HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SAYS MALIAN COUP FORCES COMMITTED TORTURE

Dakar – An international human rights group says forces loyal to Mali’s coup leader are responsible for disappearances of at least 20 people.

Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Wednesday that the missing soldiers now feared dead were allegedly linked to a foiled counter-coup attempt in April. They were last seen being taken away in the middle of the night with their eyes covered and hands bound.

Captain Amadou Sanogo and a group of soldiers toppled Mali’s democratically elected president in March. The junta leaders then handed power over to an interim government, but are still wielding power.

Human Rights Watch called on Mali’s government to investigate the cases of torture and disappearances. The group says detainees were beaten, stabbed, burned and in some cases subjected to sexual abuse.