Cote d’Ivoire: Amnesty Hails Gbagbo’s Transfer to ICC

By Staff Writer

ABIDJAN---Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has hailed the arrest and subsequent transfer of former President Laurent Gbagbo to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Jonathan O'Donohue, Legal Adviser on International Justice for Amnesty International said: "Former President Laurent Gbagbo's arrest and transfer to the ICC marks the first significant step towards addressing impunity for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the country, in particular between 2002 and 2011.

"Amnesty International has documented crimes against humanity, as well as war crimes, including murder, enforced disappearances, torture and crimes of sexual violence by all sides.

"The ICC Prosecutor should confirm that it is also in the process of investigating crimes committed by other parties.

"In order to rebuild the rule of law in Côte d’Ivoire, the ICC Prosecutor should not limit the investigation either by only focusing on the crimes under international law committed by the supporters of the former President or by ignoring all the serious crimes under international law committed since 2002, notably crimes of sexual violence.

"The Ivoirian authorities must also respond by committing to investigate crimes that are not being dealt with by the ICC and, where there is sufficient admissible evidence, to prosecute them in accordance with international fair trial standards.