A/HRC/17/48 the period under consideration. Serious crimes such as murder or rape perpetrated during widespread and systematic attacks against populations targeted on the basis of their supposed political sympathies or their ethnicity might constitute crimes against humanity. In that connection, the Commission noted in particular attacks by FDS elements with militiamen and allied mercenaries against the inhabitants of the Abobo and Yopougon districts of Abidjan, in particular the PK-18 district and the Sikasso village in Abidjan; looting and killing by elements of the Invisible Commando in the Ebrié village of Anonkoua-Kouté; along the Duékoué-Toulepleu axis, attacks and brutalities by FRCI and their allies against people of Guéré origin and the destruction of their property. Some of these events might constitute crimes against humanity. However, owing to lack of time, the Commission was not able to study the matter in sufficient depth for it to propose a definitive characterization of specific events. War crimes 92. Some of the acts described above are serious violations of common article 3 of the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 within the meaning of article 8 of the Rome Statute. Those acts committed during the fighting in Abidjan and other towns since late March 2011 are attacks on life and corporal integrity, cruel treatment and torture, and humiliating and degrading treatment violating the dignity of persons who took no direct part in the hostilities. 93. Those acts may also be described as serious violations of laws and customs applicable to armed conflict not of an international character. These include attacks directed intentionally against the civilian population as such or against civilians not taking direct part in the hostilities, attacks directed intentionally against buildings, material, medical units and transport, attacks directed intentionally against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a UNOCI peacekeeping mission, attacks directed intentionally against buildings dedicated to religion, education and hospitals, pillaging towns and villages, as well as rape and other forms of sexual violence. The Commission was unable to confirm that children under the age of 15 years had been conscripted or enlisted by parties to the conflict, but expresses serious concerns about the presence of juveniles in FDS and FRCI units. D. Responses of the Government to the situation 94. The Commission notes that, on the ground, the legitimate Government has recognized the seriousness of the facts and has taken certain measures. The Government has initiated judicial and military procedures at national level against certain suspects. It has set up a Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and has decided to refer to the International Criminal Court. 1. Military procedures 95. On 12 May 2011, the Military Prosecutor submitted an application for the investigation of 52 military personnel belonging to FDS, essentially joint task forces, such as the Garde républicaine, CECOS, BAE and special gendarmerie units which, according to the Military Prosecutor, were under the dual command of the chief of GR and the chief of CECOS. The investigation will be extended, according to the findings, to any person suspected of a crime, including FRCI. 2. Judicial procedures 96. The Government decided to set in motion a judicial process at the national level in order to prosecute persons responsible for crimes under Ivorian law who do not come 20 GE.11-14375 (EXT)

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