A/HRC/RES/27/29 1. Takes note of the report of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan submitted to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-seventh session,1 and the recommendations made therein; 2. Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Independent Expert; 3. Takes note of the continued cooperation of the Government of the Sudan with the Independent Expert to enable him to fulfil his mandate, and of the Government’s stated commitment to continue this cooperation; 4. Encourages the initiative of holding a comprehensive, inclusive national dialogue in the Sudan to achieve sustainable peace, as well as the progress being made by Sudanese stakeholders to prepare for this process with the support of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel; 5. Takes note of the assessment made by the Independent Expert in paragraph 46 of his report, encourages the Government of the Sudan to fulfil its pledges with regard to the release of political prisoners, and further encourages all Sudanese stakeholders to ensure the creation of a conducive environment for inclusive, transparent and credible dialogue; 6. Commends the steps taken by the Sudan Ministry of Education to reinforce human rights education at the basic and secondary levels in the course of the implementation of the National Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (2013-2023), and encourages the Government of the Sudan to continue these efforts; 7. Welcomes the efforts made by the Government of the Sudan in combating human trafficking, including by enacting national legislation, such as the Human Trafficking Act, by forming and strengthening national mechanisms, and by continuing its cooperation with regional and international stakeholders in this issue; 8. Encourages the Government of the Sudan to further promote and protect the right to freedom of religion and belief, and in this respect to comply with its constitutional obligations and its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; 9. Expresses serious concern at excessive use of force, including the lethal shooting of demonstrators in September 2013 and March 2014, and calls upon the Government of the Sudan to institute an independent public inquiry and to refer its findings to the judiciary within its legal system to ensure justice and accountability related to those incidents; 10. Expresses concern at reports of restrictions on the media, pre- and post-publication censorship, seizure of newspapers, the banning of some journalists and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and of peaceful assembly; 11. Urges the Government of the Sudan to further its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular to ensure freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, and to respect the human rights of all individuals, including human rights defenders and members of civil society organizations; 12. Condemns the violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law reported in the States of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile and by all parties, including sexual and gender-based violence, the indiscriminate aerial bombings of humanitarian facilities, such as the reported bombing of a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders, and the targeting of civilians and humanitarian aid workers, and urges all parties to resort to peace; 1 2 A/HRC/27/69.