HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS IN WESTERN CÔTE D'IVOIRE

3 June 2005


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today strongly condemned attacks by groups on the civilian population in the villages of Guitrozon and Petit Duékoué in western Côte d'Ivoire on the night of 31 May and I June 2005, which left many persons dead.

Mrs. Arbour called on the national Ivorian authorities to take all necessary measures to end these atrocities, to open a judicial inquiry to find the perpetrators and to ensure that they were brought to justice as soon as possible. The High Commissioner called on the authorities to take all necessary measures to avoid violence breaking out between ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire.

The High Commissioner also appealed to all participants in Ivorian society, especially religious and traditional leaders, to continue mediation efforts between the different ethic groups in Côte d'Ivoire.

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