A/HRC/17/48
played a particularly noteworthy role in this regard and to have been transformed into
“nothing less than a machine of warfare and propaganda for LMP”, monopolizing the
media and putting out provocative messages. For example, on 25 February 2011, it
rebroadcast a call from Charles Blé Goudé to the Jeunes patriotes: “You must contact
neighbourhood leaders, you must (...) check people coming into and out of your
neighbourhoods. And you must report any foreign person who comes into your
neighbourhood”.
78.
The Commission noted that during the crisis there had been considerably less
respect for the rights to freedom of expression, opinion and information. Some opposition
political parties and independent media outlets met with systematic difficulties in exercising
those freedoms.
79.
The Commission notes that newspapers and the media were divided into green
newspapers supporting the Ouattara camp and blue newspapers supporting the Gbagbo
camp, and that the former were treated harshly under Mr. Gbagbo's administration. When
the city of Abidjan was taken, the premises of the blue newspapers were ransacked. Some
of those newspapers were just beginning to reappear at the end of the Commission's visit to
Côte d'Ivoire.
Right of demonstration and peaceful public assembly
80.
The blanket prohibition of demonstrations that accompanied the curfew and the
breaking up of demonstrations in Abidjan and Divo on 16 December 2010 and in Duékoué
on 3 January 2011 are a violation of article 21 of the Covenant. The Commission notes that,
in this framework, all attempts by members of the opposition to organize demonstrations
were severely crushed by the FDS, sometimes with heavy weapons and weapons of war
Freedom of religion and desecration of places of worship
81.
During its investigations and interviews, the Commission noted that churches and
mosques had been attacked and illegally searched. For example, a Catholic church was
destroyed in the Carrefour district of Duékoué by pro-Gbagbo Guéré militias and the
cathedral was desecrated by FRCI.
82.
In Bloléquin, the mosque was desecrated by Guéré militias and Liberian
mercenaries. In Abidjan, a Pentecostalist church was attacked by members of FRCI looking
for weapons.
Economic, social and cultural rights
83.
The State of Côte d'Ivoire did not take the necessary measures to preserve and
ensure the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. These violations were notably
worse during the post-electoral crisis from 28 November 2010 until the taking of Abidjan,
particularly in respect of education, health care and access to drinking water, sufficient food
and proper housing.
Right to education
84.
The Commission noted that the post-electoral crisis nearly paralyzed the country's
education system, consequently preventing hundreds and thousands of children for several
months from enjoying the right to education.
Right to health
85.
In a great many cases, health facilities were ransacked, one example being the
Anonkoua-Kouté clinic, or had to close for a variety of reasons having to do primarily with
safety considerations. In addition, pharmacies and other health services met with serious
18
GE.11-14375 (EXT)
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