A/HRC/39/71 improve the situation of human rights in the country with a view to fulfilling its human rights obligations and commitments. VI. Conclusion and recommendations 71. The Independent Expert’s assessment of the implementation of his previous recommendations was based on information made available to him by the Government of the Sudan and other stakeholders, including national and international partners with an operational mandate in the field of human rights in the Sudan. The Independent Expert has taken note of assurances of cooperation and commitments from the authorities to take steps towards implementing the recommendations contained in the Independent Expert’s previous reports. 72. In this regard, he welcomed the appointment of the Chair, Deputy Chair and commissioners of the Sudan National Commission for Human Rights, which he hopes will enable the Commission to function effectively. The Independent Expert also commends the Government for having taken positive steps towards improving the security situation in Darfur, including efforts by State authorities to address community-level conflicts and foster social cohesion by drawing diverse communities together through processes of dialogue and consultations. 73. In spite of these steps and assurances of cooperation, the Independent Expert is deeply concerned that a significant number of his recommendations have still not been implemented. In this context, he notes that the harmonization of national laws with international human rights principles has advanced at a slow pace. Parts of the legal framework, such as the National Security Act and the emergency laws in Darfur, continue to infringe on fundamental rights. In Darfur particularly, land occupation and violence targeting internally displaced persons, including sexual violence against displaced girls and women, continue to hinder their return to their areas of origin. 74. He wishes to reiterate that the Government will ultimately be assessed by its willingness to implement his recommendations, which will lead to an improvement in the human rights situation in the country. He therefore urges the Government to take all the necessary measures to implement the recommendations without further delay in a more constructive engagement with the Human Rights Council, the United Nations and the international community. 75. On the basis of his appraisal and assessment of the situation, the Independent Expert reiterates all the recommendations previously made and which have not yet been implemented. In particular, the Independent Expert makes the recommendations below. A. Government of the Sudan 76. The Independent Expert calls upon the Government of the Sudan to: (a) Take concrete measures to reform aspects of the current legal framework that are in breach of the exercise of civil and political rights and fundamental freedoms. In particular, priority should be given to withdrawing law enforcement powers, including the power of arrest and detention, from the National Intelligence and Security Service; (b) Ratify all remaining international instruments for the protection of human rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; (c) Ensure that the application of the death penalty in all cases takes place in a very strictly defined set of circumstances, including guarantees that the minimum fair trial standards demanded by article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have been fully met; 12