From Words to Deeds: A Research Study of Armed Non-State Actors’ Practice and Interpretation of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Norms The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (Mouvement National de Libération de l’Azawad, MNLA), Mali MARCH 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................... 1 List of acronyms and abbreviations ......................................................................................................................2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 2. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 3. MNLA Profile ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 Box 1: International Law Applicable to the MNLA .................................................................................. 12 4. MNLA IHL Policy and Practice ....................................................................................................................... 13 Box 2: Key MNLA Policy Documents Related to IHL and Human Rights ......................................... 16 Box 3: Ansar Dine and MUJAO: Different Patterns of Violence and Restraint ................................ 18 5. MNLA Policy and Practice With Regard to Selected IHL Norms .......................................................... 18 A. Protection of Civilians From Attacks ...................................................................................................... 18 1. Distinction ................................................................................................................................................... 18 2. Proportionality and Precaution ............................................................................................................ 21 B. The Prohibition of Sexual Violence and Gender Discrimination ................................................... 22 C. The Prohibition of Using and Recruiting Children in Hostilities .................................................. 25 D. Protection of Education ............................................................................................................................... 28 E. Humanitarian Access ................................................................................................................................... 29 F. Protection of Health Care ............................................................................................................................ 31 G. The Prohibition of Forced Displacement ............................................................................................... 32 H. Use of Landmines and Other Explosive Devices ................................................................................. 34 Box 4: The Landmine Policy of Previous Tuareg Rebellions ................................................................. 35 I. Detention and Administration of Justice ................................................................................................ 35 1. Treatment of Persons in Detention ...................................................................................................... 35 2. Fair Trials and Administration of Justice ........................................................................................... 39 J. The Special Protection of Certain Objects, Such as Cultural Property ........................................... 40 6. Conclusions........................................................................................................................................................... 43 7. Annexes .................................................................................................................................................................. 46 Map of Mali .......................................................................................................................................................... 46 Selected references ............................................................................................................................................. 47 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was researched and authored by Pascal Bongard with the support of Dr Annyssa Bellal. The author would like to thank Mohamed Assaleh, Yvan Guichaoua, Ezequiel Heffes, Aurélien Llorca, Audrey Palama, Patrick Zahnd and several others who prefer not to be named, for their insightful comments on an earlier version of the study. Special thanks go to Moussa Touré who facilitated field visits and provided invaluable inputs to the research. The author is also grateful to Munizha Ahmad-Cooke for her editing work. He also wishes to acknowledge members of the Advisory Board of the project, and all those who participated in the research, including MNLA officials for their contribution. This study was made possible with the generous support of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The views expressed in this study are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect those of the project’s supporters or of anyone who provided input to, or commented on, earlier drafts. 1 I Case Study: The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (Mouvement National de Libération de l’Azawad, MNLA), Mali LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AP II 1977 Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflict, 8 June 1977 AQIM Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb AMDH Association Malienne des Droits de l’Homme ANSA Armed non-state actor ATNMC Alliance Touareg du Nord Mali pour le Changement CMA Coordination des Mouvements de l'Azawad FIDH Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’homme GATIA Groupe Autodéfense Touareg Imghad et Alliés HCUA Haut Conseil pour l'Unité de l'Azawad HRW Human Rights Watch ICC International Criminal Court ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IED Improvised explosive device IHL International humanitarian law IHRL International human rights law International Commission of Inquiry International Commission of Inquiry for Mali JNIM Jamāʿat nuṣrat al-islām wal-muslimīn MAA Mouvement Arabe de l'Azawad MINUSMA United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali 2 I Case Study: The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (Mouvement National de Libération de l’Azawad, MNLA), Mali MNA Mouvement National de l'Azawad MNJ Mouvement des Nigériens pour la Justice MNLA Mouvement National de Libération de l'Azawad MUJAO Mouvement pour l’Unicité et le Jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest NGO Non-governmental organization NIAC Non-international armed conflict OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ouagadougou preliminary agreement Preliminary agreement on the presidential elections and inclusive peace talks in Mali signed in Ouagadougou on 18 June 2013 Peace and reconciliation agreement Agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali negotiated in Algiers and signed on 15 May and 20 June 2015 in Bamako Plateforme Plateforme des Mouvements du 14 Juin 2014 d’Alger UNGA United Nations General Assembly UNSC United Nations Security Council UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund WFP World Food Programme 3 I Case Study: The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (Mouvement National de Libération de l’Azawad, MNLA), Mali EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This case study has been conducted as part of Key findings include: the research project on armed non-state actors’ (ANSAs’) practice and interpretation of • The MNLA has spelled out its standards of international humanitarian law (IHL), led by the behaviour and intention to respect IHL and Geneva Academy of IHL and Human Rights and human rights since the outbreak of the Geneva Call, in collaboration with the American conflict. Its founding organizational University in Cairo and the Norwegian Refugee documents and military doctrine reflect key Council (NRC). rules of the law of armed conflict. A number From a legal perspective, while ANSAs are of references to IHL issues (such as bound by IHL, how they actually perceive, humanitarian access, the provision of health understand and act upon their obligations has care and education) are also included in the remained insufficiently explored. Through a ceasefire and peace agreements signed with comparative analysis of selected norms, the the Government of Mali in 2013 and 2015 research project aims to advance understanding respectively. In addition, as part of a larger of ANSAs’ perspectives and behaviour, enhance alliance known as the Coordination des strategies to promote their compliance with IHL Mouvements de l’Azawad (Coordination of as well as inform future international law- Movements of Azawad,