A/HRC/19/72 2011. The recurrence and scale of the attacks, the victims and targets chosen and the modus operandi of these armed men suggest that the acts were carefully planned and orchestrated. Priests and laypeople were manhandled, humiliated and stripped naked in the attacks, and a number of ceremonial objects and items belonging to the clergy were removed. 57. Because of this situation, since 17 October 2011 the Archbishop of Abidjan, JeanPierre Kutwa, has met with the President and the FRCI leadership and requested and obtained the implementation of security measures to reassure the clergy and Christian worshippers. Police officers and gendarmes have been dispatched to some parishes. Despite these security measures, the attacks have continued. 58. On 24 November 2011, three journalists employed by Notre Voie, an opposition newspaper, were arrested for publishing articles criticizing the Government and on the devaluation of the CFA franc. The independent expert wishes to reiterate his commitment to freedom of expression, which is an essential element of democracy. The only exceptions to this freedom are a very limited number of situations involving incitement to ethnic, racial, religious or national hatred, as determined by a competent court. The expert also wishes to stress that media professionals must act in an ethical way. 59. The independent expert has received information about violent acts committed by FRCI members during Front Populaire Ivoirien meetings held in Bounoua on 19 November 2011. Supporters of former president Laurent Gbagbo were arrested, dragged around, humiliated and then beaten. While no gunshot injuries were reported, eight people were reportedly injured in deliberate assaults. A meeting between local authorities and FRCI representatives enabled the planned meeting to be held without further incident at Kadjo Amangoua square in Bonoua, where it was chaired by the acting secretary-general of the Front Populaire Ivoirien. 60. The independent expert draws attention to the fact that maintaining law and order is first and foremost the task of the police, with the gendarmerie playing a secondary role. Military personnel must avoid reacting to provocation. B. Refugees and internally displaced persons 61. The independent expert travelled to Duékoué in the country’s west, where he visited a camp for internally displaced persons occupied mainly by members of the Gueré ethnic group. They are considered to be Gbagbo supporters and fear retaliation by FRCI and the Dozo, who are considered to be Dioula supporters. 62. The displaced persons’ representative explained that they could not return to their homes mainly for financial and security reasons and issues involving access to their property. The latter problem, which is exacerbated by ethnic and political considerations, undermines social cohesion and improved relations between communities, especially people from places affected by the phenomenon in the country’s western region and in Abidjan. 63. According to humanitarian partners, the number of displaced people has decreased markedly (from 70,000 in June to 18,000 in October 2011, a decrease of 73 per cent). In some places, however, the displaced are threatened with eviction because owners (individuals, associations, religious communities, etc.) are claiming back their property in order to continue their normal activities. 64. On 11 August 2011, the Governments of Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees signed a tripartite agreement for the repatriation of Ivorian refugees. At the end of October 2011, Liberia was still hosting the majority of the 187,045 Ivorian refugees living in neighbouring countries, or 85.3 per cent (159,489). 12 GE.12-10060