Statement attributable to the Spokesmanfor the Secretary-General on the Judgement of the International Criminal Courtin the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi

28 Sep 2016

Statement attributable to the Spokesmanfor the Secretary-General on the Judgement of the International Criminal Courtin the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi

 

The Secretary-General welcomes theJudgement delivered today by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the caseof The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, in which Mr Al Mahdi was foundguilty as a co-perpetrator of the war crime of intentionally directing attacksagainst religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu, Mali, in June and July2012.

 

The Secretary-General notes that this ICC Judgment, the first in a case ofdestruction of cultural heritage, represents an important step forward in thefight against impunity in Mali. He further notes that the path to healing woundsbetween communities in the country must be premised in greater accountability,justice and the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.

 

The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation for the efforts undertaken byUNESCO and the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, in support ofnational authorities, to protect and reconstruct Mali's heritage and topreserve cultural diversity in the country.

 

New York, 27 September 2016