By Godfrey Olukya 4-10-2012
International human rights organization, Amnesty International has protested against the extra-judicial execution by firing squad of a man in Mali.
A man accused of murdering his neighbor, was shot on Tuesday evening by members of Islamist armed group seeking to impose their strict interpretation of Sharia law.
Amnesty International has said that the incident was a horrific and illegal act and those responsible must be held to account.
The Amnesty International’s researcher on West Africa. Gaëtan Mootoo, said,’ That act was inhumane and illegal. Irrespective of the offenses committed, extra-judicial executions are prohibited under international humanitarian and human rights law and all parties involved in the conflict in Mali must ensure civilians are protected.’
A director of a local NGO in Mali Isaya Abbe said,’ We can not allow this to continue happening. Something must be done by the international community to stop such madness.’
An eye witness told the press that he was part of the crowd that gathered when the man was taken to the ground where he was killed at around 6 PM. He was reportedly made to pay before forcing him to kneel down and shooting him dead.
Amnesty International has said that apart from that killing, there is widespread human rights abuse abuse in several locations across Mali which include sexual violence, amputations, stoning and the recruitment of child soldiers by armed Islamist groups in the north of the country .
Mootoo called on all parties in Mali to ensure civilians are protected in strict compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law.
One third of Mali, mostly in the north was taken over by Islamist and Tuareg armed groups following a coup in Bamako in March 2012. Lawlessness has become the order of the day in that part of the country.
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