In a decisive call to action, United Nations human rights experts on Monday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Clément Mamadou Dembélé, a prominent Malian civil society activist detained since November 2023. Despite a court's order in April to drop all charges for lack of evidence, Dembélé remains imprisoned. Initially arrested for allegedly threatening the life of Mali’s transitional president and his family, the court found the accusations baseless.

The UN's concern points to a deeper issue within Mali's current governance, suggesting that Dembélé’s extended detention is politically motivated. According to the experts, "This case appears to be politically motivated, as Mr. Dembélé is not being released despite a court order dismissing the case against him for lack of evidence. His prosecution and continued detention could amount to the instrumentalization of the legal system by the Government."

This incident raises significant human rights concerns, highlighting potential violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, both of which safeguard against arbitrary detention.

The situation in Mali is particularly alarming in light of recent human rights reports. In May, about 100 individuals reportedly faced enforced disappearances or were summarily executed. Human Rights Watch has also called on the Malian government to investigate these severe allegations, particularly the killing of 22 men detained by the army in Diafarabé.

Moreover, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticized Mali's recent prohibition on political parties, a move seen as a direct threat to the democratic process and political freedom in the country.

The persistence of such issues suggests a troubling pattern of rights abuses targeting opposition figures, civil society members, journalists, and human rights defenders in Mali. The international community continues to watch closely, urging Mali to adhere to global human rights standards and to ensure justice and liberty for its citizens.

Read more about this developing story and the international response at [JURIST - News](https://www.jurist.org/news).