A/HRC/37/78 and encourages the Malian authorities to expedite its consideration with a view to its adoption. He was informed that the bill is currently before the Government for consideration and submission to Parliament for a vote. D. The situation of children 54. Children are still direct and indirect victims of violence in Mali. The Independent Expert was informed that, on 4 October 2017, three children (a 13-year-old boy, a 9-yearold girl and an 8-year-old girl) were injured when a grenade exploded in Ménaka Region. The children were bringing their animals back from the pasture when the 13-year-old boy, mistaking the grenade for a toy, picked it up. The device exploded in his hand, causing the boy to lose four fingers on his right hand and injuring and grazing the legs and face of the two girls. All three children received medical attention at the referral hospital in Ménaka. 55. The Independent Expert was informed of a case involving three children, all five years of age, who were caught up in an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device in a village located in Sindégué Ouadiobe, approximately 50 km north of the town of Sévaré in Mopti cercle. The device exploded while the children were playing with it on 10 July. One of them died and the other two were injured as a result. The two injured children were transported to Mopti hospital for medical treatment. They were discharged from hospital on 11 July and returned to their village. 56. In June 2017, at the end of the 2016/17 school year, at least 500 schools had to be closed in central and northern Mali owing to insecurity and the influence of extremist groups, which are strongly opposed to formal education. At least 150,000 children are still out of school as a result. 57. The Independent Expert is very concerned about children and young people in street situations, a phenomenon which has been steadily growing in the country; the increase in the number of children and young people being cared for by community-based organizations in recent years is also worrying. This phenomenon concerns respect for all aspects of children’s rights (education, health, food, safety, housing, etc.). Living on the streets, these children are victims of social exclusion and are exposed to substance abuse, physical and sexual violence, and psychological trauma on a daily basis. The causes are multiple and complex (economic, social, religious and legal). The factors contributing to the situation include inadequate infrastructure (reception and counselling centres, vocational training centres) and guidance, as well as a lack of direct support. The inadequate training and specialization of judges, court registrars, judicial police officers and other actors responsible for child protection hinders the realization of children’s rights. E. The prison situation 58. The Independent Expert is concerned about human rights violations committed during a violent demonstration in Kangaba prison on 1 April. He received allegations that the prison authorities had used excessive force to respond to the situation, which had resulted in the death of one man and in five others being injured by bullets or metal projectiles. 59. The Independent Expert welcomed the fact that, on 19 September, MINUSMA formally handed over responsibility for a quick-impact project for the protection of the rights of prisoners with disabilities at Bamako central prison to the Ministry of Justice of Mali at a ceremony organized by the Malian Federation of Persons with Disabilities, an implementing partner. The project, which is worth 14,610,500 CFA francs (approximately $26,500), comprises three essential features intended to significantly improve the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities being detained at the central prison: (a) the training of prison officers and administrators, (b) the construction of access ramps and (c) the provision of equipment (such as crutches and wheelchairs) to improve mobility and access, including to toilet facilities, while preserving the dignity of these persons. GE.18-01553 11