27 March 2014 – The United Nations independent expert tasked with assessing the human rights situation in Côte d’Ivoire, expressed concern over unresolved issues in the national reconciliation process as the country prepares for presidential elections next year, and stressed that “impartial justice for all” is the key to stability and recovery from the unrest after the disputed 2010 disputed.
“The 2015 presidential election has to be the ultimate test and proof that Côte d’Ivoire has recovered from this crisis,” stated Special Rapporteur Doudou Diène as he presented his latest report to the Human Rights Council.
Drawing attention to some key lingering problems that need to be resolved so that the upcoming presidential election can be “credible and consensual,” Mr. Diène cited an “impartiality and equity of justice” and a “fully participating democratic process” as the main priorities.
The human rights expert warned that – for the time being – among the people charged with committing crimes, only partisans of former president Laurent Gbagbo are being tried or imprisoned. “All that have committed violent crimes whatever their political, ethnic or tribal or religious background should be tried,” Mr. Diène underscored.
With former President Gbagbo currently facing trial at The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), the Special Rapporteur further called for the trial of the country’s former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, to be expedited.
He also urged for an overhaul of the country’s independent electoral commission ahead of the 2015 elections. “Everybody agrees that it has to be reformed because it does not reflect the reality of the political landscape of Côte d’Ivoire,” Mr. Diène noted.
“Côte d’Ivoire is on the way of recovering from 10 years of violent crisis, but it is just a process because the crisis has been very deep,” the human rights expert said. “It will take time for Côte d’Ivoire to totally recover but I feel the grounds have been rebuilt and the basis is there for recovery.”
Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
Source: UN News Centre – Africa
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