New United Nations Independent Expert for Human Rights meets Ivorian President

On the first day of his official visit to Côte d'Ivoire to meet with different actors and assess the human rights situation in the country, the United Nations Independent Expert for Human Rights, Mohamed Ayat was received by the Ivorian head of state, President Alassane Ouattara on Monday, 12 January 2015. Mr. Ayat was accompanied by the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Simon Munzu.

Speaking after the meeting which took place at the presidential palace, the Independent Expert said that he had discussed the human righhts situation with the Ivorian Head of State. " The focus was on the process in which I'm involved, which is to try to help the country to further improve the respect and protection of human rights, » he added.

Mr. Ayat then explained his precise role and mission which he said was to strengthen the human rights capacity in the country through technical cooperation.

The UN Independent Expert for Human Rights in Côte d'Ivoire, who arrived in Abidjan on 12 January 2015 met earlier with the Ivorian Minister for Justice and Human Rights, Mamadou Gnénéma Coulibaly.

Mr. Ayat was nominated on 6 November 2014 by the UN Human Rights Council. He said in an effort to ensure the success of his mission in Côte d'Ivoire, which is due to end on 21 January, he had decided that collaboration with Ivorians, national and international partners and civil society was the best approach. He is due to hold several meetings with different actors and institutions involved in human rights.

During his mission in Côte d'Ivoire, the UN Independent Expert will carry out a number of field visits to become better acquaited with the realities of the human rights situation in the country.