The recent decision by the Council of Ministers to approve legislation stripping away essential political participation rights, alongside a decree halting the operations of political parties in Mali, has sparked alarm among United Nations specialists. On Thursday, a panel of independent experts warned that these measures represent a clear infringement on basic human rights.
In a collective statement, the human rights monitors insisted that the decree freezing political life must be revoked without delay. They further noted that if the proposed law from April 30 is finalized, Mali will be in breach of its international human rights commitments, particularly regarding the freedoms of expression and association.
While the Malian authorities argue that these legislative changes are intended to manage the “proliferation” of political groups rather than eliminate them, the experts remain unconvinced by this justification.
Criticism of financial barriers and boycotted dialogues
The UN specialists pointed out that political diversity is better managed through fair electoral frameworks, such as linking registration to previous voting performance. Conversely, the new proposal introduces heavy financial requirements for party registration and candidate eligibility. This shift, they warned, could effectively restrict political involvement to only the wealthiest segments of society.
The government has claimed these changes reflect the will of the people expressed during the 2021 Assises Nationales de la Refondation and the April 2025 consultations. However, the experts challenged the legitimacy of these discussions. They argued that genuine consultation is impossible in a climate where the civic space is shrinking and where journalists and political rivals live in fear of retaliation for speaking out.
Notably, several major political organizations chose to stay away from the April 2025 meetings. These groups expressed legitimate concerns that the transitional administration would use the dialogue as a pretext to dissolve opposition parties or ban their work entirely.
The Council of Ministers also noted suggestions to appoint the current Head of State, General Assimi Goita, as President for a renewable five-year term starting in 2025 without holding elections. The experts described such proposals as deeply concerning, stating they would violate the national and international pledges made by the authorities in Mali.
A call to the National Transition Council
The draft law is now heading to the National Transition Council, led by General Malick Diaw, for final approval. The independent experts have issued a direct plea to the council members to reject the bill.
“We strongly encourage the National Transition Council to decline this legislation,” the statement read. The experts also offered their assistance to help the government restructure the amendment to ensure it aligns with global human rights standards.
Following the move to pass the bill, political groups organized demonstrations in early May. Reports suggest that these gatherings were met with violence from individuals claiming to support the transition. With more public protests scheduled for May 9, the experts emphasized the importance of safety.
“The freedom to gather peacefully is a cornerstone of any healthy political environment,” they stated. They called on the transitional leaders to respect this right and end the use of intimidation or force against peaceful protesters.
The statement was issued by Eduardo Gonzalez, Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Mali; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression; and Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
