A/HRC/16/79
34.
On 4 January, 18 Malian nationals working as baggage handlers in the Adjamé
neighbourhood of Abidjan were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by a group
of armed civilians on board two pick-up vehicles in the Adjamé–Texaco neighbourhood. At
the time of reporting, neither the circumstances surrounding their enforced disappearance
nor their whereabouts had been established. At 4 p.m. on 12 January, three Malians were
beaten to death in Abobo Avocatier by a group of Young Patriots. On 19 January, seven
other Malian nationals were abducted, beaten and tortured in the village of Adjamané (35
km west of San Pedro) by native Kroumen youths, who accused them of being rebels. The
Malians, migrant workers who had just recently arrived in the area, were released from
custody on the same day.
M.
Situation in the zone controlled by Forces nouvelles during and after
the elections
35.
Although the situation has been calmer in the areas controlled by Forces nouvelles, a
number of human rights violations has been reported. On 8 December, in reaction to the
invalidation of the votes in seven northern regions by the Constitutional Council, all
administrative authorities of the concerned localities stated in a press communiqué that
polling had been generally free and fair in the area despite a few incidents observed in
certain polling stations, which were quickly addressed. No killings had been noted. A few
cases of human rights violations ranging from threats and intimidation to minor
infringement of the right to physical integrity and to property were reported in the area
during the second round of the election on 28 November.
36.
In Bouaké, the local headquarters of the ruling party, the Front populaire ivoirien of
Mr. Gbagbo, was attacked and vandalized. The residences of Siki Blon Blaise, President of
the Conseil general, of Lanciné Gon Coulibaly, former mayor of Korhogo, and of Issa
Malick Coulibaly, national campaign director for Mr. Gbagbo, were also looted and razed
to the ground in Man and Korhogo, respectively, by young individuals reportedly belonging
to the RHDP. Also in Korhogo, an LMP supporter was severely beaten and undressed by
RDHP supporters following a political dispute. Similar attacks against the property of LMP
officials by RHDP supporters were reported in Bocanda, M’Bahiakro and Toumodi, located
in the area controlled by the Government. On 3 December, in Ben Kouassikro (5 km from
Bouaké), five FAFN soldiers, claiming to be search for weapons, broke into the home of
the parents of an LMP representative and stole 13,000 CFA francs (around $26). Seven
other FAFN members returned to the house two hours later and confiscated four bags
containing some 1,000 T-shirts. They threatened to return if the LMP representative did not
stop campaigning for Mr. Gbagbo. FAFN soldiers also arbitrarily arrested and detained two
people in Bouaké, a zone deserted by local judicial authorities after the proclamation of the
28 November presidential election results, as well as nine foreigners (three Cameroonians,
four Ghanaians, one Nigerian and one Togolese national) suspected of being mercenaries
employed by the Gbagbo camp.
37.
In Odienné, several incidents were reported, including attacks against private homes
and the destruction of property following the proclamation of the provisional results
announcing Mr. Ouattara as the winner. FAFN members looted the Diocesan office in
Odienné as well as the residences of the local LMP campaign director for Odienné and of
another LMP campaign director in Minignan. RHDP supporters also attempted to
physically assault the principal of the Collège municipal, a midwife and two teachers. In
Kani, near Seguéla, a local member of the Independent Electoral Commission representing
the LMP was intimidated and threatened with death. In Bouna, two vehicles belonging to
LMP supporters were confiscated by RHDP youths. On 17 December, a vehicle belonging
to a private company was confiscated by FAFN members in Vavoua (53 km from Daloa).
13
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