“We therefore call upon all countries of the Council, particularly those of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), to support the establishment of a preventive mechanism that would allow the Council, in conjunction with UNOCI, to remain seized regarding the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, to provide information about violations and to accurately follow the evolution of the situation in the field”, said Mabassa Fall, FIDH’s Permanent Representative before the African Union. “The prevention of an internal armed conflict and the protection of civilians against serious human rights violations must remain a priority for sub-region States. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that Africa is at the forefront to resolve conflicts on the continent in accordance with universal principles”, he said.
Since the end of the second round of the presidential election on November 28, 2010 and the political and institutional obstructions that followed, the violent acts which have occurred throughout the country have so far caused the death of several dozens of people. Several hundred people have been wounded and nearly 3,700 people have fled Côte d’Ivoire to seek refuge in neighboring countries, including Liberia. Moreover, according to information gathered by UNOCI and confirmed by human rights organizations, many people have been abducted from their homes “by unidentified gunmen in military uniforms and accompanied by elements from the Security and Defense Forces or militias. The information indicates that these people were forcibly taken from their homes and put in illegal detention, incommunicado and without instruction. Others were found dead in suspicious circumstances”.
The ECOWAS and the AU have unanimously condemned the political and institutional deadlock that is prevailing in Côte d’Ivoire and the resulting violent acts against civilians. The condemnations are therefore in accordance with the provisions of the human rights protection instruments adopted by AU member’s states, notably the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.
“Because the Ivorian crisis could degenerate into an armed conflict and because of the fact that 30 elections are expected throughout Africa in 2011, this special session is a unique opportunity for the Human Rights Council, and for African members of the Council, to strongly reaffirm their refusal to see electoral disputes to fall turn into long-standing crisis in Côte d’Ivoire or in any other country ”, said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH.