UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Sept. 4 warned of a deteriorating rights situation in Mali amid a growing atmosphere of repression. The high commissioner urged the military junta to promptly rescind legal changes that have "slammed the door shut" on a return to democratic rule, and called for the unconditional release of all wrongly detained persons. Türk stated: "The laws enacted in recent months risk undermining respect for human rights in Mali for a protracted period. I urge the transitional authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to revoke the problematic laws."

The International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights grants every person the right to liberty, to freedom of expression, to form and join associations, to vote, and to participate in public affairs directly or through chosen representatives. Türk expressed concerns that these rights have been greatly curtailed by the transitional military government in Mali.

In August 2020, the armed forces of Mali staged a coup d'état against the then-government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. In a second coup in May 2021, Gen. Assimi Goita took over as leader of a "transitional" military junta, and in April 2024 suspended the activities of political parties..

The transitional military government was meant to hold place until a civilian government was voted in. While the next elections were scheduled for 2022, they were postponed to February 2024 to grant the transitional government time to restore order in Mali. However, in September 2023, the transitional government postponed the elections indefinitely.

In May 2025, the military government issued an order formally dissolving political parties. The UN human rights office termed this move a "draconian" violation of basic rights, warning that it could further silence dissent and institutionalize repression. In July, the junta-appointed legislative body approved a law allowing Goita's five-year presidential mandate to be extended indefinitely, without elections.

Among other abuses, there have been reported cases of summary executions and enforced disappearances targeting the Fulani community, alleged to have been conducted by the armed forces or allied militias. UN experts condemned these acts, carried out in the context of a counter-insurgency against jihadist rebels, and warned that they may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Individuals, civic groups, journalists and politicians who condemned the military government have also been targeted for repression, as noted by the African Center for Strategic Studies. The organization commented that "democratic space has shrunk dramatically under the junta."

From JURIST, Sept. 6. Used with permission. Internal links added.