Letter to the UN Security Council in Advance of its June Mission to Africa
We write in advance of the Security Council’s mission to Africa on June 1-10, 2008, to urge you to use this opportunity to address pressing human rights issues in Sudan, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
May 27, 2008 Letter
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UN: Africa Trip Should Focus on Human Rights
Protection of Civilians Necessary for Lasting Peace
The United Nations Security Council should address protection of civilians, justice, and human rights during its upcoming visit to Africa from June 1-10, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the council. Human Rights Watch highlighted critical issues that needed to be addressed at each of the stops on the council’s tour.
May 27, 2008 Press Release
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Côte d’Ivoire: End Impunity for Pro-Government Student Group
Government Should Investigate, Punish Those Responsible for Crimes
The government of Côte d’Ivoire should take immediate steps to end impunity for members of a pro-government student group responsible for numerous acts of violent, criminal behavior, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
May 21, 2008 Press Release
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"The Best School"
Student Violence, Impunity, and the Crisis in Côte d’Ivoire
 | This 98-page report documents how, in the last several years, members of FESCI have been implicated in attacks on opposition ministers, magistrates, journalists, and human rights organizations, among others. According to interviews with victims and eyewitnesses, the student group has killed, raped and severely beaten students perceived sympathetic to the northern-based rebellion or the political opposition. |
HRW Index No.: 1-56432-312-9
May 21, 2008 Report
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Letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on His Upcoming West Africa Tour
We are writing to you in advance of your meetings in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire as part of your upcoming four-nation West African tour. Human Rights Watch welcomes the significant work done by the human rights and rule of law sections within the United Nations peacekeeping missions in both Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, particularly with respect to the monitoring of and reporting on persistent human rights abuses. We write today to urge you to use your meetings with Liberian and Ivorian government officials, UN mission representatives, and members of civil society to address a few key issues, especially related to justice for past crimes, which Human Rights Watch believes are vital to restoration of respect for human rights and the rule of law, and in turn a durable peace in both countries.
April 18, 2008 Letter
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Letter to the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
Urging the Organisation to Improve and Strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism
Human Rights Watch writes to urge Dr. Ihsanoglu to use his position as Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to support measures at the upcoming Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 13-14 that would improve and strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism. In particular, we urge the OIC to consider two amendments to the Convention in order to narrow its overbroad definition of terrorism and to make absolutely clear that there is no sanction in Islam for deliberately attacking civilians, whatever the circumstances or justifications.
March 11, 2008 Letter
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"My Heart Is Cut"
Sexual Violence by Rebels and Pro-Government Forces in Côte d’Ivoire
 | Pro-government and rebel forces in Côte d’Ivoire have subjected thousands of women and girls to rape and other brutal sexual assaults with impunity. This 135-page report details the widespread nature of sexual violence throughout the five-year military-political crisis. The report, which is based on interviews with more than 180 victims and witnesses, documents how women and girls have been subjected to individual and gang rape, sexual slavery, forced incest and other egregious sexual assaults. |
HRW Index No.: A1911
August 2, 2007 Report
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Côte d’Ivoire: Peace Process Fails to Address Sexual Violence
National Authorities and International Community Must Act to Reverse Impunity
Pro-government and rebel forces in Côte d’Ivoire have subjected thousands of women and girls to rape and other brutal sexual assaults with impunity, Human Rights Watch said in a new report issued today. Despite recent progress in the peace process, the latest accord fails to address this widespread sexual violence or the need for accountability.
August 1, 2007 Press Release
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HRW Letter to UN Security Council on Upcoming Mission to Africa
June 12, 2007
June 12, 2007 Letter
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UN: Make Civilian Protection a Priority on Trip to Africa
Security Council Must Increase Pressure on Sudan
The United Nations Security Council must make protection of civilians its highest priority, Human Rights Watch said today. In a letter to the Security Council, Human Rights Watch called for greater pressure on the Sudanese government to ensure the immediate deployment of the full African Union-United Nations hybrid force in Darfur to help protect civilians, and also to end the government’s abusive policies.
