A/HRC/35/43 27. The Commission has deployed observers on the ground to ensure that civil and political rights are upheld during elections and referendums. It has noted that the representation of women candidates in legislative elections remains very low: out of 255 deputies, 27 are women. 28. In the area of sexual and gender-based violence, the Commission has established a mechanism for coordinating with the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire to document violations committed by the military. This monitoring mechanism meets every month to review the situation on the ground. The documenting of identified cases has made it possible for appropriate measures to be taken against perpetrators and sanctions to be imposed. 29. In 2016, the Commission became involved in a number of areas, including: (a) the protection of children in conflict with the law; (b) the monitoring of violations committed by the armed forces (which should be extended to the police and the gendarmerie); (c) the monitoring of important trials concerning national reconciliation; (d) the situation of persons with disabilities; and (e) land conflicts and their impact. 30. It should be noted that the Commission has agreed to coordinate the West African Economic and Monetary Union’s network of national human rights institutions, which will share information and experiences and address regional issues, including immigration and terrorism. Côte d’Ivoire has been chosen to chair the network and host its headquarters. 31. The Independent Expert has also learned that the Commission has established a human rights award to promote and raise awareness of the importance of human rights. The chosen theme is mine management, which has given rise to numerous violations of labour and environmental law. 32. In November 2016, the Commission submitted its annual report for 2015 to the Head of State. The report, which was subsequently published and distributed to all parts of the country, focused on the holding of elections, the situation of children in conflict with the law, education for all, the compensation of victims, terrorism, prolonged pretrial detentions, working conditions in companies, the right to health, violence within universities and environmental protection. IV. Human rights situation 33. During the reporting period, the UNOCI Human Rights Division documented 89 cases of human rights violations, including 13 violations of the right to life directed against 31 persons, 4 of whom were women; 24 violations of the right to physical integrity directed against 25 persons, including 2 women; 33 cases of unlawful and arbitrary arrest and detention directed against 188 persons, including 1 woman; 3 violations of the right of peaceful assembly; and 15 violations of property rights. Only one alleged perpetrator in these cases has been convicted and sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment, while two others have been arrested and remain in pretrial detention. 34. During the same period, the UNOCI Human Rights Division also investigated human rights violations committed during intercommunal violence in Bouna in March 2016. The Division established the facts concerning the deaths of at least 27 people, including 4 women and 2 boys. The perpetrators of those acts were reported to be dozos, while the majority of the victims allegedly belonged to the Fula, Kulango and Malinke ethnic groups. To date, at least 117 people, mainly dozos, have been arrested, while over 30 have been released either on bail or after serving sentences for minor offences such as theft and receiving stolen goods. The criminal investigations are ongoing. 35. UNOCI has documented a total of 34 cases of sexual violence, of which 25 were cases of rape and 9 involved other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including two forced marriages and two cases of female genital mutilation perpetrated against 14 girls and one woman. At least 23 alleged perpetrators have been arrested; 9 have been tried and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 1 month to 5 years. 36. On 3 June, President Ouattara signed a decree on the establishment of a national committee to combat conflict-related sexual violence. Under the leadership of the President, 8 GE.17-08076