CAT/OP/MLI/1 L. Reprisals 95. On the whole, persons deprived of their liberty were frightened to speak freely with the Subcommittee. They clearly expressed their fear of reprisals. Several detainees said that they would certainly be beaten, placed in solitary confinement or subjected to other illtreatment after the Subcommittee’s visit for having spoken to members of the Subcommittee. Some also told the Subcommittee of the warnings and intimidation that they had received from warders and squad chiefs, designed to dissuade them from talking to the Subcommittee. 96. Warnings of reprisals had clearly been issued in several prisons, including Bamako prison, where the Subcommittee gathered statements from witnesses to that effect. The Subcommittee reported the matter to the Ministry of Justice and to the focal point for the visit, as well as in the preliminary observations submitted to the Government on 14 December 2011, and expressed its concern about the risk of reprisal facing the detainees and staff who had communicated with the Subcommittee. 97. The Subcommittee wishes to remind the State party that all forms of intimidation and reprisals against persons deprived of their liberty constitute violations of its obligations under the Optional Protocol. In accordance with article 15 of the Optional Protocol, the Subcommittee requests that the authorities of Mali ensure that no reprisals are exacted after its visit. The Subcommittee requests that the State party provide detailed information on the steps taken to prevent and hinder the taking of reprisals against staff members or detainees who spoke to members of the Subcommittee. V. Conclusions 98. The Subcommittee recalls that this report represents only the first stage of a constructive dialogue with the Malian authorities on the above-mentioned challenges. 99. The Subcommittee requests the Malian authorities to reply, within six months, with details of the measures taken by the State party to follow up on its recommendations. The State party is asked to respond to the specific requests for information made by the Subcommittee in this report and to authorize its publication. GE.14-41827 19