“Abidjan Court of Appeal judgment”). The Applicant avers that, at all stages of the proceedings, he acknowledged the facts of which he was accused. 4. The Applicant contends that “for reasons beyond his control”, he did not lodge a cassation appeal against the judgment of the Abidjan Court of Appeal since, not having been afforded the assistance of a counsel, he was unaware of its existence. He further contends that, in any event, lodging an appeal “would be unsuccessful in the current legal and judicial system of the State in question”. B. Alleged Violations 5. The Applicant alleges violation of the right to a fair trial, in particular: i. The right to bring proceedings before the competent national courts against any act violating the fundamental rights recognized and guaranteed to him by the conventions, laws, regulations and customs in force, protected by Article 7(1)(a) of the Charter; ii. The right to a defence, protected by Article 7(1)(c) of the Charter, including the right to legal assistance and respect for the adversarial principle; iii. The right to a reasoned judgment, protected by Article 7(1) of the Charter; iv. Respect for the principle of proportionality of punishment, provided for in Article 15(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (hereinafter “ICCPR”). III. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE BEFORE THE COURT 6. The Application was filed on 22 July 2019 and served on the Respondent State on 29 August 2019. On 2 September 2019 the Respondent State submitted the names of its representatives. 3