UN commission says human rights violated during Cote d'Ivoire crisis

The chairman of the UN's independent international commission of inquiry on Cote d'Ivoire, Vittit Muntabhorn, has confirmed serious and massive violations of human rights during the country's post-election crisis.

Muntabhorn, who addressed a press conference in Abidjan on Friday, said these violations were characterized by extra-judicial killings, massive displacement of civilian population, denial of freedom and disruption of economic and social activities including health and education.

"The commission also noted several cases of torture, rape and other crimes committed against women and children," he said.

The international commission said it had met with victims of the post-election violence who indicated that they had lost many of their relatives during the conflict.

"The suffering of the victims of this serious crisis is real and should be at the center of efforts to reconstruct Cote d'Ivoire," Muntabhorn recommended.

He reiterated the need to put to an end impunity so that peace can be long lasting. At the same time, Muntabhorn insisted that reconciliation cannot be achieved without justice.

"Everyone who was involved in human rights violations should be prosecuted in accordance with the law and without any discrimination," he added.

During their stay in the country, the investigators visited several localities in the south, west and northern parts of the country and they also went to Liberia to have a better understanding of the cross-border aspects of Cote d'Ivoire crisis.

The international commission of inquiry on Cote d'Ivoire was created in March 2011 by the UN's human rights council.

It has the mandate to investigate all allegations of serious human rights violations that were perpetrated in the country after the disputed presidential elections on Nov. 28, 2010, with a view of identifying those who were responsible so that they can be prosecuted.

The commission organized this press conference at the end of its mission to Cote d'Ivoire which begun on May 14.

It's expected to present its recommendations on June 15 before the June 17 session of the UN's human rights council in Geneva.

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