Côte d’Ivoire: UN condemns damage to human rights organization

The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has spoken out against a recent attack on two human rights organizations in the country, calling for the authorities to investigate and bring to justice those responsible.

In a statement, UNOCI strongly condemned the destruction of goods, pillage and extortion against the headquarters of the Ligue Ivoirienne des droits de l’Homme and l’Action pour la Protection des Droits de l’Homme on 21 May.

Following a visit to the affected sites, UNOCI noted the extent of damages as well as the consequences of these acts on the operational capacities of these two organizations defending human rights, reporting that equipment and archives were destroyed or taken.

UNOCI decried the damage, pointing out that all Ivorian parties must work to implement the Ouagadougou agreement.

That accord, struck on 4 March, sets out a series of measures to deal with the political divide in Côte d’Ivoire, which has been split between the Government-controlled south and the rebel Forces Nouvelles-held north since 2002.