A/HRC/6/19 page 23 ANNEX I: STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS COMPILED BY THE GROUP OF EXPERTS ON DARFUR AS PER A/HRC/5/6 1. HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION Protection of the civilian population, including IDPs Recommendation 1.1.1 Short-term Issue and enforce clear orders to the armed forces and any militias under Government’s control that it is prohibited to make civilians or civilian objects (including cultivated land and livestock) the target of attacks or to launch indiscriminate attacks (including burning of villages and aerial bombardments); that such attacks can amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, that suspects, including bearers of command responsibility, will be investigated and brought to justice, and that any immunities would be waived. Indicators: Orders issued and widely disseminated. Number of such attacks reported that are attributable to Government forces or any allied militia. Response of the Government of the Sudan on Recommendation 1.1.1 Written information submitted to the group of experts on Darfur on 21 August 2007 Draft orders to the armed forces were prepared prohibiting all kinds of attacks on civilians, including torture and violence against women, and stipulating that perpetrators of criminal offences will have their immunity waived and will be brought to justice. The draft was reviewed by the Advisory Council for Human Rights and was submitted for signature to the armed forces command. A new Armed Forces Bill was approved by the Cabinet. It contains an entire chapter on the principles of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects. It makes no distinction between protection during international conflicts and protection during internal conflicts. It also includes provisions on individual liability and the prosecution of persons who commit abuses. The National Committee on International Humanitarian Law, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (Sudan), has set up a foundation course on the principles of international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and individual liability. The course is designed for the joint integrated units formed pursuant to the Machakos agreement and the Interim Constitution and 30 officers are to receive training at the joint forces’ headquarters on 26-29 August 2007. Information orally submitted to the group of experts on 18 September 2007 The Armed Forces Bill will be discussed in parliament when it resumes its session in October. The army commander has established a committee to create a work plan to implement the Armed Forces Act. On 16 September it was agreed that DG - Operational Unit would issue directives informing personnel about the new Act and its content.