GENEVA – A UN expert today welcomed the opportunity created by steps announced by the country’s transitional authorities to restore constitutional order, but expressed grave concerns about persisting security and human rights challenges. Eduardo González, the Independent Expert on the human right situation in Mali, welcomed the decision of the President of the Transition, Gen. Assimi Goïta, during the Council of Ministers of 27 November 2024, asking the Government to “create the necessary conditions for the organisation of transparent and peaceful elections, which should put an end to the Transition”. “The forthcoming elections must be free, fair and peaceful and meet international standards,” González said after a visit to the country. “I encourage Malian authorities to accelerate their efforts to restore constitutional order, including by publishing an election timetable as soon as possible. The international community should support Mali in these efforts with full respect for Malian sovereignty,” he said. González said creating a safe and enabling environment for the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association was essential for fostering inclusive and credible elections with results reflecting the will of the people. “I am therefore deeply concerned about the shrinking civic space,” the expert said. In a meeting with governmental authorities, González welcomed the release of 11 political actors on 5 December 2024. He encouraged Malian authorities to release all other persons who remained in detention for similar reasons as soon as possible. The expert welcomed recent trials on descent-based slavery in Kayes town in October 2024 and encouraged authorities to ensure that the practice of slavery is properly criminalised through a specific law which also provides holistic protection and reparations to victims. “Transitional justice is a key process to fight impunity and protect victims,” González said, “publishing the final report of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission and promptly operationalizing its successor institutions would be an important step on the road to reconciliation”. He offered continued dialogue with these institutions to strengthen their capacity. González visited Bamako male and female prisons, where he was shown some initiatives to modernize the administration and prepare prisoners for their reintegration in society. The expert highlighted persisting challenges facing Mali, particularly the worsening security situation and impunity for human rights violations and abuses committed by all actors. On the eve of González’s visit, on 15 December 2024, at least seven people were killed in what was described as a terrorist attack in Ségué village, in the Bandiagara region in Central Mali. A few days later, on 20 December 2024, at least 26 people were killed in what was also described as terrorist attacks on seven villages located in the same region. The Independent Expert condemned these crimes. “Mali must investigate these recurrent attacks and prosecute the perpetrators to ensure justice for victims. It is crucial that Mali also ensures that all counterterrorism and military operations by the Malian Defense and Security Forces as well as their foreign partners (commonly referred to as “Wagner” by many sources) comply with human rights law, and international humanitarian law. González will present his report to the Human Rights Council in March 2025. Eduardo Gonzalez is the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, country page – Mali For inquiries and media requests, please contact: Jean Claude MISENGA, Spécialiste des droits de l"homme, jeanclaude.misenga@un.org For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter: @UN_SPExperts.