A/HRC/28/83 psychosocial support from the non-governmental organization GREFFA, or Women’s Action, Research, Study and Training Group. The perpetrator and his accomplice were arrested and are in detention. 62. On 11 November 2014, in Niafounké, 140 km from Timbuktu, a representative of the women’s movement expressed her concern over reports of sexual harassment of girls from that community on the part of the Malian armed forces. In her view, the Malian armed forces were known to intimidate girls into granting them sexual favours. Despite the grave public concern over this issue, no member of the Malian armed forces has been called to account by his superiors. 63. The Independent Expert has also received reports of cases of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. On 2 November 2014, following an assault by the Malian army to liberate the village of Boulkessy, 20 persons were arrested and detained. During the transfer of the prisoners, human rights officers at the regional office in Mopti observed that some of them had marks that would suggest cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Some declared that they had been beaten by soldiers after their arrest. The victims reportedly received blows to the head and other parts of the body. 2. Human rights violations committed by armed groups 64. Extremist armed groups present in the north of Mali continue to be involved in human rights violations: violations of the right to life, abductions, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, unlawful detention, the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, asymmetrical attacks and looting. Asymmetrical attacks have claimed the lives of at least 28 persons, including 25 United Nations peacekeepers, and wounded at least 51, including 9 minors. The attacks were carried out in areas occupied by armed groups in the town of Kidal after the events of 21 May 2014. 65. On 16 May 2014, at the time of a demonstration by the opposition during the Malian Prime Minister’s visit to Kidal, members of the government security forces and United Nations police were attacked, as indicated in paragraph 26 above. 66. On 17 May 2014, heavy fighting erupted during the meeting of the Prime Minister and his delegation with officials from the regional authorities and community and civil society leaders in Kidal and ended with the capture of the governate by elements of MNLA and HCUA, claiming the lives of 11 persons (8 civilians and 3 members of the Malian armed forces), the arbitrary detention of 34 civilians and causing material damage (see paras. 27 and 28 above). 67. There were reports of asymmetrical attacks, including 6 mine incidents, 3 incidents involving rocket and mortar fire, 2 suicide attacks and 20 incidents involving explosive ordnance. The region with the highest number of casualties from these attacks is Kidal, with a total of 23 attacks that claimed 15 lives and wounded 51 persons, including 3 minors. Next is the region of Gao, where there were 6 attacks to which 6 children fell victim. Lastly, 3 incidents were recorded in the Timbuktu region. 68. The Independent Expert notes with great concern the increase in the number of such attacks and their impact on children. On 29 July 2014, in Tihaoulalene in the Gao region, a 16-year-old boy of Arab descent was injured in his right hand by explosive devices. On 8 August 2014, two children were injured by explosive devices and taken to the Senegalese battalion infirmary based in Tabankort. They were later evacuated by helicopter, assisted by doctors, and cared for by a medical team from the International Committee of the Red Cross at the hospital in Gao. On 18 August 2014, an 8-year-old child was injured in Tabankort while playing with an explosive device. The victim lost the use of three fingers and sustained injuries to the arm and the head. 12 GE.15-00252