OHCHR in Côte d'Ivoire (2006-2007)

Background

 
Having determined that the situation in Côte d'Ivoire continued to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region, the Security Council decided to establish the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) as from 4 April 2004. UNOCI replaced the United Nations Mission in Côte d'Ivoire (MINUCI) , a political mission set up by the Security Council in May 2003 with a mandate to facilitate the implementation by the Ivorian parties of the Linas-Marcoussis peace agreement signed by them in January 2003.

Through the human rights component of UNOCI, OHCHR contributes to the implementation of the human rights-related provisions of the peace agreement. These provisions include monitoring and reporting on human rights developments across the country, and working with relevant national partners and international actors to address persistent human rights violations and the culture of impunity.
 

2006-2007 Programme

 
The human rights component of UNOCI will support the development and implementation of the National Human Rights Plan of Action, as well as the strengthening of the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH).

Advocacy is the key element in the operational strategy of the Human Rights Component of UNOCI as it calls for a relentless effort to reach out to the various stakeholders (government, civil society organisations, national and international NGOs, UN system agencies, other multilateral and bilateral cooperation agencies, donors, etc.) with a view to persuading them of the importance of human rights in the cultural, economic, political and social development process. In its advocacy and awareness raising activities, the Human Rights Component seeks to enlist the contribution of every stakeholder to the emergence of a culture of human rights in Côte d'Ivoire .

Key national actors (military, law enforcement and judicial personnel, legislators, policy makers, members of the Bar Association, academics, representatives of the civil society and community leaders) will be trained on human rights issues, including investigation and documentation of human rights violations and the translation of international human rights standards into national laws, regulations and policies.

One national colloquium will be organized on the protection of human rights and the administration of justice in a post-conflict situation, as well as on the role of civil society in promoting human rights and national reconciliation.

The capacity for human rights monitoring of local NGOs in Abidjan and eight other locations in the country will be strengthened. Training and logistical support will be provided for the investigation and documentation of human rights violations and to access the scenes of reported violations.

In cooperation with the OHCHR regional office in West Africa , to be established during this biennium, a sub-regional database for past human rights crimes and their perpetrators will be developed.

A strategy for the implementation of the UN Secretary General's reform in the area of human rights "Action 2" in Côte d'Ivoire will be developed within the United Nations Country Team, including the development and implementation of five quick-impact projects to strengthen human rights promotion and protection systems at the country level. 
 

Expected Accomplishments

 
Increased national involvement and capacity for the implementation of the human rights aspects of the Peace Agreement.

Conditions are created to fight impunity through better training and awareness of national actors on the protection of human rights.

Human rights principles and standards incorporated in all United Nations activities in the country.