HIM-HER-IT

Published on : 09/04/2022 – 22:08

The proposed statement to the Security Council emphasized the ” deep concern “of its members” in the face of allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Mali » and demanded « thorough and independent investigations to establish the facts, find those responsible and bring them to justice ».

But Russia and China have vetoed it. According to diplomatic sources contacted by AFP, Moscow and Beijing judged ” premature » a text of which they « did not see the need “, since an investigation was opened by the authorities of Bamako.

Summary executions

According to a report by the NGO Human Rights Watch, 300 civilians from Moura victims of summary executions by Malian soldiers, associated with foreign fighters. The Bamako authorities, for their part, claim to have ” neutralized » 203 jihadists.

A Malian version questioned on Friday by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Russian diplomacy congratulated Bamako for a ” important victory ” once morest the ” terrorism “, qualifying as” disinformation » Allegations of the massacre of civilians by Malian forces and the involvement of Russian mercenaries in the operation.

Published on : 08/04/2022 – 00:16

With our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki

Before the Security Council, El-Ghassim Wane reports its findings. According to the UN envoy for Mali, the month of March was particularly deadly for civilians with the multiplication of attacks by terrorist groups, particularly in the southern region of Gao. He thus calls on the organization to strengthen the means of the Minusma.

El-Ghassim Wane also claimed ” essential access to the Moura region ” or the Malian army is accused of a massacre. A call supported by the members of the Council, in particular France.

« This will make it possible to prosecute the perpetrators of these acts, some of which might constitute war crimes, explained French Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière. France has taken note of the opening of an investigation by the Mopti prosecutor. It is essential that Minusma be able to carry out its own investigation without hindrance and in complete independence. »

For his part, the representative of Mali once once more affirmed that the military operation carried out in Moura targeted terrorist groups and that respect for human rights remains a priority for the Malian authorities. He assured that the Mopti prosecutor’s investigation will establish the truth regarding these accusations.

► Read also : Military investigation in Moura in Mali: the doubts of human rights defenders

Published on : 07/04/2022 – 14:39

« Investigations have already been opened by the National Gendarmerie, and a judicial transport will be carried out very soon to Moura. The prosecutor of the military court of the Mopti region specifies that he will go to the village accompanied by a forensic doctor, a team of forensic scientists and investigators, and that their conclusions will be made public. An approach exceptional enough to be pointed out.

The last days, many human rights organizations but also the European Union, the United States and the United Nations have called for the opening of an investigation into the numerous testimonies reporting the massacre of several hundred civilians and disarmed jihadists by Malian soldiers and their Russian auxiliaries . Many survivors testified to community or humanitarian organizations, Malian and international, but also in the international press, of summary executions in large numbers as well as looting and rape.

But this is an independent investigation, led by or integrated with the United Nations Mission in the country, which was requested. A Minusma investigation team was also to go to Moura earlier this week. The Malian authorities never gave the green light. A new request has been made. Many UN, humanitarian or Malian community sources express their pessimism, and recall that in recent weeks, access to certain areas where other allegations of abuse had been reported have not been granted to UN teams.

Tuesday, even before the announcement of the opening of an investigation by the military court of Mopti, the staff of the armies of Mali already judged ” unfounded the accusations made on Moura, believing once once more that they were aimed only at ” tarnish the image of the Fama “, whose staff was keen to ” enhance professionalism ».

In a press release, the independent expert of the United Nations on human rights in Mali, the Senegalese Alioune Tine, once more asked the Malian authorities on Wednesday ” to conduct an in-depth, independent, impartial investigation as soon as possible ” and that’s why, ” to grant unimpeded access to the Human Rights Division » of the Minusma.