“This decree, which halts political activities, must be revoked immediately. Furthermore, if enacted, the proposed legislation from April 30th would place Mali in direct violation of its human rights commitments, particularly regarding the fundamental freedoms of association and expression,” emphasized these human rights experts* in a joint statement.

The Malian government has argued that repealing existing laws does not challenge the existence of political parties, claiming its objective is merely to “curtail the proliferation of political parties” within the nation.

Consultations faced boycotts

However, the experts highlighted that managing the growth of political parties is more effectively achieved through legitimate electoral regulations, including those that tie registration to previous election outcomes. “Instead, the recently adopted draft law proposes to make party registration and candidacies contingent on burdensome financial deposits, thereby restricting the right to political participation to those with substantial economic means,” they cautioned.

“The government asserts these proposals emerged directly from national dialogues: the 2021 National Conferences for Refoundation (Assises Nationales de la Refondation) and the April 2025 consultations on revising the Charter of Political Parties. Yet, genuine consultation is impossible in the current repressive civic environment, where opponents and independent journalists reasonably fear that freedom of expression will be met with penalties,” the experts declared.

Several political parties opted to boycott the April 2025 consultations, justifiably concerned that Mali’s transitional authorities might exploit the process to disband political parties or outlaw their operations.

Mali’s Council of Ministers also acknowledged other recommendations from the April 2025 consultations, including the proposal 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 believe that this draft law, coupled with the Council of Ministers’ favorable reception of such alarming proposals, would betray national and international pledges made by Malian authorities.

Plea to reject the draft legislation

The proposed bill is now slated for presentation to the National Transition Council, chaired by General Malick Diaw, for final approval.

“We strongly urge the National Transition Council to refrain from endorsing this draft law,” the experts stated. “We stand ready to assist the government in revising the amendment bill to ensure its full compliance with international human rights norms and standards.”

Following the bill’s adoption, political parties organized protests and public activities on May 3rd and 4th. However, they reported that individuals claiming to support the transitional authorities violently disrupted their gatherings. Furthermore, political parties have called for additional public rallies on May 9th.

“The right to peaceful assembly is fundamental to a thriving political community,” the experts affirmed. “Malian transitional authorities must rigorously uphold this right and refrain from acts of intimidation and suppression that jeopardize the physical safety and rights of demonstrators.”

*The experts are: Eduardo Gonzalez, Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Mali; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero,  Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

NOTE:

Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts, and Working Groups form part of the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures. These Special Procedures represent the largest body of independent experts within the UN human rights system. They are the general designation for the Council’s independent investigative and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues across the globe. Special Procedures experts serve voluntarily; they are not UN staff members and receive no remuneration for their work. They operate independently of any government or organization and act in their individual capacity.