NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Humanitarian Crisis in Cote d'Ivoire Warrants Intervention

While the world's attention has been focused on Libya, the humanitarian crisis in Côte d'Ivoire has reached devastating proportions and requires a strong and concerted international response. Freedom House today echoes the call of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the United Nations Security Council to intervene on behalf of the people of Côte d'Ivoire and take necessary measures to assist in the immediate removal of Laurent Gbagbo, including through military action if necessary.

The number of deaths reported since the election standoff began in December 2010 stands at nearly 500, with as many as one million displaced, most of whom have fled the violence in the capital city of Abidjan. Incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to step down despite international pressure and has rejected attempts by the African Union to resolve the crisis, has continued to escalate the violence, including carrying out rocket attacks on civilians. He has seized control of many of the country's major assets in order to finance his illegitimate government, sending the country's economy into a tailspin. Most recently, Gbabgo has recruited and armed hundreds of youths to assist him in defeating what he refers to as the "rebels" who have backed the internationally recognized winner of the election, Alassane Ouattara.

"With the continuing unrest in the Middle East and North Africa capturing the attention of the world, Côte d'Ivoire has unfortunately dropped off the radar. And sadly, while our attention was diverted, Lauren Gbagbo has been free to lead his country into a civil war," said David J. Kramer, executive director of Freedom House. "This is a horrible humanitarian crisis, and the international community has a responsibility to step in and protect the lives of Ivorians. Freedom House calls on the United Nations, in support of ECOWAS, to intervene on behalf of the people of Côte d'Ivoire by taking measures for the removal of Laurent Gbagbo and to help the country restore peace and democracy."

While the violence has been internationally condemned, including most recently by the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC), both the African Union and the UN have wavered on intervening to resolve the crisis. The AU announced yesterday the appointment of Jose Brito, former minister of foreign affairs of Cape Verde, as high representative for Cote d'Ivoire charged with overseeing the implementation of a political solution. This came after a special AU panel submitted a proposal to resolve the crisis, which included the transfer of power to Alassane Ouattara. Gbagbo has outright rejected the AU panel's proposal, and Ouattara today rejected the AU's choice of Britobased on what Ouattara asserts are personal and political connections to Gbagbo.

Côte d'Ivoire is ranked Not Free in Freedom in the World 2011, Freedom House's survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not Free in *reedom of the Press 2010*.

For more information on Côte d'Ivoire, visit:

Freedom in the World 2010: Côte d'Ivoire

Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.