A/HRC/33/65 VI. Technical assistance and capacity-building 67. During the Independent Expert’s visit to the Sudan in April 2016, various stakeholders reiterated the need for technical assistance and capacity-building for different institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, including the police, the judiciary, the National Intelligence and Security Service and non-governmental human rights organizations. 68. In his meetings with UNAMID, United Nations agencies and members of the diplomatic corps, the Independent Expert was made aware of the fact that some funding to key government bodies and non-governmental organizations was made by donor States and that technical assistance and capacity-building activities provided by various United Nations agencies and UNAMID would continue. 69. In this regard, United Nations Development Programme contributed to building the capacity of the National Human Rights Commission and its complaints committee to address human rights grievances by developing new internal regulations for the complaints committee and a comprehensive manual to address all procedural stages of the life cycle of a human rights complaint. More than 10,000 people across Sudan were made aware of the role and mandate of the Commission, with special focus on its complaint procedure. 70. Under the Joint Rule of Law Programme, UNAMID will continue to engage with the Government of the Sudan to support the operationalization of the transitional justice mechanisms such as the Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court for Crimes in Darfur, by providing technical and logistical assistance. In addition, UNAMID will support initiatives to strengthen the rule of law and compliance with international laws and best practices, including the effective re-establishment of the criminal justice chain in key pilot areas and improved coordination among criminal justice actors. 71. The Independent Expert reiterates his call to the donor community to continue its financial and technical support to the Government of the Sudan and civil society to ensure capacity-building in the area of human rights. He strongly believes that a spirit of cooperation is essential among the Government, donor States and the United Nations to improve the human rights situation in the country. He therefore encourages the Government to facilitate the unrestricted operation and mobility of UNAMID and United Nations agencies in the Sudan, including timely provision of visas to their staff and release of their shipments from the port. The Independent Expert is of the view that the presence and effective operation of these agencies would make a meaningful difference in the Sudan. VII. Conclusion and recommendations 72. Despite the steps taken by the Government of the Sudan in the field of human rights during the reporting period, the Independent Expert noted that major human rights challenges persist in the Sudan. The Government should take practical steps to address them. The realization of fundamental rights and freedoms, including the freedom of expression and association and the freedom of the press remains an enormous challenge in the Sudan. Notwithstanding the ongoing national dialogue, there is growing concern about the pervasive actions of the National Intelligence and Security Service and their impact on the exercise of civil and political rights in the country. During the reporting period, there were widespread reports of arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detention perpetrated by the National Intelligence and Security Service. 13