Human Rights Council

Twenty-eighth session

Agenda item 10

Technical assistance and capacity-building

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council

28/31Technical assistance and capacity-building for Mali in the field of human rights

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006,

Recalling also its resolutions 5/1 on institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council and 5/2 on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders of the Human Rights Council, both of 18 June 2007,

Recalling further its resolutions 20/17 of 6 July 2012 on the situation of human rights in Mali, 22/18 of 21 March 2013, in which it established a mandate for an independent expert on the situation of human rights in Mali, and 25/36 of 28 March 2014, in which it extended the mandate of the Independent Expert,

Reaffirming that all States have a responsibility to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international covenants on human rights and other relevant international human rights instruments to which they are parties,

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

Deeply concerned about the establishment of terrorist groups in the Sahel region, about continued armed attacks, about human rights abuses and violations in Mali, and about the security situation, which continue to hinder humanitarian access in the northern part of the country,

Welcoming the signing of the ceasefire agreement of 23 May 2014 and the declaration of cessation of hostilities of 19 February 2015,

Acknowledging the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement signed in Algiers on 1 March 2015 upon the culmination of an inclusive process of international mediation between the Malian parties led by Algeria,

Noting the commitments made by the Government of Mali during various sessions of the Council to place priority on dialogue and national reconciliation in resolving the crisis,

Noting also the commitments made by the Government of Mali to restore the rule of law and to combat impunity effectively,

Noting further the initiation in January 2013 of an investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into crimes committed in the territory of Mali since January 2012, and recalling that it is important for all Malian stakeholders to lend the Court their support and cooperation,

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali,

1.Strongly condemns the armed attacks and all acts of violence that have been perpetrated in Mali, particularly in the northern regions of the country, as well as the abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have been committed against civilians, including women and children, and the recruitment of the latter;

2.Reiterates its call for an immediate halt to such abuses and to all human rights violations and acts of violence and for the strict observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;

3.Calls upon the Government of Mali to continue its efforts to protect human rights and to promote national reconciliation, in particular by strengthening the judiciary, developing transitional justice mechanisms and effectively redeploying government services throughout the country;

4.Notes the efforts made by the Government of Mali to bring all perpetrators of human rights violations before impartial and independent courts and of its continued cooperation with the International Criminal Court;

5.Acknowledges the establishment in Mali of a ministry in charge of national reconciliation and the efforts undertaken by the Government of Mali to place priority on achieving a lasting peaceful settlement of the crisis;

6.Reiterates its call for an increase in the participation of women in the national reconciliation process, in conformity with the relevant Security Council resolutions;

7.Encourages the Government of Mali to expedite the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation and to allow it to take up its work as soon as possible in order to ensure that the rights of victims to justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition of human rights violations are fully recognized;

8.Welcomes the signing of the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement of 1 March 2015 and calls on all Malian parties to sign it;

9.Encourages the Malian authorities and all regional and international actors to continue their joint efforts to resolve the crisis in Mali, and urges all such actors to persist in their efforts to consolidate the gains made in the security situation in Mali;

10.Commends, in this context, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali on its work;

11.Requests all parties to ensure their strict observance of international human rights law and international humanitarian law;

12.Welcomes the organization of free and democratic presidential and legislative elections in Mali and the full restoration of constitutional order in the country;

13.Reiterates its appreciation for the humanitarian assistance already provided to members of the population affected by the crisis, and urges the international community to continue to deliver, in consultation with the Government of Mali and the bordering countries concerned, appropriate and secure humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons, particularly in the north of Mali, with a view to facilitating the population’s access to basic social services and to establishing the conditions for the country’s gradual recovery;

14.Notes with satisfaction the close cooperation of the Government of Mali with the Independent Expert in the fulfilment of the mandate entrusted to him;

15.Acknowledges the commitments made by the Government of Mali to act upon the recommendations made by the Independent Expert following his visits to the country;

16.Decides to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali for a period of one year to permit the evaluation of the human rights situation in Mali and to assist the Government of Mali in its efforts to promote and protect human rights and to strengthen the rule of law;

17.Calls upon all parties in Mali to cooperate fully with the Independent Expert and to assist him to carry out his mandate;

18.Requests the Independent Expert, within the bounds of his mandate, to work closely with all entities of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, neighbouring States and all other international organizations concerned and with Malian civil society and to report thereon to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-first session;

19.Invites the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide the Independent Expert with all the assistance he needs in order to discharge his mandate fully;

20.Requests the High Commissioner to provide technical assistance to the Government of Mali, in particular to the Commission for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation, and to work with the Government to identify other areas of assistance with a view to supporting Mali in its efforts to promote and protect human rights and to strengthen its institutional capacity;

21.Urges the international community to continue to provide assistance to Mali to ensure its stability with a view to promoting respect for all human rights and the determined struggle against impunity, which paves the way for national reconciliation, peace and social cohesion;

22.Decides to remain seized of this matter.

58th meeting 27March 2015

[Adopted without a vote.]