The Principal Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (PDSRSG) for Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Simon Munzu, on Thursday, 21 May 2015, met the United Nations Independent Expert on Human Rights capacity-building and technical cooperation with Côte d'Ivoire, Mohammed Ayat, at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in Abidjan.



Speaking at the end of the meeting, the UN Independent Expert said he and the PDSRSG had discussed the human rights situation in the country. Mr. Ayat said that he had come to UNOCI to meet with the UN Mission's senior personnel.

« This is the beginning of my second visit to Côte d'ivoire and it is only normal that I come to meet senior members of UNOCI to discuss a certain number of issues with them. They are actually based here and therefore have more information on the human rights situation than me. During my last mission and this one, I have received the best support possible from the United Nations, » said the Independent Expert.



Mr. Ayat is in Côte d'Ivoire to assess the evolution of the human rights situation since his last visit. He intends to hold more detailed and constructive dialogue with the Ivorian authorities, especially with regard to equitable justice in the national reconciliation process and hopes to encourage them to continue with ongoing reforms.



Mr. Ayat then congratulated the Ivorian authorities on the recent adoption of a number of legislative and institutional measures, including the abolition of the death penalty in their penal code and the creation of the National Commission for Reconciliation and Indemnisation of Victims.

The UN Independent Expert's second mission is scheduled to end on 29 May 2015.