A/HRC/36/63 81. Moreover, the Independent Expert would like to emphasize the need for the national human rights institution to comply with the Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) in order to play a crucial role in monitoring and promoting the effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level. In that regard, he would recommend that amendments be made to section 6 of the Act relating to the appointment of the Commissioners, to ensure that appointments are made by the National Assembly following a transparent and competitive process, as provided for under the Paris Principles. 82. The Independent Expert reiterates his call to the international community to enhance its technical and financial assistance to the Commission in order to allow it implement its mandate in an efficient manner. VI. Conclusion and recommendations 83. The Independent Expert acknowledges that, during the period under review, there were some positive steps undertaken by the Government of the Sudan in the field of human rights. They include the separation of the Ministry of Justice from the Office of the Attorney General, the decision by the President of the Sudan to pardon 259 armed movement personnel who had been captured during fighting with government forces in Darfur, the release from custody of two pastors who had been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment following a presidential pardon, and the efforts undertaken in order to facilitate humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. 84. Despite those positive developments, the Independent Expert remains concerned about a number of human rights issues in the country that are still largely unaddressed. The violations of civil and political rights after the holding of the Sudan National Dialogue are of great concern. The Independent Expert is particularly concerned by incidents of harassment, arrests, torture and prolonged detention of civil society actors, without access to legal representation or their families, by officers of the National Security Services. Also of concern are the ongoing censorship of newspapers and increased restrictions on journalists from expressing their opinions freely. Such actions amount to violations of the rights to freedom of expression and of association, and suggest a preoccupying trend, while the aim of Sudan National Dialogue had been, inter alia, to guarantee fundamental freedoms, rights and social justice and to agree on independent mechanisms for the protection of such rights. 85. In Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, despite a decline in military operations between government forces and armed opposition movements, the prevalence of armed groups, including government-backed militias and other armed actors, who operate in total impunity, continue to pose a serious threat for the protection of civilians and human rights. The Government of the Sudan has primary responsibility to ensure the protection of its civilians, and it needs to undertake effective measures to address the serious institutional gaps in the justice and security sectors in a coordinated manner in order to promote respect for the rule of law and protection of human rights. 86. In the light of the foregoing observations, the Independent Expert makes the recommendations below. A. Government of the Sudan 87. The Independent Expert calls upon the Government of the Sudan to: (a) Take concrete measures to reform the current legal framework, which infringes on the exercise of political and civil rights and fundamental freedoms. Priority should be given to withdrawing enforcement powers, including arrest and detention, from officers of the National Security Service, in line with the information- 14