Human Rights and Freedom in Mali

https://www.humantruth.info/mali_human_rights_and_freedom.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2019

Mali Republic of Mali [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	162nd best
Location	Africa
Population	19.1m₁
Life Expectancy	58.94yrs (2017)₂

Mali is generally poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world. Mali does worse than average in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₃, supporting press freedom₄, its average Freedom in the World rating and in LGBT equality in the 2020s₅. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₆ (amongst the highest in Africa) and in opposing gender inequality₇. At times, Mali's conscription programme descends into simple slave labour₈ and both government and militia forces use child soldiers₉. "Government forces conducted counterterrorism operationsthat resulted in arbitrary arrests, summary executions, torture, and ill-treatment"₉Conflicts have caused "a rule of law and security vacuum, facilitating rampant banditry and displacement. In central Mali, Islamist armed group presence and intimidation of the population steadily increased [in 2017]"₉.

1. Mali's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #mali #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)₁₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₀
1	Cape Verde	65.1
2	S. Africa	70.5
3	Mauritius	76.4
	...
10	Senegal	94.6
11	Madagascar	100.2
12	Gabon	101.8
13	Mali	102.1
14	Rwanda	103.1
15	Mozambique	104.8
16	Tunisia	104.9
17	Sierra Leone	105.2
18	Central African Rep.	107.0
	Africa Avg	116.60
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₀
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
111	Tonga	101.0
112	Indonesia	101.5
113	Gabon	101.8
114	Mali	102.1
115	Kyrgyzstan	102.2
116	Vietnam	102.6
117	Marshall Islands	102.9
118	Rwanda	103.1
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₁. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₁.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₁, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₁.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Mali stated:

“Hundreds of civilians were killed by the military and armed groups, including in extrajudicial executions, in the context of the armed conflict. Violence and discrimination based on social status continued. Government critics and journalists faced threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrest and detention, and prosecution. Detainees were denied medical treatment.”
"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₁₂

Some improvements were being made in 2017 towards improving human rights, however, conflicts and institutional resistance have made true progress impossible.

“The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, established by presidential executive order in 2014 with a three-year mandate to investigate crimes and the root causes of violence dating back to 1960, made meaningful progress in 2017. The 25-member commission operationalized five regional offices and took over 5,000 statements from victims and witnesses. However, the credibility of the commission was undermined by government´s inclusion of nine armed group members, while excluding victims´ group representatives.
In April [2017], a new Ministry of Human Rights and State Reform was created by a presidential decree to oversee activities related to rule of law and transitional justice. However, the minister was reluctant to investigate or denounce violations by security force personnel.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₉

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better₄
Pos.		2025₄
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
115	Philippines	49.57
116	Kenya	49.41
117	Equatorial Guinea	48.68
118	Mali	48.23
119	Morocco	48.04₁₃
120	Togo	48.03
121	Nigeria	46.81
122	Singapore	45.78
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Mali is positioned 118th in the world when it comes to supporting press freedom.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₄

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

Averages by decade for Mali (for the ranks, lower is better):

Press Freedom	2000s Average	2010s Average
Mali:	10.67	63.98
World Rank:	48th	⇣ 117th
World Avg:	27.44	65.91

2.2. Slavery in the 2020s

#burundi #eritrea #human_rights #indonesia #mali #slavery

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 1000₁₅
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
72=	Kenya	5.00
72=	Brazil	5.00
74	Zambia	5.10
75=	Mali	5.20
75=	Laos	5.20
75=	Central African Rep.	5.20
75=	Croatia	5.20
79	Cuba	5.40
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

Mali comes 75th in the world when it comes to combatting modern slavery.

Modern slavery includes forced labour (often of the under-age), debt bondage (especially generational), sexual slavery, chattel slavery and other forms of abuse, some of which can be surprisingly difficult to detect, but often target those fleeing from warzones, and the poverty-stricken vulnerable.₁₆. Some industries (diamond, clothing, coal) from some countries (Burundi₁₇, Eritrea₁₇, Indonesia₁₈) are a particular concern. The Walk Free Foundation, say in their 2023 report, that 50 million people are living in modern slavery₁₇, and, nearly two-thirds of those in forced labour are employed at the end of supply chains working for large multinationals that creating products consumed by rich countries₁₉.

For more, see:

"The Historical Slave Trade and Modern Slavery" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

Mali practices conscription, which involves a mandatory period of service in the military. But the Walk Free Foundation reports that this sometimes becomes slave labour as some 'conscripts' are assigned to lengthy and arduous work which is clearly non-military in nature₈ such as public infrastructure and civil construction work.

Averages by decade for Mali (for the ranks, lower is better):

Slavery	2010s Average	2020s Average
Mali:	3.60	5.20
World Rank:	73rd	⇣ 75th
World Avg:	6.54	7.15

2.3. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
143=	Angola	5.5
143=	Thailand	5.5
143=	Palestine	5.5
143=	Mali	5.5
143=	Uganda	5.5
143=	Tanzania	5.5
143=	Kuwait	5.5
143=	Iraq	5.5
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Regarding its average Freedom in the World rating, Mali comes 137th in the world.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Mali (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average
Mali:	6.7	6.4	3.2	2.3	4.3
World Rank:	150th	⇡ 135th	⇡ 86th	⇡ 78th	⇣ 133rd
World Avg:	4.3	4.2	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.4. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better₃
Pos.		2017 Score₃
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
86=	Oman	-5
86=	Tajikistan	-5
86=	Lebanon	-5
86=	Mali	-5
86=	Israel	-5
91=	UAE	-6
91=	Rwanda	-6
91=	Uzbekistan	-6
	Africa Avg	-5.6
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

In terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, Mali ranks 78th in the world.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

2.5. Nominal Commitment to HR

#human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₀
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₀
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
19=	Brazil	21
19=	Montenegro	21
19=	Guatemala	21
19=	Mali	21
19=	Azerbaijan	21
19=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	21
19=	Bolivia	21
19=	Australia	21
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

Mali ranks 19th-best in the world regarding its nominal commitment to Human Rights (one of the highest in Africa).

