RES/20/17 Human rights situation in Mali

GE.12-15397 (E) 240712 270712

Human Rights Council Twentieth session Agenda item 4 Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council*

20/17 Human rights situation in Mali

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007,

Reaffirming that all States are under an obligation to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international human rights covenants and other relevant international human rights instruments to which they are party,

Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Mali,

Deeply concerned at the situation brought about by the occupation of the northern part of Mali by armed groups,

Noting with concern the human rights situation in northern Mali, the grave humanitarian situation and its consequences for the countries of the Sahel,

1. Welcomes the communiqués on the situation in Mali dated 6 April 2012 from the African Union, dated 23 March 2012, 3 April 2012 and 12 June 2012 from the African Union Peace and Security Council, and dated 6 June 2012 from the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States, not least as regards their condemnation of the coup d’état of 22 March 2012 and the unilateral declaration of independence;

2. Condemns the human rights violations and acts of violence committed in northern Mali, in particular by the rebels, terrorist groups and other organized transnational crime networks, including the violence perpetrated against women and children, the

* The resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council will be contained in the report of the Council on its twentieth session (A/HRC/20/2), chap. I.

United Nations A/HRC/RES/20/17

General Assembly Distr.: General 17 July 2012 English Original: French

2 GE.12-15397

killings, hostage-takings, pillaging, theft and destruction of religious and cultural sites, as well as the recruitment of child soldiers, and calls for the perpetrators of these acts to be brought to justice;

3. Calls for an immediate halt to these human rights violations and acts of violence, and for strict respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms;

4. Supports current efforts by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to settle the crisis in Mali and bring about a definitive return to constitutional order, peace and security in Mali;

5. Emphasizes the need to facilitate access for the population to humanitarian aid, expresses appreciation for the humanitarian aid already supplied to needy population groups and urges the international community, in conjunction with the Malian transitional authorities and the neighbouring countries concerned, to continue to deliver appropriate humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons and respond to the challenges that the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel poses;

6. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor the human rights situation in the north of Mali and to report thereon to the Council at its twenty-first session;

7. Decides to remain seized of this matter.

33rd meeting 6 July 2012

[Adopted without a vote.]