A/HRC/36/63 J. Economic, social and cultural rights 60. On 3 November 2016, the Government of the Sudan announced cuts to subsidies for fuel and basic commodities and an increase in electricity prices as part of its economic reform programme. According to the Government, the measures were meant to curb inflation and control the collapse of the Sudanese pound by reducing government expenditures and saving hard currency reserves. Since then, fuel prices have increased by nearly 30 per cent. In addition, the price of electricity increased by 50 per cent. Medicines also became expensive for people in the Sudan, according to the Pharmacies Department Consumer Protection Association. 61. The Independent Expert notes that the decision by the Government to cut subsidies affected the poorest people in the Sudan. In addition, in the distribution of the national budget, it is noteworthy that the combined education and health allocation represented about 3 per cent of spending for the defence and security sectors. 62. The Independent Expert calls upon the Government to ensure that the State budget is distributed adequately among key sectors, such as education, health and social services. V. Technical assistance and capacity-building 63. The current situation in the Sudan, characterized by a decline in military operations between the Government and the opposition armed movements, has created a space in which the international community can assist in the protection and promotion of human rights. From the Independent Expert’s perspective, there is a need for the international community to increase its technical assistance to national institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, in the field of human rights. In particular, the Independent Expert is of the view that the Sudan needs assistance for the establishment of an appropriate legal framework, institutional arrangements and democratic reforms, which are key steps to be undertaken by the Government of the Sudan to ensure the effective protection and promotion of human rights in the country. A. Reform of the national legal framework 64. The 21 articles of the Interim National Constitution bill of rights cover most of the fundamental rights and freedoms, and civil and political liberties, including: the right to personal liberty (article 29); the right to equality before the law (article 31); the right to a fair trial (article 34); the right to litigation (article 35); the right to freedom of expression and media (article 39); the right to freedom of assembly and association (article 40); the right to vote (article 41); the right to freedom of movement and residence (article 42); and the rights of persons with special needs and the elderly (article 45). 65. An appropriate legal framework consistent with the Interim National Constitution and international norms and standards is critical for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Sudan. One of the critical challenges facing the Sudan was the failure of the legislature, especially at the national level, to apply at the national level key international human rights instruments that the Sudan has ratified. The Sudan has ratified 5 of the 10 core treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict and its Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The Sudan has yet to ratify other key universal human rights treaties, such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. 66. The Independent Expert emphasizes that the Government, in ratifying a treaty, agrees to guarantee the rights enshrined therein by making them part of its domestic laws. That harmonization aims at filling the gaps between the national legal system and 11