The International Criminal Court (ICC) office of the prosecutor announced April 24 that it is monitoring the situation in Mali for potential crimes under the ICC's jurisdiction. The statement notes that Mali has ratified the Rome Statute, giving the ICC jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity that may have occurred since fighting began in January. The prosecutor's office said:

According to several sources, including senior United Nations officials, crimes such as killings, abductions, rapes and conscription of children may have been committed by various groups in the northern part of the country. The Office will further scrutinize the possible commission of ICC crimes on Malian territory by any party and will make a decision in due course as to whether to undertake a preliminary examination of the situation under Article 15 and Article 53.1 of the Rome Statute.

The violence has caused more than 200,000 people to leave the region [press release] since January, according to a spokesperson from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

From Jurist, April 24. Used with permission.

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