We are deeply troubled by the worsening human rights situation across Mali, following coordinated large-scale attacks by armed groups on several cities and towns on 25 and 26 April, which resulted in heavy casualties reported among civilians, and forced many more to flee their homes.
Subsequent clashes between the Malian security forces, on the one hand, and Touareg-led "Azawad Liberation Front" and Al-Qa'idah-linked "Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin" (JNIM) militants, on the other, were reported in Hombori and Gourma Rharous over the weekend - with yet more disastrous consequences for civilians.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk calls for an immediate end to the fighting and urges all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by ensuring protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
There have been gravely concerning reports of extrajudicial killings and abductions, allegedly carried out by members of the security forces following the 25 and 26 April attacks. On 2 May, lawyer and politician Mountaga Tall was abducted from his house by two hooded men and taken to an unidentified location. His wife was physically assaulted as she tried to record the abduction on her mobile phone and her phone confiscated. Three relatives of the exiled politician Oumar Mariko were also reportedly abducted a day earlier. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
The Malian authorities have announced an investigation into the 25-26 April attacks, saying they are committed to bring those responsible to justice. We call for these investigations into the attacks to be comprehensive and address all allegations of related violations and abuses -- undertaken in full compliance with international human rights law and norms. Arrest and detention of suspects must be in line with rule of due process, and without discrimination.
There have also been worrying reports of hunger. On 3 May, the mayor of Diafarabe village, in the Mopti region, called on the authorities to act within 48 hours or people would start dying of hunger, as the village had run out of food. Diafarabe and the capital Bamako are currently under a JNIM blockade. Such blockades have unacceptable consequences for civilians and must end immediately.
The High Commissioner urges the Malian authorities and all non-state armed groups to allow and facilitate safe, sustainable and unfettered humanitarian access to all those in need.
