Resolution on Cote d’Ivoire

The Forum on the participation of NGOs at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights,

Recalling the Ivorian crisis which started in September 2002 and its political, economic and humanitarian repercussions;

Considering the serious threats to security and stability in the entire country, because of the reticence of the combatants, militia and extremist groups to disarm;

Considering the escalating and grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, especially against civilians;

Considering the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of grave Human and international human rights and international humanitarian Law violations in the whole country;

Recalling the importance of United Nations article 1633 and the establishment of the International Working Group (IWG) on Côte d’Ivoire for a peaceful resolution of the Ivorian crisis;

Deploring the delays in the implementation of the electoral process which adversely affect adherence to the transition period timetable;

Hereby urges the African Commission on Human and Peoples rights to adopt a resolution:

Condemning the serious human rights and international humanitarian law violations perpetuated with impunity in Côte d’Ívoire;

Urging the factions to abide strictly by the Peace Agreements and to respect international humanitarian Law and International Human Rights laws;

Supporting the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1633 namely its operational organs i.e. the office of the Prime Minister, the Transition Government and the International Working Group (IWG),

Urges the Ivorian Authorities:

– to abide strictly by the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1632 (2005) 1633 (2005) 1643 (2005) 1657 (2006);

– implement the recommendations of the report of the inquiry by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Côte d’Ívoire from 19 September, 2002 to 15 October, 2004, in accordance with the provisions of annex 4 V1 of the Linas-Marcoussis Accord and the 25th May 2004 Declaration (PRST/2004/17) of the Chairman of the Security Council, and to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Operations in Cote D’Ívoire periodic reports on the human rights situation;

– implement the measures provided for in the Peace agreements, including the disarmament, disbanding of the militia, concomitant implementation of the disarmament programme, and identification of citizens, redeployment of the civil service, voter registration on election rolls, and the organisation of free, timely, open and transparent elections.,

– ratify the Rome Statutes establishing the International Criminal Court;

– promote the active participation of civil society in the conflict resolution process, in accordance with the African Union Peace and Security Council decisions and the provisions of United Nations Security Council resolution 1633;

Calls on the UNOCI forces,

In accordance with their mandate, to:

– assist the transition government in the implementation of the national disarmament, demobilisation, and rehabilitation, of combatants;

– promote the free movement of goods and persons and the free movement of humanitarian aid;

– contribute to the promotion and protection of Human rights in Côte d’Ívoire while paying special attention to violence against women and children and,

– assist in the enquiries into human rights violations in a bid to put an end to impunity;

Calling on United Nations Security Council

– To beef up the UNOCI military and police presence, in accordance with the repeated calls of the United Nations Operations in Côte d’Ívoire and the Ivorian Transition Government;

– Include in the UNOCI mandate, the proper protection of civilians against all violations of Human rights and international humanitarian law;

Calls on the United Nations Sanctions Committee

– To take all measures against any person or institution that hinders the peace process in Côte d’Ívoire, in accordance with articles 9 to 11 of United Nations Security Council resolution 1572 and article 23 of resolution 1633;

Calls on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

– To set up an enquiry on the crimes falling under the purview of the said Court committed within the Ivorian territory since 1st July, 2002, in conformity with article 12.3 of the Statutes of the International Criminal Court.

Done in Banjul, 8 May 2006.