A/HRC/37/78 F. Refugees and internally displaced persons 60. The context in which displacements occur in Mali remains complex and fluid. The Independent Expert continues to receive reports of displaced persons currently residing in the southern regions moving to the northern regions. As at 31 October 2017, 40,743 internally displaced persons (8,025 households) and 133,316 Malian refugees in neighbouring countries had been registered. 61. The Independent Expert was informed that some displaced persons went back and forth between their place of displacement and their place of origin. The Independent Expert continues to receive reports of new displacements. The reasons for these new displacements include intercommunal conflicts, insecurity, clashes and the prospect of a possible confrontation between armed groups. G. Economic, social and cultural rights 62. The Independent Expert pays particular attention to these issues, as respect for these rights is essential for building the foundations of peace and security and, in this context, he welcomes the development of the road map for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 63. The Independent Expert would like to stress that this aspect should not be neglected and notes that there could well be an increase in military expenditure on account of the deteriorating security situation in the northern and central parts of the country, to the detriment of social programmes. In addition, funding for humanitarian assistance continues to be insufficient. 64. The Independent Expert notes that the majority of the population still lives below the poverty line and that the provision of basic services, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country, is very limited. The situation of people affected by severe food insecurity, especially children suffering from acute malnutrition, has deteriorated in the Timbuktu, Kidal and Mopti Regions during the period under review. In 2017, the national rate of acute malnutrition exceeded the emergency threshold set by the World Health Organization. IV. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 65. The growing influence of extremist groups has contributed significantly to the rapid deterioration of the security situation in the country. Armed groups are gaining more and more ground in Mopti Region and are beginning to monitor various aspects of social and cultural life in the areas where they operate. As a result, the population is forced to follow the rules imposed by armed groups. The Independent Expert stresses that a multidimensional and coordinated response is needed in order to successfully prevent violent extremism and to de-radicalize young people. The national counterterrorism strategy should include not only security arrangements but also seek to remove the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to guarantee respect for human rights for all and for the rule of law in the fight against terrorism. 66. The absence or weakness of the judicial response of the State in these areas poses a real threat to the security and life of the population. The Independent Expert stresses that attacks against humanitarian actors may contravene customary international law and international humanitarian law. 67. The Independent Expert expresses his concern over the competence of cadi courts (traditional courts composed of religious leaders and customary judges), which now extends to criminal matters. In the Kidal and Ménaka Regions, decisions related to criminal law were handed down and implemented, creating a dangerous parallel 12 GE.18-01553