• The Dark Side of Côte d’Ivoire’s Recovery
    Commentary
    Jan 31, 2012
    When I returned to Abidjan in mid-January, bright lights were strung across the bridge into downtown, proclaiming 2012 a year of reconciliation. I asked the taxi driver how things were progressing, and he said, “The Ouattara government does more work in 10 weeks than the Gbagbo government did in 10 years.” Formerly potholed roads are being repaired throughout the country, trash once stacked on the street is being collected, and treatment at state-run hospitals is largely free, even if patients must often pay for the medicine and tools doctors need.
  • Justice in Côte d’Ivoire
    Impact
    Jan 11, 2012
    Late in the afternoon on November 29, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo was removed from his prison cell in the dusty northern town of Korhogo and served with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He was then put aboard a plane to The Hague, where he now faces four counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and persecution.
  • How many women does it take to win a Nobel peace prize?
    Commentary
    Dec 12, 2011
    In Norway on Saturday, three women stepped up to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011. The awarding of the Nobel to Leymah Gbowee, Tawakkul Karman and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is a long-awaited and, some may think, overdue testament to women's courage. While just three women ascended to the podium in Oslo, the victory will be shared by many, many more -- and couldn't have come at a better time.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: Gbagbo’s ICC Transfer Advances Justice
    Press release
    Nov 29, 2011
    The transfer of former President Laurent Gbagbo to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for his alleged role in international crimes during Côte d’Ivoire’s devastating post-election violence is a major step toward ensuring justice. Human Rights Watch called on the ICC prosecutor to move swiftly on investigations for grave crimes committed by forces allied with the current president, Alassane Ouattara.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: Impartial Justice Poses Test for Ouattara
    Press release
    Oct 6, 2011
    The government of President Alassane Ouattara should match its rhetorical commitment to impartial justice with action against its own troops implicated in crimes during the post-election violence and its aftermath. An imbalance in justice efforts threatens to open new divisions at a moment when the Ouattara government has a unique opportunity to move Côte d’Ivoire past the manipulation of political and ethnic blocs that occurred under former President Laurent Gbagbo.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: ICC Judges OK Investigation
    Press release
    Oct 3, 2011
    The International Criminal Court (ICC) judges took a major step to ensure justice for victims in Côte d’Ivoire by authorizing the ICC prosecutor to open an investigation into crimes committed in the country’s devastating post-election violence.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: Second Deadly Attack Near Liberian Border
    Press release
    Sep 21, 2011
    Armed men who supported former Côte d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo waged the second deadly attack in two months near the Liberian border, killing at least 23 men, women, and children in small villages.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: Positive Steps Help Combat Roadblock Extortion
    Press release
    Sep 16, 2011
    The government of Côte d’Ivoire should be commended for taking action against security forces who extort money at roadblocks. Human Rights Watch called on the government to extend its efforts to secondary roads in rural areas, where members of the Republican Forces continue to regularly extort money.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: Military Promotions Mock Abuse Victims
    Press release
    Aug 5, 2011
    The promotion of two Côte d’Ivoire military commanders against whom there are serious allegations of involvement in grave crimes raises concerns about President Alassane Ouattara’s commitment to end impunity and ensure justice for victims.
  • Côte d’Ivoire: ICC Prosecutor Seeks Investigation
    Press release
    Jun 23, 2011
    The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has taken a significant step toward ensuring that those responsible for grave crimes committed in Côte d'Ivoire are held to account, Human Rights Watch said today.