Furthermore, it must be noted that a national policy for promoting and protecting human rights is in the
process of being drafted by the Ministry of Human Rights and Public Freedoms (MDHLP).
D. Ratified International Instruments
Between 2012 and 2014, Côte d’Ivoire signed and/or ratified several international instruments. They
include :
- The Rome Statute ratified in January
2013;
- Law No. 2013-647 of 13 September 2013 authorising the President of the Republic to ratify the 1961
Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Stateless Persons signed on 30 August 1961 in New York;
- Law No. 2013-649 of 13 September 2013 authorising the President of the Republic to ratify the 1954
Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, signed on 28 September 1954 in New York ;
- Decree No. 2013-539 of 30 July 2013 on the Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of People with
Disabilities ;
- Decree No. 2013-650 of 13 September 2013 on the ratification of the Convention on the Status of
Stateless Persons signed on 28 September 1954 in New York.
E. National Human Rights Promotion and Protection Institutions
1) National Human Rights Commission of Côte d’Ivoire (CNDHCI)
Law No. 2012-1132 of 13 December 2012 on the creation, responsibilities, organisation and operations of
the National Human Rights Commission of Côte d’Ivoire (CNDHCI) made the latter an independent
administrative body with a mandate to contribute to promoting and protecting human rights. As opposed
to the old CNDHCI, the new Commission is more compliant with the “Paris Principles”.
2) The Ombudsman
Provided for in Title XI of the Constitution, the Ombudsman of the Republic is an independent administrative
authority. This institution is currently regulated by Organic Law No. 2007-540 of 1st August 2007 setting out
the powers, organisation and operation of the mediation body referred to as the “Ombudsman of the
Republic”.
Article 7 of the above-mentioned text empowers the Ombudsman to carry out “the task of settling conflicts
and disputes of all kinds submitted to the President of the Republic, through mediation without prejudice to
the powers vested by the laws and regulations in institutions and State organs; these are mainly disputes of
all kinds submitted to the President of the Republic for arbitration”.
3) The National Media Council (CNP)
Established by Law No. 2004-643 of 14 December 2004, the National Media Council (CNP) is an Independent
Administrative Authority responsible for ensuring compliance by press agencies and journalists with the
obligations laid down by the Law on the press regime.
It has a disciplinary authority which it exercises within the journalism profession and among media
professionals. To this effect, it ensures compliance with the rules governing establishment, decency,
resources and ethics of the media profession and pluralism in the media landscape.
23