A/HRC/18/2 According to a report issued by OHCHR and the United Nations Mission in the Sudan covering the period from 5 to 30 June 2011, however, the violations committed in South Kordofan in June alone could amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes. The Government had failed again to respect ceasefire agreements, and there were allegations of torture and rape in prisons and detention facilities. Freedom of expression was severely restricted. The independence of the judiciary was deeply compromised. The Government had largely ignored its universal periodic review recommendations. 603. The Society Studies Centre stated that, while commendable achievements had been made in the human rights situation in the Sudan, violations continued from time to time. It called for the review of laws, such as the Press and Publications Law, and the passing of a new law that would permit access to information. It appealed to the international community to assist the Sudan and civil society organizations to improve the human rights situation. 604. CIVICUS, the Arab NGO Network for Development, the Sudanese National Civic Forum, the Human Rights and Legal Aids Network in Sudan, the Sudanese Gender Research Centre, the Child’s Centre in Sudan and the Sudanese Development Initiative were pleased that some recommendations had been accepted, and called on the Sudan and South Sudan to implement them. The tension between the Sudan and South Sudan had been a major factor in the deterioration of political, economic and social conditions, which, even after separation, continued to expose major sections of the population to insecurity and the violation of their rights. They urged the Sudan and South Sudan to take a number of identified measures to realize the economic and social rights of their citizens. 605. The International Federation for Human Rights and its partner organization in the Sudan, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, stated that violations of human rights by State actors were a daily reality. Although the separation of the South had proceeded peacefully, it had unleashed volatility and violence in the three border areas traditionally contested by the North and the South. Fighting had broken out in Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, resulting in massive killings. Agreements on Abyei and South Kordofan had been signed, but they had been denounced by President Al Bashir. In addition, violence and insecurity persisted in Darfur. 606. The Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development stated that in 2007, a scandal had given rise to broad condemnation from organizations that realized that a French nongovernmental organization was abducting children from Darfur for adoption by French families. The suspects were given a sham trial and sent back to France. The children had not been able to recover the rights of which they were deprived. The universal periodic review was the last opportunity to remedy the wrongs inflicted on these children. 5. Concluding remarks by the Sudan 607. The delegations stated that the Sudan would continue to place human rights at the centre of all policies and legislation to be adopted. It was aware that the path would be arduous, but the Government had the will and determination to do what was best for the country. The Sudan would continue to cooperate with the Human Rights Council and the international community in order to implement the recommendations it had accepted during the first cycle. It would do its best to submit a periodic report on the implementation of the recommendations, with achievements and constraints. The delegation hoped that the Sudan would receive the assistance that would enable the Government to achieve these goals. GE.12-17756 169