The 2010 elections resulted in the death of close to 3,000 people after the outbreak of post-election violence characterized by a two-week war between armed supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo and the current President Alassane Ouattara.
"Respect for human rights in the forthcoming electoral process is a key factor in guaranteeing free and fair elections," Ayat said.
He urged Cote d`Ivoire authorities "to strictly respect the right to peaceful assembly in order to promote pluralism and sense of democratic and inclusive elections."
Mohammed Ayat, a Moroccan national, was named as a UN independent expert on reinforcement of capacities and technical cooperation with Cote d`Ivoire in the area of human rights in December 2014 and his term was renewed for one year in June this year.
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