140. The purpose of organizing the EID is to inform national and international communities about the human rights situation in Mali, to contribute actively and educationally to the achievement of a democratic culture of promoting and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. Thus, the institutionalisation of such a forum reflects the political will of the country’s authorities and their commitment the promotion of the culture of human rights and democracy in the Republic of Mali. 141. Press freedom: Conscious of the importance of a free and independent press in a democracy, the Government adopted policies and measures that strengthened the freedom of the press and fostered the advent and operation of several print and electronic media. Among these measures, mention can be made of Law No. 00-046 of 7 July 2000 on press regime and press offences. 142. Indeed, this law no longer considers offending the Head of State as grounds for pre-trial detention. On the contrary, it promotes monetary penalties at the expense of custodial sentences for offences committed through the press; the law also provides State support to the press. 143. All these measures have encouraged the creation of print and electronic media. Currently in Mali, there are more than thirty independent print media organs and 300 legally-authorised radio stations. 144. Moreover, the creation of the High Council of Communication and the National Committee on Equal Access to State Media also led to better regulation of the media space, balance and pluralism of information and a fair share of air time and editorial space allotted to candidates and political parties during election campaigns. 145. Despite the considerable progress made in the liberalisation and regulation of the media landscape, it should be noted that Law No. 00-046 of 7 July 2000 on Press Regime still contains the press offence. However, the trend is in favour of the decriminalisation of the offence. Freedom of movement, association, demonstration and assembly (Articles 10, 11 and 12) 146. It is enshrined in Article 5 of the Constitution which stipulates that: "The State shall recognize and guarantee, under conditions laid down by law, the freedom to come and go, free choice of residence, freedom of association, assembly, procession and demonstration”. 147. Freedom of movement: the Constitution guarantees the free movement of persons and goods, the free choice of residence and the right to asylum. To implement these freedoms, various laws and regulations have been enacted, and in this regard, some ECOWAS legal instruments have been ratified. Mention can be made especially of: - Law No. 04-58 of 25 November 2004 on the conditions of entry, stay and establishment of foreigners in the Republic of Mali and its Implementing Decree; - Protocol A/P1/5/79 on Free Movement of Persons, right of residence and establishment adopted in Dakar on 29 May 1979 between the ECOWAS Member States (Law 8035