Ivory Coast: “crimes will not go unpunished” says Europe

(Full text) " The High Representative is extremely concerned about the degradation of human rights in Côte d'Ivoire, in particular reports of violence against civilians, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, as well as violations of the right to peaceful assembly and 'expression. “Explained his spokesperson in a statement released Wednesday evening (*).

The High Representative warns those who commit human rights violations or attack UNOCI, and those who incite them. The EU calls for an immediate end to this violence and stresses the need for civilian populations and human rights defenders to be protected. It stresses the need for these crimes not to go unpunished »

It indicates the first sanctions already taken. " The first measures taken by the EU against 19 Ivorian personalities entered into force today at 12:00. »

Lift the blockade of UNOCI and Ouattara

The EU also insists on the lifting of the blockade of the Hotel du Golf so that President Ouattara and the members of his government can exercise their freedom of movement, including access to official buildings and the Ivorian Radio Television. In general, freedom of movement must be respected »

President Gbagbo must leave, "without delay"

The statement reiterates its position on the election results. The EU recalls that the result of the presidential election in favor of President Ouattara cannot be subject to any new assessment or called into question. On the contrary, it is important that the transfer of power takes place without delay and without any other preconditions. The only possible dialogue is one that would allow respect for the election results and the effective transfer of power. The EU welcomes the unequivocal statements of the SG of the UN and aligns itself with the international consensus they represent; it also welcomes the convening of a special session of the Human Rights Council and the extraordinary ECOWAS Summit »

(*) This process of press release by the spokesperson and not by the High Representative herself is generally justified for reasons of speed (there is no material time to have a formal agreement from the Member States), political reasons (one or more States do not necessarily share the view of the press release or do not share the opportunity without opposing it) or practical reasons (absence of the HR). Press release issued in French, a rare enough fact to be reported.