A/HRC/15/57 3.4 Start to review the compatibility of domestic legislation with the interim national constitution and bill of rights, and harmonize laws with Sudan’s obligations under international human rights law. Undertake legal reform to include, especially, National Security Act, Police Act, Emergency Laws, and Armed Forces Act. Short-term/mid-term • Number of laws reformed in accordance with international human rights law Significant activities were The Child Act contains constructive provisions including the definition of a child as anyone who has undertaken and implementation is in process. not reached the age of 18, raises the age of criminal responsibility from 7 to 12 years and makes child exploitation and abuse a criminal offence. The Press and Printed Materials Act of 2009 provides for no restrictions on press publications unless prescribed by law to protect national security, public order and health. It also provides for the right of access to information in accordance with the law and also prohibits the confiscation and closing down of newspapers. The NISS Act on the other hand maintains arrest and detention powers of the NISS contrary to the Interim National Constitution and the CPA which envisioned information gathering and advisory roles for the National Security Service. Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act grant State governors and commissioners powers to issue orders to ban public meetings and gatherings. The 1997 Emergency and Public Safety Act, which grants wide discretionary powers of arrest to the State governors, has not been reformed. Response of the Government of Sudan The Government makes reference to Sudan’s ratification of the two Optional Protocols on the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in International Conflicts and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Reference is also made to relevant legislations passed by the national legislature including the Armed Forces Act 2007, the Police Act 2008, the Criminal Act 1991 (Amendment), the National Security Act 2009, the Child Act 2009, the Press and Printed Material Act 2009, the Southern Sudan Referendum Act 2009, the Abyei Referendum Act 2009, the Popular Consultation for Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile Act 2009 and the National Human Rights Commission Act 2009. 39