PSC/PR/BR(CDXXVI) Page 1 PRESS STATEMENT The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 426th meeting held on 7 April 2014, was briefed by the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the AU on the human rights situation in Mali, during the period of the occupation of the three northern regions of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal of the country by armed separatists in January 2012. Council welcomed with appreciation the Report of the African Union Commission on the human rights situation in Mali elaborated on the basis of information gathered by the AU Human Rights Observers deployed in Mali, in implementation of the Communiqué PSC/AHG/COMM/2.(CCCLIII) of the Peace and Security Council adopted at its 353rd meeting held on 28 January 2013. Council noted with deep concern the cases of human rights violations and abuses in Mali during the period of the occupation, which were characterized by acts of murder, amputations, violence against women and children, rape, floggings and damage of private and public properties, as well as the destruction of cultural heritage sites. Council commended the Malian authorities for their commitment to fight against impunity and for the consolidation of peace and national reconciliation. Council urged the Malian authorities and other relevant stakeholders to take necessary steps to implement the recommendations contained in the Report. Council requested the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as other relevant AU Organs to engage with the Department of Political Affairs of the AU Commission in support of the implementation of recommendations contained in the Report. Council further requested the Commission to regularly update the Council on the status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report. Council agreed to remain seized of the matter.