A group of independent United Nations specialists warned on Thursday that the Mali Council of Ministers’ move to repeal basic political participation protections, alongside a decree halting political party operations, constitutes a clear breach of fundamental human rights.
“The decree freezing political activities needs to be canceled at once. Furthermore, if the proposed legislation from April 30 is enacted, Mali will be in violation of its international human rights commitments, particularly regarding the freedoms of expression and association,” the human rights experts stated in a joint release.
While the Mali government maintains that these legal changes do not threaten the existence of political groups but rather aim to prevent the “proliferation of parties,” the experts remain skeptical of the methods being employed.
Criticism of exclusionary political rules
The experts pointed out that managing the number of political parties is better handled through fair electoral regulations, such as linking registration to previous election performance. “Instead, the newly approved bill makes party registration and candidate eligibility dependent on significant financial deposits, effectively restricting political involvement to those with high economic status,” they cautioned.
The administration claims these measures were born from the 2021 National Reform Conferences and the April 2025 consultations regarding the Political Parties Charter. However, the UN specialists argued that genuine dialogue is impossible when civic space is being dismantled and where journalists and political opponents live in fear of being penalized for their speech.
Boycotts and leadership concerns
During the April 2025 talks, many political organizations chose to stay away, fearing that the Mali transitional authorities would use the forum to dissolve their groups or prohibit their functions. These fears appear justified as the Council of Ministers also noted recommendations to appoint the current head of state, General Assimi Goita, as president for a renewable five-year term starting in 2025 without holding elections.
According to the experts, such proposals and the government’s positive reception of them represent a betrayal of both national and international obligations.
Urgent appeal to the National Transition Council
The draft law is now headed to the National Transition Council, led by General Malick Diaw, for final approval.
“We strongly encourage the National Transition Council to reject this bill,” the specialists declared. “We are prepared to assist the government in modifying the amendment to ensure it aligns with international human rights standards.”
In response to the legislation, political groups organized protests in early May. Reports indicate that these gatherings were met with violence from individuals claiming to support the transition authorities. With more demonstrations planned for May 9, the experts emphasized the importance of safety.
“The right to gather peacefully is a cornerstone of a healthy political society,” they concluded. “The transitional leadership in Mali must protect this right and stop all acts of repression or intimidation that threaten the safety of protesters.”
The expert panel includes Eduardo Gonzalez (Independent Expert on Mali), Irene Khan (Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression), and Gina Romero (Special Rapporteur on freedom of assembly and association).
