A/HRC/32/52
help all of these troubled young people by providing them with vocational training that will
allow them to find a better place in society.
65.
These are certainly positive developments that should be warmly welcomed.
However, it is important to stress that the approach used to achieve the social reintegration
of these young people should place priority on their best interests (article 3 (1) of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child) and should be in line with all the human rights
commitments of Côte d’Ivoire. It is also imperative to take into account the responsibility
of the people behind the scenes who provide backing for the violent acts committed by
these minors.
VII. Constitutional reform
66.
The President of Côte d’Ivoire announced a plan for a reform of the Constitution
during his inaugural address in November 2015; it was expected that Ivorians would be
able to vote on the adoption of reform measures in a referendum before the end of 2016.
The President has recently appointed a committee of eminent jurists to work on the draft
text. He has also stated his intention to consult with all segments of Ivorian society on the
reform. That consultation process is under way, and the President has already met with
traditional and religious leaders and representatives of civil society.
67.
The likely scope of the reform is not yet known because the draft text has not yet
been made available for discussion and comment by all sectors of the Ivorian population.
The Independent Expert notes that the Security Council, in its resolution 2284 (2016),
stressed that the constitutional review referendum provided an important opportunity for all
Ivorians to achieve a shared sense of nation and to address the underlying causes of tension
and conflict, including with respect to land tenure, nationality and identity. He welcomes
the interest of the international community in the reform of the institutions of Côte d’Ivoire,
which he sees as an opportunity for Ivorians to consolidate their achievements in carrying
forward the national reconciliation process and to further entrench democracy and the rule
of law. In this connection, the part of the Constitution devoted to fundamental rights and
freedoms could be enriched by provisions that better demonstrate the State’s commitment
to respecting and guaranteeing the enjoyment of those rights and freedoms by all Ivorians,
without discrimination.
68.
The Independent Expert also reiterates that the National Human Rights Commission
of Côte d’Ivoire would gain in credibility and effectiveness if it were to be raised to the
rank of a constitutional body and if its independence were to be established in the
Constitution. As to the procedures to be used in the constitutional review process, it is
imperative to adopt a broadened participatory approach in which Ivorians are given the time
and the opportunity to discuss the provisions of the amended text and to provide input
during its preparation.
VIII. Conclusion and recommendations
A.
Conclusion
69.
The resolutions recently adopted by the Security Council demonstrate that the
international community has regained its confidence in Côte d’Ivoire. Accordingly,
the presence of UNOCI is not considered to be necessary after 30 June 2017. Côte
d’Ivoire is thus now in a position to take sole control of its destiny and to continue the
pursuit of its economic and human development. This marks a welcome return to the
not-too-distant past (the 1960s and 1970s), when the country was an example of
16
GE.16-10958
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents