An estimated 20,000 to 40,000 children work in Mali’s artisanal (small-scale) gold mines, where they dig pits, work underground, carry, and crush ore. They also touch and inhale mercury, a highly toxic substance that is used to extract gold from the ore. Mercury attacks the central nervous system and is particularly harmful to children. Most child laborers in mines never go to school; some are as young as six years old.

During six field missions between January and July 2011, Human Rights Watch documented details of war crimes and likely crimes against humanity committed by forces under both former President Laurent Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara. At least 3,000 people were killed and 150 women raped during the conflict period, which took place from November 2010, when Gbagbo lost an election and refused to yield power, through June 2011, after Ouattara took power in April 2011. Based on research and interviews with independent sources, including over 500 victims, witnesses, government officials and medical professionals, Human Rights Watch documented violence and targeted acts perpetrated along political, ethnic, and religious lines.