Inter-communal violence and repeated attacks over the past six months by groups such as the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), have claimed many civilian lives.

The increase in human rights violations and abuses in Mali since last August is deeply worrying, Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Tuesday.

Repeated attacks over the past six months by groups such as the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), as well as inter-communal violence, have resulted in many civilian casualties.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urges the Malian authorities to break the cycle of impunity and to conduct swift, thorough, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and violations of these rights, including those committed by the military. Michelle Bachelet also called on the government to take concrete measures for the effective and rapid implementation of the recommendations of the International Commission of Inquiry.

According to UN reports, in the first six months of 2021, the Human Rights and Protection Division of the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) recorded 617 human rights abuses committed by armed groups , including 165 homicides. This represents an increase of some 37% from the 449 human rights abuses, including 121 homicides, documented from August to December 2020.

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