The survey report shows that abuses were prevalent in pro-Gbagbo stronghold of Yopougon, where most killings were point-blank executions of youth from ethnic groups generally aligned to Gbagbo, in what appeared to be collective punishment for these groups' participation in Gbagbo's militias.
The Republican Forces are reported to have raped women, executed their husbands; detained and tortured young people and killed older men accused of housing or assisting the militia and often looted valuable household goods and money from the victims.
HRW estimates that over 3,000 civilians have been killed during the post-election crisis.
Human Rights Watch has called on the Quattara government to immediately ensure humane treatment of anyone detained and to provide unlimited access to detention sites for international monitors and members of the human rights division of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (Opération des Nations Unies en Côte d'Ivoire, ONUCI).
The quest for justice
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on May 19, declared his intention to open investigations into crimes committed in Côte d'Ivoire. In addition, Human Rights Watch has urged Quattara's administration to hold fair domestic trials to ensure justice for victims and promote respect for the rule of law in the conflict-ravaged country.
The following are HRW’s specific recommendations to all the key players:
To President Alassane Quattara:
• Demonstrate that promises of impartial and credible prosecutions of grave crimes are meaningful by ensuring immediate investigations into killings, extrajudicial executions, and torture committed by the Republican Forces in Abidjan. Hold those responsible accountable, including commanders who oversaw the crimes, regardless of their military rank.
• Put commanders implicated in serious abuse on administrative leave, pending investigation.
• Make publicly clear that anyone detained - including former Gbagbo militia implicated in severe crimes - is to be treated humanely in accordance with Ivorian and international law.
• When cordon and search operations are conducted by the Republican Forces, ensure that police, gendarmes, or UN and French peacekeepers are included.
• Seek the assistance of key international donors in assessing the capacity of the Ivorian justice system to prosecute grave crimes and addressing the weaknesses identified.
• Provide complete access to all detention facilities to international monitors and members of the human rights division of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire, including access that allows detainees to describe the conditions of their treatment without the presence or interference of the Republican Forces.
• Cooperate fully with the ICC, including arresting suspects, if the court prosecutor opens an investigation of crimes committed in Côte d'Ivoire.
To the UN Security Council:
• To bring light to atrocities committed in the past decade in Côte d'Ivoire, publish the 2004 Commission of Inquiry report when the 2011 that report is presented before the Human Rights Council in June. Failure to do so would continue to send the signal that certain people deeply implicated in war crimes and other severe abuses are being shielded from justice.
To the United Nations Operations in Côte d'Ivoire:
• Increase significantly patrols, including joint patrols with the Republican Forces, in Yopougon, particularly in vulnerable pro-Gbagbo neighborhoods like Koweit, Yaosseh, Kouté, and Abobo-Doumé.
• Visit detention centers daily, particularly in Yopougon, and demand access to prisoners without interference by the Republican Forces.