On July 16, the Abidjan Court of Appeal confirmed the conviction and two-year prison sentence of union leader Ghislain Duggary Assy. He had been convicted in April 2025 of “obstructing the operation of the public service” for joining a strike called by a coalition of teachers’ unions.
Although no committal order was issued and he remains free, Amnesty International continues to urge the Ivoirian authorities to quash his conviction and drop all charges against him.
Here’s what you can do:
Write to the Minister of Justice and Human Rights urging him to:
- Quash the conviction of Ghislain Duggary Assy, as he has been prosecuted solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
- Respect and protect the right to strike in Côte d’Ivoire.
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 ’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
Arrest after teachers’ strike
On April 3, 2025, Ghislain Duggary Assy was arrested at his home by hooded men. His arrest followed a strike called by a coalition of teachers’ unions on April 3 and 4. The strike demanded, among other things, an increase in quarterly bonuses.
Teachers had protested earlier in October 2024, but negotiations with the authorities failed to resolve their concerns. Although the government promised to set up a committee to address the grievances, union members report that the committee has never met.
On April 5, the Ministry of Public Administration declared the strike illegal and threatened to punish striking teachers. Three days later, about a dozen members of the inter-union board were briefly arrested before being released.
Violation of workers’ rights
The conviction of Ghislain Duggary Assy, along with the arrests of other union members, is a serious violation of workers’ rights. These include the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and strike.
These rights are protected under the Constitution of Côte d’Ivoire, as well as international human rights and labour treaties the country has ratified. These include 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 February 20, 2026. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.
