A/HRC/23/57 54. Intercommunity tensions remain a serious obstacle to the return of refugees and persons suspected of having collaborated with the different armed groups. The complex nature of the intercommunity incidents reported makes it impossible to distinguish clearly between violence of a criminal nature and reprisals based on ethnicity and issues of identity. The efforts of local authorities and politicians, notably in Timbuktu, who have launched awareness-raising campaigns on coexistence in a bid to prevent reprisals, promote intercommunity tolerance and create conditions that foster respect for human rights should be applauded. In this context, the situation of Bella communities, which was highlighted in the High Commissioner’s previous report, merits particular attention, as the Bella people continue to suffer discrimination and stigmatization and some members of their communities are used as slaves by the Tuaregs. I. Internally displaced persons and refugees 55. Protecting the civilian population remains a challenge for the Malian Defence and Security Forces in many northern towns where the Government does not yet have the means to protect all segments of the population, including internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between January and 23 May 2013, the number of IDPs in Mali rose to 301,027. During the same period, the number of refugees in neighbouring countries is estimated to have reached 174,129 (74,108 in Mauritania, 50,000 in Niger and 49,975 in Burkina Faso). Malians continue to flee their homelands to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. 56. Between 9 and 20 May 2013, three teams from the MINUSMA Human Rights Division travelled to Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania to assess the human rights situation experienced by the Malian refugees before they fled their places of origin and also to address questions of impunity, national reconciliation and the refugees’ participation in the July 2013 presidential elections. 57. The refugees, who come mainly from the north of Mali, fear the insecurity and disorder caused by the absence of the Malian authorities, as well as reprisals from members of the Malian army and/or the armed groups, especially MNLA and MUJAO. They are particularly fearful of the threat of abduction, enforced disappearances, summary and extrajudicial killings and pillage. These phenomena were the main reasons for their flight, along with the increasingly difficult living conditions attributable to the lack of adequate public services. Most of the refugees expressed a readiness to return to their region of origin once peace and security are restored. They also underscored that national reconciliation should not be pursued on the basis of impunity. IV. Measures adopted by the Government 58. To date, Government responses to the human rights situation have been focused on political measures and judicial actions. On the political side, on 7 February 2013 the Government adopted the Bamako Declaration, thereby reaffirming its commitment to respecting human rights and fighting impunity. This commitment, coupled with awarenessraising activities and the establishment of military police detachments (prévotés) in the areas in which Malian forces have been deployed, have made it possible to prevent human rights violations and reduce acts of reprisals against Arab and Tuareg communities. 59. The authorities maintain that they sent circulars reminding all army units engaged in the military operations of the need to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. In the north of the country, including in Timbuktu and Gao, the Government has also GE.13-15228 13