A/HRC/29/49 27. In addition, a reform of the cocoa marketing chain has directly benefited approximately 1 million farmers. Capacity-building projects for small and medium-sized enterprises are under way, aimed, inter alia, at reducing the size of the informal sector and combating unemployment. 28. The past two decades, marked by conflicts, the exacerbation of inter-ethnic tension and violence, have seriously weakened social cohesion in Côte d’Ivoire. The wounds inflicted must be healed and that will take time. The process is already under way and must continue without interruption. 29. Several institutions have been set up to help, directly or indirectly, to mend and protect the social fabric. These include the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the National Programme for Social Cohesion, the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Institution. They are discussed later in this report, but first the Independent Expert would like to highlight, with both emotion and particular interest, a point that is clear from most of the statements made by the Ivorian people with whom he spoke. In short, but very revealingly, Ivorians are tired of the violence and endless disputes of politicians. They want to live, here and now, a normal life in which they can flourish without constraint and support their children to do the same. 30. The ordinary people of Côte d’Ivoire are eager for peace and development and want their human rights to be respected. For those born in the 1950s, the “golden era” is not so long ago. It is an ever-present part of their past, and they often talk about it nostalgically to younger people, which is inspiring for everyone and offers them great hope. III. Human rights situation A. Civil and political rights 31. During the period covered by this report, the Independent Expert received information, particularly from United Nations agencies, concerning violations of the rights to physical integrity, including acts of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest and detention, sexual violence and violations of freedom of expression. In December 2014, UNOCI documented two cases of human rights violations committed by members of FRCI: one case of arbitrary arrest and detention and one case of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. In December 2014, nine cases of rape were also recorded, most of them committed by civilians. 32. In January 2015, the decline in the number of human rights violations committed by FRCI registered in December 2014 continued. However, UNOCI noted the arbitrary arrest and detention of two men in a military camp. The number of victims of sexual violence remained stable, with 10 cases of rape. Eight suspects were arrested and three of them were sentenced to between 3 and 5 years’ imprisonment for indecent assault. 33. In February 2015, the Human Rights Division of UNOCI documented 22 cases of human rights violations, which marked an increase compared to December 2014 and January 2015. Twelve cases of human rights violations committed by FRCI soldiers were recorded, including arbitrary arrests and detentions and inhuman and degrading treatment. The number of victims of rape also increased in February 2015, with 16 registered victims, 15 of whom were minors. In two cases, the alleged perpetrators were government officials, one a teacher and the other a health worker. 34. On 12 February 2015, the Toumodi court of first instance sentenced a person for indecent assault in a rape case. The Independent Expert notes with concern that rape is 8 GE.15-08296

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