A/HRC/25/72 77. The independent expert regrets that he did not receive authorization to visit the detention centres of the State security intelligence agency, despite numerous requests. He notes with concern that no organization has been able to obtain access to the persons detained in State security facilities, despite many allegations that torture is practised there. The independent expert and the human rights teams of MINUSMA were able to meet with eight detainees who had been held by the State security and who alleged that they had been tortured and subjected to other ill-treatment during interrogations. For example, it was reported that one person had had his ear pierced with a pen and had been severely beaten during interrogation. The detainees met with also asserted that the State security had torture facilities, including a “punishment room”, in which an electric chair and other torture equipment were used. 78. Many detainees who were members of armed groups stated that they had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment by the Malian armed forces after their arrest in the north. Those acts ceased once they were transferred to the gendarmerie in the north and, later, to Bamako. 79. The independent expert is deeply concerned about problems of hygiene and cleanliness in many prisons and places of detention, as was evident during his visit to Bamako central prison, and about the lack of regular medical care for detainees. F. Refugees and internally displaced persons 80. Since 2012 the armed conflict in northern Mali has displaced 424,000 persons: 255,000 persons were internally displaced, and 168,000 persons (as of 30 November 2013) fled to Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger. The Government has undertaken to encourage refugees and displaced persons to return to their regions of origin voluntarily in order to participate in presidential and legislative elections. A special initiative was launched between 15 and 31 October to bring returned persons to polling stations of their choice; 163,423 voters were brought to electoral districts under this measure. 81. The Government also facilitated election participation for refugees in camps. In cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the authorities visited camps in Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger to arrange for refugee participation in elections. Thanks to that initiative, 19,020 refugees were able to register to vote. 82. The resurgence of violence and false accusations followed by arrests and arbitrary detentions are likely to discourage the return of refugees and internally displaced persons. G. Economic, social and cultural rights 83. Even before the political and security crisis of January 2012, Mali had already faced a severe food crisis throughout the Sahelian band of its territory because of the poor agricultural harvest of 2011–2012. Food insecurity and the living conditions of the population worsened with the occupation of the north by armed groups. 84. The economic sanctions that followed the military coup included the suspension of development assistance by technical and financial partners and an economic and financial embargo by ECOWAS. 85. The reduced presence of State officials also poses considerable problems. Of the 176 health-care centres in the areas affected by the conflict, only 121 are open, and many schools in the north are still not operational, although the school year started on 17 October GE.14-10118 15