Mali’s military and armed groups committing abuses against civilians: HRW

What happened: Human Rights Watch said Mali's military, its Russian paramilitary allies and opposition armed groups have committed grave laws-of-war violations against civilians, and urged the African Union's Peace and Security Council to act. Key numbers: Report based on interviews with 30 people from late July to mid-September. Why it matters: HRW says the violations occur while international organisations and governments largely stand by, and it received no response to a letter sent to Mali's defence minister on August 5.

Human Rights Watch said Mali's military, its Russian paramilitary allies and opposition armed groups have committed grave laws-of-war violations against civilians, and urged the African Union's Peace and Security Council to act.

HRW says the violations occur while international organisations and governments largely stand by, and it received no response to a letter sent to Mali's defence minister on August 5.