VISIT BY SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION TO CÔTE D’IVOIRE

9 February 2004



Doudou Diene, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, is today starting a visit to Côte d’Ivoire which will last until 20 February.

The aim of this visit is to examine the evolution of inter-communal and inter-ethnic relations in the context of the conflict in the country. Mr. Diene will visit Abidjan, where the Government is situated, the Ivorian capital Yamoussoukro, as well as other regions in the country in order to gather information which will allow him to understand the socio-political dynamics in Côte d’Ivoire. He hopes to meet with Ivorian authorities, representatives of the “Forces nouvelles”, members of the international community in Abidjan as well as representatives of civil society.

Mr. Diene is the former Director of the Department of International Dialogue and Cultural Pluralism at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He has been Special Rapporteur since 25 April 2002. Since his appointment, he has visited Canada, Colombia, Guyana and Trinity and Tobago.



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