Suggestions




··

UN Group Calls For End To Hereditary Slavery In Mali 

October 29, 2021
by
The Rights group observed that Malian law does not specifically criminalise this form of slavery, so perpetrators are rarely held accountable.

UNITED Nations Human Rights Specialists on Friday called on the government of Mali to put a stop to hereditary slavery, considering the frequency of violent attacks experienced by people born into servitude.

Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system where people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors still continued, the U.N. group of experts said in a statement.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

The Rights group observed that Malian law does not specifically criminalise this form of slavery, so perpetrators are rarely held accountable.

In September, a group of people considered as slaves were attacked by other Malians who objected to their celebrating Independence Day, according to the U.N. experts.

The attacks went on for two days, leaving one man dead and at least 12 people injured. It was the eighth such attack this year in the Kayes region, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) northwest of the capital Bamako, the experts said.

“The fact that these attacks occur so often in this area shows that descent-based slavery is still socially accepted by some influential politicians, traditional leaders, law enforcement officials, and judicial authorities in Mali,” they said.

“We have condemned this heinous practice many times before – now the Malian government must take action, starting with ending impunity for attacks on slaves.”

At least 30 people have been arrested from both sides and police have launched an investigation, the U.N. statement added.

Malian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

Descent-based slavery is also practiced in Mali’s neighbours Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania, which became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981.

In Mali, prosecutors charge most hereditary slavery cases as misdemeanours, according to the U.S. State Department’s latest Trafficking in Persons report. It recommended that a 2012 anti-trafficking law be revised to include hereditary slavery.

 

+ posts

Kayode Shopekan

Related Posts

TASUED-students-protest
Previous Story

Protest Rocks TASUED, VC Moves To Secure Release Of SUG President In Soldiers Net

CBN Reveals JP Morgan’s Intention After Report On Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves
Next Story

Apex Bank Sensitises Nigerians on eNaira

Featured Stories

Related Posts

Latest from Africa

Sierra Leone Honours Nigerian Military Officers for Peace Efforts

The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has awarded national honours to two senior Nigerian military officers in recognition of their contributions to peace and regional stability. The awards were presented during the 17th Armed Forces Day celebration of the Republic

Mugabe’s Son Arrested in South Africa Over Alleged Shooting

Bellarmine Chatunga, the son of former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, has been arrested in South Africa following an alleged shooting at his residence in Johannesburg. Police say the incident took place at his home in the upmarket Hyde Park suburb, where an

Kenya to Begin Administering HIV Prevention Drug

Kenya will begin rolling out a new HIV-prevention drug in March, in what health officials have described as a major step forward in the fight against the virus. The drug, lenacapavir, is taken just twice a year and has been shown in

Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Rising Unrest

Gabon’s media regulator has ordered the suspension of social media platforms “until further notice,” citing content that it says is fuelling division and unrest in the country. The High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced the move on Tuesday. Spokesman Jean-Claude Mendome said

Tinubu Urges Release of South Sudan Vice-President

President Bola Tinubu has called for the immediate and unconditional release of South Sudan’s First Vice-President, Riek Machar, as part of efforts to revive the country’s stalled peace process. In a message delivered by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Mr Tinubu said Nigeria remained
TASUED-students-protest
Previous Story

Protest Rocks TASUED, VC Moves To Secure Release Of SUG President In Soldiers Net

CBN Reveals JP Morgan’s Intention After Report On Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves
Next Story

Apex Bank Sensitises Nigerians on eNaira

Don't Miss

Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today, 2nd May 2025

What is the dollar-to-naira exchange rate on the black market,
All You Need To Know About Belgium's New Immigration Policy

All You Need To Know About Belgium’s New Immigration Policy

Belgium is set to make major changes to its immigration