“grave and massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed particularly in the north of the country.”

"I have instructed my office to immediately proceed with a preliminary examination of the situation."

“This is the fifth time an African state has either referred crimes committed on its own territory to the ICC or accepted the ICC’s jurisdiction, indicating that governments across the continent are now acknowledging the importance of the ICC in providing justice to victims,”

“The fact that the ICC is examining the situation in Mali sends an important message to those planning and committing these crimes that they cannot act with impunity and may be brought to justice,”

“However, it’s crucial that the Court looks at the full scope of alleged crimes across the country, including those carried out by Malian security forces.”