US condemns rights abuses

The US State Department on Wednesday condemned human rights abuses in Cote d'Ivoire, including extra-judicial killings, extra-legal activity, harassment, and extortion, which it said were perpetrated by both government and rebel forces. "We also call for an immediate end to the heinous practice of recruiting child soldiers, as well as for the disbandment of self-defence groups," it said. The rebels have reportedly been recruiting minors while the self-defence groups operate in areas under governmental control. Washington said the violent effort by rebel forces to overthrow the government and the government's response had exacerbated ethnic and other tensions within the country. "The U.S. calls on all Ivoirians to practice tolerance and respect the human rights of all Ivoirian citizens and of non-citizens, as well as to exercise restraint in their public statements and cease any efforts to incite violence," it said. "The U.S. reiterates its support for a peaceful solution of the crisis, including the ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States in Lome, Togo," the State Department added. "We call on all political parties and civil society to work seriously together to keep Cote d Ivoire from sliding into civil war."