A/HRC/31/76 E. The prison situation 71. The Independent Expert was able to visit Bamako Central Prison and sp eak to persons deprived of their liberty in connection with the conflict in the north of the country and persons arrested during counter-terrorism operations carried out in southern regions of Mali. The detainees interviewed included one person who had allegedly been detained for eight months without being questioned and a minor who reportedly belonged to one of the armed groups. 72. Half of the detainees had seen an investigating judge, but it is clear that the constitutional right of arrested persons to access to a lawyer is not enforced in practice. Access to free legal assistance, which is provided for by law, is not implemented on the ground. The prison population, estimated at 1,900 detainees, is very high compared to the prison’s capacity, which is 600. This situation is directly linked to the high number of persons in pretrial detention. 73. The Independent Expert noted that records continue to be kept on detainees, but several registers had to be consulted to determine the situation of a single detai nee. As the information is not digitalized, it cannot be easily accessed or used. The Independent Expert also noted that prison security is poor because of inadequate installations and a lack of proper surveillance equipment. 74. The Independent Expert was told that, since his previous visit, the Human Rights Division had regularly monitored State facilities and places of detention run by armed groups across the country, including CMA facilities, such as those in Kidal and Ber. In June, allegations of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by members of the Malian armed forces were recorded in the region of Ségou (central Mali). The victims were suspected of association with armed or terrorist groups. According to information provided to the Independent Expert, the victims were arrested by the Malian armed forces on suspicion of collaboration with armed terrorist groups and held in a military barracks, where they were tied up, blindfolded, hung upside down for several hours and beaten during interrogations. After a few days, they were returned to the relevant gendarmerie, and the abuses ceased. Detainees who were interviewed repeatedly reported that commanders of the Malian armed forces were aware of the situation or were responsible for encouraging such treatment. 75. The Independent Expert regrets that, during the reporting period, the Human Rights Division was unable to obtain access to the detention facilities run by the State security services and visit the persons held there. The Division had l imited access to CMA places of detention and to the members of the Malian armed forces held there. The Independent Expert recalls that the Human Rights Division must have access to all detention centres operated by all military actors, including those run by the Barkhane force, in order to monitor the rights and welfare of detainees from all sides. F. Refugees and internally displaced persons 76. During the reporting period, the Independent Expert was informed of several incidents linked to forced displacements. According to information received, a massive displacement of local people took place in five villages in the east of Timbuktu on 11 May. The local authorities estimated that at least 190 families (approximately 1,630 persons, including 860 women ) fled after CMA forces took control of the area. Those forces reportedly looted shops, and residents fled fearing further violence. On 18 August, following clashes between GATIA and CMA in and around Anéfis, 112 km to the south of Kidal, several Idnan families in Anéfis fled for fear of reprisals by the Platform. 14/18 GE.16-00837