National report submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 16/21 : [Universal Periodic Review] : Côte d'Ivoire

Table of Contents

• National report submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 16/21* 1
• Côte d’Ivoire 1
• Executive summary 2
• Introduction 3
• I. Methodology and general consultation process 3
• II. Changes since the previous review 3
• A. Development of the legal framework 3
• B. Development of the institutional framework 4
• C. Development of public policies on human rights 4
• III. Action to promote and protect human rights 5
• A. Fulfilment of international commitments 5
• B. Activities to promote human rights 5
• C. Activities to protect human rights 5
• D. Cooperation with human rights mechanisms 6
• IV. Implementation of accepted recommendations 6
• A. Protection and promotion of civil and political rights 6
• 1. Recommendations fully implemented 6
• Independence of the judiciary, fight against corruption, access to justice (140.88, 140.89, 140.95, 140.97, 140.98, 140.103) 6
• Human rights training for judges and lawyers (140.63, 140.99) 7
• Compliance with time limits for police custody and preventive detention (140.86, 140.87, 140.91) 7
• Opening of local legal assistance offices in all trial courts (140.90) 7
• Training police officers on the prohibition of torture, and prison officials on the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (140.63) 7
• Protection of human rights defenders (140.45, 140.114, 140.117, 140.122) 7
• Freedom of the press, freedom of expression and protection of journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders (140.116, 140.119, 140.54, 140.75, 140.110, 140.115, 140.118, 140.112, 140.119, 140.123 and 140.125) 8
• Combating trafficking in persons (140.74 and 140.80) 8
• Preparation of a manual on standard operating procedures relating to trafficking in persons (140.81) 8
• 2. Recommendations partially implemented 9
• Investigations into allegations of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and torture (140.73, 140.92, 140.94, 140.102, 140.105, and 140.107) 9
• Reducing prison overcrowding (140.92, 140.100, and 140.106) 9
• Development of a national action plan to implement alternatives to imprisonment (140.101) 9
• Improvement of living conditions for prisoners (140.93, 140.100, 140.104 and 140.106) 9
• Prohibition of torture (140.78) 9
• Combating trafficking in children, child exploitation and child labour (140.30, 140.76, 140.84, 140.164, 140.195, 140.197) 10
• B. Protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights 10
• 1. Recommendations fully implemented 10
• Free and compulsory schooling (140.144, 140.151, 141.161, 40.147, 140.148, 140.149, 140.152) 10
• Girls’ school enrolment (140.145, 140.150, 140.153, 140.154, 140.165, 140.167, 140.175, 140.193) 10
• Substantial increase in resources allocated to health (140.136, 140.137, 140.138, 140.142, 140.143 and 140.185) 10
• Equal access to land (140.53, 140.194) 11
• Implementation of the National Development Plan (140.38, 140.39, 140.49, 140.60, 140.61, 140.64, 140.129, 140.133, 140.134) 11
• 2. Recommendations partially implemented 11
• Development of free health-care services and access to health care (140.135, 140.141, 140.142) 11
• Access to contraception, sex education (140.180) 11
• Combating maternal and infant mortality (140.139,140.140, 140.176) 11
• Fight against poverty (140.131, 140.130, 140.38,140.132 and 140.186, 140.209) 11
• Social protection and protection of workers (universal health coverage) (140.127) 12
• C. Respect for gender equality and elimination of gender-based violence 12
• 1. Recommendations fully implemented 12
• Equality between men and women (140.126, 140.68, 140.70) 12
• Raising public awareness of harmful traditional practices (140.128, 140.156, 140.161, 140.181) 12
• Accelerated implementation of Act No. 2014-131 of 24 March 2014 on the establishment of universal health coverage (140.135, 140.140, 140.142). 12
• Women’s participation in the conduct of public affairs and in public service (140.162, 140.67, 140.170, 140.172, 140.173, 140.187, 140.162, 140.168, 140.171, 140.190, 140.192) 12
