The state of human rights and security across Mali is a "cause of grave concern," the independent UN rights expert for the northwest African nation said in a statement on Tuesday, in which he called for an "effective military response" to end the violence and protect the civilian population.
Alioune Tine noted that central and northern areas, where conditions are continuing to worsen, and the Government presence is weak, are being particularly hard hit. That, combined with growing extremist violence, combined with counter-terrorism operations by Malian and international forces - as well as organized crime - are creating a "deep sense of fear and insecurity."
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