UNOCI organises discussion-debate to commemorate International Human Rights Day

The festivities for the celebration of International Human Rights Day and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights started on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), in Sebroko, Abidjan, with a discussion-debate in which several actors and non-governmental organisations working in human rights in Côte d'Ivoire took part.

Participants discussed the achievements and challenges in the implementation of the human rights mandate by the United Nations and national actors.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the chief of UNOCI's Human Rights Division, Eugene Nindorera, said that participants had go beyond a ceremony. International Human Rights Day "is simply an opportunity for us to reflect on the human rights situation. What have we done in the last 20 years in terms of the fight to safeguard human rights with our national and international partners? It is also an opportunity for us to ask ourselves what was done here in Côte d'Ivoire, what are the remaining challenges we have to overcome, what we still have to do in order to improve the human rights situation," he said.

For his part, the Director for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Ivorian Ministry of Justice, André Kamaté, said that during the discussions that there had been a marked improvement in the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire. However, he admitted that a lot still needs to be done. "The Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that people's rights are respected," Mr. Kamate added.

Laurent Malan of the NGO Transparency Justice, said that the visible aspects of human rights violations are in the process of being eliminated but the invisible and pernicious aspects still remain.

According to Rachel Gogoua, president of the Organisation for Children, Women and the Family - Organisation pour l'Enfant, la Femme et la Famille (ONEF) those who violate human rights continue to enjoy impunity in Côte d'Ivoire.

At the end of the discussions, the panelists agreed that the Ivorian State should not only focus on protecting human rights but should fight against corruption which is a human rights violation.

The celebration of International Human Rights Day was officially instituted by the United Nations General Assembly by members voting Resolution 432 (V) in 1950.

The Resolution asks all States and organisations concerned to commemorate the International Human Rights Day on 10 December, the date on which UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

This year, the Ivorian Government has chosen Agboville, some 80 km from Abidjan for the official ceremony to celebrate the Day on 12 December 2013. UNOCI will accompany the Government by providing logistic assistance and taking part in the ceremony.