ABIDJAN/GENEVA (8 June 2017) – The United Nations Independent Expert on capacity-building and technical cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire in the field of human rights, Mr. Mohammed Ayat, will make his sixth and final visit to the country from 12 to 16 June 2017. 

"This visit will be an opportunity to make a final assessment of the progress made in terms of democratic construction, strengthening of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into account the commitments made by the national authorities since the ministerial reshuffle of January 2017," he said.

 "The mission, which takes place in the context of the closure of the UNOCI Human Rights Division, will also allow me to consult the Ivorian authorities and in particular the National Human Rights Commission of Côte d'Ivoire on the commitments made and actions carried out within the framework of national ownership of the protection and promotion of human rights," said Mr. Ayat. 

Meetings with civil society organisations will also provide an opportunity to take stock of progress and challenges relating to the situation of all economic, social and cultural rights, which are inseparable from civil and political rights. "I also plan to make a final assessment of the recommendations contained in my previous public reports to the Human Rights Council, particularly in the areas of institutional reforms and the fight against impunity and the preservation of democratic space," he said. 

During his visit, the Independent Expert will meet with members of the Ivorian Government, representatives of non-governmental organizations and victims' associations. He will also meet with representatives of the diplomatic corps and the UN country team in Côte d'Ivoire. He will also visit places of detention.

 A press release summarizing the preliminary observations of the independent expert will be made public at the end of his visit. The information collected during the mission will be used to support the final report that the independent expert will present at the thirty-fifth session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 20 June 2017.

 END

 Mr. Mohammed Ayat (Morocco), Independent Expert on capacity-building and technical cooperation with Côte d'Ivoire in the field of human rights, was appointed by the Human Rights Council for a mandate that began on 1 December 2014. His mandate was renewed in June 2016 for a period of one year. 

The independent experts are part of what is known as the “ special procedures ” of the Human Rights Council. Special procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general term applied to the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address specific country situations or thematic issues around the world. Special procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of governments and organizations and serve in an independent capacity. 

OHCHR country page: Côte d'Ivoire 

For further information and media requests, please contact Mr. Martin Seutcheu (+41 22 928 9618 / mseutcheu@ohchr.org )

 For media requests related to other UN independent experts:'

 Xabier Celaya - Press Office (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org ) 

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