Ministers reject accusations of abuses

The Ivorian ministers of the interior, Emile Boga Doudou, and defence, Moise Lida Kouassi, have denied any implication in political upheavals last year that led to killings and other human rights abuses, local media reported.

Their denials came in reaction to a suit filed on Thursday in a Belgian court by a collective of about 150 people against the two ministers, President Laurent Gbagbo and former military strongman General Robert Guei. The plaintiffs claim to be victims or relatives of victims of political oppression dating back to September 2000 and accused the Ivorian leaders of crimes against humanity.

Boga Doudou cited various reports by Amnesty International, the Federation internationale des droits de l’homme and other bodies which, he said, absolve the Gbagbo government of any wrongdoing, including the massacre of 57 persons whose bodies were found in late October in the suburb of Yopougon, the state-owned daily, ‘Fraternite-Matin’, reported.

Lida Kouassi said he was prepared to testify in court. He said the suit was part of a campaign “organised and planned by foreign media, religious leaders, heads of state, intellectuals, NGOs” to sabotage the government’s efforts to straighten out the socio-political situation, ‘Fraternite-Matin’ quoted Kouassi as saying.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has urged the Ivorian government to ensure that those responsible for last year’s abuses are punished so to end the culture of impunity and promote peace.