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Amnesty International has called on authorities in the Ivory Coast to immediately release dozens of individuals detained following protests linked to the country’s October presidential election, warning that many of those behind bars were unjustly arrested.
Among those detained are pregnant women who rights groups say are being held in conditions that pose serious risks to their health.
The controversial election saw President Alassane Ouattara secure a disputed fourth term after two leading opposition candidates were barred from participating.
Tensions surrounding the vote triggered demonstrations organised by opposition groups despite a government ban on protests. The unrest quickly escalated, leading to a forceful crackdown by security forces. Several people were killed during the clashes, and hundreds were arrested on accusations of disturbing public order.
Amnesty International says many of those detained were not directly involved in the protests but were swept up during security operations.
Marceau Sivieude, the organisation’s regional director for West and Central Africa, said many detainees remain imprisoned months after the demonstrations. “Today, five months after their arrest, people are still being held solely because they happened to be in the vicinity of the protests. The Ivorian authorities must order their release,” Sivieude stated.
The rights group has expressed particular concern over the condition of three pregnant women currently being held in prison in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast’s largest city. According to Sivieude, Amnesty is “very concerned about the situation of three women who, despite being in the advanced stages of pregnancy, are being held.”
Government officials have rejected claims of unjust arrests. Government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly maintained that those detained had committed offences and insisted authorities remain committed to strengthening legal institutions. He said the administration was focused on “building a state governed by the rule of law.”
However, legal representatives for the detainees dispute that narrative. Sylvain Tapi, a lawyer representing the pregnant women, said the arrests were indiscriminate.
“These women were caught up in raids while going about their daily business,” he said. Tapi also warned that prison conditions could endanger their health, saying that they are “in an environment that is not conducive to a healthy pregnancy” and are being “severely affected both mentally and physically.”
Human rights organisations continue to pressure the government to review the cases and release those they say were wrongfully detained.
