GIMAC network

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CÔTE D’IVOIRE

FEMMES AFRICA SOLIDARITE

Human Rights Council - Geneva

16th Session

Written statement – Called for an independent international commission of inquiry

Commission of inquiry established to investigate human rights violations after the elections on 28 November 2010

Human Rights Council - Geneva

17th Session of the HRC – report of the independent international commission of inquiry

Four women from Côte d’Ivoire – written statement asking for the full participation of women in the Truth, Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission to be set up by the government

Meeting with high level stakeholders and one of the members of the commission of inquiry – Madame Reine Alapini Gansou

Key Findings of the report of the Commission of Inquiry

Root causes – use of ethnic backgrounds for political reasons, manipulation of Ivorian youth, unresolved land issue

Crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by both sides

Violations continue in the west, south-west and Abidjan

The issue of displaced people, refugees in Liberia and cross-border insecurity should be addressed

Key Findings of the report of the Commission of Inquiry

Recommendation of the establishment by the Human Rights Council of an independent mechanism to monitor the human rights situation

The Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be in practice with good standards

The UN to assess the work of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI ) – did not use all the full means available to protect the civilian population

Need for a professional army that respects human rights

Key Findings of the report of the Commission of Inquiry

IMPORTANT:

Prompt ratification of the :

- Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa

- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Desire in Côte d’Ivoire for Ivorian communities to continue to live together

Key Findings of the report of the Commission of Inquiry

Request that the Ivorian government ratify:

- The Rome Statute – The Ivorian government has invited the International Criminal Court to investigate and try crimes under international law

- African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance

Recommendations of previous commissions were not implemented and as such lasting peace and stability will be elusive if impunity continues

Key Recommendations by Ivorian women at the 17th

Session of the HRC Women should participate in the peace

process and national reconciliation

Media should be involved in gender promotion

Artists should contribute to a culture of peace

Need for prompt legal so that victims do not become resigned and discouraged

Women should be better integrated in economic opportunities

Women in the region (Mano River) should collaborate in peace and reconciliation efforts

Key Recommendations by Ivorian women at the 17th

Session of the HRC

Reconciliation should include all parties because if not, some parties might use other means to get justice

Reconciliation should be an order of priority so that we do not find ourselves in the same place again

Thank you!