Highlights

- Deputy Human Rights Commission satisfied with human rights progress in Côte d'Ivoire
- UNOCI intensifies patrols after increased robberies in the west
- Redeployed civil servants demonstrate against non payment of allowances

Visit

The Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Kyung-wha Kang, today expressed her satisfaction with the progress made on human rights issues in Côte d'Ivoire, since the signing of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, on 4 March 2007. Speaking at a press conference before leaving Abidjan for Liberia, Mrs Kang said that she had been heartened by the fact that government officials had stressed the importance of human rights as one of the key elements which guarantees a peaceful environment for elections. She also added that Prime Minister Guillaume Soro had told her that respect for human rights was essential and an integral part of the crisis resolution process.

Security

BANBATT and UNPOL based in Man yesterday agreed to intensify their night patrols after reports that there had been a marked increase in the number of night time roadside robberies in the area. The reports were made during the weekly Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) security conference with the Impartial Forces, at their headquarters in the city. The FAFN also promised to be more vigilant.

A truck and a car were yesterday attacked by armed bandits just three kilometres from a FAFN checkpoint on the Korhogo-Boundiali road (north). On 24 May 2008, a motorcyclist was also robbed on the Korhogo-M'Bengué road.

Demonstration

Civil servants redeployed in the centre, west and north of Côte d'Ivoire today staged a peaceful demonstration against the non-payment of their allowances, since October 2007. UNOCI staff are expected to meet with the Prefect of Bouaké to try to resolve the issue.

Arms embargo

Military Observers (Milobs) from the western town of Duékoué yesterday successfully carried out an arms embargo inspection at the regrouping site of the Defence and Security Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (FDSCI) in the town.

Human Rights

The Regional Human Rights Office in San Pedro, on 23 May 2008 conducted a fact-finding mission to Touredougou, 27 km north of San Pedro, with UNPOL, to investigate reports of a land dispute between the Bakwé community, natives of the region and a group of immigrants, mainly from Burkina Faso. As a result of UNOCI's intervention, both communities agreed to settle the conflict peacefully.

Numerous checkpoints and roadblocks manned by FAFN soldiers continue to obstruct freedom of movement in northern Cote d'Ivoire. On 23 May 2008, the Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké noted that between Bouaké and Satama-Sokoura, a distance of 84 km, there were seven checkpoints. The soldiers were demanding crossing fees varying from 200 to 750 FCFA (between 50cents and $2) from cyclists and motorcyclists, and between 1000 and 5000 FCFA ($2.4 and $12) from passenger vehicles and trucks.