March 15, 2022
Cited article by Human Rights Watch
HRRC joins Human Rights Watch in calling for an investigation into the civilian executions by the Malian government. While conflict is ongoing in Mali, international and human rights laws must be observed and civilians protected by all sides involved.
Article Summary
According to Human Rights Watch, 107 civilians have been allegedly executed in Mali since December 2021. 71 of these executions are linked to government forces, and 36 to armed Islamic groups. This adds to the hundreds that have been killed in the decade of conflict by Islamic groups, separatist rebels, ethnic militias, and government security forces. Those killed include children, traders, religious leaders, village chiefs, medical personnel, and foreign diplomats.
The executions are clear violations of laws during wartime, and also demonstrate a disregard for human life. Human Rights Watch has filed requests with the Malian government to investigate the reports of government forces being directly involved in these civilian executions. The government replied that these "incidents" are false. All parties to the conflict in Mali are subject to international humanitarian law, and Mali is party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court which has launched an investigation into alleged war crimes occurring since 2012.