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Press briefing notes Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Cote d’Ivoire

21 January 2011

Spokesperson: Rupert Colville

21 January 2011

According to the UNOCI’s Human Rights Division, as of 13 January, there have been 13 new killings, bringing the total number of deaths to at least 260 since the incidents of 16 December 2010. The one woman among these victims was beaten to death with machetes, while other bodies were found with scars, one with his throat slit and another battered to death.

Seven new cases of disappearances were also reported, including a 17-year-old girl, bringing to 68 the total number of disappeared.

A total of 23 cases of sexual violence have been reported, of which 19 were in Duekoué, particularly in the quartier of Togehi. In Abidjan, a young man, a member of the RHDP was gang raped by eight members of the Republican Guard (la Garde républicaine) seeking information on other members of the RHDP. A four-year-old girl was also among the victims of sexual violence.

On a more positive note, the 63 members of the RHDP who were detained on 4 January 2011 in an attack by the FDS, have been released.

UNOCI continues to receive calls on its Call Centre, having registered 218 calls this week on cases of arbitrary detention, summary executions and other violations.

On Wednesday this week, a second attempt was made to visit the alleged third mass grave reported earlier this month but the mission was blocked by hostile villagers at the location where the grave is alleged to be situated.

ENDS

OHCHR Country Page – Côte d'Ivoire:
http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/cote-divoire

Click here to visit OHCHR website: http://www.ohchr.org

For further information, please contact OHCHR spokespeople Rupert Colville (+ 41 22 917 9767) or Xabier Celaya (+ 41 22 917 9383) or Ravina Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9310)