A/HRC/31/76 responsibilities at home. Some rural families chose to send their school-age daughters to urban centres, where they are employed as domestic workers, without access to education. 84. The Independent Expert welcomes the fact that the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation identifies the reopening of schools as a priority for Mali in the postconflict situation and that the success of the international conference for the economic recovery and development of Mali makes it possible to implement strategies to tackle these issues. The Independent Expert further welcomes the fact that Mali is currently preparing a report for the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. IV. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 85. The Independent Expert noted positive developments since his last visit; however, important challenges remain. The Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation was signed in May and June 2015. The conclusion of the pact of honour and the social contract between CMA and the Platform on 16 October seems to have resolved outstanding issues regarding the implementation of the Agreement. Furthermore, the Agreement contains key human rights provisions, and progress has already been made in implementing a transitional justice mechanism. 86. The Malian security and defence forces and members of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali continue to be targeted by jihadi groups. The Independent Expert is concerned about the attacks, including summary executions of persons suspected of collaborating with MINUSMA or the Barkhane force. Attacks against humanitarian actors, whether jihadi attacks or acts of banditry, continue to worsen. These acts affect the most vulnerable population groups, who are deprived of access to basic social services. All these factors make the security situation fragile. 87. Armed and extremist groups present in the north of Mali continue to be involved in violations of human rights: violations of the right to life, abductions, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, unlawful detention, the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, asymmetrical attacks and looting. The Independent Expert wishes to emphasize that the security situation in Mali as it relates to extremist groups is highly complex, with multiple dimensions tha t go beyond the borders of Mali; the international community and countries in the region should improve cooperation arrangements in order to combat terrorism successfully. 88. The security situation is made worse by intercommunal and intracommunal conflicts. The risk of serious human rights violations among the civilian population is especially worrying. The Independent Expert also wishes to underscore the potential impact of drug trafficking and other illegal trafficking on the State and the human rights situation. 89. The Independent Expert calls on the authorities to build on the momentum for institutional reform, especially with regard to justice and the establishment of mobile counselling centres to expedite judicial proceedings for crimes committed in the centre and north of the country. Combating impunity for violations committed in the past and those that are ongoing is essential; the Independent Expert notes that very little progress has been made in this regard. In order to establish an effective national human rights protection system, it is imperative to 16/18 GE.16-00837