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Côte d'Ivoire: UN rights expert concerned by reports of executions

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Côte d'Ivoire: UN rights expert concerned by reports of executions

A United Nations human rights expert today expressed serious concern about recent reports of extrajudicial executions in Côte d'Ivoire.

Asma Jahangir, the UN's Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said she has been following the situation in the country closely since fighting erupted in September.

It has been alleged that both Government and armed groups have engaged in extrajudicial and summary executions of civilians, she said, and several mass gravesites have also reportedly been recently identified.

Ms. Jahangir urged all parties in the conflict to refrain from carrying out extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. She also affirmed the absolute necessity of identifying perpetrators and of ensuring that they are held accountable in conformity with international standards.