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Mali: UN expert calls for independent probe into Moura massacre |



Alioune TineAn independent expert on the human rights situation in Mali, expressed alarm over unconfirmed reports that members of the Malian armed forces, along with Russian servicemen, executed dozens of civilians in a single attack. military campaign from March 27 to 31, in Moura.

According to news reports and a detailed report from the NGO’s authoritative Human Rights Watch, released on Tuesday, around 300 civilian men are believed to have been killed in the attack. period of 5 days, while the Government sanctioned activity against suspected jihadists.

In addition to summary executions and other murders, the expert said in a press releaseThere have also been reports of rape, arbitrary arrests, looting and theft.

Chronic instability

Mali has been plagued by violence, political upheaval and allegations of human rights abuses over the past decade, since a failed Islamic coup in the north, leaving central and northern regions vulnerable to attack by armed groups, and facing a humanitarian crisis, and persistent food insecurity.

A wave of attacks by groups such as Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State of the Great Sahara (ISGS), as well as several Malian military operations, has left civilians trapped in the UN Human Rights Office said the grip of jihadists and military violence since the beginning of the year OHCHR.

In a statement on April 1, the Malian Etat-Major Army confirmed that these armed forces carried out a “large-scale” military operation in the Moura area from March 23 to 31. As a result, 203 fighters belonging to “armed terrorist groups” were killed and 51 arrested.

Witnesses said Malian soldiers arrived by helicopter and exchanged guns with the militants, but then killed the unarmed men who were trying to flee, up to 10 each.

Provide justice

“In light of the serious allegations of mass crime, with dozens of civilians killed in these operations, I call on the Malian authorities to conduct a comprehensive, independent, impartial and effective investigation. consequences for all alleged violations as soon as possible,” Tine said. “Findings must be made public and the alleged perpetrators brought to justice.

“Information received at this stage raises serious questions and concerns about the potential for serious violations of international human rights law and/or international humanitarian law. In addition, some of these offenses may constitute crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal CourtThe expert added.

Failure to bring alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice, Tine said, can undermine people’s trust in the armed forces and be taken advantage of or become a tool of armed groups. presents itself as a reliable substitute for State failure. He added: “The fight against punishment is a priority and a constitutive element of the war on terror.

Necessary Access

“I urge the forward Malian authorities to grant unfettered access to the Human Rights and Protections Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.MINUSMA) so that it can conduct a thorough investigation to shed light on allegations of serious human rights abuses, consistent with the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. ”

The UN expert repeated the call for the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations as soon as possible to determine criminal responsibility for crimes under the Rome Statute. performed in the past and continues to be performed in Mali.



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