TUC demands release of trade union leader in Côte d'Ivoire.

Madame Maman Toure Kone

Chargée d'Affaires

Embassy of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

2 Upper Belgrave Street

SW1X 8BJ

Dear Madam

Arrest and detention of Mr Basile Mahan Gahé

On behalf of the TUC General Council, I write to express our deep concern over the arrest and continued detention of Mr Basile Mahan Gahé, General Secretary of the Ivorian trade union confederation (DIGNITE), affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

Our information is that Mr Mahan Gahé was taken from his home on Tuesday 26 April 2011 at around 5.30pm, that no specific charges have so far been preferred against him and that he remains in detention. We are also aware that the Director-General of the ILO and the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ITUC) have expressed their concern for his safety and well-being and called for his immediate release.

The detention of trade unionists without charge is a violation of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Moreover, your country, which ratified Convention 98(1961) and Convention 87 (1960), is obliged to observe the workers' rights enshrined in them. Furthermore, these incidents constitute a clear breach of the assurances on peace and reconciliation given by the newly-elected President and will, no doubt, tarnish the image of your country and aggravate the current difficulties, making national dialogue and reconciliation even more difficult.

We urge you to pass on our deep concern over Mr Gahé's safety and well-being to your Government, and use your influence with the Ivorian authorities to ensure that he is released without further delay and allowed to exercise his rights in his capacity as general secretary of his union without interference from the State.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber

General Secretary