United Nations A/LMP/HR.

4/70/RJS/3*

General Assembly Distr.: Lincoln

26 November 2022
English
Original: English

Human Rights Council

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review
Thirtieth Session
POLS 470 November 2022

National report submitted in accordance

with paragraph 3 of the rubric to Professor
Hillebrecht’s course 11/22**

Mali

* Reissued for feedback reasons on 21 November 2022.

** The present document has been reproduced as received. Its content does not imply the expression of
any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations.

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Contents

I. Introduction 3
II. Methodology and consultation process 3
III. Changes in Mali’s Normative and Institutional Framework (2017-2022) 4
A. Harmonization of national legislation with international instruments 4
A. Civil and Political Rights 5
Abolition of the death penalty 5
Trafficking in human beings 6
B. Economic, social, and cultural rights 6
Right to an adequate standard of living 6
Right to education 6
Right to health 7
C. Women’s rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment 7
Raising the age of consent for marriage 7
Ending female genital mutilation 7
Reducing gender inequality 8
Ending gender-based violence 8
Reducing the gender wage gap 8
Inclusion of women in political processes 8
Combatting human trafficking 9
D. Rights of the child 9
Ending the recruitment of child soldiers 9
Raising the minimum labor age 9
VI. Difficulties and Constraints 9
VII. Conclusion 10

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I. Introduction
1. This report for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review describes Mali’s
continued human rights efforts eight years after the ratification of the Agreement on
Peace and Reconciliation. Mali continues to establish human rights outcomes through
domestic legislation and ratification of international treaties which foster reconciliation
and efforts to rebuild civil society.
2. The progress and challenges are further contextualized by the international
challenges to infrastructure presented by COVID-19 and ongoing conflict within the
state.
3. The 2022 report will describe the change in human rights outcomes in Mali over
the past five years. It will detail the progress made on human rights endeavors previously
referenced in the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review and present Mali’s success
in implementing recommendations made by international actors from 2018-2022.

II. Methodology and consultation process

4. This report is based on Mali’s consideration of the implementation, challenges,
and progress of human rights outcomes in Mali. It examines the 2013 and 2018 UPR
reports, the human rights recommendations for Mali from 2018-2022 issued by other
nation states, and existing data from NGOs, IGOs, and governmental organizations on
Mali’s progress towards improving human rights outcomes.
5. This report consults the two most recent UPR reports in order to investigate the
past ten years of change in Mali’s human rights foci. The 2022 report replicates the most
relevant structures from each respective report. For example, notable formatting changes
between the 2013 and 2018 reports include an emphasized presence of the “Rights of
Specific Groups” category which was split into the “Women’s rights, gender equality,
and women’s empowerment” and “Rights of the Child” categories in 2018. This division
into two categories remains necessary and relevant in 2022, as it is consistent with an
increased focus on the rights of women and children internally and within international
recommendations: between 2018-2022, the largest number of international
recommendations fell within the Rights of the Child category, followed by the Women’s
Rights category. Given the prevalence of these categories, we chose to make them the
primary thematic foci for our research on Mali’s human rights progress.
6. The report’s research relies specifically on the reporting of NGOs focused on
Children’s rights, for example, Humanium, as well as the writings of international

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institutions such as the African Court on Human and People’s Rights and the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In addition, the report derives
data from the US Bureau of International Labor Affairs, which sources its research from
the reporting of both Malian and external sources, including the Malian government and
American embassy diplomats stationed in Bamako.

III. Changes in Mali’s Normative and Institutional Framework (2017-

2022)

A. Harmonization of national legislation with international instruments

7. Ten years after the Mali War, the government in Mali continues to
introduce bills and legislation to better meet the standards of international human
rights conventions. A multitude of legislation was introduced or passed during
this reference period. This legislation furthers Mali’s commitments as outlined in
the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation to create social norms that do not
enable antagonism between North and South Mali. Much of this legislation deals
with the generalities of reestablishing civic society and rule of law post-war
(recommendations 11.59, 114.50 114.46, 114.44, 114.3).
● New legislation passed in June of 2022 detailing the return to

constitutional rule and fair elections in the upcoming years.

● Law No. 2019-056 on the Repression of Cybercrime passed on 5

December 2019.
● Deliberation No. 2020-118/APDP regarding the protection of

personal data on 12 August 2020.

● Deliberation No. 2020-034/APDP referring to personal data

security and confidentiality of 12 February 2020.

● Proposed legislation fighting to end gender-based violence in

2018.
● Proposed legislation throughout 2002-2017 regarding the

prohibition of female genital mutilation and gender-based violence.

B. Public policies and national strategies

8. During the reference period, the government of Mali developed many different
socioeconomic development projects and various programs to improve human rights in
the country. These efforts are concentrated on strengthening state-level responses to
human rights outcomes (recommendations 114.13, 114.21, 114.6).
● Mali country strategic plan adopted: 1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2024

(Mali Country 2019).

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● National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons and

Assimilated Practices adopted: 2018-2022 (“The Government”, 2019). This plan
has resulted in an increase in focus on human trafficking by the government of
Mali (USDS).
● National Action Plan adopted: 2019-2023 (1325 National).

