A/HRC/42/63 Khartoum by carrying out arbitrary arrests and detentions in Darfur. Between 11 April and 12 June, at least 163 civilians were arrested and detained in relation to protests in Darfur, according to reports received. 80. In an atmosphere of violence and uncertainty, upholding the priorities of the protection of civilians and of human rights in the mandate of UNAMID is of paramount significance, including through continued monitoring and reporting of the human rights situation in the whole of Darfur. The Independent Expert supports the strengthening of the mission’s civilian presence to ensure a positive impact on protection of civilians. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Section of UNAMID continues to strengthen the capacity of national institutions to protect and promote human rights through its state liaison functions. Particularly notable is the positive engagement and collaboration of the national commission for human rights in the past year on investigations of alleged human rights violations. V. National accountability mechanisms 81. In response to the violations reported in December during the nationwide protests in the Sudan, a national fact-finding committee was established by President al-Bashir on 1 January and chaired by the Minister of Justice. The committee was tasked to conduct investigations on the allegations of human rights violations committed during the protests since 19 December. As far as the Independent Expert has been made aware, its findings were not made public. Human rights organizations raised concerns in relation to the independence and impartiality of the national fact-finding committee and in January called for international accountability mechanism to be set up by the Human Rights Council. Another investigation committee was set up by the office of the Attorney General in January and part of its findings were shared with the Independent Expert on 29 January. 82. The national commission for human rights also established a fact-finding committee, according to a statement dated 11 January, with the tasks to receive and verify allegations of human rights violations. As far as the Independent Expert is aware, at least as of the end of June, the findings of this committee had not been published either. 83. The Transitional Military Council and the Forces for Freedom and Change announced on 14 May the establishment of a joint investigation committee on the alleged assaults on protesters on 13 May but no further information about those efforts have been reported. 84. Following the events of 3 June in Khartoum, the Transitional Military Council announced the establishment of another national investigation committee. However, the Attorney General was reportedly removed by the Transitional Military Council on 20 June. The findings of this committee on the 3 June events were not disclosed to the public by the end of June. Human rights groups raised concerns about the independence and impartiality of this national investigation committee and called for an international fact-finding mission. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported to the Human Rights Council on 24 June that on 6 June she had requested to rapidly deploy a monitoring team to examine allegations of human rights violations committed since 3 June, but had received no response from the Government. 85. On 16 June, former President al-Bashir appeared at the prosecutor’s office in Khartoum on charges of corruption and money laundering. The country’s former leader was advised that he had one week to raise objections to the charges with the Attorney General. Furthermore, a group of Sudanese lawyers allegedly initiated legal proceedings against the former President on charges of orchestrating the military coup that brought him to power in 1989. No information was received on investigations initiated against the former leaders of the National Congress Party regarding crimes committed against peaceful protesters in the past year. 15