Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Statements
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS CONCLUDES HIS VISIT TO COTE D'IVOIRE
02 July 2007
Share
July 2, 2007
The Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Walter Kälin, made the following statement at the close of his visit to Côte d'Ivoire:
”The Ouagadougou Agreement marked a turning point in the recent history of Côte d'Ivoire, but if the agreement is to ensure lasting peace, sustainable solutions to the internal displacement phenomenon must be found. The challenge can only be overcome with firm commitment on the part of the Ivorian government and support from the international community,” the Representative of the Secretary-General stated at the close of his visit to Côte d'Ivoire that ended Friday.
The Representative noted, from his field visits in particular, that significant challenges remain in providing protection and humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced, this despite the fact that some of the displaced have started returning to the north and west of the country. He is pleased to note that the authorities at the highest level have shown a clear willingness to ensure the return of the displaced and that the communities of origin of the displaced have shown a willingness to welcome them back home. In this context, he calls on all stakeholders involved to make every effort to ensure that those returning home do so willingly and that they are able to do so in a safe and dignified manner. In this regard, he has noted with interest the use of traditional reconciliation systems via the adoption of social integration codes, yet stresses the fact that these codes must comply with minimal standards of non-discrimination, justice and fairness.
Regarding the increased poverty of the internally displaced community throughout Côte d'Ivoire, the Representative of the Secretary-General also stated that "internally displaced persons, even once they have returned home, live in an extremely vulnerable situation and require uninterrupted humanitarian assistance throughout a transition period.” This assistance must be accompanied by development activities that target the displaced as well as the affected communities. The Representative furthermore expressed concern for those groups that are most vulnerable, such as female heads of household, very young mothers and widows. He worries for those in the west of the country who must leave the areas in which they had found shelter these past years, yet who still cannot return home.
”It is time to take action,” he declared. To this end he calls on the Government to face up to its responsibilities and do what is necessary to assist the displaced return to their home areas. He also calls on the international community and donors in particular to continue their concerted efforts and provide substantial support to programs targeting the displaced. “With no money there can be no programs, with no programs there can be no lasting solutions, and if lasting solutions are not found, peace may very well not endure,” the Representative of the Secretary General added.
The Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons visited Côte d'Ivoire from June 25 to June 29 as a follow-up to his official mission to the country in April 2006. The objective of this visit, which took place in the wake of the signature of the Ouagadougou Agreements, was to take stock in person of the progression of the situation of the internally displaced, continue the dialogue with the government and all stakeholders, identify the needs of the internally displaced persons in Côte d'Ivoire and make recommendations for appropriate assistance and protection. In addition to Abidjan, the Representative of the Secretary General visited the Guiglo, Bloléquin and Bouaké regions.
The Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Walter Kälin, made the following statement at the close of his visit to Côte d'Ivoire:
”The Ouagadougou Agreement marked a turning point in the recent history of Côte d'Ivoire, but if the agreement is to ensure lasting peace, sustainable solutions to the internal displacement phenomenon must be found. The challenge can only be overcome with firm commitment on the part of the Ivorian government and support from the international community,” the Representative of the Secretary-General stated at the close of his visit to Côte d'Ivoire that ended Friday.
The Representative noted, from his field visits in particular, that significant challenges remain in providing protection and humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced, this despite the fact that some of the displaced have started returning to the north and west of the country. He is pleased to note that the authorities at the highest level have shown a clear willingness to ensure the return of the displaced and that the communities of origin of the displaced have shown a willingness to welcome them back home. In this context, he calls on all stakeholders involved to make every effort to ensure that those returning home do so willingly and that they are able to do so in a safe and dignified manner. In this regard, he has noted with interest the use of traditional reconciliation systems via the adoption of social integration codes, yet stresses the fact that these codes must comply with minimal standards of non-discrimination, justice and fairness.
Regarding the increased poverty of the internally displaced community throughout Côte d'Ivoire, the Representative of the Secretary-General also stated that "internally displaced persons, even once they have returned home, live in an extremely vulnerable situation and require uninterrupted humanitarian assistance throughout a transition period.” This assistance must be accompanied by development activities that target the displaced as well as the affected communities. The Representative furthermore expressed concern for those groups that are most vulnerable, such as female heads of household, very young mothers and widows. He worries for those in the west of the country who must leave the areas in which they had found shelter these past years, yet who still cannot return home.
”It is time to take action,” he declared. To this end he calls on the Government to face up to its responsibilities and do what is necessary to assist the displaced return to their home areas. He also calls on the international community and donors in particular to continue their concerted efforts and provide substantial support to programs targeting the displaced. “With no money there can be no programs, with no programs there can be no lasting solutions, and if lasting solutions are not found, peace may very well not endure,” the Representative of the Secretary General added.
The Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons visited Côte d'Ivoire from June 25 to June 29 as a follow-up to his official mission to the country in April 2006. The objective of this visit, which took place in the wake of the signature of the Ouagadougou Agreements, was to take stock in person of the progression of the situation of the internally displaced, continue the dialogue with the government and all stakeholders, identify the needs of the internally displaced persons in Côte d'Ivoire and make recommendations for appropriate assistance and protection. In addition to Abidjan, the Representative of the Secretary General visited the Guiglo, Bloléquin and Bouaké regions.