A/HRC/45/53 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 42/35, the Human Rights Council decided to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for a period of one year, while recognizing the intention to phase out the mandate of the Independent Expert in accordance with Council resolution 39/22. The Council also requested the Independent Expert to present a report on the implementation of his mandate, including recommendations on technical assistance and capacity-building, for consideration at its forty-fifth session. 2. In the same resolution, the Council welcomed the commitment of the Government of the Sudan to establish a fully mandated country office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and requested the Government of the Sudan and OHCHR to present their oral reports on progress towards the opening of a country office during an enhanced interactive dialogue at the forty-forth session of the Council. 3. The present report covers the period from 27 September 2019 to 16 July 2020. 1 In compliance with the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council, a draft report was shared with the Government of the Sudan in order to provide it with an opportunity to comment on the observations and findings of the Independent Expert. 4. During the period under review, the Independent Expert was not able to visit the Sudan as planned in April 2020 owing to the global health measures, including travel restrictions, imposed to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The present report was prepared on the basis of information made available to the Independent Expert by different sources, including the Government and civil society organizations. 5. The Independent Expert expresses his gratitude to the Government of the Sudan for its continuous engagement with him, and to all others for sharing information and providing the assistance required. II. Methodology and engagement 6. On 14 November 2019, the Independent Expert submitted his request for permission to conduct a field visit to the Government of the Sudan, through its Permanent Mission in Geneva. On 14 January 2020, the Government of the Sudan granted permission for the Independent Expert to conduct a visit in early April 2020. However, the Independent Expert informed the Government on 16 March about the cancellation of his visit owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Independent Expert maintained remote contact with several Sudanese actors, including civil society groups. 7. The Independent Expert received updates from OHCHR on the progress made with regard to the opening of its country office in the Sudan in accordance with the host country agreement signed with the Government of the Sudan on 25 September 2019. 8. The Independent Expert, together with other special procedures mechanisms of the Council, issued a press release on 3 June 2020, to mark the anniversary of the 3 June 2019 crackdown on peaceful protestors in Khartoum. In the press release, the Independent Expert and other mandate holders raised concerns at the delay in delivering justice and reparations to the victims of the incident. The mandate holders also called upon the national independent committee to hold accountable all those responsible, without exception, and in accordance with due process rules established by international standards. 1 2 The Independent Expert will present to the Human Rights Council, at its forty-fifth session, an oral update on the situation for the period 17 July to September 2020.