UN warns of escalating human rights violations in Côte d’Ivoire
As fighting rages on in Côte d'Ivoire, the United Nations says the troops loyal to the warring parties are committing serious human rights violations on a daily basis.
Refugees fleeing Côte d'Ivoire
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says it has reports that troops supporting President Alassane Ouattara, have been committing human rights violations during their advance towards Abidjan, especially in the Guiglo and Daloa areas in western Côte d’Ivoire.
Forces loyal to Laurent Gbabo are reported to have brutally killed two civilians and fired motor shell into residential areas in Abidjan. Rupert Colville is from the UN Human rights office.
“There should be no revenge taking place. The forces should show restraint. They might wish to bear in mind that an International commission of Inquiry has already been set up to look into human rights violations in Côte d’Ivoire and obviously that will look at all human rights violations committed by people on either side. And they might want to remember that the International Criminal Court is also engaged in Côte d’Ivoire.”
He says the human rights violations include looting, abduction, arbitrary arrests and other forms of ill treatment against civilians.
