The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called on Malian authorities to conduct an independent investigation into a five-day military operation in Moura.
Development Dairies reports that a fact-finding report from the UN human rights office concluded that over 500 people were killed by the Malian army during the operation in the area.
The UN report is based on interviews with victims and witnesses, as well as forensic and information sources.
The operation, described by the authorities as an anti-terrorist military operation against an al-Qaeda-affiliated group known as Katiba Macina, began on 27 March, 2022.
According to witnesses, a military helicopter flew over the village, opening fire on people, while four other helicopters landed and troops disembarked after which people were gathered and confined to the village centre, randomly shooting at those trying to escape.
However, Katiba Macina militants in the crowd fired back at the troops, leading to the killing of at least 20 civilians and a dozen alleged members of Katiba Macina.
‘These are extremely disturbing findings’, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said.
‘Summary executions, rape and torture during armed conflict amount to war crimes and could, depending on the circumstances, amount to crimes against humanity’.
At least 58 women and girls were raped or subjected to other forms of sexual violence during the military operation in Moura, according to UN findings.
‘It is vital that Malian authorities take all necessary steps to ensure that Malian forces engaged in any military and law enforcement operations, including foreign military personnel under their command or control, fully respect the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law’, Türk added.
Türk stressed that the investigations into this violation of human rights and international humanitarian law must be conducted in an independent, impartial, and transparent manner, with a view to holding those responsible to account.
Photo Source: VOA
