A/HRC/18/40 II. Key developments in the Sudan 5. In accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the historic referendum on the self-determination for South Sudan was held as scheduled on 9 January 2011. In the lead-up to the referendum, a number of inflammatory remarks were made by State officials concerning the fate of southerners in the North should the vote be in favour of secession. As a result, thousands of southerners were compelled to relocate to the South for fear of being targeted. A week before the referendum, however, the Government pledged to respect the outcome of the referendum and to continue to contribute to the development of southern Sudan as a new nation if it opted for separation. 6. On 2 February 2011, the South Sudan Referendum Commission announced the official results of the referendum, confirming that more than 98 per cent of electors had voted in favour of secession. On the same day, the President of the Sudan signed a decree confirming his Government’s acceptance of the results. In spite of the outbreak of violence in the border areas during the voting period, the overall process proceeded peacefully and was acknowledged by the international community as free and credible, and a true reflection of the will of the people of southern Sudan. 7. Following the referendum, the wave of public discontent with a number of Governments in the Middle East and North Africa emboldened students, political activists and human rights actors to demand political reforms and the formation of a broad-based Government in Khartoum. The demonstrations were quelled by the Sudanese police and the security forces. More than 70 people, including journalists and members of political opposition groups, were arrested, some of them injured in the process. Many were released shortly after their arrest without being charged. However, an unknown number were held in custody long after the riots. According to United Nations reports, some of the detainees were subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment while in custody. 4