UN Human Rights in Mali

Profile

The Human Rights and Protection Division (HRPD) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), whose Director also represents the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mali, has been present in the country since 2013. In addition to Bamako, the MINUSMA Human Rights and Protection Division has offices in five other regions (Gao, Kidal, Ménaka, Mopti, and Timbuktu), and a Bamako-based office for the southern regions (Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso and Bamako District).

The specialized protection functions relating to the protection of women and children are consolidated within the Human Rights and Protection Division of MINUSMA with a total of 11 staff members.

MINUSMA HRPD along with other Mission components of MINUSMA also provides logistical, technical and operational support to the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (whose mandate is to fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime and human trafficking in the Sahel, but in Mali, this support is integrated within MINUSMA) as part of the implementation of its mandate [United Nations Security Council Resolution 2391 (2017) and 2480 (2019).

Achievements

• The Human Rights and Protection Division, through OHCHR’s trust fund, put in place a program to support Malian non-governmental organisations in providing legal assistance and access to judicial authorities in Bamako for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, including protection and transportation fees.
• The HRPD has provided support to the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission since its establishment in 2014 and most recently this support facilitated the collection of testimonies by the Commission’s regional offices since January 2017. The Division also provided substantive support to the International Commission of Inquiry (ICoI) whose secretariat was deployed in 2018. It further supports the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Mali in conducting field missions to the country, as well as other international human rights mechanisms. This support contributed to the Division’s engagement with the Malian authorities in its activities related to the fight against impunity for human rights violations and abuses.
• MINUSMA’ HRPD continue to deliver trainings on human rights for members of the MDSF, civil society, and Mali’s National Human Rights Commission, as well as sensitisation campaigns on conflict-related sexual violence for women and girls including internally displaced persons, and children in armed conflict. MINUSMA also provided technical support to Mali’s Constitutional Court in integrating human rights aspects in its work.
• Despite the deteriorating security situation, the HRDP staff, through the investigation, monitoring, reporting and capacity building, continued to carry out their work under very difficult conditions. Several early warnings and flash reports contributed to raise awareness and involve stakeholders in order to, prevent attacks, support and protect civilians in the context of increasing violence across communal lines in central Mali and counter-terrorism operations in the centre and the north of the country.

Partners

Partners: UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel), international and regional organisations, Government of Mali, Parliament of Mali, Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Law enforcement and judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, Mediator of the Republic of Mali, Civil Society Organisations.

UN Human Rights Focus Areas

Last reviewed: June 2020