A/HRC/18/52 III. Key human rights challenges 6. During the reporting period, there have been reports of human rights violation including extra-judicial and summary executions, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, violations of economic and social rights through acts of extortion, threats and intimidation, and impunity for human rights violations. These allegations were brought to the attention of the Government by the Human Rights Division of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). Many of these human rights abuses appear to be the result of individuals using their positions for personal gain with impunity. The human rights violations appear also to be the result of recurring weaknesses and structural shortcomings of State institutions. The FRCI has filled the gap created by the lack of State authority, the collapse of public administration and of the delivery of public services in key areas of the country by taking on a number of State prerogatives such as the collection of commercial, mine and border taxes. The FRCI also usurps the role of the law enforcement and judicial authorities regarding the resolution of criminal and economic disputes. Only civil affairs are being referred to courts. 7. While there are cases of arrest and detention of members of the FRCI for alleged involvement in armed robberies and theft, the response of the FRCI hierarchy and other relevant authorities so far has been inadequate in relation to the gravity of the violations. While acknowledging the efforts undertaken to arrest perpetrators coupled with the Government’s intention to create a professional armed force with clear command and control channels, the relevant authorities are urged to put in place concrete measures to address the impunity being enjoyed by some members of the FRCI who have been involved in human rights violations. A. Extra-judicial and summary executions 8. Since the last report, the Human Rights Division (HRD) of UNOCI has documented 71 cases of alleged summary execution, 54 of which have reportedly been committed by the FRCI and others by unidentified armed groups. While some of the victims were alleged to be former militiamen, others were reportedly executed after being suspected of petty offences and encounters with members of the FRCI. For example, on 5 June, in Becouefin (110 km from Abidjan), during a clash between a group of village youths and the FRCI, who alleged that the former did not recognize their authority, at least three persons were killed by the FRCI, including a 10-year-old girl. About 26 people were arrested during the incident. On 9 July, the bodies of three people who had previously been arrested by the FRCI on 6 July in the village of Guitrozon (5 km from Duékoué) were found in Bahoubly and Fengolo (respectively 13 km and 5 km from Duekoué) half-naked and with their hands tied. On 11 July, in the Attécoubé-Santé neighbourhood of Abidjan, three people were killed and a fourth seriously wounded in the arm by a member of the FRCI attached to the Groupement Guerrier pour la Dignité et la Justice en Côte d’Ivoire. The victims were in a group of 10 people accosted in an abandoned building by the perpetrator on suspicion of stealing a mobile phone. The perpetrator was subsequently arrested and detained at the Brigade anti-émeute (BAE) in the Yopougon District. 9. The Human Rights Division of ONUCI has brought these issues to the attention of the Minister of Justice. On 18 August, the Minister of Justice informed the Human Rights Division that he had demanded the immediate arrest of two FRCI members involved in the summary execution of two civilians. The Minister of Justice also requested the Human Rights Division to refer cases of summary executions by FRCI elements to the judicial authorities. There is in addition a positive emerging trend regarding the police bringing 6