A/HRC/22/66 B. Central role of political pluralism 13. There are two clear trends in the political arena: a genuine institutional political process, and open challenge in support of a version of political pluralism that favours reconciliation. These two factors have a direct impact on the human rights situation as much as on security. The institutional political process — which is fundamental to the democratic reconstruction of Côte d’Ivoire — is evidenced by the establishment of the main political and administrative institutions of the rule of law, a Head of State, a Parliament and the restoration by the State of its sovereignty over administrative, judicial and security affairs throughout the country. 14. Strengthening inclusive political pluralism, which was one of the central recommendations of the previous report, is the most urgent and enduring response to the two major challenges of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, namely, how to transform a society that is deeply polarized in political terms into a legal, democratic expression of the political, cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of the Ivorian people and how to provide credible guarantees of a culture of tolerance in which national reconciliation is possible, with respect for the deeply held convictions of all elements of society. 15. Significant initiatives towards national reconciliation have been made by the political class, as well as by civil society. In this regard, the joint creation by the Government and an opposition party, following the Conclave in Grand Bassam in April 2012, of a permanent framework for dialogue is a major step towards the creation of conditions and instruments that would promote reconciliation. One particularly significant development was that the Government accepted, following a working session, that a working group should be established to make proposals on two important issues raised by opposition parties members of the permanent framework for dialogue, namely, the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral Commission and the postponement of municipal and regional elections. 16. However, the dialogue and reconciliation process as a whole faces the following obstacles to the achievement of critical mass: full inclusion, including the participation of the main opposition party FPI; a strong political initiative to open [access to] power; perception of the impartiality of the judiciary; and a stable security environment. The FPI, the party of former President Gbagbo, is at a crossroads, torn between those who are convinced that dialogue and reconciliation are urgent and necessary, and supporters who remain committed to regaining power by force. 17. The Independent Expert observed this internal dynamic through his meetings both with current party officials and figures from the former regime who remain in detention. The condemnation, in an official communiqué from the FPI, of the attack in August on Akouedo camp in Abidjan is particularly significant in this regard. The indecisiveness of the FPI at the Conclave in Grand Bassam on 28 April 2012 (participation in the opening but withdrawal from and non-acceptance of the permanent framework for dialogue) is evidence of a profound debate within the party. 18. The legitimate historical process of political settling that is under way in the FPI and whether the party will lean decisively towards reconciliation or a strategy of constant tension will depend as much on the balance of power within the party as on the ability of the present Government to give decisive momentum and lend credibility to inclusiveness and political pluralism, through three strong initiatives. The first [such initiative] is legal in nature [and would involve] promoting the legal institutional status of the opposition on the basis of its legitimacy, the full exercise of [the right to] freedom of association and expression, and guaranteeing the [availability of the] necessary means for democratic political activities, by unblocking resources that are untainted by illegality and by providing legal funding from Parliament. The second is judicial in nature [and would involve] ending 6 GE.13-10074