Interactive Dialogue with Independent Expert on Cote d’Ivoire
Statement by the United States of America, as delivered by Keith Harper, US Ambassador to the Human Rights Council
31st Session of the Human Rights Council
Geneva,
March 21, 2016
Thank you Mr. Vice-President.
The United States takes the opportunity to say to the people of Belgium that we stand with you on this day.
The United States thanks Independent Expert Mohammed Ayat for his work on the human rights situation in Cote d’Ivoire.
We congratulate Cote d’Ivoire on a peaceful and credible presidential election in October 2015. Progress on equitable justice and national reconciliation is essential to solidifying Cote d’Ivoire’s recent gains. We note that most prosecutions from the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis have been initiated against Gbagbo supporters, and many of President Ouattara’s supporters have yet to face prosecutions for alleged offenses. We encourage the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to ensure that justice is not one-sided and that the processes for investigating past abuses are credible and transparent.
We also encourage the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to uphold the rights of members of the political opposition to freedom of expression, particularly in advance of December 2016 legislative elections.
Question: What actions does the Independent Expert recommend that Government prioritize to maintain and build upon gains made following the successful elections in October?