40 exhumed bodies of Ivorian crisis victims ready for collection

The Ivorian Government has said 40 exhumed bodies of victims of the country’s post-election violence were ready for collection and final burial by their families.

Justice Minister Gnenema Coulibaly, who made this known at a symbolic hand-over in honour of the victims in Abidjan, said the 22 bodies had already been identified by their families.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ivorian government, with the support of some interventionist and human rights groups, flagged-off the exhumation exercise on April 4.

Coulibaly said the essence of the exercise was to bring justice to the souls of ``those Ivorians who died during the crisis’’.

``This gathering is to express our sincere honour and respect to our citizens who lost their lives during the political crisis. I sincerely present to the families of the victims, the sincere condolences of the Government and te people of Cote d’Ivoire,’’ he said.

In his remark, Mr. Diaby Siaka, a representative of the Families and Relatives of victims of the post-election crisis, called on the government to assist the families with funds to ensure befitting burials for the victims.

Sunday 26 May 2013

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