The Malian Coalition for the International Criminal Court (M-CICC), in accordance with its mandate to fight against impunity, welcomes the bold action of the Malian authorities, and congratulates them for having surrendered Mr. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud to the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in 2012 and 2013 in Timbuktu, Mali.
Al Hassan is purported to have taken part in the destruction of mausoleums of Muslim saints in Timbuktu. Additionally, he allegedly participated in instating a policy of forced marriage, victimizing female citizens of Timbuktu, which resulted in repeated rapes and the diminution of women and young girls to sex slaves.
These sexual crimes, and crimes of a sexist nature, widely recognized as crimes against humanity, should not go unpunished—in the name of peace, and for peace.
The M-CICC strongly appeals to Malian civil society to mobilize in a concerted effort towards the fight against impunity.
The M-CICC urges the Government of Mali to continue to persevere in the fight against impunity, as outlined in the Agreement for Peace and National Reconciliation of Alger.
The M-CICC invites the international community to support the Government of Mali to succeed in its process towards Peace and National Reconciliation, fighting against impunity for crimes committed on our territory.
Mama Koite Doumbia, President, Mali Coalition for the ICC
Bamako, 4 April 2018
Source: Coalition for the ICC http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/news/20180404/mali-civil-society-welcomes-transfer-timbuktu-crimes-suspect-al-hassan-icc