Amnesty International called [8] on Côte d'Ivoire authorities to end the repression of peaceful protests ahead of the upcoming presidential elections [9], following the dispersal of a demonstration by security forces in Abidjan on Oct. 11 and the subsequent arrest of 255 individuals. Amnesty's regional director for West and Central Africa, Marceau Sivieude, stated:
Any restriction on public protests must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and non-discriminatory. Instead of banning them, authorities should respect and facilitate peaceful assemblies and ensure public order policing is aimed at enabling assemblies to take place as intended and grounded in de-escalation and the protection of participants
Amnesty further reported that security forces used tear gas to disperse [13] the demonstrators in Abidjan, in addition to conducting mass arrests without bringing any official charges. Sivieude called for authorities to either release all the detainees or publish information on the charges against them.
The Ivorian government's ban on peaceful assemblies is part of a broader set of measures [10] announced by the National Security Council earlier this month. These measures include taking all necessary actions to maintain security during the election period, such as prohibiting meetings and public assemblies to challenge the government decisions.
Sivieude said that these "blanket bans" on public assemblies are disproportionate and violate Côte d'Ivoire's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [14] (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human & Peoples' Rights [15] (ACHPR). Sivieude emphasized that peaceful protest is a right, not a privilege. He added that it is a particularly important right during the electoral campaign.
Côte d'Ivoire is scheduled to hold presidential elections on Oct. 25. The Electoral Commission announced [16] the final list of five candidates on Oct. 8, following the rejection [17] of two opposition candidates. One day after the National Security Council's decision to ban public demonstrations, the Prefect of Abidjan prohibited a peaceful rally planned by opposition parties for Oct. 4. In response, opposition parties organized a new rally on Oct. 11, which was dispersed by security forces using tear gas, resulting in hundreds of arrests. Later that evening, security forces surrounded the residence of opposition leader Pascal Affi N'Guessan for a period before departing.
Côte d'voire has previously faced criticism for suppressing protests and public assemblies. In April, Amnesty International condemned [18] the arrest of Ivorian unionist Ghislain Duggary Assy and urged the government to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights to strike and to hold peaceful assemblies.
From JURIST [19], Oct. 16. Used with permission.
See our last report on the global wave [20] of "Gen Z" protests
