A/HRC/21/62 4. Situation of human rights in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States 38. Many international partners expressed their concern about the human rights situation in Darfur, as well as their disappointment at the fact that the Independent Expert was unable to visit the region. While Government representatives acknowledged that there were human rights problems in Darfur as a result of the conflict in the region, they stated that the situation had improved, a view that was, however, contradicted by certain human rights organizations. Not having not visited the region, the Independent Expert was unable to verify the situation on the ground. Representatives of the international community also expressed their concern about the continuing clashes and deteriorating human rights situation in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States. 39. The concern about the situation in Darfur was also reflected in as many as eight recommendations made during the universal periodic review of the Sudan, which was called on to, inter alia, “continue to make concerted efforts to find a permanent and peaceful solution to the conflict in Darfur”, to “redouble efforts to build lasting peace in Darfur by exercising restraint, engaging with the African Union/United Nations peace process in Doha and improving the security situation in which humanitarian workers operate”, and “establish national mechanisms to combat violence against women, especially in Darfur”.4 In its implementation strategy (see paragraph 15 above), the Government stated that some of the recommendations had been implemented while others were still ongoing. 40. During some of the meetings held with the Independent Expert, reference was made by many international partners of the need for the Government to implement fully the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, which has resulted in the establishment of a number of institutions, such as the Darfur Regional Authority, the Justice and Reconciliation Commission and the Darfur Special Courts, all of which are in need of technical assistance and capacity-building in the form of facilities and training to ensure their effective operation. The Independent Expert met the Chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority in Khartoum, who confirmed the need for technical assistance and capacity-building for these institutions to enable them to function effectively. 41. The importance of promoting the improvement of the human rights situation in Darfur cannot be overemphasized, bearing in mind that human rights violations were the reasons for the international community’s attention to that region in the first place. The need for the positive commitment of all stakeholders to the effective implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, particularly the chapters on human rights and fundamental freedoms, and on justice and reconciliation also cannot be overstated. The Independent Expert particularly urges the Government of the Sudan to continue to address the human rights challenges in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States as a demonstration of its political will to improve the human rights situation in those regions. This will encourage the international community to extend further support to the Government in the areas of technical assistance and capacity-building. 5. Nationality and citizenship issues following the independence of South Sudan 42. International partners also raised concerns about incidents relating to nationality and citizenship issues, including reports of discrimination against people of South Sudanese descent residing in the Sudan. These concerns were also reflected in the recommendations made during the universal periodic review of the Sudan, which was called on to, inter alia, “guarantee the protection of ethnic and religious minorities and formalize post-referendum agreements on citizenship rights which will safeguard civil, political, economic, social and 4 10 Ibid.