A/HRC/15/57 III. A. 1. Status of implementation of recommendations Protection of the human rights of civilians Protection of the civilian population, including internally displaced persons 10. Regarding the protection of the civilian population, the Group of Experts had proposed that the Government of the Sudan issue and enforce clear orders to the armed forces and any militias under Government’s control that it is prohibited to make civilians or civilian objects (including cultivated land and livestock) the target of attacks or to launch indiscriminate attacks (including burning of villages and aerial bombardments); that such attacks can amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, that suspects, including bearers of command responsibility, will be investigated and brought to justice, and that any immunities would be waived (recommendation 1.1.1). 11. In spite of the improvement in the security situation in Darfur, military activities continued during the reporting period. However, compared to previous years, very few aerial bombardments and indiscriminate attacks on civilians were documented. United Nations sources indicated that, in September 2009, fighting broke out between Government and Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) forces over territory in Korma, North Darfur, and between two Government security forces in Yarra, South Darfur. Both clashes resulted in civilian casualties, mass displacement of civilians and the destruction of civilian properties. In Mawu, North Darfur, reports were received of airstrikes and ground attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which appeared to be indiscriminate, failing to distinguish between military and civilian targets. A UNAMID assessment mission reported the dropping of bombs on villages. Reported fighting between the SAF and SLA/AW forces in eastern Jebel Marra in February 2010 also resulted in the displacement of an estimated 2,000 households (recommendation 1.1.1). 12. With regard to controlling and disarming the militia and to controlling and downsizing the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), the Border Intelligence Guard, the Central Reserve Police, the Popular Police and the Nomadic Police, no formal plan was publicly issued to control and disarm the militia. However, on 1 April 2010, the Government of the Sudan concluded a discharge exercise of 900 former combatants in Nyala, South Darfur. Those discharged included 560 members of the signatories of the Declaration of Commitment to the Darfur Peace Agreement and 340 personnel associated with the SAF and its affiliates. UNAMID provided technical assistance and logistical support for the exercise, including security and transport. The ongoing exercise is part of the Government’s plan to discharge 5,000 former combatants affiliated with the above-mentioned signatories. The lack of an agreed policy framework on the ongoing exercise remains a challenge. In spite of the effort made by the Government, reports indicate that the militia, the PDF, the Border Intelligence Guards and the Central Reserve Police continue to commit violations and no effective measures have been taken to fully disarm them (recommendation 1.1.2). 13. Despite some action taken by the Government to prevent and protect the civilian population against attacks (recommendation 1.1.3), civilians continued to be attacked by all parties to the conflict, including by non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement, Chadian armed opposition groups, and unknown armed elements. Inter-tribal clashes, particularly in South Darfur, continued to claim a large number of civilian casualties. In March 2010 alone, clashes between the Misseriya and Reizeigat tribes, both of Arab descent, claimed more than a 100 lives and an unknown number of displacements, the highest number of casualties in one month since UNAMID has been in Darfur. 6