A/HRC/40/77 been stolen in order to deprive communities of their productive capacity. This type of attack represents a deliberate attempt to intimidate civilian populations and to stop them from farming and reduce their food security. The jihadis also target educational establishments in the region. The Independent Expert has learned that, on 9 July 2018, unidentified armed men stormed the village of Gakou in Mopti Region and burned down the village school, its canteen and the teachers’ living quarters. Although no victims have been reported, members of the local population apparently fled and sought refuge in the nearby town and village. 14. The security situation has been marred by numerous criminal acts. Public transport is often a target, and passengers have their belongings stolen by armed individuals. The Independent Expert has been informed that, on 15 April 2018, members of the Malian armed forces killed a man who is believed to have been armed and to have tried to hijack a civilian transport vehicle travelling from Tonka market to Goundam. Jihadis also stop public vehicles in order to look for individuals who work for the Government of Mali or who are suspected of cooperating with the authorities. 15. The Independent Expert has been shocked by the continuation of attacks against humanitarian workers and the impact of these attacks on the population. For example, on 18 June 2018, all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Ménaka Region suspended their activities for one week as a sign of solidarity with another NGO whose offices had been burgled by unknown persons on 8 June 2018. Other NGOs had already suspended their activities in other regions due to similar security concerns, which had direct consequences in terms of the civilian population’s access to humanitarian assistance. The Independent Expert has also been informed of an attack on personnel working for humanitarian organizations in Gao Region which may have constituted a violation of international humanitarian law. On 12 September 2018, at around 10 a.m., six armed men whose faces were covered by their turbans and were not otherwise identifiable, travelling on three motorcycles, hijacked a vehicle that had been rented by an international NGO with six employees on board. These employees were taking part in a food distribution mission in the village of Tinassamed in Gao Region when the attackers stopped their vehicle and stole an undetermined sum of money, laptop computers and documents related to their assignment. 16. The Independent Expert has been informed that, on 15 July 2018, a civilian transport vehicle was attacked by four unidentified armed men on two motorcycles in Ménaka-Ti-nDermine. The assailants shot and injured one of the passengers and stripped the others of their possessions, including cash and laptop computers. The victims are believed to have notified the gendarmerie in Ménaka but, at the time of writing, no investigation had been opened. 17. The absence of local administrative and security authorities from most of the central and northern regions of the country has weakened the rule of law and heightened the population’s vulnerability to all forms of violence. Isolated areas serve as hideouts for armed groups where they can commit all kinds of abuse and human rights violations. The Independent Expert is concerned about the fate of civilians living in places that are entirely occupied and controlled by armed groups. 18. The Independent Expert is concerned by the fact that approximately 15 hostages, including both Malians and foreign citizens, remain in the hands of armed groups. Some of these hostages have been held for several years. A branch of Al-Qaida in Mali broadcast a video in June 2018 showing a French aid worker who ran an organization for children and was suffering from malnutrition and a Colombian nun. These women were kidnapped in 2016 and 2017, respectively. C. The ongoing challenge of the fight against impunity 19. The Independent Expert is concerned by the fact that, on 31 May 2018, the Council of Ministers approved a national reconciliation bill which is to be submitted to the National Assembly. As he has already indicated, this bill should be formulated in a way that will not prevent victims of serious human rights violations from exercising their rights to fair and GE.19-00939 5