The United Nations criticized, on Wednesday, the refusal of the Malian authorities to the international investigation into “violations” of human rights that took place in the Mora region in the center of the country three weeks ago.
This came in a press conference held by Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the permanent headquarters of the International Organization in New York.
“Our human rights colleagues have told us that they are deeply concerned that the authorities in the country have not yet allowed UN investigators access to the village of Mora, where the Malian armed forces, accompanied by foreign military personnel, allegedly carried out summary executions and committed multiple other grave abuses during a military operation,” Dujarric said. More than 3 weeks ago.
He added, “Our colleagues told us that the exact number of the dead is still not clear. The Malian army admitted killing 203 people belonging to (armed terrorist groups) and the Malian army arrested 51 other people, in what they described as a large-scale military operation in the region.”
Dujarric added, “However, the Human Rights Office informed us that preliminary information revealed that the majority of the victims were in fact civilians.”
And he added: “It is true that the Malian transitional authorities have opened their own investigation into these incidents, but we demand to ensure that these investigations are conducted in a timely manner and that they are comprehensive, independent and impartial.”
“UN investigators must have rapid, secure and unhindered access to the Mora region,” Dujarric added, noting that “an independent investigation on the ground is critical, and time is essential to ensure accountability and prompt and effective justice for victims.”
It is noteworthy that the United Nations expert on the situation of human rights in Mali, Ilion Taine, issued a statement early this month, in which he spoke of “unconfirmed reports that members of the Malian armed forces, accompanied by Russian military personnel affiliated with private parties, executed dozens of civilians during a military operation in the period from 27 to 31 March in Mora.
Mali suffers from a political and security crisis, and tribal fighting since 2012, followed by the control of armed men over the northern regions of the country.
