A/HRC/36/63 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 33/26, the Human Rights Council extended the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for a period of one year, and requested him to report to it at its thirty-sixth session on the implementation of his mandate, including recommendations on technical assistance and capacity-building. 2. The present report covers the period from 28 September 2016 to 30 June 2017. In compliance with the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council, a draft report was shared with the Government of the Sudan in order to provide it with an opportunity to comment on the observations and findings of the Independent Expert. 3. The report is based on information made available to the Independent Expert during his visit to the Sudan and on information provided by the Government of the Sudan, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and other sources, including civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes working in the Sudan and the donor community. 4. The Independent Expert expresses his gratitude to the Government of the Sudan for its invitation and cooperation, to the Office of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Khartoum and to UNAMID for supporting and facilitating his mission to the country. He also thanks the donor community and civil society organizations for their important work in promoting and protecting human rights in the country. 5. He also thanks all other organizations, groups and individuals who provided assistance and shared information with him. II. Methodology and engagement 6. The Independent Expert undertook two visits to the Sudan during the reporting period, from 10 to 22 February and from 11 to 21 May 2017, and visited Khartoum, Darfur and Blue Nile. 7. In Khartoum, the Independent Expert held wide-ranging discussions with senior government officials, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Minerals in his capacity as Secretary of the Sudan National Dialogue, the Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, and specialized government units and agencies, the Speaker of the Parliament and the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly. He interacted with the Chief Justice and high-ranking members of the judiciary and had a fruitful exchange with the newly appointed Attorney General. He also had frank and fruitful discussions with the Director of the Legal Department of the National Security Service. He was updated on the situation of human rights in the country by the Rapporteur to and members of the Advisory Council for Human Rights, and was encouraged by their response to some of the issues he raised. He also met with the Chair and members of the National Commission for Human Rights, the Head of the Humanitarian Aid Commission, the Chair and members of the Bar Association, and the Chair and members of the National Press Council. He also met with representatives of civil society organizations, human rights defenders and victims of human rights violations and abuses, some of whom shared their personal experiences with him. He met with members of the diplomatic community, representatives of opposition political parties, staff members and students of the University of Khartoum and of the International University of Africa in Khartoum, from whom he received valuable information on the human rights situation in the country. 8. In Northern Darfur, the Independent Expert met with the Governor of the State of Northern Darfur, members of the judiciary, including the Special Prosecutor for the crimes committed in Darfur, the regional representative of the National Commission for Human Rights, officials of UNAMID and United Nations agencies in Northern Darfur and civil society organizations. He also visited the Sorotoni camp, which hosts internally displaced persons from the Jebel Marra area. 3