On the sidelines of the 2023 Annual Assembly of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) bringing together 120 countries, and in front of nearly 1,000 participants, Mali was honored through its National Human Rights Commission. (CNDH) represented by its President Mr. Aguibou BOUARE.
Indeed, in the presence of a strong delegation from the Embassy of Mali in Geneva, made up of His Excellency Mr. Mamadou Henry KONATE, Advisors Sidy Sissoko, Adama Coulibaly, the Secretary General and members of the Alliance Organization of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, numerous Presidents of National Human Rights Institutions (INDH), the President of the CNDH Mr. Aguibou BOUARE solemnly received the certificate of accreditation from the NHRI of Mali to “A” status, the highest rank of NHRIs in the world. The President declared to dedicate this recognition to the Commissioners (old and new) , to the personnel of the CNDH, to the organizations for the defense of human rights in Mali, to the Organizations of Civil Society, to the State of Mali, to all the Malian people. He recalled that despite the concerns related to human rights issues in Mali, the achievements should be noted, particularly in the fight against slavery by descent, respect for the independence of the CNDH, legislative and institutional reforms for the return to normal constitutional order and for better respect human rights.
It should be noted that this major consecration sought for 20 years by our country is proof of the compliance of the Malian CNDH with the “Paris Principles”, through its independence, impartiality, objectivity and professionalism. This recognition also induces the commitment of the State of Mali to respect its national and international obligations, despite the challenges related to human rights issues in the context of the multidimensional crisis that the country is going through.
For the record, the CNDH of Mali was accredited to Status “A” in March 2022, on the basis of the following criteria:
− the broadest possible legal mandate given to the NHRI;
− the independence, impartiality and credibility of the NHRI within national and international opinion;
− the regular production by the INDH of general, specific and thematic reports on human rights issues;
− better organization and good geographical location of the INDH within the country;
− active participation in the work of national, regional and international networks; good collaboration with civil society organisations, human rights organisations, UN treaty bodies, etc.;
The importance of Status “A” is reflected, among other things, in the following advantages:
Status “A” is a guarantee of legitimacy and credibility. “A” status National Institutions are recognized as acting independently with proven expertise on a broad human rights mandate. Both civil society and public authorities can confidently rely on National Institutions of “A” status;
the fact that a State has an Institution accredited with “A” status demonstrates its commitment to respect the obligations of international human rights law, the role of national institutions being to promote and protect all international human rights standards of Man;
Status “A” allows the NHRI to:
− vote in the networks of NHRIs to which it belongs, such as regional networks, linguistic networks and the Global Alliance (GANHRI);
In addition, representatives of “A” status NHRIs may:
− hold positions in the governance bodies of NHRI networks;
participate in sessions of the Human Rights Council;
speak in this forum and submit documents, as an “A” status Institution.
In conclusion, NHRIs, by virtue of their legal mandate to promote and protect human rights, play the role of adviser to the State and help it better respect its commitments.
Cellule de Communication/CNDH
Source: September 22
