full version - World Organisation Against Torture

Malion the rights of victims to receive appropriate legal, medical and otherassistance including alternative shelter and reparations.Additionally, in light of reports that women victims of violence are sometimestreated badly, or even subject to more violence, when they report thecrime to police, OMCT would recommend that all law enforcement personneland members of the judiciary be given appropriate gender-sensitivetraining in responding to cases of domestic violence, rape and other formsof violence against women. OMCT also strongly encourages the governmentto establish a female police authority.OMCT is very concerned that marital rape is not a crime in Mali andwould call upon the Government to amend the Penal Code in order toensure that rape in the context of marriage is criminalised.OMCT is gravely concerned about the widespread practice of FGM inMali, which violates the right to life and physical integrity, as well asendangers the health of women and girls. OMCT calls upon the governmentto take stronger measures for the eradication and punishmentof female genital mutilation including through the adoption of legislationprohibiting the practice and through the involvement of religious and communityleaders in education and awareness-raising campaigns on FGM.The lack of information concerning the occurrence of rape in Mali isanother cause of concern for OMCT. Although there is legislation thatpunishes rape severely, it appears that victims of this crime are reluctantto report it, in the interest of preserving the “honour” of the woman andher family. OMCT urges the government to raise awareness about availablelegal, medical and social remedies for rape victims. OMCT alsoinsists that all incidents of rape be investigated and that perpetrators areprosecuted and punished with due diligence.Although OMCT commends the establishment of a separate facility forwomen at the Bollé Center in Mali, we remain concerned that women indetention at Police Commissariats are sometimes kept in the same cellsas men and are vulnerable to violence at the hands of prison agents. Allnecessary efforts should be taken to guarantee women the right to be freefrom torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishmentand OMCT would urge the government of the Mali to implement theStandard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.285