A/HRC/18/52 cases of human rights violations committed by the FRCI to the attention of the ONUCI Human Rights Division and the judicial authorities. B. Torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment 10. During the reporting period, human rights officers have also received numerous allegations of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. In a number of cases, persons alleged to have committed crimes were reportedly arrested by FRCI soldiers and subjected to physical assault to coerce them into admitting their culpability and/or involvement in the crimes. In other cases, FRCI elements upon conducting an arrest inflicted direct physical pain on the victims before conditioning their release on fixed sums of money. For example, on 16 June, elements of the FRCI reportedly raided Goulikaho and Doukouya villages (respectively 135 km and 120 km south of Yamoussoukro) and physically assaulted supporters of the FPI. At least 27 people, including 15 women perceived to be FPI militants were severely beaten, arrested and detained. As a result of the incident, two of the women, who were pregnant, suffered miscarriages. On 5 July in Bouake, FRCI members inflicted razor blade cuts on a farmer in a bid to obtain a confession with regards to his alleged involvement in a cow theft incident. The farmer suffered burns as melting patches of plastic bags were poured on his body. On 22 August, two Burkina Faso nationals, aged 21 and 25 respectively, suspected of stealing crops and personal items belonging to a villager in Sibably (35 km north-east of Duekoué) were arrested and severely ill-treated by six members of the FRCI. The two suspects were taken to the FRCI post, where they were severely beaten by the FRCI members who also poured hot water on their bodies. Both victims sustained serious wounds and were abandoned there without any medical assistance. The FRCI members subsequently went to the suspects’ homes, threatened their wives with death and then stole FCFA 200,000 (around USD 460) and a motorcycle. The victims filed a complaint with the FRCI authorities in Duekoué. However, at the time of reporting, none of the perpetrators had been arrested. C. Sexual and gender-based violence 11. There have also been reports of sexual and gender-based violence during this period, sometimes concerning children as young as seven and eight years old. While significant efforts are being made by both national and international partners to provide the required care to victims, access to justice remains a major challenge and needs to be adequately addressed. 12. During the reporting period, the Human Rights Division documented 14 rapes and 4 female genital mutilation cases. For example, on 20 May, in Gbokora neighbourhood (4 km north of Daloa), four women and two minor girls aged 16-17 were raped by three men believed to be members of the FRCI. In an interview with one of the victims Human Rights Officers were informed that the perpetrators, who were armed and dressed in military attire, had broken into their house and introduced themselves as FRCI members. They separated the younger from the older women and took turns in raping the former group. In other situations, the violence occurred within the families but the justice system having collapsed, the rights of victims remain unaddressed. 13. According to the Gender-Based Violence Sub-Cluster’s assessments conducted in the west between 8 and 12 August, there has been a resurgence of gender-based violence in Bas-Sassandra and Haut Sassandra regions. One of the worst affected areas is reportedly Tabou, where at least 12 victims of rape accessed specialized medical care during the month of July alone. Efforts are being made to address this issue in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs. 7