During the reporting period, the UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Mali, and other UN actors, expressed concern about the shrinking of civic space, noting that this negative climate has led several actors to self-censor out of fear of reprisals by the Malian transitional authorities and/or their supporters. The Human Rights and Protection Division of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) documented an organized online campaign targeting individuals who had expressed dissenting opinions against the authorities or criticism of the conduct of members of the Malian Defence and Security Forces during military or counter-terrorism operations. MINUSMA received information and testimonies from credible sources that the campaign had dissuaded civil society actors from engaging with the UN and led to self-censorship. Names and details of those concern are withheld for fear of retaliation.