International Experts from the United Nations advocate for the revocation of the decree that halts the functioning of political parties in Mali.
Going Against the Grain: Mali's Reduction of Political Freedom
The military regime running Mali has issued a decree, published on May 7, which effectively silences political parties and organizations. This decree contradicts the advice of UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts who emphasize that such moves breach human rights commitments, primarily concerning the freedoms of association and expression.
The draft law passed by the council of ministers on April 30 and the suspension of political parties, announced in a decree on the same day, directly infringe upon fundamental human rights. The team of experts, which includes Eduardo Gonzalez, the independent expert on the human rights situation in Mali, highlighted these violations.
The regime justifies these measures citing "public order concerns," while an anti-junta coalition of political parties plans a demonstration this Friday to protest the potential disbandment of political parties and to advocate for a return to constitutional governance in the country.
äude Vor dem geplanten Demonstration am Freitag fordert die Experten, die Transitionsregierung des Malis scrupulos ehren zu wollen und sich von intimitierenden und repressiven Handlungen, die den körperlichen Schutz und Rechte der Demonstranten gefährden, zu ersparen.
As we head toward the anticipated protests on Friday, the experts also remind us that "the right to peaceful assembly is crucial to the vitality of a thriving political community."
Amid this uncertain period, it's crucial to note that between April to July of 2024, the junta suspended political parties' operations and prohibited media coverage related to politics [1][3]. The junta solidified its control over the political landscape by extending the transition period, installing Gen. Assimi Goïta as president until 2030 [1].
This escalation has been widely denounced as a flagrant violation of human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, association, and political participation as outlined by Mali's 2023 transitional constitution and international human rights treaties such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [3].
Violent and arbitrary actions by security forces have also marred the crackdown. For instance, on May 8, 2025, two political leaders, Abba Alhassane (CODEM leader) and El Bachir Thiam (YELEMA leader), were forcibly disappeared following arrest by armed men believed to be state agents [1]. Arrests and intimidation of protestors opposed to the junta's decree have raised concerns about the risk of enforced disappearances and political repression [1][3]. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have condemned the junta's actions, warning of a dangerous erosion of civic space and democratic rights in Mali [3].
In a nutshell, the military junta’s actions have led to a ban on political activities in Mali, triggering strong opposition from the political community and resulting in severe human rights violations, including forced disappearances, suppression of dissent, and violations of constitutional and international rights obligations [1][2][3].
- The UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts have emphasized that the Malian military regime's actions, such as silencing political parties, breach human rights commitments, particularly concerning the freedoms of association and expression.
- Politicians, as part of an anti-junta coalition, plan a demonstration this Friday to protest the potential disbandment of political parties and advocate for a return to constitutional governance.
- The expert team, led by Eduardo Gonzalez, has highlighted numerous violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, in the recent actions of the Transitions government of Mali.
- Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have condemned the junta's actions, warning of a dangerous erosion of civic space and democratic rights in Mali.
- The junta's actions, including the suspension of political parties, the extension of the transition period, and violent crackdowns, have been widely denounced as a flagrant violation of human rights and international treaties on civil and political rights, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
