Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Mali
Statement by Daniel Murphy
On behalf of the Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council – 52nd Session
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Independent Expert, the United States welcomes your briefing and shares your concern about stability and security in Mali.
First and foremost, we call on the Malian transition government to protect all human rights defenders in Mali, without exception.
We urge the transition government to cooperate with all MINUSMA human rights activities, specifically with requests for access to sites of alleged human rights violations and abuses.
We remain gravely concerned about the alleged involvement of the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group in human rights abuses. It is critical that the Independent Expert, OHCHR, and MINUSMA be able to provide an honest and transparent accounting of Wagner’s destabilizing role in Mali.
Finally, we continue to offer our full support and encouragement to those within Mali’s transition government who endeavor to restore democracy, civilian rule, and constitutional order. We will join the international community in closely following the constitutional referendum and continued preparation for local, legislative, and presidential elections.
Our question is, what are the next steps for the proposed independent investigation into possible atrocities in Mali linked to the Wagner Group?
I thank you.
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