Constitutional Provisions
The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Mali assures the protection of fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, to dignity, to bodily integrity, to security, and to freedom from inhumane treatment.
Human dignity is sacred and inviolable. ... Each individual has the right to life, freedom and the security, and the integrity of his person.Art. 1, 1992 Constitution of Mali.
According to Article 3 of the Constitution:
No one will be subjected to torture, or inhuman, cruel, degrading, or humiliating treatment. Every person, every state agent who is found guilty of such acts, either on his own initiative or by another’s command, will be punished by law.
Under Article 5, the state recognizes and guarantees, under conditions established by law, freedom of association and demonstrations.
The Constitution does not set out the powers and obligations of the police or other law enforcement agencies, but determines that the law shall determine the fundamental principles of the general organisation of national security.Art. 70, 1992 Constitution of Mali.
Treaty Adherence
Global Treaties
| 1966 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State Party |
| ICCPR Optional Protocol 1 | State Party |
| 1984 Convention against Torture (CAT) | State Party |
| Competence of CAT Committee to receive individual complaints | No |
| CAT Optional Protocol 1 | State Party |
| 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | State Party |
Regional Treaties
| 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights | State Party |
| 1998 Protocol to the African Charter on the African Court | State Party |
| Article 34(6) declaration regarding individual petitions | Yes |
| Malabo Protocol on the African Court of Justice and Human Rights | Not party |
National Legislation
Police Use of Force
Malian national law does not directly address the use of force by the security forces. Internal security is ensured both by the police, which is controlled by the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection, and by the gendarmerie, which is a paramilitary branch of the Malian Armed Forces.
When law enforcement operations are conducted by the gendarmerie, a 1997 code of conduct regulates their actions.1997 Code of Conduct of Armed Forces and Security Forces of Mali.A number of provisions are included on the use of force, in particular relating to assemblies. Therein it is stated that the Security Forces should not employ force and firearms to disperse unauthorised assemblies, but should seek to use non-violent methods. When assemblies are violent, the use of force should be the minimum necessary and should respect human rights.Art. 12, 1997 Code of Conduct of Armed Forces and Security Forces of Mali.
When military forces are tackling internal disturbances, they must identify themselves and issue a clear warning before using a firearm.Art. 34, 1997 Code of Conduct of Armed Forces and Security Forces of Mali. After using a firearm, medical assistance must be provided to any injured person. The families of the victims must be informed and an investigation opened "if necessary".Art. 35, 1997 Code of Conduct of Armed Forces and Security Forces of Mali.
In addition, Mali's penal code has defined abuses and crimes for which police officers are to be subject to sanction:
When assault and battery and [proscribed] violence ... are carried by the accused during the performance of his duty, the accused will be suspended from his position for period of a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years.Art. 207, 2001 Penal Code.
All acts of torture shall be punished by a term of imprisonment of five years.Art. 209, 2001 Penal Code.
Use of Force in Custodial Settings
According to a 2017 Code of Duties for Custodial Staff, when force, and especially firearms, are employed the use must be strictly necessary for the objective sought.Art. 8, 2017 Code of Duties of Custodial Staff.
Police Oversight
There is no independent external police oversight body in Mali. However, the Police General Inspectorate (Inspection Generale de la Police), which is an internal division of the national police, is charged with oversight of police action.
Caselaw
Global
Views and Concluding Observations of United Nations Treaty Bodies
The last time Mali appeared before the Human Rights Committee, the body that oversees implementation of the 1966 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), was 2003. In its 2024 list of issues for reporting by Mali, the Committee asked for the following:
Please provide information on the legal framework governing the legitimate use of force by members of the law enforcement and security forces, including legal provisions specific to the context of the management of demonstrations and other public gatherings, explaining how its legislation complies with the provisions of the Covenant and international standards and on the relevant training for law enforcement and security forces. Regarding the deaths of 14 demonstrators in Bamako between 10 and 12 July 2020, please provide information on investigations carried out, prosecutions initiated, convictions handed down and penalties imposed on those responsible for such acts, as well as on reparations granted to the victims.
In its 2020 list of issues for reporting, the Committee against Torture sought the following information:
Please provide statistical data from each of the past five years on the number of deaths of persons in detention, including in mental health institutions and police detention centres, disaggregated by place of detention, sex, age group (minor/adult) and ethnic origin or nationality of the deceased and cause of death in each case. Please provide detailed information on the results of investigations into these deaths, the number of deaths attributed to assaults committed or tolerated by public officials in which excessive force was used or timely medical assistance and treatment was lacking, and the steps taken to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future.
International Criminal Court
On 27 September 2016, the International Criminal Court convicted Ahmad Al Mahdi Al Faqi, a member of the Islamic police of Timbuktu in 2012, of destroying nine mausoleums and one mosque in Timbuktu Region. On 17 August 2017, the Court found him liable for €2.7 million in reparation.
Regional
There is no caselaw from the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights on the use of force by the Malian police.
National
On 18 August 2017, Aliou Mahamane Touré, the former self-proclaimed superintendent of the Islamic police of Gao from 2012 to 2013, was sentenced by the assizes court of Bamako for a series of criminal offences. Mr. Touré was also wanted for war crimes but that charge was dismissed by the court.
In his Report of February 2018, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali welcomed the commitment by the Malian Ministry of Defence, following allegations recorded by human rights organisations, to open an investigation into the serious abuses reportedly committed by the security forces during operations in central Mali.