Insights into Mali

2017

COC Netherlands recently received a visit from Malian LGBTI activist Trafreedom. He has been invited by Justice and Peace Netherlands to come stay in the Netherlands in the framework of its Shelter City Initiative. This program offers temporary relocation to human rights defenders who are at risk. Trafreedom is now in a safe place in […]

COC Netherlands recently received a visit from Malian LGBTI activist Trafreedom. He has been invited by Justice and Peace Netherlands to come stay in the Netherlands in the framework of its Shelter City Initiative. This program offers temporary relocation to human rights defenders who are at risk. Trafreedom is now in a safe place in The Hague, where he can take some distance from the overwhelming situation he has had to face in Mali.

Over the course of 2017, the LGBTI community in Mali has become the victim of severe humiliation, cruel treatment, arrests, verbal and physical aggression – all the result of a strong incitement to hatred, leading to great loss for the individual victims and their families. This increase of violence is being perpetrated by a group of people who call themselves LCHM (Lutte Contre l’Homosexualite au Mali – Fight against homosexuality in Mali). They encourage the population, 90% of which is Muslim, to fight against homosexuality in the name of religion. Some religious leaders, political opponents and a part of the Malian diaspora, support the LCHM. These supporters claim that the problems Mali faces –  the presence of a jihadist group ruling the northern region, and its poverty – are due to the LGBTI community. This means the LGBT community is being used as a scapegoat.

Since January 2017, LCHM has been campaigning though videos on the internet and discussion groups on WhatsApp. They are also creating fake profiles on gay dating sites to intimidate members of the LGBTI community. Outings have led to a rise in the persecution of and aggression against the LGBTI community, with individuals increasingly being rejected by their families and neighbours.

The LGBTI community and LGBTI organisations are now more and more aware of the deteriorating situation. They are doing their best to mobilise community members and sensitise them so they will be less likely to fall into traps, more likely to look for shelter if they are rejected and more likely to take care of victims. Trafreedom is one of the key players in this resistance movement.