A/HRC/21/62 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 18/16, the Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for a period of one year. In resolution 18/16, the Council requested the Independent Expert to engage with the Government of the Sudan with a view to identifying areas of assistance that would aid the Sudan to fulfil its human rights obligations and, to submit a report to the Council for consideration at its twenty-first session. Pursuant to resolution 18/16, the current mandate holder was appointed with effect from 1 May 2012 to replace the previous mandate holder, who stepped down in December 2011. 2. The current mandate holder undertook his first mission to the Sudan from 10 to 14 June 2012, where he engaged in constructive discussions with key officials of the Government of the Sudan, international partners and other stakeholders, including human rights defenders, civil society organizations and academic staff members of the University of Khartoum. 3. The present report is based on the information gathered by the Independent Expert from his meetings during his first mission, as well as from relevant communications received from various organizations and individuals since his appointment. 4. During his meetings with Government representatives, the Independent Expert emphasized his commitment to independence, impartiality and transparency in the fulfilment of his mandate, as required under the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council, and sought cooperation from all relevant stakeholders in pursuing his mandate in a positive and result-oriented manner. All meetings with Government representatives and other stakeholders were transparent, engaging, frank and constructive. 5. The Independent Expert was most appreciative of this opportunity to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights in the Sudan, and thanks the Human Rights Council, the Government of the Sudan, United Nations agencies, the diplomatic community, civil society organizations and other relevant institutions for their invaluable assistance and cooperation towards the discharge of his mandate. He also thanks the previous mandate holder, Mohamed Chande Othman, for his tremendous work on the Sudan and for providing him with the necessary information for understanding the development of the mandate. 6. Owing to the limited time available between the appointment of the Independent Expert in May 2012 and the deadline for submission of his report, the Independent Expert was only able to prepare a report of a preliminary nature for consideration by the Human Rights Council. He considers that a more comprehensive report, with detailed analysis of the different technical assistance and capacity-building proposals received by him, will require more time and follow-up with relevant stakeholders. 7. In compliance with the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders, a draft of the present report was shared with the Government of the Sudan to give it the opportunity to comment thereon before its final submission to the Human Rights Council. II. Purpose and scope of the first mission of the Independent Expert 8. The Independent Expert undertook his first mission to lay the ground work for effective communication with the Government of the Sudan and other human rights 3