Respect for human rights was at the heart of a sensitisation session orgnaised by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the NGO, Bonne Action, for the people of Guehouo, situated 513 km northwest of Abidjan, on Wednesday, 30 October 2013.



Violation of human rights is indefensible, said the representative of UNOCI's Human Rights Division. "Those found guilty will be brought to justice sooner or later," he warned. He then urged people to collaborate with the security forces to denounce all human rights violations. "You should denounce all human rights violations in order to put an end to impunity which is hindering social cohesion," he concluded.



Jonas Siekpo from the NGO Bonne Action, for his part, appealed to the inhabitants of Guehouo to cultivate the fundamental values of social cohesion. This will in turn lead to development which requires discipline and order, he insisted.



Representing the village chief who was absent, one of his officials, Jean Koué, welcomed the initiative to organise the sensitisation activity in their locality, adding that he had taken note of the messages promoted during the discussions. "We are ready to work to ensure that human rights is respected in our village to end impunity," he said.



The villagers raised various concerns with the local authorities including agriculture, impunity for burglars, extortion by the Forces républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire, the release of political detainees and the disarmament of former occupants of the classified