Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire has dedicated counterterrorism legislation adopted in 2015 (and amended in 2018) that defines a terrorist act in broad terms. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental human rights. A law on terrorist financing was adopted in 2016.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
The 2105 Anti-Terrorism Law (Loi n° 2015-493 du 07 juillet 2015 portant répression du terrorisme) defines a terrorist act in broad terms as
anyone, with the intention either to provoke a situation of terror or to intimidate the population, or to promote a political, religious or ideological cause, or to compel the Government, an organization, or an institution to engage in conduct or to abstain from, to adopt or to renounce a particular position or to act according to certain principles, commits or threatens to commit an act which:Art. 3, 2015 Anti-Terrorism Law.
- attacks someone;
- causes serious violence to people;
- causes serious damage to property, natural resources, the environment, or cultural heritage;
- endangers the life of one or more persons; or
- creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or any part of the public;
- exposes the public to a dangerous, radioactive or harmful substance, a toxic chemical or a microbiological agent or other biological agent or toxin;
- interrupts, disrupts, damages, or destroys a computer system or the provision of services directly linked to communication infrastructure, banking and financial services, public transport systems or key infrastructure;
- disrupts the provision of essential emergency services such as police, civil protection and medical services;
- jeopardizes public safety or national security;
- creates or is likely to create a crisis situation within the populations or a general insurrection.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Côte d'Ivoire is a State Party to all of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Côte d'Ivoire is a signatory but not a State Party to the main regional treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1999 Algiers Convention | Signatory |
| 2004 Protocol to the Algiers Convention | Signatory |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
Conviction for the commission of a terrorist offence carries a penalty of imprisonment of between ten and twenty years.Art. 3, 2015 Anti-Terrorism Law.A similar penalty is accorded to anyone who joins or associates with a terrorist group.Art. 5, 2015 Anti-Terrorism Law.Inciting or otherwise encouraging the perpetration of a terrorist act carries a prison sentence of one to five years.Art. 6, 2015 Anti-Terrorism Law.
Offences may be committed by companies as well as natural persons.Arts. 8 and 9, 2015 Anti-Terrorism Law.
The acts of financing or facilitating travel for terrorist purposes were criminalized in 2018.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
Counterterrorism in Côte d'Ivoire is entrusted to the Gendarmerie Nationale.
Glossary
Twitter