A/HRC/8/6 page 15 recommendations and to contribute to monitoring the human rights situation on the ground”.12 The group, which submitted its final report to the sixth session of the Council in December 2007, noted that, although initiatives have been introduced by the Government in the light of a number of recommendations, they have not yet yielded a tangible impact on the ground, according to reports received from organizations present in Darfur.13 The Council took note of the group’s report and requested the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan to ensure that the recommendations of the group of experts were effectively followed up.14 Norway and Canada 55. The Representative visited Norway on 9 November 2007 and Canada on 5 February 2008. These visits enabled him to renew his excellent relations with the authorities of these countries and to discuss matters of common interest. Press releases and other activities 56. During the period under review, aside from the press releases published at the end of his missions and working visits, the Representative issued joint statements with other experts under the special procedures concerning Somalia (1 May 2007) and Kenya (4 January 2008), calling on those concerned to fulfil their human rights-related obligations vis-à-vis population groups, including internally displaced persons. 57. On 17 and 18 April 2007, the Representative was invited to participate in the International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons inside Iraq and in Neighbouring Countries, organized in Geneva by UNHCR. In his statement, the Representative sought to highlight some of the challenges posed by the situation of almost 2 million displaced Iraqis, which he viewed as a far greater cause for concern than that of those who had found refuge in other countries. The Representative pointed out that it was the responsibility of the Government to protect and assist its internally displaced citizens. In response to reports of restrictions imposed by some regions on entry by displaced persons, the Representative emphasized the fundamental right to seek to escape violence inside one’s country; he also urged local authorities to ensure that displaced persons were not impeded in their efforts to find security and protection inside their country. He encouraged the international community, including United Nations agencies and bodies, to focus their endeavours on the situation of displaced persons in Iraq and provide support to the Iraqi Government in that regard. 58. In the context of his continuing dialogue with all those concerned by the situation of displaced persons in Georgia, the Representative sent a message to the participants in the symposium on the legal aspects of the return of displaced persons to Abkhazia, Georgia, which 12 Résolution 4/8 du Conseil des droits de l’homme, par. 7. 13 A/HRC/6/19. Voir également le rapport du groupe d’experts soumis à la cinquième session du Conseil (A/HRC/5/6). 14 Voir les résolutions 6/34 et 6/35 du Conseil des droits de l’homme.