There are many international agreements on Human Rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of Human Rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

2.6. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₁
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₁
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
15	Peru	4.64
16	Sweden	4.88
17	Ukraine	4.94
18	Mali	4.97
19	Norway	5.05
20	Denmark	5.06
21	S. Sudan	5.41
22	Morocco	5.44
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

When it comes to speed of uptake of HR treaties, Mali is 18th-best in the world.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

The 1950s saw a late rush of 43 countries, including Mali and many developing nations, move to cease preventing women from voting. Mali is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women. Historical and current Islamic beliefs are to blame.

See:

"Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)
"Islam and Women" by Vexen Crabtree (2011)

3.1. Gender Inequality

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #women

Gender Inequality Lower is better₇
Pos.		2022₇
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
148	Gambia	0.59
149	Mauritania	0.60
150	Congo, DR	0.61
151	Mali	0.61
152	Burkina Faso	0.61
153	Sierra Leone	0.61
154	Ivory Coast	0.62
155	Niger	0.62
	Africa Avg	0.53
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Mali ranks 16th-worst in the world regarding opposing gender inequality.

The UN Human Development Reports include statistics on gender equality which take into account things like maternal mortality, access to political power (seats in parliament) and differences between male and female education rates. Gender inequality is not a necessary part of early human development. Although a separation of roles is almost universal due to different strengths between the genders, this does not have to mean that women are subdued, and, such patriarchalism is not universal in ancient history. Those cultures and peoples who shed, or never developed, the idea that mankind ought to dominate womankind, are better cultures and peoples than those who, even today, cling violently to those mores.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

From the 2000s to the 2010s, Lebanon was one of only 12 countries where Gender Inequality got worse, and in the 2010s it became one of the 10 countries with greatest Gender Inequality overall.

Averages by decade for Mali (for the ranks, lower is better):

Gender Inequality	2000s Average	2010s Average
Mali:	0.65	0.66
World Rank:	134th	⇣ 158th
World Avg:	0.41	0.37

3.2. Gender Biases

#gender #gender_equality #prejudice #women

Gender Biases Lower is better₆
Pos.		2022 %₆
1	Sweden	31.8₂₂
2	New Zealand	34.4₂₃
3	Australia	37.0₂₃
	...
76	Rwanda	99.1₂₂
77	Myanmar	99.4₂₃
78	Bangladesh	99.4₂₃
79	Mali	99.5₂₄
80	Philippines	99.5₂₃
81	Nigeria	99.5₂₃
82	Malaysia	99.5₂₃
83	Egypt	99.6₂₃
	Africa Avg	98.10
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Mali is positioned 10th-worst in the world with regard to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators) (one of the highest in Africa).

The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) looks at gender biases across seven criteria; the % given here is for the total people who are biased across any of those criteria. By subtracting the value from 100%, you can see that those who do well on this index, you are seeing a count of those who do not appear to be biased against women in any of the criteria, and so, doing well on this index is a very positive sign for any country.

The data was included in UN (2022) with full results in Annex table AS6.7.1; their data stems for ranges between 2005 and 2022, depending on the country in question.

3.3. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Year Women Can Vote Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
105=	Eritrea	1955
105=	Honduras	1955
105=	Cambodia	1955
108=	Mali	1956
108=	Benin	1956
108=	Mauritius	1956
108=	Somalia	1956
108=	Gabon	1956
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Mali is 108th in the world regarding the year from which women could participate in democracy.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#2020s #equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #sexuality #tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₅
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score₅
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
164	Bahrain	-4.13
165=	Congo, DR	-4.13
165=	St Lucia	-4.13
167	Mali	-4.19
168	Grenada	-4.83
169=	Sri Lanka	-4.87
169=	Liberia	-4.87
169=	Kenya	-4.87
	Africa Avg	-3.78
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Mali ranks 167th in the world regarding LGBT equality in the 2020s.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₂₅. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₂₆. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₂₇. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s₂₈_,₂₉. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

" LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Mali is descending deeper into prejudice after a period of using vague �€�public indecency�€� and �€�morality�€� laws to harass LGBT folk. Fearing the spread of tolerance worldwide, Mali changed its Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in 2023, and in 2024 made homosexuality explicitly illegal under the Penal Code, with 7 years' prison and fines.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇣ Opposed a 2003 resolution at the UN Commission tabled by Brazil, on prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and opposed it again in 2004 (it was defeated both times by the Vatican and a collection of Islamic countries).
⇣ Opposed the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.
⇣ Opposed the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights tabled by Argentina.

Averages by decade for Mali (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average	2020s Average
Mali:	-2.50	-2.50	-2.50	-6.50	-2.50	-4.19
World Rank:	70th	⇣ 77th	⇣ 98th	⇣ 172nd	⇡ 131st	⇣ 167th
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.2. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₃₀
Pos.		2021₃₀
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
48=	Senegal	2.5
48=	Kenya	2.5
48=	Romania	2.5
48=	Mali	2.5
48=	Bhutan	2.5
48=	Tonga	2.5
48=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.5
48=	Bulgaria	2.5
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

When it comes to freethought, Mali is 44th in the world.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₃₁. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₃₂. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₃₃ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₃₄. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₃₅. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan₃₀_,₃₆ and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia₃₀_,₃₇.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₃₈. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₃₂, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₃₉ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₄₀ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

"Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).