173 die in Ivory Coast stand-off after disputed poll

UNITED Nations human rights officials said yesterday at least 173 people have been killed in the Ivory Coast in the past week during the fragile West African state’s post-election crisis.

The report to the UN Human Rights Council came as Ivorian strongman Laurent Gbagbo came under mounting pressure from world powers to step down.

UN staff have been able to confirm allegations of 173 killings and 90 cases of torture or ill treatment in the past week, UN deputy human rights chief Kyung-wha Kang told ambassadors in Geneva.

“Unfortunately, it has been impossible to investigate all the allegations of serious human rights violations, including reports of mass graves, due to restrictions on movement by UN personnel,” she added.

The report came as world powers turned the screw on the stubborn leader, demanding that Gbagbo step aside in favour of Alassane Ouattara, whom UN members have recognised as the winner of last month’s Ivorian election.

Ouattara’s shadow government remains trapped in the Golf Hotel, a luxury waterfront resort on the edge of the city protected by 800 UN troops and besieged by Gbagbo’s forces.