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Following today’s International Criminal Court (ICC) decision confirming the acquittal of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, Michèle Eken, Amnesty International West Africa Researcher said:
“Victims of the 2010-2011 post-election violence in Côte d’Ivoire will be disappointed again today as the ICC’s Appeals Chamber confirms the acquittal of Gbagbo and Blé Goudé, meaning the court has held no one responsible for atrocity crimes committed during this period.
“In parallel, the 6 August 2018 Ordinance adopted by President Ouattara granted amnesty to 800 people accused of or convicted of crimes related to the 2010-2011 crisis or subsequent crimes against state security.
“It prevents national tribunals from prosecuting crimes under international law or other serious human rights violations committed in 2010-2011 and is contrary to Côte d’Ivoire’s obligations under international law.
“Whether at the national or international level, victims of the 2010-2011 violence are yet to see justice and reparations for the harm they suffered.”
Background
Today, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed the acquittal of former Côte d’Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, his former youth minister.
