A/HRC/16/79 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S14/1, in which the Council invited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to submit a report on the abuses and violations of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire in relation to the conclusion of the 2010 presidential election. The report covers the period up to 31 January 2011. 2. On 23 December 2011, the Human Rights Council held a special session during which it reviewed the human rights situation in Côte d’Ivoire following the proclamation of the results of the second round of the presidential election on 28 November 2010. The political stalemate resulting from the elections has been characterized by the use of excessive force by supporters of Laurent Gbagbo, including members of the security forces loyal to him to repress public demonstrations, harassment and intimidation, incitement to ethnic and political violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, sexual violence, torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Acts of harassment, assault, destruction of property and looting were reportedly committed by supporters of President Alassane Ouattara during and after the elections. Thousands of people were also forcefully displaced, both within Côte d’Ivoire and into neighbouring countries. Despite repeated calls from the international community to allow free movement and access to civilians, the security forces and youth groups allied to Mr. Gbagbo continued to obstruct the movement of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). II. Background 3. The long-awaited presidential election, postponed six times since 2005, was finally held on 31 October 2010 in a generally quiet and peaceful atmosphere, despite some disagreements among the opposing camps over the ballot counting process. Prior to the runoff round between the two leading candidates, however, Laurent Gbagbo, the outgoing president, and Alassane Dramane Ouattara, on 28 November 2010, there was a noticeable radicalization in political rhetoric and speech that culminated in a number of incidents, including violent attacks against the headquarters of Mr. Ouattara’s party, the Rassemblement des houphouëtistes pour la démocratie et la paix (RHDP) in Yopougon (Abidjan), the looting and destruction of property belonging to presumed Ouattara supporters in the western region of the country, and the imposition of a curfew on the eve of the second round of elections. 4. The presidential election campaign was launched on 15 October 2010 for a period of two weeks. The political rallies held by the 14 presidential candidates proceeded smoothly across the country, with no major incidents, pursuant to the code of conduct established. All candidates had equitable access to public media during the two weeks. Some minor incidents were reported, including harassment, intimidation and threats, and destruction of election posters. The confiscation of voters’ cards by Mr. Gbagbo’s supporters was observed in some areas of the country, principally in the western and northern regions. In the western part of the country, members of former militia groups threatened to disrupt the electoral process if 2,000 ex-militiamen were not paid their reintegration allowances in time, and prevented some political rallies from being held in Duekoué and Guiglo. Problems observed across the country included the lack of well-trained polling agents and persistent delays in the opening of polling stations, the delivery of election materials and the payment of salaries and allowances of polling agents. These led to frustrating delays in compiling results at both the local and national levels, amidst rising socio-political tension. 5