Arsène Désiré Nene Bi
A lawyer specializing in public international law and human rights, Dr. Arsène Désiré Nene Bi is the President of the NGO "Actions for the Protection of Human Rights (APDH)" in Côte d'Ivoire. The APDH is an independent organization that works for the welfare of Ivorians and all those living in Côte d'Ivoire through actions in favor of human rights, democracy, and good governance. The commitment and position of the leaders of this organization on sensitive issues related to human rights and democracy have led this organization to be the target of several attacks of various kinds. In 2015 and 2016, the head office of the APDH was the subject of two successive burglaries; In March 2011, when the rebellion took control of the city of Daloa, the Representative of the APDH in this locality was assassinated at his home in front of his wife; In 2008, a delegation of the APDH mission in the north of the country saw his vehicle fully strafed by armed men. In 2006, students claiming to be from the Student Federation and School of Ivory Coast (FESCI) completely destroyed APDH headquarters. The APDH was also confronted with verbal threats from authorities claiming that this organization would be dissolved. Because of its commitment to the promotion of human rights in the mining sector, the APDH has been the subject of defamation by extractive companies in recent years.
While human rights defenders in Côte d'Ivoire are not targeted systematically, they often face threats, intimidation and attacks including raids on the offices and physical assaults. Intimidation and harassment particularly increased during election periods, when defenders denouncing abuses were specifically targeted.
