Aminata Dicko

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: 17.570692

Longitude: -3.996166

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: a civil society actor and President of Association Protection Sahel

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information

On 27 January 2023, Ms. Aminata Dicko, a civil society actor and President of Association Protection Sahel, briefed the Security Council on the situation of Mali.55 In his statement to the Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali questioned Ms. Dicko’s representativeness and credibility.56
Following her briefing to the Security Council, Ms. Dicko was subjected to a smear campaign and verbal attacks on social networks.57 The National Commission for Human Rights of Mali expressed concern and called on the authorities to protect human rights defenders and their families.58 The Special Representative of the Secretary-General engaged the authorities who indicated that they would ensure the security and safety of the briefer.59
On 30 January, the association “Collectif pour la Defense des Militaires” (CDM), filed a complaint for defamation, slander and high treason against Ms. Dicko for her statement at the Security Council on 27 January 2023 before the Public Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Commune IV of the District Bamako (Tribunal de Grande Instance de la Commune IV du district de Bamako).60 The complaint included the video of Ms. Dicko’s statement at the Security Council as evidence.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: Yes

Government response content

On 28 July 2023, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report noting that, despite its cooperation and readiness to engage in dialogue, attempts to exploit sensitive issues persisted. It also noted that some of the alleged incidents had taken place outside the reporting period and rejected the allegations of reprisals, inviting OHCHR to prevent any attempts to instrumentalize human rights issues
The Government asserted that on 24 April the Sevaré (Mopti) Army camp was the object of a terrorist attack. It noted further that the Sevaré gendarmerie went to the scene, arrested suspects, and brought them before the public prosecutor at the Mopti High Court and provided information on the initial police investigations.
The Government addressed the allegations of reprisals against a woman civil society actor alleging that she had misrepresented herself as a civil society actor and had engaged in destabilizing actions. It added that the authorities were not aware of the existence of the organization which she purported to represent. With respect to a complaint against her lodged by the association “Collectif pour la Defense des Militaires”, the Government asserted that associations are free to carry out their activities, including taking legal actions, and noted that the State was not a party to these proceedings.

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: No

#EndReprisals