Highlight

-BENINBATT and UNPOL asked to follow-up on returning IDPs
-Arms embargo carried out in Gohitafla
-Human Rights Office to investigate reports of ill-treatment of foreigners in Danané area

Return of IDPs

UNOCI's BENINBATT and UNPOL based in Guiglo and Duékoué have been invited to follow up the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Zou and Yrozon area because their resettlement is still uncertain due to tension between them and the host communities. Meanwhile, IDPs from Dieouzon who are presently in Duékoué, met with the Sous Prefet of Bangolo and decided that it was now safe enough for them to return. It was agreed they would start the process on 16 October 2007.

Arms embargo

An arms embargo inspection was carried out successfully at the camp of the National Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (FANCI) in Gohitafla (centre west) by Military Observers (Milobs) from Daloa. BANBATT provided escort.

Military

MORBATT and UNPOL yesterday carried out joint patrols in the central town of Bouaké while Military Observers and UNPOL from Ferkéssedougou did the same in Natogo.

A Combat Engineering detachment from Force Licorne based in BANBATT's HQ Zuenoula since 29 September 2007, has left after completing road repairs it was carrying out in the town.

Miscellaneous
JORBATT yesterday distributed 150 food parcels to the needy and orphans in Riviera in the Abidjan district.

An Iftar (fast-breaking meal) party was yesterday hosted by the BANBATT Commander at Sucreivoire Camp (centre west) for local village chiefs, community leaders, Imams and representatives of the Forces Nouvelles. Participants took the opportunity to forget all enmity and work together for lasting peace.

Human Rights

On 28 September, a number of human rights violations committed by members of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) against the "allogènes" (non-native population) including Liberians and Burkinabé living in Kulé village, located 40 km from the western town of Danané, were reported. On 24 September, a group of ten armed FAFN soldiers led by a certain "Kolé" entered the village and asked to be paid 6000 FCFA by each planter as a cultivation fee. They also conducted a systematic search of houses and confiscated the personal belongings of the villagers. The office will address the issue with the Forces Nouvelles authorities based in Man.

On 28 September, a 17-year-old youth requested the intervention of the Regional Human Rights Office in Bouaké following a series of arrests by FAFN soldiers under Commander Issiaka Ouattara alias "Wattao". The man was arrested, detained and then released at Camp "Wattao", on 26 September, by four soldiers led by Lieutenant Lorougnon following an alleged robbery. He was again re-arrested on 28 September and released a few hours later. The office is following the case.

On 29 September, Mr. Simon Munzu, Chief of the Human Rights Division, attended a ceremony of the Observatoire des Droits et Liberté en Milieu Universitaire (ODELMU) at the University Campus in Cocody (Abidjan district). The ODELMU was established by the human rights NGO "Ligue Ivoirienne des Droits de l'Homme" (LIDHO) to monitor the prevailing violence in university campuses and in schools. Approximately, 150 people attended the ceremony, including members of the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de Recherche Scientifque, the Radio et Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI), teachers and university personnel as well as students. Mr. Munzu denounced the continuous human rights violations committed in universities and schools in Côte d'Ivoire denying students as well as the whole population their basic human rights such as the right to education and the right to freedom of movement and physical integrity. He encouraged the initiative as a positive sign for the respect of human rights and expressed full support to all those involved in the project.