Mali: Dissolution Of Political Parties A Step In The Wrong Direction, Warn UN Experts

GENEVA (22 May 2025) – The signature of a decree on 13 May 2025 dissolving all political parties and “organisations of a political nature” and the promulgation of legislation repealing previous laws on political parties sends an extremely negative signal about Mali’s commitment to human rights, a group of independent human rights experts* warned today.

“These laws must be immediately repealed,” the experts said. “The adoption of these laws is a step in the wrong direction for the country. It is not too late for President Goïta to halt this downward spiral and change course.”

On 13 May 2025, the Transitional President, General Assimi Goita, issued a decree dissolving all political parties and “organisations of a political nature” and signed into law a repeal of previous laws governing and protecting political parties.

“This is just the latest step in the erosion and systematic clampdown on an already shrinking civic space and the rule of law in the country, and comes against a backdrop of increasing restrictions, attacks, and stigmatising statements against critics and dissenting voices, including civil society organisations, human rights defenders and media professionals,” the experts said.

“We are shocked that these laws were adopted despite the call we made two weeks ago and the assurances given by the Government of Mali that the repeal of existing laws did not call into question the existence of political parties,” they said.

The experts warned that the 13 May decree signals a move by Malian authorities to outlaw and criminalise the existence and activities of political parties, as well as any organisations they label as “political” and anyone who supports them, shows sympathy to them or is even remotely associated with them. “Its vague and broad phrasing opens the door to arbitrary arrests and detentions, judicial harassment, and prosecution of people merely exercising their rights, including the right to freedom of association” they said.

The experts stressed that despite a stated intent to "stop the proliferation of political parties", the new legislation appears aimed at fostering a climate of fear, intimidating, silencing and punishing critics, dissenting voices or anyone involved in activities deemed to be unwelcome by Malian transitional authorities. “These laws risk having a chilling effect on the Malian society as a whole,” they said.

“The Malian transitional authorities should engage in peaceful and truly inclusive dialogue with all actors involved in legal reform processes instead of resorting to cracking down on critics and dissenting voices,” the experts said.

They urged the international community to redouble its efforts to support respect for, protection and promotion of all human rights for all in Mali.

The experts reiterated their readiness to assist the Government of Mali in its efforts to revise its legislation on political parties and political activities to ensure compliance with international human rights norms and standards.

Note

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

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