Under these guidelines, the Government of Mali conducted an analysis of their

representation of women in the involvement of peace agreements to work towards
gender equality in the state (Peace Women).
● Humanitarian Response Plan adopted: Jan-Dec 2022 (2022

Humanitarian 2022)
● Country Programme of Cooperation with the Government of

Mali and UNICEF planned: 2020-2024 (Country 2020)

IV. Administration of justice and international criminal law

9. The Mali Justice Program has worked with both formal and informal justice
sectors from 2016-2020 to increase the efficiency of justice institutions, improve the
Government’s ability to implement justice-related policies, reduce corruption, and
increase access to justice (USAID, 2016) (recommendations 114.40, 114.37, 114.27,
114.33,1 114.20).
10. The Government launched a new National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in
Persons and Assimilated Practices in which they aim to reach international standards
regarding the prosecution of human traffickers at the criminal justice level (“The
Government”, 2019) (recommendations 114.102, 114.57, 114.58, 114.22).
11. The Government has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime on a new project in March 2022 which strengthens the capacity of Malian law
officers to prosecute and investigate terrorism and terrorism-related cases
(“2022_UNODC Supports Mali…”, 2022) (recommendations 114.51, 114.49).
12. The Government has received support from the African Transitional Justice
Legacy Fund to aid in the transitional justice processes in the country (Communications,
ATJLF, 2022) (recommendations 114.60, 114.59, 114.50, 114.46, 114.44).
13. The Government has been in partnership with The United Nations
Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali which has been working to
ensure the security of civilians, support political dialogue, and rebuild State and
transitional authority (MINUSMA Peacekeeping, 2013) (recommendations 114.39,
114.6, 114.21).

V. Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (2017-2022)

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A. Civil and Political Rights

Abolition of the death penalty

14. There is a moratorium on executions. The death penalty was not executed during
this reference period (“Mali”, 2022) (recommendations 115.1, 115.3, 115.4, 115.2).

Trafficking in human beings

15. The Government has taken measures to combat the unlawful trafficking of
persons in the country in accordance with the United Nations. The most recent
development was the launching of the new National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking
in Persons and Assimilated Practices which is a five-year plan to fight against trafficking.
The Government has collaborated with the National Coordination Committee against
Trafficking in Persons and Assimilated Practices, the United Nations Office against
Drugs and Crime, and the International Organization for Migration (“The Government”,
2019) (recommendations 114.102, 114.58, 114.57).

B. Economic, social, and cultural rights

Right to an adequate standard of living

16. The Government has taken measures to improve the standard of living of citizens
through the initiation of the Mali country strategic plan (2020-2024) in which the
promotion of equity and empowerment of vulnerable groups is emphasized. This plan
will focus on goals relating to poverty, health, education, gender equality, and ecological
limits and degradation while cooperating with the United Nations Sustainable
Development Cooperation Framework for Mali and the World Food Programme. The
Government also cooperated with the Emergency Safety Nets Project aiming to reduce
poverty and increase food security (Mali Country 2019; “The World” 2022)
(recommendations 114.64, 114.65).

Right to education
17. The Government has continued to improve upon the education sector through the
Ten-year development plan for the education and vocational training sector 2019-2028.
The plan looks to improve upon the education system to increase citizen contributions to
the socio-economic development of the country. The Government also plans to improve
education access through its Humanitarian Response Plan (“Plan Décennal…”, 2019).
18. The Government has partnered with the Mali Improving Education Quality and
Results for All Project, a large contributor to reaching the goals of the Government’s

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Ten-year development plan, which focuses on increasing learning outcomes in primary

education and increasing girls’ access to education (World Bank Group, 2021)
(recommendations 114.76, 114.77, 114.78, 114.79)

Right to health
19. The Government has continued to provide safe drinking water and has increased
the establishment of hydraulic infrastructure through the Société Malienne de Gestion de
l’Eau Potable (SOMAGEP) and Société Malienne de Patrimoine de l’Eau Potable
(SOMAPEP). The Government also launched the Urban Drinking Water Supply Project
to improve water supply systems (“The World” 2022) (recommendation 114.70).
20. The Government has received support from The United States Agency for
International Development to launch the Momentum Integrated Health Resilience
Program which works to improve health systems and the quality of healthcare in
Northern Mali (USAID Launches…, 2021).
21. The Government has launched its Humanitarian Response Plan in which a portion
of the plan focuses on improving health systems. The plan refers to improving obstetric
care, preparedness for epidemics and disasters, enhancing coordination of systems,
improving food and water access, etc. (2022 Humanitarian 2022) (recommendation
114.72, 114.104).

