New York, United States - The acting director of the Human Rights Division of the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire, Guillaume Ngefa, on Friday said that violence was still persisting in Cote d'Ivoire following reports of attacks by soldiers against supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo. In a statement, issued at UN headquarters in New York, Ngefa said: 'The United Nations is particularly concerned about the increase of violent incidents and attacks carried out by elements of the Republican Forces of Cote d'Ivoire in several villages.' He called for an investigation of reports that troops loyal to President Alassane Ouattara attacked Gbagbo supporters.

'The alleged perpetrators of these serious human rights violations must be identified, pursued and punished in accordance with the law,' he noted.

The UN official also stated that, 'other human rights abuses were continuing in the county'.

Ouattara was sworn in six months after an election crisis that left hundreds of people dead.

Human rights investigators said last month they found 10 mass graves near the commercial capital of Abidjan.

'At least two people were killed and dozens hurt in recent attacks in southern and western Cote d'Ivoire,' the report said.

Pana 10/06/2011