Since the election in Cote d’Ivoire Forces on President-elect Alassane Ouattara’s side have been brutally attacking civilians and supposed opponents. Since their victory in the campaign, the now proclaimed “Republican Forces of Cote d’Ivoire” have murdered hundreds of civilians and allegedly raped 20 opponents to their regime. Along with the attacks on specific people, at least 10 villages inhabited by pro Gbagbo supporters and forces have been burned in the western region of Cote d’Ivoire. The attacks have disproportionately targeted those who are less likely to fight back, the elderly or those too weak to run. Those affected by the attacks have also been attacked because of other factors, such as ethnicity. This may be seen as a sort of payback as over 100 Ouattara supporters were killed in the times leading to the March campaign by the opponent, Gbagbo’s supporters.
"Killing and raping civilians is no way for Ouattara's forces to end this conflict," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, and he is absolutely correct. An eye for an eye will not advance either side. This was seen by the murders committed before the election, they did not come out victorious, and now they are being attacked by the victors. Many people believe that President Elect Ouattarra should open an investigation on both sides, and bring those responsible to justice. As sad as it is to say, I believe one of the main reasons why this story is a tremendous human rights violation, is because the supporters of Ouattarra brought it to the next level when they began raping victims. That is not only a war crime, but a crime against humanity, and it is unacceptable on many levels. Many people see war as an inevitable reaction to change, but sometimes the other activities that accompany it (outside of the “rules of war”) should not be tolerated, and the government needs to put this action to an end immediately!
1 comment:
Why has the government not began to protect its citizens already?! Wow!
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