Rights committee lauds progress, but voices some concerns

A multilateral human rights committee has praised Mali for progress made in the area of human rights but has asked it to provide information on various issues, including developments since the end of a rebellion by Tuareg nomads in the 1990s in the north of the country. At the end of its 77th session, the UN Human Rights Committee hailed Mali's democratic transition since the early 1990s and noted with satisfaction efforts undertaken to ensure better respect for human rights and the rule of law through extensive programmes of legislative reform, the committee said in a report on the meeting. The committee also welcomed the resolution of the conflict in the north and the establishment of the position of mediator, noting that these efforts had been accomplished despite the meagre resources at Mali's disposal. Other developments it highlighted included a moratorium on capital punishment, a trend towards the abolition of the death penalty, and measures against child trafficking. However, the committee requested more detailed information on the status of the peace process between the government and the former rebels, particularly with regard to the repatriation of refugees, the economic and social development of the north, the situation of human rights in the region and the effects of a policy of decentralisation implemented after the rebellion. Background on the committee The Human Rights Committee is a body established under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which about 150 states are party. Its 18 members are elected for four-year terms from among candidates nominated by states party to the covenant. The committee studies reports submitted to it by states on measures they have adopted to give effect to the rights recognized in the covenant and on progress made in the enjoyment of such rights. It then presents the results of its examination to the states concerned and may also also transmit them to the UN Economic and Social Council. Its 77th session, which ended on 4 April, studied reports submitted by Mali as well as Estonia and Luxembourg. Practices harmful to women In its comments on Mali, the committee expressed concern over the existence of laws that discriminate against women, particularly in matters of marriage, divorce, inheritance and land ownership, and noted with concern that a reform of Mali's Family Code, begun in 1998, had not been completed. It referred to polygamy as harmful to the dignity of women and an inadmissible discrimination, and called on Mali to abolish it. The legal minimum age of marriage for girls and boys should be the same, according to the committee, which also recommended the establishment of a system of inheritance that provided for equal inheritance of property by men and women. The committee urged the state to abolish the practice of "levirat" (the marrying of a widow by her brother-in-law), to implement sanctions against those who practice it, and to adopt measures to protect and support widows and other women. It expressed concern over the fact that many Malian girls were subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) which, it said, the state should forbid and punish in order to send a strong signal to those involved. The committee invited Mali to provide information, in its next report, on difficulties encountered, efforts undertaken and results obtained with regard to curbing FGM. It also suggested that the West African country adopt legislation forbidding and punishing domestic violence, reinforce the promotion of women's participation in politics and strengthen their access to education and employment. Torture and extrajudicial executions In view of allegations it received that soldiers had perpetrated torture and extra-judicial executions in 2000, the committee urged Mali to take steps to prevent the development of a culture of impunity. It said systematic investigations should be carried out where state agents were alleged to have threatened people's right to life and physical integrity. The Committee, whose next session will be from 14 July to 8 August in Geneva, stated that it remained concerned by child trafficking, child labour, the situation of migrant girls and their exploitation. Another source of concern for the human rights body was the difficult situation of some 6,000 Mauritanians refugees who have lived in Mali's Kayes region for more than a decade. The Covenant The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966 and entered into force in 1976. Among other things, it states that all peoples have the right to self-determination, and enshrines individuals' rights to life, freedom and security, and prohibits torture, cruel or degrading treatment and the arbitrary deprivation of life. Other rights it seeks to guarantee include freedom of movement, freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression. It also prohibits war propaganda and the advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred. The full report can be viewed at: www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/NewsRoom?OpenFrameSet Background on the Human Rights Committee is available at: www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html