UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (UPI) -- Human Rights Watch said Wednesday the government in Ivory Coast needs to stand by its commitments to address a legacy of violence and impunity.
Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court on charges he is tied to war crimes committed in the country following disputed presidential elections in 2010.
Human rights groups suspect supporters of President Alassane Ouattara committed their own abuses during the post-election violence.
Elections were meant to unite a country divided by civil war. The U.N. Security Council voted Tuesday to extend the mandate for the country because of a series of concerns about post-conflict reforms.
Human Rights Watch said Wednesday the Ouattara administration should work to address Security Council concerns in order to "to end the dangerous legacy of impunity."
The Security Council said the Ivorian government fell short on its efforts to disarm militias and protect civilians during the post-conflict era.
On human rights abuses, it called on the Ivorian government "to ensure in the shortest possible time frame" anyone responsible for violations of international laws are brought to justice "irrespective of their status or political affiliation."
