Highlights

- Mobile Court hearings to restart in different parts of Côte d'Ivoire
- FAFN Chief of Staff warns ex-combatants on recent demonstrations

Electoral

The Mobile Court hearing process, which officially ended in May 2008, is to recommence in 34 areas in different parts of Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 50 technical teams will be involved in the operation which is expected to last a few weeks. It should be recalled that these new Public Hearings were convened following a recommendation by the Permanent Consultation Framework (CPC) after its meeting on 9 May 2008. With regard to the recruitment of local personnel to be used for the identification and voter registration processes, the previously agreed terms of reference (TOR) and modalities of recruitment have been modified by two national stakeholders, namely the National Statistics Institute (INS) and the National Identification Office (ONI).

UNOCI has been asked by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to provide logistical support for a three-day tour of the centres which will be used during the identification process, by representatives from the IEC, INS, the technical operator SAGEM, and ONI. The visit is due to start tomorrow, 25 June 2008.

DDR

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), General Soumaila Bakayako, yesterday urged regrouped ex-combatants to avoid demonstrations as this was maligning the image of the FAFN and harming the disarmament and demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process in the north. General Bakayoko who was accompanied by the Zone Commander of Bouaké and the Director of the Gendarmerie, was speaking at a ceremony marking the fourth phase of the DDR process yesterday in Bouaké. The 4th and 5th phases of FAFN DDR are expected to end today. As a follow-up to the process, an evaluation meeting involving representatives of the FAFN, the Integrated Command Centre, the civic service, the Office of the Prime Minister and UNOCI, will be held on Friday, 27 June 2008 in Bouaké.

Human Rights

A journalist working for the "Intelligent d'Abidjan" newspaper, who had been arrested by the Forces Nouvelles in Odienné (north) was released yesterday following the intervention of the Regional Human Rights Office. The journalist was arrested after being accused of taking photographs and videotaping some areas in Tiemé for military intelligence. He explained that he was investigating reports of racketeering by Forces Nouvelles soldiers in the Bafing and Denguélé regions, together with another journalist from "Le Jour Plus" newspaper. The journalist told the Human Rights Office that although he was threatened during questioning, he was not physically assaulted.
The Regional Human Rights Office in Daloa (west) held a two-day training seminar on the "Management of Human Rights NGOs" for 56 members of local civil society groups in Vavoua (west) from 20 to 21 June 2008. The objective of the training was to strengthen their capacity by providing them with tools and techniques for managing their organisations.
On 20 June 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Yamoussoukro in collaboration with the Rule of Law Section, organized training on "The rights of persons in detention" for 16 officers from Toumodi prison. The training was aimed at educating participants on national and international standards for the treatment of detainees as contained in various international instruments. The session also highlighted the principles of a human rights-based approach to prison management.