The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Arnauld Akodjénou, on Monday, 16 June 2014, met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Dr. Chaloka Beyani, at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), in Abidjan.





Speaking after the meeting, the Special Rapporteur said that the aim of his visit was to assess the progress made so far on the isssue of IDPs following his last visit in 2012 and the publication of his report on the situation in 2013.

During his discussions with the Deputy Special Representative, the Special Rapporteur agreed that there had been significant progress on several fronts. « There has been progress in the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process, as well as on land ownership issues. On the issue of land ownership, the Government has set up a working group. There has also been progress made on security. Of course much still remains to be done but significant progress has been made, » said the Special Rapporteur.





Dr. Beyani said that with regard to the events and conflicts which led to people becoming displaced, there was now a better understanding and a better climate ; there are even fewer IDPs than before.

«Meanwhile, a verification exercise should be done in order to continue to closely monitor the number of IDPs. My hope is to put in place a follow-up mechanism on IDPs which will allow the United Nations and the Government to work together more efficiently on this issue, » he added.

During his visit, the Special Rapporteur will examine the challenges that IDPs are facing in Côte d'Ivoire. He will then brief the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the issue.





While he is in Côte d'Ivoire, Dr. Beyani will meet with Government officials, UN partners and civil society groups. In addition, he will take part in the regional consultation to prepare the World Humanitarian Summit – a meeting which will take place in the Ivorian economic capital this week.