Human rights watchdog Amnesty International is calling for the immediate release of Malian opposition figures, including Youssouf Daba Diawara, accusing the government of arbitrary detention.
Diawara, a former coordinator for a now-dissolved opposition group, was apprehended by armed men on July 12th. He later faced charges of “opposition to legitimate authority” for participating in a June protest against rising inflation and power cuts. His trial is scheduled for October.
Amnesty International argues that Diawara, along with 11 other detained politicians, are being held without justification. The organization points to the Malian government’s recent lifting of a suspension on political activities on July 10th, highlighting the contradiction with ongoing detentions.
“We denounce the arbitrary detention of Youssouf Daba Diawara and other political leaders by the Malian authorities,” declared Samira Ibrahim, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Despite the lifting of the suspension, there seems to be a growing crackdown on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.”
Ibrahim further urged the Malian government to cease its “judicial harassment” of opposition members and dissenting voices. Amnesty International cites Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to liberty and security of person, prohibiting arbitrary detention. Mali ratified the covenant in 1974.
This incident follows a decree issued by the Malian government in April, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, suspending all political activities nationwide.
