UN human rights chief dispatches mission to probe possible abuses in Côte d'Ivoire

Reacting to growing concerns over gross human rights violations in Côte d'Ivoire, the top UN rights chief today announced plans to send an urgent mission to the country on Monday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello said the weeklong mission, to be headed by Deputy High Commissioner Bertrand Ramcharan, will travel to different parts of conflict-torn Côte d'Ivoire.

Team members will speak to government officials and other leaders, civil society representatives, human rights organizations, representatives of international and regional organizations, and others in a position to assist in assessing the human rights situation.