A/HRC/35/43 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 19 May 2017 English Original: French Human Rights Council Thirty-fifth session 6-23 June 2017 Agenda item 10 Technical assistance and capacity-building Report of the Independent Expert on the enhancement of capacity-building and technical cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire in the field of human rights* Note by the Secretariat The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council the report of the Independent Expert on the enhancement of capacity-building and technical cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire in the field of human rights, Mohammed Ayat. The report provides an account of the fifth visit by the Independent Expert to Côte d’Ivoire from 10 to 17 January 2017 and covers the period from 28 May 2016 to 15 April 2017. It sets out the present status of the recommendations made in the reports on previous missions. The Independent Expert emphasizes that his visit also enabled him to continue a dialogue with the authorities of Côte d’Ivoire on their needs for the enhancement of capacity-building in the field of the protection and promotion of human rights. The mission coincided with the entry into force of a number of amendments to the Constitution, which were adopted by referendum on 30 October 2016, and particularly the appointment of the Vice-President of the Republic. It also coincided with a ministerial reshuffle. The Independent Expert was, nonetheless, able to meet representatives of the Ivorian authorities, and, in particular, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Human Rights and Civil Liberties and the Minister of Women, Child Protection and Solidarity, formerly the Minister of Solidarity, Social Cohesion and Compensation of Victims. The Independent Expert also held meetings with the Chair of the National Human Rights Commission of Côte d’Ivoire, the Chair of the Independent Electoral Commission, the Vice-Chair of the National Commission for Reconciliation and Compensation of Victims and the Ombudsman of the Republic. He met senior judges, including the Prosecutor General of Abidjan Court of Appeal and the government prosecutor of the Abidjan court of major jurisdiction responsible for coordination with the special investigation unit. He also held discussions at a number of meetings with representatives of civil society, including human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and victims’ associations. In addition, he paid a follow-up visit to the Juvenile Observation Centre. Furthermore, the Independent Expert held a meeting with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire and with representatives of the United Nations * The present report was submitted late in order to reflect the most recent developments. GE.17-08076 (E) 120617 120617 