A/HRC/17/48 59. Before the fighting, the human rights situation in that region was characterized by recurrent intercommunity violence connected with land disputes. Regular attacks against the non-native population were reported, particularly during roadblocks set up by young militiamen, often supported by FDS. Abuses committed included violations of the right to life and security of person and to freedom of movement. In San Pedro, for example, members of the United Nations peacekeeping force explained to the Commission that for several weeks the town had been under the control of the Jeunes patriotes and that they had been forced to negotiate with them whenever they wished to move from one place to another, even just to obtain fresh supplies. 60. After 28 November, the situation throughout the region grew considerably worse with a marked increase in violence against individuals seen as supporters of RHDP and originating from the north. In addition, inter-community tension was on the rise. Thus, in Duékoué, on 28 November, the representative of RHDP who had supervised the conduct of the elections in the Carrefour district was kidnapped and physically abused by UPRGO and AP-Wê militiamen in that district. During the same period, the death of three persons at a roadblock led to outbreaks of fighting between the Guéré and Malinke communities. The Guéré were accused of looting and killing. Members of the Malinke community attacked the Guéré neighbourhoods and, in the Malinke neighbourhoods, Guéré were ill treated and driven from their homes. In retaliation, the Guéré then drove out Malinke living in what were traditionally Guéré neighbourhoods, setting fire to houses inhabited by or belonging to Malinke and other northern ethnic groups. These clashes were reported to have left in their wake dozens of dead people, over 100 wounded and at least 450 houses destroyed. 61. In Divo, a Divo RHDP demonstration held on 16 December 2010 was crushed by the CRS, established in the city some months before, under the command of Mr. Seka Yapo, who hurled tear gas grenades and fired weapons of war at the demonstrators. At least four people were said to have been killed and 27 wounded, including an eight-year-old girl. 62. In San Pedro, in the weeks following the second round of the elections, les Jeunes patriotes and other organizations of the “galaxie patriotique”, under the sometimes disputed leadership of Mr. Blé Sépé and Mr. Sylla Youssouf, such as the “Blé Goudé generation” and the debating society “La Sorbonne” were active in the city with the full knowledge of the law enforcement services, publicly inciting violence against RHDP supporters and organizing unauthorized public demonstrations, as well as roadblocks and searches of vehicles and civilians. 63. Following the curfew violation, on 23 February, FAFN launched a counteroffensive, attacking and conquering one after the other the western towns, including Zouan Hounien, Toulepleu, Doké, Bloléquin, Duékoué and Guiglo. In a number of cases, FDS in position in those towns fled before the arrival of FAFN and, later, FRCI. Nevertheless, between their departure and the taking of the city by FAFN or FRCI, groups of Jeunes patriotes and militiamen, sometimes with the support of mercenaries, committed numerous acts of violence against the civilian population. This was true in particular of Guiglou and Divo. In Duékoué, on 28 March, FDS defended themselves for some 24 hours, receiving reinforcements from Guiglou. 64. According to some reports, FDS were supported by English-speaking mercenaries from Liberia, backed by armed local militias. On that same day, militiamen and mercenaries were said to have attacked civilians, leaving a number of dead and violating their physical integrity. It is alleged, for example, that at about eight o'clock AP-Wê militiamen and Liberian mercenaries killed the imam and his 72-year-old tutor. The attacks are said to have ceased in the early afternoon with the taking of the city by FRCI. As they retreated, the militiamen reportedly plundered and set fire to numerous houses. On 29 March, the Carrefour district, the home ground of several militias such as AP-Wê and UPRGO, was the scene of fighting between FRCI, supported by members of the Dozo GE.11-14375 (EXT) 15