Communiqué  Posté le 10:38 26-08-2022, modifié le 10:38 26-08-2022 par Tournons la Page

Tournons la page Côte d'Ivoire has learned this Tuesday, August 22, 2022 in the early evening via social networks the arrest of PULCHERIE GBALET, the president of the civil society organization called "Alternative Citoyenne ivoirienne".

According to the information we have received, PULCHERIE GBALET went to the police headquarters in Abidjan at the invitation of the Director General of the Police to retrieve her passport. A passport that was held by the police during her last arrest at Felix Houphouet Boigny airport on her return from her trip to Mali.

Against all odds, she was auditioned on this occasion and placed under a detention warrant.

Tournons la Page CI strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of PULCHRIE GBALET and the harassment of which she is the object by the Ivorian authorities.

Tournons la Page CI protests against these methods of arrest which do not respect the rights of the citizen and are not subject to any explanation from the Ivorian justice.

We denounce these practices which are clearly aimed at silencing dissenting voices.

Tournons la Page CI calls on the authorities to proceed with the immediate release of PULCHERIE GBALET.

Tournons la Page CI dcalls on the authorities to comply with the legal framework including Law No. 2014-388 of June 20, 2014 on the promotion and protection of human rights defenders, Article 5 of which states "human rights defenders may not be prosecuted, sought, arrested, detained or tried on the occasion of opinions expressed, and reports published in the exercise of their activities. Human rights defenders may not, during the course of their activities, be prosecuted, sought, arrested, detained or tried in criminal or correctional matters except after informing the minister in charge of human rights, except in cases of flagrant offence".

Finally, Tournons la Page Cote d'Ivoire asks the Ivoirian authorities to take all measures in order to guarantee to each citizen the freedom of expression consecrated by our constitution.

                                                                Done in Abidjan, Thursday, August 25, 2022