UN experts warn against suspending political party activities in Mali

In a joint statement, independent UN human rights experts strongly criticized a recent decree in Mali that suspends political party activities indefinitely, calling it a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights. The move follows the adoption of a draft law that threatens to erode protections for political participation in the country.

Key concerns over suspended political freedoms

According to the experts, the decree and proposed legislation undermine Mali’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly regarding freedoms of association and expression. « This suspension must be revoked immediately,» they declared, emphasizing that the draft law—scheduled for debate in the transitional council—could further restrict political rights in the name of reducing party proliferation.

Proposed law raises alarms over political participation

The government has argued that abolishing existing laws does not eliminate political parties but aims to curb their excessive numbers. However, experts counter that legitimate electoral reforms, such as requiring past electoral success for registration, would be far more effective. Instead, the proposed law imposes costly financial deposits for party registration and candidacies, effectively excluding less economically privileged groups from political participation.

The experts also dismissed the government’s claim that the reforms stem from national dialogues, including the 2021 Assises Nationales de la Refondation and April 2025 consultations on a revised Political Parties Charter. They noted that genuine consultations are impossible in the current climate of civic space restrictions, where dissenters and independent journalists face severe risks for exercising free speech.

Boycotts and calls for accountability

Several political parties boycotted the April 2025 consultations, fearing the process was a pretext to dissolve parties or ban their activities. The transitional government’s consideration of additional recommendations—such as extending the current president’s term by five years without elections—further alarms human rights advocates, who argue these measures breach Mali’s national and international commitments.

The experts urged the Transitional National Council, led by General Malick Diaw, to reject the draft law outright. « We stand ready to assist the government in revising the proposal to align with international human rights standards,» they stated.

Crackdown on peaceful assembly sparks outrage

In response to the draft law’s adoption, political parties organized public demonstrations on May 3 and 4. However, reports indicate that pro-government individuals violently disrupted the gatherings. Parties have announced plans for further protests on May 9, prompting the UN experts to stress that peaceful assembly is vital for a vibrant democracy and must be protected without intimidation or repression.

The experts, including Eduardo Gonzalez (UN Independent Expert on Mali), Irene Khan (Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression), and Gina Romero (Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly), reiterated their call for Mali’s transitional authorities to prioritize human rights over restrictive policies.