Gendarmes’ trial postponed

The trial of eight gendarmes accused of involvement in the killing of civilians during post-election violence last year opened on Tuesday in Abidjan, but was adjourned until 31 July.

About 100 demonstrators from ‘Le Collectif des victimes en Cote d’Ivoire’ held a sit-in outside the Agban Gendarmerie Camp, where the trial was being held. The protesters, who were demanding that politicians and senior military personnel also face trial, were dispersed by the police, news organisations reported.

The eight are being tried in connection with atrocities such as the killing of 57 young men whose bodies were discovered in a forest in Yopougon, a suburb of Abidjan, shortly after October’s presidential elections.

Clashes between supporters of rival political groups and government forces took place a few days after the election of President Laurent Gbagbo over military ruler Robert Guei. The constitutional court barred other main opposition candidates from running, including Alassane Ouattara, leader of the Rassemblement des republicains (RDR). The RDR reportedly draws most of its support from northern Cote d’Ivoire.

Supporters of the RDR say many of the dead were northerners killed by the gendarmes for demonstrating against the exclusion of their candidate.

An International Commission of Inquiry set up by the United Nations found that members of the gendarmerie bore responsibility for the massacre of civilians in Yopougon. The commission also said, in a report released on Friday, that members of the military were responsible for the deaths of civilians during demonstrations against an attempt by General Guei to claim victory in October’s presidential elections.

The commission urged the government of Cote d’Ivoire to strengthen its fight against impunity and to take the necessary steps to bring to justice those reponsible for serious human rights violations. The report has been forwarded to the Ivorian government, which said it would pay attention to its recommendations, the UN said on Friday.