On March 11, 2026, in Abidjan, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights responded to a statement released the previous day by Amnesty International regarding individuals tried and convicted in connection with the October 2025 presidential election.

In a declaration signed by the Director of Human Rights, Delbé Zirignon Constant, Ivorian authorities disputed the claims made by the human rights organization. According to the ministry, the individuals mentioned in the statement were “regularly prosecuted, tried, and convicted” after having received all the guarantees of a fair trial.

The statement clarifies that the convictions relate to public order disturbances following gatherings. The ministry therefore considers Amnesty International’s accusations of “unfounded arrests” and “unfair convictions” to be an inappropriate value judgment.

The authorities also emphasized that the Ivorian judicial system guarantees the right to appeal. Accordingly, those convicted have exercised their right by appealing the decisions against them.

The review of the cases now falls under the jurisdiction of the competent court, which will rule on the validity of the charges.

The ministry also provided clarifications regarding the situation of pregnant women in detention, as mentioned in Amnesty International’s statement. According to the Human Rights Directorate, no detained woman in Côte d’Ivoire is held in conditions detrimental to a healthy pregnancy.

Since the beginning of 2025, fifteen pregnant women have been detained for various offenses, five of whom gave birth while in detention. All received regular medical follow-up and support from social services, the statement notes.

Currently, eight pregnant women remain in detention in the country, according to the ministry.

The Director of Human Rights questioned why Amnesty International focused only on three pregnant detainees, noting that differential treatment of individuals in similar situations constitutes discrimination. He urged the organization to avoid “fixating” on certain cases at the expense of other detainees in the same situation.

Amnesty International’s press release on March 10, 2026, stated:

“Five months after opposition demonstrations, which were banned by the authorities, and the arrest of hundreds of people, including pregnant women, some are still detained even though they did not participate in the demonstrations. Others were convicted following unfair trials.”