A/HRC/18/40 11. Since December 2010, the security situation in Darfur has continued to deteriorate as a result of intense fighting between Government forces and armed movements. Many civilians have been displaced as a result of the fighting. UNAMID was unable to have access to many areas affected by the fighting despite its mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. Both Government and rebel authorities repeatedly blocked peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies at various times from providing assistance to vulnerable groups. 12. The Sudan was reviewed within the context of the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council in May 2011. Some of the positive developments noted in the presentation of the Government2 included the implementation of key aspects of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, such as the holding of general elections in 2010 and the successful conduct of the South Sudan referendum. In spite of these achievements, a number of concerns and issues were raised by delegations during the review, including continuing discriminatory laws against women, sexual and gender-based violence, (prevalent in the conflict areas of Darfur and southern Sudan), media censorship and the arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders and journalists. More than 160 recommendations ranging from the establishment of a national human rights commission compliant with the Paris Principles to the reform of the State national security apparatus were proposed for adoption by the Government of the Sudan.3 13. The Government of the Sudan suspended the operation of the Khartoum and Darfur human rights forums, which had served as a useful mechanism for the exchange of information and dialogue on human rights concerns among the Government, the United Nations and international partners. The forums have not met since the previous report of the independent expert to the Human Rights Council in September 2010. The Government has stated that it is evaluating the effectiveness of the forums as a means of constructive 2 3 6 A/HRC/WG.6/11/SDN/1. A/HRC/18/16.