A/HRC/34/72 40. Between April and September 2016, 243 cases of human rights violations and abuses were recorded by the Human Rights and Protection Division, including 122 violations and 121 abuses, resulting in 628 victims. These figures were markedly higher than those from the previous period: between October 2015 and March 2016, the Division had recorded 109 violations and abuses, causing 355 victims. This increase in the number of human rights violations and abuses can be explained, in part, by the many cases of serious violent crime, conflicts between communities and lynching in State-controlled areas that go uninvestigated. The State is therefore responsible on grounds of omission. Lastly, it is worth noting the sporadic clashes between the CMA and the Groupe d’autodéfense des Touaregs Imghad et leurs alliés since July 2016, which have led to abuses against members of the warring Tuareg clans (mainly Ifoghas, Imghad and allied groups). 1. Human rights violations committed by the Malian armed forces 41. From April to September 2016, the Human Rights and Protection Division recorded a slight decrease in the number of arrests made by the Malian defence and security forces and their allies in connection with the conflict or terrorism (187 from April to September 2016 compared with 224 from October 2015 to March 2016). The proportion of arrests made on charges of terrorism remained the same (88 per cent). During that period, the Malian defence and security forces carried out counter-terrorism operations, particularly in the regions of Mopti and Ségou. In the course of those operations, they were reportedly involved in human rights violations, including arbitrary executions, inhuman and degrading treatment, acts of torture, illegal detentions, and one case of rape. The Malian authorities also allegedly committed violations through omission, owing to the lack of or slow investigation of incidents that constituted human rights violations. 42. The Independent Expert has been informed that the Malian armed forces were allegedly involved in three summary executions in Diabaly, in the region of Ségou, in the course of a military operation that began on 7 April. He has also received details of the case of a detainee who was tortured by members of the Malian armed forces when he was arrested following this counter-terrorism operation. The detainee reported that his neck was placed against the hot exhaust pipe of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The Human Rights and Protection Division has indicated that allegations of torture committed by the Malian armed forces during such operations have become more frequent. Another act of sexual violence was allegedly committed by a member of the armed forces at the Kourouma checkpoint during the night of 11 May. It is alleged that the soldier took the victim to his home and raped her. At the time of writing, the alleged perpetrator had not been questioned and no legal proceedings had been initiated. 43. The Independent Expert has been informed that, during the protests that took place in Gao on 12 July and in Bamako on 17 August, 3 persons were killed and more than 70 others injured owing to the authorities’ excessive use of force. In Gao, the event was a protest against the setting up of interim authorities. In Bamako, a protest in support of a radio presenter in front of the court-house turned violent, as the protestors set fire to cars and the security forces used tear gas and fired real bullets. In view of those incidents, the Malian national police will need to demonstrate the strict professionalism required when using force against protestors. 44. On 30 May, the joint tactical group Elou, which is part of the Malian security forces, killed a 50-year-old civilian in Goundam. The victim belonged to the Tuareg Bella community and the incident occurred on the Doukouria road between Kaneye and Timbuktu. The Goundam gendarmerie has launched an inquiry into the incident, which is still continuing. 45. On 22 October, human rights experts from Mopti interviewed a member of the Fulani community who had been arrested on 25 September by the national guard in the village of Guidio, in the region of Mopti, on suspicion of being a terrorist. The detainee stated that he had been arrested on account of his physical appearance, namely his hair and long beard. The person was detained for about one month without being formally charged. 46. The international forces have extended their targeted counter-terrorism operation in the region of Kidal. Arrests in connection with the conflict are increasingly being carried GE.17-02058 9