A/HRC/24/31 protection of human rights, with a view to identifying their technical assistance and capacity-building needs. Advisory Council on Human Rights 56. The Advisory Council on Human Rights (ACHR) continues to be the main coordinating body for the implementation of the UPR recommendations, inculcating a human rights culture across Government institutions and coordinating the Government’s human rights engagement with partner agencies and the public. ACHR has played a significant role in creating human rights awareness, particularly within the government sector. ACHR should, however, operate in a more transparent manner by issuing regular reports of its activities to the public, listing the tangible results achieved in human rights promotion and protection. This would not only promote a results-oriented approach, but would also enable the public to evaluate its achievements. 57. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a key partner in providing useful technical assistance and support to the Advisory Council towards implementation of the UPR recommendations. UNDP has provided assistance for projects that are already under way, including the organization of consultative workshops for Government institutions, furnishing and equipping the training hall of the Ministry of Justice to support its training activities, and training some 900 Government officers on human rights promotion and protection so as to facilitate the implementation of the UPR recommendations in the different states. These technical assistance and capacity-building projects can be sustained through funding from other sources to bridge current UNDP funding gaps. ACHR has compiled a consolidated document on its technical assistance and capacity-building needs, with estimated costs for each of the programmes outlined. A copy of the document can be obtained from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The projects listed therein relate to many of the major human rights challenges identified in this report. National Commission for Human Rights 58. The Independent Expert remains convinced of the important role of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in improving the human rights situation in the Sudan. During the reporting period, NCHR organized a number of training and awarenessraising workshops for Government representatives and civil society organizations in different parts of the country, including Khartoum, Port Sudan, Kadugli, Nyala and Gadarif. The Commission has also engaged in constructive dialogue with relevant Government organs and agencies, including the judiciary, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Constitutional Court and NSS, on different human rights concerns such as press censorship, political detentions and the effect of the application of the 2010 National Security Act on the enjoyment of human rights in the country. The Commission also visited Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states to gather information on human rights, and has received 38 human rights complaints, mostly in respect of the operations of state security organs, which it is currently investigating. The Commission has made some good operational progress, but needs to deliver on its substantive mandate of ensuring improvement in the human rights situation in the Sudan. 59. NCHR confirmed that the Government has approved its current budget and has disbursed funds for its operations. The Commission also received support from international partners including the Swiss and British Governments. Under a four-year agreement with UNDP, the Commission will receive support in different areas of its operations from 2012 to 2016. UNDP has also loaned the Commission two vehicles, and provided funding for the establishment of four regional offices to enable the Commission to extend its operations nationwide. NCHR has further initiated plans to sponsor its members 14