A/HRC/23/27 investigation. With the support of OHCHR and UNDP, a gaps analysis of the Commission was carried out to identify needs and areas for improvement. 14. The OHCHR Regional Office for Southern Africa continued to work closely with national human rights institutions in the Southern Africa region by providing funding and technical assistance for capacity-building projects, including induction training for newly appointed human rights commissioners in Comoros, Malawi and Mozambique, in collaboration with the relevant United Nations country teams and the International Organization of la Francophonie. 15. OHCHR provided advice to the Government of Zimbabwe on the compliance of the draft law establishing the Human Rights Commission with the Paris Principles. The law was passed in October 2012. OHCHR will continue to assist in ensuring the compliance of the enabling law with the Paris Principles. 16. OHCHR and the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan assisted the South Sudan Human Rights Commission in the preparation of a three-year strategic plan and work plan. 17. OHCHR, UNDP and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions conducted a gaps assessment of the human rights institution of Zambia, as well as a training session for commissioners and staff members on the Paris Principles, the accreditation process and the role of national human rights institutions in the international human rights system. OHCHR also met with the Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Commission of Zambia to advise on the inclusion of provisions regarding the institution in the new Constitution. 18. OHCHR and the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) provided advice to a national panel on the appointment and re-appointment of commissioners regarding the relevant provision in the Paris Principles. OHCHR also provided the Human Rights Commission with funding and technical support to develop its strategic plan for the period 2012-2014. UNIPSIL deployed one staff member for a period of six months to the Commission to support the development of internal guidelines and procedures for the Monitoring and Research Directorate. As a result, the Directorate conducted a number of activities, including two public hearings into human rights violations. Thanks to this close cooperation, the Commission achieved its A-status accreditation with the International Coordinating Committee in May 2012. In September 2012, an induction session was conducted for recently appointed commissioners. 19. Also in Sierra Leone, OHCHR supported activities in 2012 relating to the follow-up to the universal periodic review by the Human Rights Commission. The Commission disseminated information on the review over the radio, held local consultations with stakeholders prior to the adoption of the report and participated in the session of the Human Rights Council. 20. OHCHR provided newly appointed commissioners of the Sudan Human Rights Commission with substantive materials to enable the operationalization of the Commission. 21. OHCHR also provided the the human rights institution of Somaliland with technical advice and assistance, including by conducting joint monitoring, reporting, advocacy and research on human rights issues. As a result, the institution successfully handled a number of cases relating to arbitrary detention and refugees. 22. Following the enactment of the Human Rights Defender Act in November 2011, OHCHR continued to advocate with the Government of Puntland that the appointment of a human rights defender be carried out in accordance with the Paris principles. 5