Overview of Human Rights in Cote d’Ivoire

Cote D’Ivoire is a democratic republic. In September 2002, a failed coup against the Gbagbo government caused a split in the country with the northern 60 percent of the nation in the hands of the rebel New Forces (NF), and the legitimate government retaining control of the rest. In 2003, both sides signed the Marcoussis Accord, which would have allowed for power sharing between them, however, limited progress has been made towards its implementation.

In 2004, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1528, which launched  Operation Cote D’Ivoire in which some 6,000 peacekeeping troops were deployed to the more troubled areas of the region. They joined the 4,000 French peacekeeping troops already in the region. While subsequent peace accords were signed, the political processes still remained stalled.

The lack of political stability has not allowed Cote D’Ivoire’s human rights record to improve. There are numerous abuses committed daily by both the rebels and the government.

Throughout recent years, there were persistent reports of rapes, torture, extrajudicial killings, extortion and looting by all sides. Disappearances, arbitrary arrest and indefinite length detention were terror tactics used to suppress those who sought to speak out against the atrocities being committed. Citizen’s freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and movement are restricted by the government.

The police are also known to harass and extort non-citizens, especially non-natives in a country where xenophobia is on the rise. Corruption is widespread from the executive level on down to the town levels. Child abuse, child labor and trafficking in persons are also issues that are on the rise.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

164th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.