On May 7, union leader Ghislain Duggary Assy was released on a provisional basis from Abidjan Central Prison. While this is a positive step, the charges against him have not been dropped.
Authorities filed these charges after a coalition of teachers’ unions, including Assy, called for a strike. His case is scheduled for review at the Court of Appeal on June 11. If the court upholds his conviction, he could be sent back to prison.
Amnesty International is calling on the Ivoirian authorities to drop all charges against Assy immediately. Peaceful union activity is not a crime.
Here’s what you can do:
Write to the Minister of Justice and Human Rights urging him to:
- Put an end to the prosecution of Ghislain Duggary Assy
- Immediately drop all charges against him.
Write to:
Mr. Jean Sansan Kambilé
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Plateau immeuble Symphonie, cité administrative
tour B 16e et 17e étage
BP V 107 Abidjan
Côte d’Ivoire
Email: minjusticedroitdelhomme@gmail.com
X: @minjustice_dh
Salutation: Dear Minister,
And copy:
His Excellency Bafetigue Ouattara
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
2713 Lancaster Road, 201
Ottawa, ON K1B 5R6
Announcement of strike to demand fair compensation
On March 21, 2025, two inter-union organizations representing teachers in Côte d’Ivoire officially notified the Minister of Education about a planned strike. The strike was to take place in primary and secondary schools and aimed to demand improvements to quarterly bonuses for teachers, among other issues.
Government fails to act on union concerns
This was not the first time teachers raised their concerns. The same unions had protested in October 2024. In response, the government promised to form a committee to address their demands. However, union members report that the committee has never met.
On April 5, the Ministry of Public Administration declared the strike illegal and warned that participating teachers would face consequences. Just a few days later, on April 8, a dozen union leaders were arrested but released after a few hours.
Human rights violations
The arrest of union members and the conviction of Ghislain Duggary Assy—following the strike notice—represent serious violations of workers’ rights. These actions undermine the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, all of which are protected by the Ivorian Constitution. They also breach Côte d’Ivoire’s commitments under international treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Please take action as soon as possible until October 15, 2025. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.
