An Ivorian television host who aroused indignation for having invited an ex-rapist to explain how he abused his victims, was sentenced, Wednesday, September 1, in Abidjan, to 12 months in prison suspended for "apology of rape "and" indecent assault ".
Two days after the show, the host, Yves de M'Bella, and a man convicted of rape, Kader Traoré, were first heard by the police before being brought for immediate appearance before the criminal court of 'Abidjan.
In addition to the 12-month suspended sentence, Yves de M'Bella was also fined two million FCFA (3,000 euros) and was banned from leaving Abidjan.
Kader Traoré, who had already been convicted of rape and assault and battery in the past, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and a 500,000 FCFA (750 euros) fine for the same reasons.
His lawyer decided to appeal.
Asked by AFP after the verdict, Bénédicte Joan, president of the Stop au chat noir association which helps rape victims, admitted that "there was a commendable effort by the justice system which acted quickly" , but she regretted the reprieve for Yves de M'Bella "who will not go to prison", as well as the small amount of the fine.
She would also have liked to order the payment of "damages" to associations for the defense of women's rights and aid to victims of sexual violence.
"Disgusting, inadmissible"
Monday evening at prime time and in public, Yves de M'Bella had invited in his program on the New Ivorian channel (NCI, private television) - supposed to denounce the rape - Kader Traoré to whom he asked to explain how he went about it to abuse his victims with the help of a dummy.
He had even helped him to lay the mannequin on the floor, prompting him to show the gestures he was making, all accompanied by inappropriate laughter and comments, then asking him for his "advice" so that a woman did not sit back. do not violate.
This program immediately aroused the indignation of personalities, anonymous and rape victims who demanded sanctions against the host and his channel.
Two days later, the indignation remained intact and a petition launched Monday evening by Désirée Dénéo, secretary general of the Ivorian League for Women's Rights, to denounce the facts and demand sanctions, had collected more than 46,500 signatures on Wednesday.
As of Tuesday, the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (Haca) suspended Yves de M'Bella for 30 days from all antennas and televisions in Côte d'Ivoire.
"People see things on TV and reproduce them"
The organizing committee of the Miss Côte d'Ivoire contest, which takes place on Saturday, has also decided that it will not host the evening as initially planned.
A dozen women gathered on Wednesday morning in front of the NCI headquarters in Abidjan to say "No to the trivialization of rape on television".
"It's a very popular channel in a country where the illiteracy rate is high. People see things on TV and reproduce them," said Fatim Sylla, blogger and member of the development aid association. of women and children Allo Bénévoles.
"So let's use television to educate."
With AFP
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