A/HRC/17/49 I. Introduction 1. The present report provides an update on the human rights situation in Côte d’Ivoire since the last report presented by the High Commissioner to the sixteenth session of the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/16/79) and covers events from 1 February to 30 May 2011. The report is submitted pursuant to resolution 16/25 of the Human Rights Council requesting the High Commissioner to present a report on the situation of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire at its seventeenth session. 2. During the reporting period, OHCHR remained actively engaged in the concerted efforts of the United Nations system to enhance the protection of civilians in Côte d’Ivoire. 3. The UNOCI human rights component established a 24-hour hotline through which violations could be reported. Since its inception in December 2010, the call centre has received more than 12,000 calls, and, in a very restricted security environment, has proven to be an essential tool for the collection of information, and a vital link to civilian populations. The hotline enabled the human rights component to identify hot spots and sensitive zones and, in certain cases, to seek to prevent violations through the immediate dispatch of military and police patrols. 4. As part of the United Nations coordinated response, OHCHR conducted a mission to Côte d’Ivoire from 2 to 9 April, led by Assistant Secretary-General Ivan Šimonović. The mission assessed the human rights situation in the country and reminded all parties of their obligation to respect international human rights and humanitarian law, and of the importance of bringing perpetrators to justice as a prerequisite for sustainable peace. The Assistant Secretary General had the opportunity to meet with President Alassane Ouattara, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Jeannot Haoussou, and the Minister of Health, Alain Kouadio. Mr. Šimonović also spoke with Alcide Djédjé, who had been designated by Mr. Gbagbo as his “Minister of Foreign Affairs.” On 4 and 5 April, Mr. Šimonović, together with the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, visited the towns of Duékoué and Man in the south-west of the country, where there had been serious allegations of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. 5. On 13 April, in New York, the High Commissioner participated in the Security Council consultations on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. She stressed that, in Côte d’Ivoire, there is a history of human rights violations without any accountability or redress, including discrimination. Emphasis was placed on the fact that reconciliation will not be accomplished without meaningful accountability, which has been lacking in Côte d’Ivoire over the past decade. She also recalled that in 2004, an International Commission of Inquiry established by the Secretary-General identified alleged perpetrators and recommended accountability mechanisms, which, to date, have not been implemented. II. Background 6. The period leading up to 11 April was marked by a serious escalation of violence and a deterioration of the human rights situation, which remains of serious concern. On 28 March, the FRCI launched a military offensive and advanced rapidly towards the southern part of the country from both the eastern and western fronts, prompting pro-Gbagbo elements of the former Forces de défense et de sécurité (FDS), including the police and gendarmerie, to flee in significant numbers, with some joining the ranks of the FRCI or surrendering, while others chose to fight to the end. 7. On 11 April, former President Gbagbo, his wife and some members of his family and staff were captured while many leaders of the security forces loyal to him surrendered 5