Perception survey of relations between the police and the civilian population

In February, following selection on the basis of a public tender, the research team of the Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action (ATHA) of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative started conducting fieldwork across Mali. The team is formed of ten Malian and two international researchers.

The goal of the study is to "carry out contextual and exploratory research into the ongoing reform of the security sector and of the justice mechanisms in place as well as any subsequent failings affecting the protection of civilians; to assess initiatives linked to the current security reform process; and to analyse perceptions and relations between security stakeholders and civilian populations"

The Study should enable us to:

1. Understand the perceptions and expectations of Malian communities, including young Malians, in several localities, especially:

their opinions of the current security environment
the roles, remits, responsibilities and actions of governmental actors
the credibility, effectiveness and transparency of existing mechanisms of justice

2. Understand the perception of interior security forces in relation to:

the current security environment
their perceptions and responses to the domestic challenges and hurdles they face
the particular challenges of their commitment to external stakeholders, including communities, justice system stakeholders, government personnel and local and national leaders

This study reflects the need for comprehensive analysis of local security priorities and their impact on civilian populations. The results, based on quantitative and qualitative data, should be used to ensure that the viewpoints and priorities of Malian communities remain at the heart of the project. The comprehensive report will be presented in May 2020.

Etude de perceptions des populations civiles (stock shot)