Johannesburg, 26 June 2013 - Global civil society alliance CIVICUS is deeply concerned at the intimidation and harassment of civil society members in Mali in the run up to the July 2013 elections. Following the March 2012 coup d’état there has been a renewed crackdown on fundamental freedoms, particularly the freedoms of assembly and expression in Mali.
“It is critical that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the international community urgently engage with the Malian authorities to ensure protection of fundamental freedoms and civil society voices in the country,” says David Kode, CIVICUS Policy and Advocacy Officer.
“Civil society members are facing threats from both government forces as well as armed groups as human rights violations abound in the country. Journalists are being harassed by security forces through random visits to media houses and routine summoning for questioning. Many have been warned against writing stories about the military and the political situation in the country,” says Kode.
CIVICUS is greatly concerned about the following recent events in Mali:
- On 17 June 2013, 21 civil society activists, mostly members of the national civil society platform Le Forum des Organisation de la Société civil du Mali (FOSC) were detained by the police for their plans to hold a demonstration to denounce negotiations and a preliminary peace accord between the Malian government and the armed group Mouvement National de Liberation de Azawad (MNLA). Civil society in Mali is concerned at the dangerous precedent being set to offer immunity to armed groups for rights violations by them.
- Prior to their detention, the activists had organised a press conference on 14 June at the Secretariat of FOSC during which they called for a more inclusive dialogue process. They called on citizens to take part in planned protests scheduled for 17 June 2013. The Malian police anticipated the protests, arrived early at the location and arrested the 21 activists even before the protests began. They were accused of disturbing public order, of violating the state of emergency and were detained at the police headquarters. They were later released on 18 June 2013. The accord between the government and the MNLA has now been formally signed.
- The media and journalists are also under severe pressure. On 12 March 2013, Dramane Traore a journalist for Radio Kayira was attacked by an unidentified assailant and stabbed in the head at his home. There is reason to believe that the attack was in connection with his critical reporting of the country’s political dynamics. Before the attack he had been threatened by an unknown man who told him to quit Radio Kayira or be prepared to die.
- On 6 March 2013 newspaper editor Bouakary Daou was detained after he sanctioned the publication of a letter in Le Républicain newspaper purportedly written by military personnel in which the authors denounced the exorbitant salary earned by the leader of the March 2012 coup d’état - Amadou Haya Sanogo. Following Bouakary’s arrest, other journalists and media personnel acting in solidarity went off the air calling for his release. He was eventually released on 2 April 2013 and all charges against him were dropped.
CIVICUS urges the Government of Mali to (i) issue instructions to security forces to immediately desist from harassing civil society activists and journalists, (ii) publicly condemn attacks on and harassment of civil society members and journalists, and (iii) put in place measures to ensure a safe operating environment for civil society and the media.
ENDS
CIVICUS Contacts:
David Kode, Policy and Advocacy Officer
Email: Mobile: +27 73 775 8649
Zubair Sayed, Head of Communication
Email:
Tel: +27 11 833 5959 (extension 140) Mobile: +27 72 456 3036