• Combating all forms of violence against women (140.155, 140.71, 140.158, 140.160, 140.163, 140.174, 140.182, 140.184, 140.189, 140.166, 140.169, 140.191, 140.157, 140.82, 140.109, 140.77) 13
• Results of legal clinics on legal assistance in the area of gender-based violence 13
• Combating female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage (140.191, 140.159) 13
• Acceleration of the current legislative review to bring national laws into line with the Convention (140.160, 140.179) 14
• 2. Recommendations partially implemented 14
• Support for victims of gender-based violence and child victims of sexual exploitation (140.200, 140.178) 14
• Combating sexual violence committed by the members of the Forces républicaines de Côte d’Ivoire and other armed men, and in schools (140.85) 14
• D. Protection and promotion of the rights of the child 15
• 1. Recommendations fully implemented 15
• Adoption of the Marriage Act and prohibition of the exception to the minimum age for marriage (140.70) 15
• The role of civil society in improving the situation of children in conflict with the law (140.202) 15
• Corporate responsibility with regard to human rights (140.44, 140.48 and 140.198) 15
• Implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Statelessness (140.196, 140.204, 140.212, 140.213) 15
• Protection of children with albinism (140.69 and 140.72, 140.205) 15
• 2. Recommendations partially implemented 15
• Adoption and implementation of child protection policies (140.36, 140.199 and 140.201, 140.206, 140.203) 15
• Compliance with detention standards (140.93) 16
• Rights of persons with disabilities and social and occupational integration of persons with disabilities (140.146, 140.152, 140.211, 140.208 and 140.210) 16
• Right to health and education for children with disabilities (140.146, 140.152, and 140.211) 16
• E. Transitional justice and democratic transition 17
• Recommendations fully implemented 17
• Publication of the report of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (141.2 and 141.13) 17
• Democratic transition, peace and stability in the country (140.79) 17
• Combating impunity (141.9, 140.120) 17
• Application of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (140.22, 140.28 ... 17
• Adoption of a law on the protection of victims and witnesses in legal proceedings relating to the conflict (140.54) 17
• F. Implementation of international human rights obligations 18
• Ratification of international legal instruments (140.8, 140.9, 140.11, 140.16, 140.24 and 140.25, 140.1, 140.3, 140.4, 140.7, 140.10, 140.14, 140.23, 140.27, 140.28 and 140.29, 140.2, 140.12, 140.15, 140.21, 140.32, 140.5, 140.6) 18
• Presentation of the initial report to the Committee against Torture (140.13) 18
• Cooperation with United Nations and African human rights mechanisms (140.5, 141.9) 18
• Operationalization of the Interministerial Committee on human rights (140.17, 140.18, 140.47, 140.50, 140.65) 18
• Recommendations being implemented 18
• Ratification of international legal instruments (140.29) 18
• G. Strengthening of human rights institutions and institutions of good governance 19
• Compliance of the National Human Rights Council with the requirements of the Paris Principles (140.35, 140.41, 140.42, 140.43, 140.48, 140.52, 140.55, 140.56, 140.59, 140.62) 19
• Reform of the Independent Electoral Commission (140.37, 140.111, 140.113) 19
• Strengthening the High Authority for Good Governance and the legal framework for the fight against corruption (140.40 and 140.124) 19
• Training actors in promoting and protecting human rights (140.46, 140.58, 140.63, 140.96) 20
• Dissemination of the Constitution in national institutions and among the general public (140.66) 20
• V. Difficulties, constraints and best practices linked to the implementation of accepted recommendations and development of the human rights situation 20
• A. Difficulties 20
• B. Constraints 20
• C. Good practices 21
• VI. Key national priorities, initiatives and commitments to overcome these difficulties and constraints and improve the human rights situation 21
• A. Priorities 21
• B. Initiatives 21
• C. Commitments by Côte d’Ivoire 22
• VII. Capacity-building and technical assistance needs 22
• Notes 22