A/HRC/45/53 74. The Independent Expert also urges the Government to take action to ensure the implementation of its declared commitments on cooperation with the International Criminal Court with regard to the Sudanese nationals indicted by the Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. B. National Independent Investigation Committee on the events of 3 June 2019 75. Article 7 (16) of the constitutional document provides for the establishment of a national independent investigation committee, with African support if necessary as assessed by the national committee, to conduct a transparent, meticulous investigation of violations committed on 3 June 2019,20 and other related incidents. The Independent Expert notes the Prime Minister’s decree No. 16/2019, issued on 21 September 2019, which provides for the forming of a three-month extendable National Independent Investigation Committee on the event of 3 June 2019, to work in accordance with the National Act of 1954 relating to commissions of inquiry, and which limits the Committee’s mandate to fact-finding. However, the Decree was amended on 21 October by Decree No. 63/2019, which ensures that the Committee can develop into a Criminal Investigative Authority, working in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act of 1991, empowered with full investigative powers, including the right to indict, and mandated by the Attorney General Act. The Committee is composed of eight members – all men – and is chaired by an independent lawyer. Two of the members are representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence. The Chair of the Committee publically declared in March 2020 that its mandate had been extended until 22 June 2020. At the time of writing, no official statement had been made on the extension of the Committee’s mandate beyond 22 June; however, sources indicated that a further extension was under consideration. The Independent Expert expresses concern at the absence of female members among the Committee’s board, which raises concerns on the technical capacity of the Committee to investigate sexual and gender-based violence. 76. The Independent Expert acknowledges that the establishment of the Committee is a crucial step towards justice and accountability for the criminal acts committed during the events in Khartoum on 3 June 2019, and the following days. However, he remains concerned at the delays in delivering justice and providing effective remedies to the victims who fought for the revolution. He also urges the Government to extend its support to the Committee to enable the effective implementation of its mandate. 77. The Independent Expert also urges the Committee to do its utmost to secure justice and reparation for victims, and to hold all those responsible to account, without exception, in accordance with due process rules established by the international standards. VI. Technical assistance and capacity-building 78. The Independent Expert welcomes the deployment to Khartoum of the OHCHR start-up team, which is working in close coordination with the UNAMID Human Rights Section. Field offices are planned to be opened in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Darfur and East Sudan during 2020 and 2021. The OHCHR country office in the Sudan plans to work on six key areas to support the Government’s priorities and the vision laid out in the constitutional document, which frames the transition period in the country: advancing sustainable development through human rights; strengthening rule of law and accountability; enhancing participation and protecting civic space; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; preventing violations and strengthening the protection of human rights; and increasing implementation of international human rights mechanism’s outcomes. OHCHR has been engaged with government institutions and civil society groups providing technical advice. The Independent Expert has been informed that OHCHR has also been engaged with the United Nations country team in the Sudan, contributing on 20 See A/HRC/42/63. 15