SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CONCLUDES VISIT TO COTE D’IVOIRE

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CONCLUDES VISIT TO COTE D’IVOIRE

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 10 February (UN Information Service) -- The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, has completed a visit to Côte d’Ivoire (29 January to 5 February 2004) undertaken at the invitation of the Government.

During his mission, the Special Rapporteur met with Ivorian authorities and with representatives of national and international media, professional press associations and non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights.  The Special Rapporteur also exchanged views with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire, Albert Tevoedjre, and other United Nations officials.

The Special Rapporteur traveled to Bouake to meet representatives of the Forces Nouvelles in the area and representatives of civil society and the media.  He also visited the local United Nations Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (MINUCI) office.  In Abidjan, Mr. Ligabo met with representatives of various youth organizations, among them the Alliance of Young Patriots.  Finally, he met with members of the diplomatic corps.

The report of the mission (future document E/CN.4/2004/62/Add.3) will be issued later in the year.  The Special Rapporteur will present his findings orally during the sixtieth session of the Commission on Human Rights, which opens on 15 March.

Below is a statement issued by the Special Rapporteur at the end of his mission.

Statement by Ambeyi Ligabo, Special Rapporteur on Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression at End of Visit to Côte D’Ivoire

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for inviting me to this country in my capacity as Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the right to freedom of opinion and expression.  I would also like to thank all national and international personalities, political parties and groups, institutions, members of the press and the media and individuals with whom I met and had fruitful exchange of views and information.  Additionally, I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Albert Tevoedjre, staff members of MINUCI and of the United Nations system as a whole, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for their unwavering support and valuable assistance.

Throughout my mission I have had the opportunity of ascertaining that free circulation of balanced opinions and ideas is still difficult because of a number of preoccupying factors and circumstances, particularly the lack of regulatory mechanisms which entails obligations, responsibility and discipline amongst newspapers publishers and editors.  Without that mechanism, journalists have tended to write without conforming to their professional ethics and, for example, this has resulted in journalists and media workers, especially those close to the opposition and those working independently, to be often aggressed, both verbally and physically.  Some offices have been ransacked, equipment either stolen or destroyed, and as such, the circulation of publications has tremendously been hampered thus impeding the right to freedom of opinion and expression. 

Secondly, acts of violence seem to dominate various aspects of the ordinary life.  There is a deep sense of uncertainty and fear because of the overwhelming presence of military forces and police check-points which often harass and extort money from ordinary citizens for no reason.  This is an additional negative element impinging on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and negates the efforts towards reconciliation and peace. 

Unfortunately, during my stay in the country, I was deeply disturbed to learn that three journalists were beaten while covering a presidential event in Yamoussoukro.  I firmly invite the Government to bring these kinds of incidents to an end.  This occurred contrary to the assurances I had received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs that respect for human rights in Côte d’Ivoire, especially the right to freedom of opinion and expression, is adhered to in conformity with the country’s international obligations and its own national legislation.

Having said that, I strongly believe that there is hope for a better future.  This is so because I was much encouraged to see that crucial issues concerning the right to freedom of opinion and expression were discussed with openness and profound candidness with all the people I met.

I also noted that persons belonging to opposite political sides expressed the same concepts, and most of them have great expectations for reconciliation, peace and democracy.  It is crystal clear that there is a pressing need to discuss freely the future of this country without falling again in the nightmare of the civil war.  In this connection, I would like to emphasize that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is the cradle of human development and the base of democracy, free elections and good governance. 

I also observed there is a vital need for professional training and financial investments in the press and the media industry.  Replacement of radio and television installations destroyed during the conflict is a major priority.  Above all, the Government should make all possible efforts to ensure that all the proposed legislations pertaining to the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission and a Press Commission are enacted and implemented in order for the media and press associations to operate in a more organized and responsible manner. 

On my part, in my report to the sixtieth session of the Commission on Human Rights about my visit to Côte d’Ivoire, I will make several recommendations to the Government, to the United Nations and to the international community as a whole.  I will emphasize that the Government should urgently seek the assistance of the United Nations, specialized agencies as well as other international institutions, to overcome the serious shortcomings which I have mentioned above.  This assistance should be provided in a coordinated manner and follow a consistent strategy that will clearly define goals and the time-frame for their achievements.

Finally, you are all aware that Côte d’Ivoire has ratified the core international human rights instruments.  As such, the Government has committed itself to respect, protect and promote the provisions contained in those instruments.  I stand ready to support the Government and the people of Côte d’Ivoire in their peace and reconciliation process and the result of such noble human endeavour.

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