File spoon-archives/marxism-news.archive/marxism-news_1997/97-02-23.213, message 35


From: itusc-AT-gn.apc.org
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 12:52:22 GMT
Subject: Ivory Coast protest


This is from the International Trade Union Solidarity Campaign (ITUSC) at:-
e-mail:        itusc-AT-gn.apc.org
website:  http://www.itusc.org.uk
'snail' mail:  PO Box 18, Epsom, Britain, KT18 7YR
Tel/Fax    ++44 (0) 1372 817 778
_____________________________________________________________________

Following a major discussion about violations of trade union and human
rights by the government of the Ivory Coast,  during the ITUSC's
International Workers' Conference in London, the following protest has been
sent to the President, Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Ivory Coast.
Please publicise this information as widely as possible and add your protest
by writing to;
HE Henry Konan Bedie,      HE Daniel Kablan Duncan,      HE Faustin Kouame,
HE General G.O.Kone,
President of the Republic,   Prime Minister,                      Minister
of Justice,      Minister of Security,
La Presidence,                   La Primature,
Ministry of Justice,      Ministry of Security, 
Boulevard Cozel,                ABIDJAN
Boulevard Angoulvant, Boulevard Angoulvant,
ABIDJAN                         Cote d'Ivoire                          BP V
107,                  ABIDJAN
Cote d'Ivoire
ABIDJAN                   Cote d'Ivoire
                                                                            
       Cote d'Ivoire
Dear Mr President,

                                                 Human Rights violations in
the Ivory Coast

I write to advise that during our recent International Workers' Conference
in London , we received very disturbing reports of the activities of your
government against the ordinary people of the Ivory Coast and against the
workers and students unions in particular. In consequence of these reports
the following resolution was unanimously endorsed by the Conference
delegates from around the world:

" This International Workers' Conference meeting in London condemns the
kidnapping, arrest, imprisonment and torture of the Federation Estudiantine
& Scolaire de Cote d'Ivoire (FESCI) by President H.K.Bedie's dictatorial
government.
We call upon workers everywhere to join this protest and demand:
a)  the immediate release of all FESCI members and other trade unionists and
political prisoners;
b)  the recognition of freedom of association and expression for the Ivorian
people;
c)  the lifting of all bans on opposition parties, workers and students
unions and independent newspapers;
d)  that the government of the Ivory Coast recognises the FESCI union, which
is said to have been declared illegal since 1991 and;
e)  support the call for an international campaign for a total boycott
against the dictatorial regime of H.K. Bedie in the Ivory Coast, until all
the above demands have been met."

You must be aware of the damage the repressive anti-democratic measures of
your government do to the reputation of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire in the
eyes of the civilised world. The ITUSC urges you to take action to end these
activities against human and trade union rights and introduce legislation
which protects the democratic, human and trade union rights of  the citizens
of Cote d'Ivoire.

I have sent a copy of this letter to your Prime Minister, Minister of
Justice and Minister of Security and I look forward to receiving from you
details of the action you have taken.

Yours faithfully,
KEITH STANDRING
General Secretary

c.  H E The Prime Minister
       H E The Minister of Justice
       H E The Minister of Security



   

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