Descent-based slavery in Mali: current characteristics and recent responses

Descent-based slavery refers to the situation of people born into slavery and the practice of perpetuating this situation. A person is usually born into slavery because their ancestors were enslaved and their family has ‘belonged’ to the slave-owning family ever since. The term ‘descent-based slavery’ is mainly used in the West African context. The practice is also referred to as ‘hereditary slavery’. In Mali, slavery status is passed down from mother to child to ensure that future generations are born into slavery.

There are no firm data on the number of people in descent-based slavery in Mali. However, Temedt, Association pour la consolidation de la paix, le développement, la promotion et protection des droits humains estimates that there are 800,000 people of slave descent in Mali, out of a population of around 18 million.

Descent-based slavery contravenes many international instruments ratified by Mali. This report explores current trends in descent-based slavery in Mali, as well as recent responses to the practice and is aimed primarily at representatives of government agencies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and academics who are interested in strengthening the response to descent-based slavery and services for all people of slave descent.