A/HRC/38/7 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-ninth session from 15 to 26 January 2018. The review of Mali was held at the 4th meeting, on 16 January 2018. The delegation of Mali was headed by the Minister of Human Rights, Kadidia Sangaré Coulibaly. At its 10th meeting, held on 19 January 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Mali. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Mali: Japan, Slovenia and South Africa. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Mali: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/MLI/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/MLI/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/MLI/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Mali through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Mali explained that the submission of its national report for the third cycle of the universal periodic review had taken place in a particularly challenging context, characterized by insecurity, terrorism and transnational organized crime. 6. The report described the changes in Mali with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights over the past five years. It presented and analysed changes in the legal and institutional framework, follow-up to the recommendations and commitments made during the universal periodic review of 2013, achievements and best practices, and obstacles to the promotion and protection of human rights. 7. Legal and institutional developments had included the review and adoption of legislation and regulations, in particular the Act establishing the National Human Rights Commission, in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles), and the Act amending the Constitution. After consulting the country’s leaders, the President had decided to postpone holding a referendum. 8. The Human Rights Defenders Act, adopted by the National Assembly after considering the concerns of organizations for the defence of human rights, had recently been promulgated. The Act clearly defined the rights and responsibilities of human rights defenders and the measures the State must take to protect them. 9. The delegation highlighted the establishment of a ministry responsible exclusively for the promotion and protection of human rights and of an emergency programme for strengthening the justice system. It also noted the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali emanating from the Algiers process. 2 GE.18-06102