Côte d’Ivoire

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva

1 April 2011

(1) Côte d’Ivoire
We are receiving unconfirmed but worrying reports that the pro-President Ouattara group known as the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire, (FRCI) have been committing human rights violations during their advance towards Abidjan, especially in the Guiglo and Daloa areas in western Côte d’Ivoire. Reports suggest they have engaged in looting and extortion, as well as serious human rights violations such as abductions, arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment of civilians. The Invisible Commando group, which has been fighting against the forces loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo, is also reported to have continued to commit abuses inside Abidjan.

Echoing yesterday's call from the Secretary-General, we urge the pro-Oattara forces to show restraint and not to commit human rights violations, or engage in acts of revenge. They should bear in mind that the UN Human Rights Council has already established a Commission of Inquiry for Côte d'Ivoire, which will examine abuses by all sides, and the International Criminal Court is also engaged in Côte d'Ivoire.

Pro-Gbagbo forces have also continued to commit violations on a daily basis -- including, for example, the killing of two civilians, who were reportedly burnt alive, by pro-Gbagbo militiamen in Gagnoa. There have been other incidents of killing civilians, including one reportedly involving FDS elements firing mortars into the Abobo district in Abidjan which resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians, including a three-year-old boy.

END