C. Women’s rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment

Raising the age of consent for marriage

22. The Government has worked to ratify multiple charters aimed at ending child
marriages within the African community. The Government has also ratified the Protocol
to The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child which both state that the
minimum age of marriage is eighteen years of age (“African Charter”, 1990; “Protocol”,
2003) (recommendations 114.98,115.51,115.50,114.103, 115.54, 115.39).
23. The Government has been involved as a member of the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) in which ECOWAS has implemented a child policy
plan projecting until 2030. Within this plan, they focus on the reduction and prevention of
early child marriage (“ECOWAS”) (recommendations 114.98,115.51,115.50,114.103,
115.54, 115.39).
24. The Government of Mali launched a campaign titled “Education for girls, a means
to eliminate early child marriage” in 2015 which aimed at ending child marriage in
Konobougou (“The Republic”, 2015) (recommendations 114.98,115.51,115.50,114.103,
115.54, 115.39).

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Ending female genital mutilation

25. While evaluating the traditional practice of female genital mutilation, the
Government has proposed multiple bills to prohibit the practice in the country (“Mali:
Failure”, 2020) (recommendations 15.26, 115.39, 115.34, 115.40, 115.41, 115.42).
26. The Government has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the Protocol to The African Charter on Human and
People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa which both work to improve the lives
of women to ensure the fulfillment of fundamental freedom and human rights
(“Convention”; “Protocol”, 2003) (recommendations 115.26, 115.39, 115.34, 115.40,
115.41, 115.42, 115.43, 115.44).
27. The Government has worked alongside organizations such as Plan International,
The Girl Generation Programme, and other NGOs in providing education to girls across
the country. Mali has also implemented the National Programme to eradicate the practice
of excision which is under the jurisdiction of The Ministry for the Advancement of
Women, Children, and Families (“Global”) (recommendations 115.26, 115.39, 115.34,
115.40, 115.41, 115.42, 115.43, 115.44).

Reducing gender inequality

28. The Government has worked to reduce gender inequality by ratifying the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(“Convention”) (recommendations 115.25, 115.30, 114.90, 115.24).

Ending gender-based violence

29. The Government has partnered with Spotlight Initiative to help end all forms of
violence against women and girls. Mali has also ratified the Protocol to The African
Charter on Human and People’s Rights on The Rights of Women in Africa which
showcases the Governments commitment to fulfilling the obligations implemented by the
African Union (“Mali Pursue,” 2019; “Protocol,” 2003) (recommendations 115.29,
115.25, 115.30, 114.99, 115.32, 115.42).

Reducing the gender wage gap

30. As with education, the Government has a vested interest in increasing the
productivity of its workforce by educating women and including them as workers
(recommendations 115.25, 115.30, 114.90, 114.93).

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Inclusion of women in political processes

31. Government efforts to include women in political processes include the passing of
Act No. 2015-052 which requires that female candidates take up at least 30 percent of the
slots on party election lists and states that high-level government appointees must be at
least 30 percent female. There is also no legislation that limits women’s participation in
the political process (“2021 Country Reports”, 2021) (recommendations 114.113, 114.94,
114.112, 114.114).
32. The Government passed The Political Parties Act which encourages women to
participate in public life and politics by providing an opportunity to receive public
funding through 0.025% of tax receipts in proportion to the number of women elected in
the party (“Concluding”, 2006) (recommendations 114.113, 114.94, 114.112, 114.114).

Combatting human trafficking

33. The Government has adopted a five-year plan to combat human trafficking
through collaboration with the National Coordination Committee against Trafficking in
Persons and Assimilated Practices. The plan contributes to the enforcement of the rule of
law in Mali, a means through which the Malian government can derive legitimacy and
safety within its state (“The Government”, 2019) (recommendations 114.102, 114.58).

D. Rights of the child

Ending the recruitment of child soldiers

34. In the face of continued violence in Mali, the Malian government seeks to hold
itself accountable to the standards it has been asked on the international stage to uphold.
Amongst these is ensuring that children are not recruited internally to military camps or
used as child soldiers (recommendations 114.124, 114.126, 114.127).

Raising the minimum labor age

35. Mali is utilizing a vast array of internationally funded projects to diminish child
labor across several industries including the cotton, textile, and gold mining sectors
(recommendation 114.118).

VI. Difficulties and Constraints

36. The Government of Mali faces difficulties and constraints:
● Sociocultural factors and traditions impact the fight against female genital
mutilation and discrimination against women.

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● Armed conflicts and terrorist organizations impede the promotion of

human rights in the country and the protection of women and children.
● Lack of resources and preparation during the COVID-19 pandemic has
hindered humanitarian efforts and progress, especially in rural areas.

VII. Conclusion
37. Throughout 2018-2022, extremist armed terrorist groups have targeted civilians,
international task forces, United Nations staff, and national armed forces, especially in the
northern sector of the country. Prevalent groups such as the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
(JNIM) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have required Malian forces to rely on the
aid of the French military and The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization
Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to stabilize at-risk regions of the country (“Country Reports”,
2021).
38. Due to the threat imposed by terrorist groups in the nation, Mali calls upon the international
community to support the Malian Government in working to promote human rights and
humanitarian law. This means providing continued support through MINUSMA or the
implementation of troops such as the French military. Support also entails the continuation of
funding for various programs within the nation that work to support and uphold the human rights
of the citizens of Mali (“Country Reports”, 2021).

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