E/CN.4/2001/21 page 8 human rights militants. This petition, entitled “A call to action to the United Nations”, asks the United Nations to act against racial discrimination in the administration of justice in the United States and to request that country to assume the obligations it assumed by its ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. B. Examination of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire 12. International public opinion has for several months been aware of political developments in Côte d’Ivoire. The struggle for power has, among other things, given rise to suggestions and allegations of xenophobia. The Special Rapporteur considered it desirable, while the present report was being drafted, to meet with the representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations in Geneva; a working meeting was held in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 19 December. 13. The Special Rapporteur drew the Ivorian Ambassador’s attention to the communication he had addressed to the Ivorian Government on 2 February 1996 concerning a tract whose xenophobic contents had caught his attention; he gave the Ambassador a copy of the tract to which the Ivorian Government had not so far reacted (E/CN.4/1997/71, paras. 82-84). The Ambassador informed the Special Rapporteur of the action his Government had taken spontaneously with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Secretary-General to clarify the situation prevailing in Côte d’Ivoire. He stated and emphasized energetically that Côte d’Ivoire had always been and remained a country known for its welcoming and hospitable nature. People from all parts and particularly from Africa south of the Sahara accounted for 42 per cent of its population. The allegations of xenophobia made and put about against Côte d’Ivoire had their origin in the strange blend of religion, regional origin and politics concocted by a pretender to the highest office in the land. This political personality, according to one of the Special Rapporteur’s sources, stated that “my candidature for the office of president was rejected because I am a Muslim and from the north”. The international press allegedly, for no apparent reason, and on the basis of criteria for the acquisition of Ivorian nationality, generally known as “Ivoirity”, spread the idea that foreigners were being turned away or that people from certain regions were being excluded and, consequently, that xenophobia existed in Côte d’Ivoire. A campaign is allegedly being orchestrated against Côte d’Ivoire with the result that Ivorians, who are by nature and tradition integrationist, are increasingly demanding reciprocity from the other countries where Ivorians live. According to this diplomat, there is danger that, if Ivorians are constantly accused of being xenophobic, they will become so, whereas President Laurent Gbabgo, in his investiture speech, promised that Côte d’Ivoire would remain a country of welcome and hospitality. 14. The Special Rapporteur took good note of the Ambassador’s statements and assurances. Realizing that foreigners from neighbouring countries felt themselves increasingly threatened and that there was a mood of xenophobia following the presidential and legislative elections, the Special Rapporteur suggested to the Ambassador that the Government, with the active cooperation of civil society and in particular the heads or representatives of various associations of persons of foreign origin, should embark upon a campaign to reassure both sides, to counter xenophobic inclinations and to dissipate any misunderstandings that might give rise to xenophobia. The Special Rapporteur will follow developments in this field in Côte d’Ivoire and pursue the dialogue with the Ivorian authorities.