Repeal ‘draconian decree’ dissolving political parties

The UN rights chief yesterday called on Mali to immediately repeal a decree dissolving political parties and to "fully restore political rights in the country".

The military government on Tuesday dissolved the west African country's political parties, according to a presidency decree, the latest attempt to clamp down on the opposition.

Opposition parties had feared the move for weeks, banding together into a hundred-party coalition to demonstrate in a rare act of open defiance since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021 brought the army to power.

"The Transitional President should repeal this draconian decree," UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement.

"Any restrictions of political participation must be consistent with Mali's international human rights law obligations."

The UN rights office pointed to the arrests of at least three members of the opposition following protests sparked by the planned dissolution of political parties.

"Their whereabouts are currently unknown, the latest victims in a pattern of enforced disappearances that dates back to at least 2021," the statement said.

Turk called on "the transitional authorities to release those who have been arrested on politically motivated grounds and to fully restore political rights in the country".

"They must protect civic space and ensure an environment in which all people can enjoy all their rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly."