The Eradication of Torture: The Moral Conscience of Humanity – Interview with an Ivorian Activist
This interview is part of the United Against Torture Consortium’s Voices for Human Dignity multimedia initiative. This initiative celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Convention against Torture (1984-2024) by giving a voice to torture victims, experts, and activists.
On July 16 and 17, 2024, Côte d’Ivoire was examined for the first time by the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT), an independent body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention Against Torture. This review took place nearly thirty years after the country’s ratification of the Convention.
Assohou Wanga Wenceslas is the former president of ACAT Côte d’Ivoire and a member of the international office of FIACAT, part of the United Against Torture Consortium. He shares his journey in human rights advocacy and his reasons for participating in the CAT as a representative of Ivorian civil society.
What motivated you to get involved in human rights advocacy and the fight against torture?
The protection of human rights and the eradication of torture are at the core of humanity’s moral conscience. I became involved in the fight against torture because I believe it is one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed. Through my work, my cheerfulness, and my relationships, I try to help by bringing a breath of fresh air into the stories of others.
How important is it to give a voice to torture victims?
As a journalist and member of civil society, I can say that when we listen to someone, even if we don’t have the solution to their problem, it already brings them relief. That person will suffer more if they are not given the opportunity to express themselves. Giving a voice also allows others to avoid experiencing what that person has gone through.
What is the role of civil society organizations in the fight against torture?
Fighting against torture and protecting victims requires heart, and civil society in Côte d’Ivoire plays a fundamental role. We try to bring the wounds of various victims to light, to be the voice for those who suffer in silence.
In our country, we have advocated for human rights, which has led to positive results. We also work on supporting victims. We believe that torture victims need special, long-term psychological and medical support. Healing is not spontaneous; it is a process that takes time.
With the presidential election scheduled for 2025, do you fear the risks of human rights violations?
Indeed, given that we had a coup in 1981 and an armed rebellion in 2000. Since then, there have always been human rights violations. Every five years, new elections present a significant challenge for Ivorians. There has never been a simple passing of the torch. We fear new human rights violations during the 2025 elections, which is why we came to the CAT as a civil society organisation to sound the alarm.
What were your expectations for the CAT session examining Côte d’Ivoire?
We hope that this review has highlighted the progress made while identifying areas where improvements are still needed in Côte d’Ivoire.
We want our government to continue working on improving detention conditions, especially concerning prison overcrowding, which has now reached 266%. It is important
for the authorities to enforce the Ivorian penal code, which complies with international standards, particularly the Mandela Rules, which mandate treating all detainees with respect and prohibiting torture.
We want Côte d’Ivoire to adopt a special law not only to define who is a torture victim but also to outline how to help them heal. We also hope the government will continue to support torture victims and increase this support in the future.
How does the “Une MAC, une bibliothèque” project contribute to improving detention conditions?
This project aims to create libraries in Ivorian prisons to contribute to the education and reintegration of detainees. The idea was born after meeting detainees who wanted to study and earn their diplomas but lacked books. We started by equipping four detention centers, and today 25 of the country’s 39 penitentiaries have a library thanks to the support of our partners. Our next goal is to cover all prisons by the end of the year.
What message would you like to convey to young generations who wish to engage in the fight against torture?
There is hope for Ivorian society. We cannot achieve a world completely free of tension, but we move forward with each step. Côte d’Ivoire ratified the Convention Against Torture in 1995, and then adhered to its Optional Protocol in 2023.
Every day we accomplish a little more, and even if it’s a small step, it’s a giant leap forward. I believe that in the near future, Côte d’Ivoire will be on the right path.
This content was produced by the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium (OMCT, IRCT, FIACT, APT, OMEGA and REDRESS), funded by the EU. The contents are the sole responsibility of UATC and do not necessarily reflect the position of the EU.