A/HRC/24/31 FGM a crime in the state. Similar laws have been passed by the legislative councils of South Kordofan, El Gedarif and Red Sea states. The Independent Expert encourages other states to pass similar laws. NCCW should intensify its awareness-raising campaigns to ensure the eradication of FGM in the Sudan by 2018. It should follow a results-oriented approach and publish an annual report of tangible results achieved under the programme. The Independent Expert urges international partners to support NCCW by providing technical assistance and capacity-building training so as to enhance its effectiveness. Judiciary 64. In his meeting with the Chief Justice and other senior members of the judiciary, the Independent Expert highlighted the important role of the Sudanese judiciary in promoting the rule of law and ensuring human rights are guaranteed in the country. To fulfil this role effectively, it is crucial for the judiciary to be independent of other arms of Government. The Chief Justice emphasized the independence of the Sudanese judiciary, noting that the separation of the judiciary from the Ministry of Justice represents an aspect of its independence from the executive arm of Government. However, there is a low level of confidence among the national civil society and human rights community about the ability of the Sudanese judiciary to guarantee the protection of human rights in the Sudan. The judiciary must ensure that it commands a high level of public confidence by fully upholding the constitution and rule of law in the Sudan. 65. While the higher echelon of the judiciary is aware of the need to uphold human rights standards in the administration of justice, the lower courts operating in rural areas would benefit from training in human rights. The operations of some rural courts in conflict-affected regions have not been fully functional because of intermittent armed attacks and lack of security. The Government should ensure that courts in these areas are fully functional in order to guarantee access to justice. 66. The Sudanese judiciary has benefitted from capacity-building projects with international partners through UNDP and UNAMID, which have helped it enhance its capacity to implement human rights and the rule of law, especially at senior levels. Since August 2012, UNAMID has delivered 23 training sessions and workshops on justice and corrections issues to 679 participants, including members of the judiciary and legal practitioners in Darfur. Regular capacity-building of judicial staff is essential to ensure the effective functioning of the judiciary. The Chief Justice and the senior members of the judiciary met in Darfur and highlighted the need for continued capacity-building and technical assistance to enable the judiciary to improve its effectiveness, particularly in the area of human rights and the rule of law. Police 67. The police play an important role in the protection of human rights in the Sudan, especially in the areas of law enforcement, preventing and investigating crimes, ensuring safety and security as well as generally protecting society. In his meeting with the Independent Expert, the Deputy Director General of Police highlighted that the police were doing their best to fulfil that role in the Sudan, but noted that there were a number of challenges due to the ongoing conflicts in different parts of the country. The Police College and other police training institutions have incorporated human rights education into their training programmes, so that all members of the police force are made aware of their human rights responsibilities in the performance of their duties. However, there is evident lack of effective law enforcement by the police in some conflict-affected areas of the country. 68. The police force has received useful training in community policing and other capacity-building workshops from international partners and UNAMID, which have helped 16