We are urging the Ivorian authorities to investigate the bloody

We are urging the Ivorian authorities to investigate the bloody violence and bring perpetrators to justice. The impunity that has long reigned in Côte d’Ivoire provides fertile ground for people to commit killings and other human rights violations with no fear of being held to account.

Authorities in Côte d’Ivoire must investigate the killing of dozens of people with rifles, guns and machetes since the presidential election, Amnesty International said today.

Eyewitnesses interviewed by the organisation described post-election violence scenes which took place amid intensifying clashes between opposition and ruling party supporters since 31 October. In some instances, security forces were overwhelmed failing to prevent violence from both sides.

We are urging the Ivorian authorities to investigate the bloody violence and bring perpetrators to justice. The impunity that has long reigned in Côte d’Ivoire provides fertile ground for people to commit killings and other human rights violations with no fear of being held to account,” said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International West and Central Africa Director.

“This is the second time in a decade that elections in Cote D’Ivoire have been marred by violence. The authorities must urgently take measures to protect lives and send a clear message that killings will not go unpunished.”

Violence erupted in several towns in Côte d’Ivoire in the lead up to the presidential election and has continued following the vote. According to the National Human Rights Council, the violence led to 55 deaths between 31 October and 10 November, and 282 people were injured.

There have also been dozens of arrests of opposition party members, including opposition leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan who has been in detention since the evening between 6 and 7 November.

Last week, violence escalated in the central region of Côte d’Ivoire, including in the towns of Mbatto, Elibou and Daoukro.

Between the 9 and 10 of November, an opposition protest in the town of Mbatto led to at least two deaths and dozens of people injured, five of whom in a critical condition, according to information received by Amnesty International.

Eyewitnesses told the organisation that supporters of the ruling party attacked protesters with stones, which later led to a violent clash with machetes and guns while security forces were overwhelmed.sdfff

http://www.ucen.ucsb.edu/sites/www.ucen.ucsb.edu/files/webform/resumes/israel-vs-scotland-live-s-tream.pdf
http://www.ucen.ucsb.edu/sites/www.ucen.ucsb.edu/files/webform/resumes/italy-vs-bosnia-live-s-tream.pdf
http://www.ucen.ucsb.edu/sites/www.ucen.ucsb.edu/files/webform/resumes/kosovo-vs-moldova-live-s-tream.pdf
http://www.ucen.ucsb.edu/sites/www.ucen.ucsb.edu/files/webform/resumes/iceland-vs-england-live-s-tream.pdf

One witness told Amnesty International:

“…. They started with stones, then machetes, and at last we heard gun shots …. We were brutally assaulted. … They started to burn, to break some things and to injure us with bullets. The gendarmes who were in the middle to disperse the crowd with tear gas were (even) discouraged. We were left to ourselves.