June 12, 2007 Press Release
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“Because they have the guns . . . I'm left with nothing."
The Price of Continuing Impunity in Côte d’Ivoire
This 36-page report documents human rights abuses against civilians that were committed by state security forces, their allied militias and the rebel New Forces (Forces Nouvelles) between November and March. These armed groups have preyed on civilians through intimidation and outright force.
HRW Index No.: A1804
May 25, 2006 Report
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Côte d’Ivoire: Abuses Threaten Run-Up to Elections
Impunity Fuels Serious Violations by Government, Rebel Forces
Government forces in Côte d’Ivoire, their allied militias and New Forces rebels alike are committing serious abuses against civilians with impunity, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. These abuses and the impunity that fuels them raise serious concerns about the potential for violence in the run-up to the October elections.
May 24, 2006 Press Release
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Côte d'Ivoire: Ivorian Government Must Rein in Militias
U.N. Security Council Should Sanction Rights Abusers
The Ivorian government must take concrete steps to stop recent attacks on United Nations peacekeepers by pro-government militias, Human Rights Watch said today. Warning of disastrous human rights consequences for ordinary Ivorians if events spiral out of control, Human Rights Watch called on the United Nations Security Council to increase the number of peacekeepers on the ground.
January 18, 2006 Press Release
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Côte d’Ivoire: Impasse Fuels Impunity for Abuses
U.N. Security Council Must Activate Sanctions, Address Accountability
Côte d’Ivoire’s government security forces, allied militias, and the north-based rebels alike routinely harass, intimidate, and even execute civilians as the country’s political stalemate bolsters impunity, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.
December 22, 2005 Press Release
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Côte d'Ivoire: Government Recruits Child Soldiers in Liberia
U.N. Security Council Must Take Urgent Action on Investigation, Sanctions
In anticipation of renewed fighting with rebel forces, the Ivorian government is recruiting Liberian children alongside hundreds of other former combatants in Liberia’s civil war, Human Rights Watch said today.
October 27, 2005 Press Release
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Testimonies of Liberians interviewed in October 2005 by Human Rights Watch
October 27, 2005 Testimony
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Côte d’Ivoire: As Killings Surge, U.N. Must Boost Troops
Ivorian Government Must Hold Accountable Those Responsible for Killings
Amid the latest wave of ethnic violence in Côte d’Ivoire’s western cocoa belt, which has claimed 58 lives this week, the United Nations Security Council must urgently boost its peacekeeping force in the country by 2,000 troops, Human Rights Watch said. Today the Security Council will discuss the mission’s mandate.
June 3, 2005 Press Release
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Cote d’Ivoire: Militias Pose Threat to Civilians
U.N. Security Council Must Boost Civilian Protection
In Cote d’Ivoire’s fragile peace process, further attacks against civilians could set off a sudden spiral of human rights abuses that would be difficult to control, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. On May 4, the U.N. Security Council will discuss extending the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country.
May 3, 2005 Press Release
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Country on a Precipice
The Precarious State of Human Rights and Civilian Protection in Côte d’Ivoire
This 35-page report documents recent military incidents that demonstrate the precariousness of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. The report also shows how the continued proliferation of militias and the government’s practice of using hate speech to incite violence puts civilians at continued risk. The report examines the government offensive against the rebel-held north in November, which was followed by widespread anti-French riots in Abidjan and ethnic clashes in Gagnoa. It also details how the February 28 attack by government-backed militia on the rebel-held town of Logouale sparked ethnically motivated attacks between indigenous groups and immigrant farm workers that resulted in some 16 deaths, caused more than 13,000 villagers to flee, and left several villages in flames.
HRW Index No.: A1706
May 3, 2005 Report
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West Africa: Roving Warriors Recruited for New Conflicts
Preventing New Atrocities Requires Ending the Cycle That Drives Regional Mercenaries
Thousands of young men and boys, many of whom have committed atrocities while fighting in West Africa’s brutal civil wars, face re-recruitment into the region’s emerging conflicts. International efforts to disarm these fighters must provide them with alternatives to war.
April 13, 2005 Press Release
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