Amnesty International has called on Ivory Coast authorities to urgently implement support measures for thousands of citizens evicted from their homes since January 2024, as detailed in a report released on Wednesday. The report emphasizes the necessity of adhering to human rights principles and urges the suspension of mass evictions in Abidjan until safeguards against forced eviction are in place.
The Ivorian government began demolition and eviction operations in February in high-risk flood areas within Abidjan, including the neighborhoods of Gesco, Boribana, Banco 1, and Abattoir. These actions were taken in preparation for the rainy season, which brings the dangers of floods, landslides, and collapses, as stated in an official announcement. Nevertheless, Amnesty International’s findings indicate that the authorities fell short of meeting human rights standards during these operations.
The Executive Director of Amnesty International Côte d’Ivoire noted, “the authorities have clearly failed to meet their human rights obligations including those deriving from the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), ratified by Côte d’Ivoire.” The obligations encompass safeguarding citizens from forced eviction, providing prior notice, offering fair compensation, and ensuring adequate alternative housing.
The report also sheds light on the excessive use of force during demolitions, involving police violence, the use of tear gas, and late-night demolitions, in contravention of regulations set by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Additionally, Ivory Coast authorities were found to have violated the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
Testimonies from evicted families indicate that many did not receive prior notice or alternative housing options, and the compensation promised by the authorities has not been fulfilled. While the government has managed to rehouse 256 people, many refused these options due to the relocation sites being too far from their original homes, impacting their livelihoods, especially for farmers who lost their lands and enclosures.
The evictions also disrupted community services; schools were demolished, depriving children of their right to education, with some being out of school for months and others dropping out to support their families financially.
The full report detailing these findings and Amnesty International’s calls for immediate support measures for evicted Ivorians can be accessed here.