A/HRC/33/65 47. The Independent Expert expressed concern about nine incidents of rape of women from the Zam Zam camp that occurred in April 2016. According to information received, these incidents happened when the women were outside the camp engaged in livelihood activities. The Independent Expert calls upon the Government and UNAMID to fulfil their obligations in creating a safe and secure environment for the displaced communities, including by expanding security patrols in and around farmlands, which are critical to ensuring food security. 48. The Independent Expert received information about public statements made by the Sudanese authorities in relation to the return of internally displaced persons and the closure of camps in Darfur. In his interactions with internally displaced persons, he noted their reluctance to agree to such a decision. They were of the view that security and justice were not yet guaranteed in their areas of origin or elsewhere for them to begin a new life. 49. While it is the primary responsibility of the Sudanese authorities to establish conditions and provide the means that would allow internally displaced persons to return voluntarily to their homes or places of origin, the authorities should make every effort to ensure the full participation of displaced persons in the planning and management of their return or resettlement and reintegration. 50. The Independent Expert highlights that, in accordance with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the rights, needs and interests of internally displaced persons must be the primary consideration guiding all policies and decisions of the Sudanese authorities relating to the closure of camps for internally displaced persons in Darfur. (b) Challenges to rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need 51. Darfur reportedly host some 3.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, of whom 1.6 million are in camps, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Nonetheless, the Government continues to push for a reduced role of the international humanitarian community in the country. Entry visas and renewal of residency permits are frequently used to limit humanitarian action and, in some cases, as a means of expelling humanitarian personnel. In addition, restrictions on movements and denial of access and clearances continue to be imposed on humanitarian agencies by the Sudanese authorities. The result has been a steady reduction in humanitarian operational capacity in Darfur and other areas of the Sudan. 52. The Independent Expert calls upon the Government to allow humanitarian agencies and UNAMID unfettered access for delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need. (c) Sexual and gender-based violence 53. Sexual and gender-based violence remained a serious concern in Darfur during the reporting period in spite of the measures taken by the Government to address it. The climate of impunity continued to create an environment conducive to the perpetration of sexual violence. Many incidents of sexual violence were not reported owing to fear of social stigma associated with rape, fear of reprisal and the victims’ lack of trust in the justice system to effectively investigate and prosecute perpetrators. 54. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Government has taken a number of positive steps to combat sexual and gender-based violence. In this regard, the Independent Expert welcomes the appointment of a special prosecutor for violence against women in North Darfur State. He hopes that this development will enhance the capacity of the judiciary to address cases of violence against women. The Independent Expert was pleased to learn that 20 prosecutors had been deployed across the Darfur region during the reporting period as part of efforts by the Sudanese authorities to improve access to justice. However, some of them had to work from headquarters, owing to the lack of adequate resources and the 10