August 2001
Vol. 13, No.6 (A)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
THE NEW RACISM
The Political Manipulation of Ethnicity in Côte d’Ivoire
I. SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................3
Key Findings ..........................................................................................................................................................6
Killings By Members of the Security Forces .....................................................................................................6
Sexual Abuse ......................................................................................................................................................7
Detention and Torture by Members of the Police and Gendarmerie ..................................................................7
“Disappearances” ...............................................................................................................................................7
Assaults and Threats on Wounded and those Assisting the Wounded ...............................................................8
Religious Persecution .........................................................................................................................................8
Mob Violence .....................................................................................................................................................8
II. RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................................................................9
To the Government of Côte d’Ivoire: .....................................................................................................................9
To the United States, France, the European Union, and International Financial Institutions: ...............................9
To the United Nations: ...........................................................................................................................................9
To the Economic Community of West African States and the Organization of African Unity: ..........................10
III. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................10
IV. CÔTE D’IVOIRE’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW .....................................................12
V. THE OCTOBER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ........................................................................................14
Detentions .............................................................................................................................................................18
Sexual Abuse ........................................................................................................................................................20
Victimization on the Basis of Ethnicity and Religion ..........................................................................................21
“Disappearances” .................................................................................................................................................23
Derrière Rail: Reprisal Killings ............................................................................................................................25
Charnier de Yopougon .........................................................................................................................................29
Mob Violence .......................................................................................................................................................32
VI. THE DECEMBER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS....................................................................................36
Detention and Torture...........................................................................................................................................38
Security Force Collaboration with the FPI ...........................................................................................................41
Rape and Sexual Abuse ........................................................................................................................................44
Targeting of RDR Leaders ...................................................................................................................................47
Violence Escalates Following a Presidential Speech ...........................................................................................49
Psychological Abuse ............................................................................................................................................53
Religious Persecution ...........................................................................................................................................54
The Parliamentary Elections Take Place ..............................................................................................................56
VII. COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY ....................................................................................................................56
VIII. IMPUNITY FOR ABUSE ...............................................................................................................................60
International Justice ..............................................................................................................................................62
IX. THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ..............................................................................62
The United Nations...............................................................................................................................................63
France ...................................................................................................................................................................63