A/HRC/15/57 Access to National Security, Military Intelligence and police detention centres No unfettered access has been granted to places of detention controlled by the NISS and MI especially access to persons held under emergency laws. In North Darfur, in August 2009, human rights monitors were denied access to eight people arrested on 2 August 2009 in connection with murder of a local community leader and his wife. Sixteen people were arrested under the 1997 Emergency and Public Safety Act and held in pretrial detention with no access to their relatives and lawyers. However, in South Darfur, human rights monitors were granted access and allowed to interview in private members of the PCP and SPLM detained by the NISS in August 2009. Access to SLA/MM controlled zones Access to SLA/MM detention facilities has been granted to human rights monitors. UNAMID reports that following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UNAMID and the Government of Sudan prison authority on 21 February, UNAMID has had access to all Government operated prisons. 4.4 Issue a standing invitation to all human rights mechanisms (whether standing or ad hoc) of the United Nations and the African Union to investigate the situation in Darfur and give these mechanisms full and unimpeded access to the Darfur region. Respond to all communications regarding cases addressed to the Government by special procedures of the United Nations. Short-term • Standing invitation extended, no subsequent obstructions of full and unimpeded access • Number of responses received The Government did not issue any standing invitation to UN Special Procedures. On 9 December 2009, the Government approved the visit of the independent expert to Sudan. A four-member delegation from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACPHR) conducted a three-day mission to Sudan between 28 October and 1 November 2009. Response of the Government of Sudan The Government facilitated the visit of the Independent Expert in January/February this 42 Significant activities were undertaken and implementation is in process.