Definitive Report - REPORT_NO153, March 1976

1. 65. The Committee already considered this case in February 1975 when it submitted to the Governing Body its final conclusions which are contained in paragraphs 20 to 24 of its 150th Report. This Report was adopted by the Governing Body at its 196th Session (May 1975).

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 66. The initial complaint alleged that three drivers from the Permanent Mission of the Ivory Coast in Geneva had secretly joined the Association of Diplomatic Mission Drivers, despite a verbal prohibition from the Ambassador, who threatened them with dismissal if they joined. In his reply, the Ambassador said that the employees concerned had been subjected to pressures of all kinds by the Association, but had not joined it in any way. He had never threatened his drivers nor had he contemplated dismissing them. His letter was accompanied by statements by the three drivers, denying that they had ever joined the complainant Association or having been threatened by the Ambassador, protesting against the actions of the Association, and stating that they were already members of the Ivory Coast Drivers' Union. In its 150th Report, the Committee took note of the denials from the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Ivory Coast in Geneva, and from the three drivers concerned. It took the view that the complainants had not proved any breach of freedom of association, and accordingly recommended the Governing Body to decide that the case did not call for further examination.
2. 67. In a new communication dated 23 June 1975, the complainants asked the Committee to reconsider the matter and announced their intention of providing proof of the allegations which they had made.