The alleged massacre took place on January 26 in the village of Wellingara in central Mali's Nara region. Around 30 civilians were also reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen in the Bandiagara area over the weekend.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed the need for justice in accordance with international standards, calling for an impartial investigation into the allegations.
“Agents and Allies”
Mr Turk also called on Malian authorities to ensure that the country's armed forces, as well as “its agents and allies”, comply with human rights law and international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians.
In connection with the alleged massacre of more than 500 people in the village of Moura in March 2022, a fact-finding report released by the United Nations Human Rights Office OHCHR in May last year stated that “armed white men” were Malian soldiers. Witnesses are recorded saying they were fighting together. .
The report follows allegations made a year ago by the UN's independent human rights experts that the Russia-based Wagner mercenary group was involved and called for “fear” over military contractors' activities in Mali. and the situation of impunity.”
OHCHR has so far examined two other cases involving the alleged killings of at least 31 civilians by Malian forces and “allied foreign military personnel” in September and October last year.
In the September killings, 14 herders were reportedly executed in Ndupa, Segou region, and on October 5, 17 civilians were reportedly executed in the village of Elsane, Gao region.
OHCHR noted that no official investigations into these incidents were reported.
Dead, injured and destruction continue in Ukraine-Russia war
A new attack occurred Thursday in eastern Ukraine, causing injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure, a U.N. spokesperson told reporters in New York on Thursday.
Wednesday's attack damaged a hospital in Kharkiv, leaving several people injured and many evacuated, Ukraine's National Rescue Service said.
Medical facilities were also damaged in Tretsk, Donetsk region, according to a regional administration report.
“On the front lines, our humanitarian colleagues note that ongoing fighting in Ukraine's Donetsk and Kherson Oblasts continues to cause civilian casualties. Housing, educational facilities, public transportation, water, electricity, [heating] Facilities were also damaged,'' local authorities said.
A humanitarian center run by a local non-governmental organization (NGO) in Kherson was also damaged on Thursday.
“Despite the difficulties in operating in frontline areas, aid organizations continue to provide assistance,” a UN spokesperson said.
“In recent days, together with our humanitarian partners, we have been providing emergency repair materials and supplies. [psychological] Legal assistance in Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. ”
Peacekeepers provide new humanitarian corridor to Democratic Republic of the Congo
Peacekeepers “continue to do everything in their power to protect civilians” in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army continue.
This is according to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who told correspondents at a regular midday briefing that the UN stabilization mission MONUSCO had established a temporary presence in Mweso following clashes in the North Kivu region. It reminded me of.
“Peacekeepers also created a humanitarian corridor, allowing more than 1,000 displaced men, women and children to move to safer areas,” he said.
Dujarric said the UN mission continues to provide protection and medical assistance to displaced communities near the base in Kitchanga, about 15 kilometers from Mweso.
He said the mission helped evacuate eight Congolese soldiers wounded in combat with M23 to Goma. The United Nations added that it would closely monitor the situation.
MONUSCO plans to fully withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of 2024 at the request of the government, but while the “blue helmets” may withdraw, the United Nations has reiterated that it will continue its support to the Congolese people in the long term. ing. .
Haiti: UN human rights report shows sharp rise in violence
Violence increased again across Haiti in the last quarter of 2023, with 2,327 victims of murder, maiming, and kidnapping reported, an 8% increase compared to the previous three months.
This is according to the latest quarterly update from the United Nations Integrated Office in the crisis-hit Caribbean island nation of Binou.
People fleeing their homes due to insecurity find shelter in a theater in downtown Port-au-Prince.
The total number of recorded casualties that year was over 8,400. Much of the increase is due to violence by organized crime gangs, with sharp increases in sexual violence recorded in several regions, particularly in the Artibonites and the southern suburbs of the capital.
Maria Isabel Salvador, UN Special Representative and Director of BINUH, stressed that the violence is fueling chronic insecurity and undermining social stability.
The report also reveals the severe impact on children, with at least 53 children being victims of violence and other crimes. It also highlights the threat to humanitarian aid on the roads as gangs police the highways.
The judicial system has also been affected, but there are signs of improvement, including a decline in pre-trial detention.
During the quarter, 400 cases were disposed of and over 258 people were released. However, the number of police casualties has increased, highlighting the continued deterioration of security, BINUH said.
The report calls on the international community to keep Haiti high on the agenda and support the implementation of the planned multinational security assistance mission to Haiti.