Volker Türk expressed grave concerns on September 4, highlighting that recent legal changes and policy shifts in Mali pose severe threats to human rights. He warned that “laws enacted in recent months risk undermining human rights protections in the country for years to come.” The High Commissioner urgently called on transitional authorities to take immediate and concrete action to repeal these problematic laws.
Unlimited mandate and arrested opposition figures
In July, General Assimi Goïta, leader of the military junta in power since 2021, signed into law a provision granting himself an effectively unlimited presidential mandate. This move has been widely criticized as a de facto consolidation of power, effectively closing the door on democratic elections in the foreseeable future. “These legal changes violate the fundamental right of Malians to participate in public affairs, vote, and run for office in periodic and genuine elections. They must be repealed without delay,” stressed Türk.
Two months prior, in May, the dissolution of political parties was formalized. The issue is now under review by the Constitutional Court of Mali.
Ending the misuse of law against dissent
The situation has further deteriorated with the arrest of prominent civil society figures and former political leaders, including anti-corruption activist Clément Dembélé and former Prime Minister Choguel Maïga. “The sharp rise in arbitrary arrests across all sectors of society, often based on vague accusations of undermining state credibility, is deeply alarming. Simply expressing dissent should never be grounds for detention,” Türk warned. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and demanded an end to the instrumentalization of the law to suppress dissent.