In a dramatic judicial turn in Côte d’Ivoire, a unionist has been sentenced to two years in prison on charges of obstructing public service and forming a coalition of public officials. Amnesty International’s Interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marceau Sivieude, has emphatically called for the immediate release of Ghislain Duggary Assy, who is the Communications Secretary for the Movement of Teachers for the Dignity Dynamic. Sivieude insists that all charges against Assy must be dismissed immediately.
The controversy began when a strike notice, submitted to the Ministry of Education on 21 March, set the stage for actions on 3 and 4 April. This response from teachers was met with arrests and Assy’s harsh conviction, which reflects a troubling violation of fundamental rights such as the right to strike and the freedom of association, both of which are safeguarded by the Ivorian Constitution and international treaties.
“Teachers cannot be treated as criminals for exercising their fundamental rights,” Sivieude stated. He stressed that the authorities must uphold and guarantee human rights for all citizens, including key rights such as the freedom to associate, engage in collective bargaining, and enjoy a fair trial.
In the lead-up to this incident, two inter-union organisations called for strike actions across primary and secondary schools, seeking upgrades to quarterly bonuses. Assy was reportedly apprehended during the night of 2 April by masked individuals and interrogated without legal representation before being formally charged. The Ministry of Public Administration labelled the strike as illegal and threatened punitive actions against those participating. Following the arrests on 8 April, many of the inter-union board members were released after a brief detention.
Côte d’Ivoire has witnessed the sentencing of unionist Ghislain Duggary Assy to two years’ imprisonment for charges related to public service obstruction. Amnesty International demands his immediate release, citing violations of fundamental rights, including the right to strike and freedom of association. This case unfolds against a backdrop of a teachers’ strike initiated for better bonuses, and concerns about potential government overreach in handling union activities.
The sentencing of unionist Ghislain Duggary Assy highlights significant concerns regarding workers’ rights in Côte d’Ivoire. Amnesty International, along with other advocates, calls for his immediate release and the assurance of fundamental rights for all. The government’s crackdown on union activities raises alarms over the treatment of teachers and the broader implications for civic freedoms in the country. Respecting human rights is essential for a fair and just society.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
