Sunday 12 June 2011

Côte d'Ivoire-UN Reports on Murder and Rape by forces loyal to Ouattara


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Supporters of Alassane Ouattara point to what they say are the burnt remains of three soldiers loyal to president Laurent Gbagbo, in the Abobo district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast (File Photo - March 7, 2011)

United Nations investigators have found evidence that crimes against humanity may have been committed in Ivory Coast both by forces loyal to the West African country's president Laurent Gbagbo and by forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara.

Three investigators were sent to Ivory Coast by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May. Their job was to probe alleged attacks against the population since the country’s presidential election last November.

What they found, the panel said Friday, was evidence of possible crimes against humanity having been committed on both sides of the political divide.
They said rape and murder were carried out through generalized and systematic attacks, targeting people based on their assumed political sympathies. 
But they’re not the first to say that forces loyal to Ivory Coast’s current leader, Alassane Ouattara, may have committed major crimes in recent months. 

The international rights groups Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both accused Ouattara’s followers of targeting suspected supporters of  Pr.Laurent Gbagbo.
Deputy Director for Africa at Amnesty, Véronique Aubert, says that Ouattara must bring the situation under control. "He's the president and that's why we expect him to issue clear public instructions to security forces to comply with Ivorian law and international human rights law," she said.

On Thursday the U.N. mission in Ivory Coast accused Ouattara’s supporters of carrying out attacks in the south and west in areas where there is known support for Gbagbo.
The U.N. human rights officer in Ivory Coast, Guillaume Ngefa demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the attacks.

When Ouattara was sworn in last month he vowed to end the violence in Ivory Coast and to investigate alleged atrocities.
"Now he has to wrestle the control back from these rebel forces because these groups, these armed gangs and to some extent mercenaries, are now coming back to him and saying 'we helped you into power and now we would like you to show some gratitude for that,'" said Kramer.

Kramer says now as president, Ouattara is responsible for the country’s security and must take charge.

The U.N. investigators said Friday that they were unable to put a precise figure on the death toll since November’s disputed election. But they estimate that around 3,000 people have been killed.
Par truthfighter - Publié dans : actualité politique 
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