraged the consolidation of this mechanism guaranteeing a renovated army, able to
protect civilians.
During his visit, the Independent Expert met with members of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, representatives of
non-governmental organizations and victims’ associations. He met with representatives of the diplomatic corps and the UN
country team in Côte d’Ivoire.
The expert will present his final report at the thirty-sixth session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2017.
ENDS