Mali’s National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) has raised concerns about the impact of an ongoing heatwave on detainees, particularly in prisons affected by severe overcrowding. In a statement issued on March 12, 2026, the commission warned that rising temperatures could further deteriorate conditions in detention facilities.
The alert follows a forecast by Mali-Météo, which reported a sharp increase in temperatures starting March 9. The commission cautioned that extreme heat could increase 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, along with international legal 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 duty to ensure the protection of detainees.
The commission urged the government to take urgent preventive measures during the heatwave and continue improving detention conditions as well as working conditions for prison staff. It also called on judicial authorities to accelerate the implementation of alternatives to detention to help reduce prison overcrowding.
According to World Prison Brief, Mali’s prison population is estimated at 10,773 inmates, with 71.7% held in pretrial detention. Women represent 3.4% of prisoners, while minors account for about 1.3%.
The commission also recalled that 390 prisoners were released in September 2024 under a presidential pardon marking the country’s independence celebrations, noting that similar measures and alternatives to incarceration could help improve prison conditions in the long term.
Source: Newstimehub
