The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mali has developed a manual on the protection of human rights defenders to facilitate implementation of its protection mandate.
The socio-political and security situation in Mali since 2012 has exposed human rights defenders (HRDs) to multiple risks. These risks include intimidation, harassment, abduction, arbitrary arrest, imprisonment and murder. These, not only, constitute a violation of the rights and freedoms of HRDs, but also, considerably limit the exercise of their activities.
The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mali, in partnership with ISHR, organised a retreat on 24-27 July to develop concrete measures for the protection of HRDs in Mali. As the mechanism responsible for protecting HRDs, the CNDH Mali has developed this manual that defines its mission regarding each stakeholder. Thus, among others, the role of the mechanism is:
It also provides concrete guidance for the promotion, prevention and protection of the rights of HRDs while respecting the confidentiality of case handling.
The adoption of this manual is therefore timely to guide the CNDH in handling cases of violations of HRDs’ rights that are submitted to it.
As a reminder, these various measures to protect HRDs’ rights are provided for in the Model Law for the recognition and protection of HRDs and in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders +25.
On 18 September 2025, Réseau Nigérien des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (RNDDH), in partnership with International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), organised an advocacy workshop in Niamey on the establishment of a national mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders in Niger.
From 16 to 17 September 2025, the Réseau Nigérien des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (RNDDH), in partnership with International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), organised in Niamey a workshop on the dissemination of the law defining the rights and duties of human rights defenders in Niger.
From 3 to 4 July 2025, with financial support from International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mali organised a training workshop for human rights defenders on the legal framework for their protection and the national mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders.
