Mali Rights Commission Raises Alarm Over Heatwave in Overcrowded Prisons

Mali’s National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) has expressed concern over the potential impact of an ongoing heatwave on detainees, particularly in prisons suffering from severe overcrowding. In a statement released on March 12, 2026, the commission said it was closely monitoring the situation and warned that rising temperatures could worsen already difficult conditions in detention facilities.

The alert follows a forecast by Mali-Météo, which announced a sharp increase in temperatures beginning March 9. According to the commission, extreme heat could heighten the risk of violations of fundamental rights, including the rights to life, health and human dignity for people deprived of liberty.

The CNDH reminded authorities that under Mali’s Constitution of July 22, 2023, as well as international human rights frameworks such as the Convention against Torture, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the state has a legal obligation to protect detainees.

The commission called on the government to take urgent preventive measures during the heatwave and to continue improving detention conditions and the working environment for prison staff. It also urged judicial authorities to accelerate the use of alternatives to detention in order to reduce prison overcrowding.

According to World Prison Brief data, Mali’s prison population was estimated at 10,773 inmates, with 71.7% in pretrial detention. Women account for 3.4% of prisoners, while minors represent about 1.3%.

The commission also noted that 390 inmates were released in September 2024 under a presidential pardon marking the country’s independence celebrations, stressing that similar measures and alternatives to incarceration could help improve prison conditions in the long term.

Source: Newstimehub