The UN international expert on the human rights situation in Mali has expressed serious concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the north and center of the country.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The UN international expert on the human rights situation in Mali has expressed serious concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the north and center of the country.
According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the already tense situation with human rights in Mali has deteriorated over the past three months. The official has said earlier in October that the Malian military were suspected of at least one mass killing and hundreds were murdered, tortured, raped and kidnapped across different parts of the country over the given period.
"In the north, as in the center of the country, there is a real climate of fear and insecurity with a major impact on the lives of people, haunted by daily violence. This situation is due to the absence of certain state authorities in Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal, Mopti and Menaka, including the absence of the judiciary, administrative, defense and security systems," Alioune Tine said, as cited by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to the expert, the situation was aggravated by magistrates being on strike for more than 70 days and the state failing to fulfill its role in bringing criminals to justice.
The expert has urged the international community to reinforce its commitment to assist the Malian state in fulfilling its judiciary obligations and protecting people's safety and property.
Mali suffers from chronic instability and simmering ethnic conflicts. There are about 20 ethnic groups, some members of which are reportedly affiliated with global terrorist organizations. The United Nations estimates that about 600 civilians have died in inter-communal violence since January.
