PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Interactive dialogue with Independent Expert on Mali [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.
UN Human Rights Council 52: Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Mali as delivered by the UK.
Thank you Mr President
We are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Mali. The Malian authorities’ obstruction of MINUSMA’s Human Rights Division, including expelling its Director, undermines the UN’s critical efforts to monitor, report on, and investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses. We urge the authorities to facilitate the UN’s work, as mandated by this Council and the UN Security Council, by allowing unrestricted access for investigations to take place.
A year on from the horrific massacre in Moura, we hope the UN will issue its report and shed light on what happened. Long-term stability requires accountability and justice.
Mr President,
We welcome the report of the Independent Expert. The statistics on sexual and gender-based violence are shocking and must be addressed without delay. We urge the Malian authorities to quickly adopt new legislation on this issue.
We note the Expert’s reference to credible reports of Russian military and security personnel – namely the Wagner Group – committing human rights abuses in Mali. There must be accountability.
Mr Tine,
We noted the press statement issued by UN experts in January of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by government forces and Wagner Group. What is your assessment?
