61.

Sudan now has two main institutions dealing broadly with the issue of
human rights: the Advisory Council on Human Rights (ACHR) and the
proposed Human Rights Commission (HRC). In addition, the Human Rights
and Public Duties Committee of the National Assembly provides legislative
oversight over the human rights performance of the executive authorities. The
ACHR, created in 1992, provides advice to the State on human rights; carries
out research and studies; disseminates the human rights culture across the
different media; provides training for State and civil society personnel on
human rights standards and principles; reviews national legislation to harmonize
it with international human rights instruments, coordinates human rights matters
with international human rights institutions and prepares periodic reports to
international human rights treaty mechanisms. The ACHR also handles
complaints about human rights violations from individuals and organizations in
Sudan. The INC provided for the creation of HRC to monitor application of the
Bill of Rights and receive complaints on violations of rights and freedoms. The
Human Rights Commission Act, which regulates its activity, was promulgated
in 2009. The 15 members of the HRC, to be selected from independent,
competent, non-partisan and impartial citizens, will be appointed in the near
future to commence their duties.

62. The State has established a number of mechanisms for the promotion of
human rights in the context of law enforcement, including, for example, the
Ministry of Interior's Coordinating Council on Human Rights and International
Law, community police stations and family and child protection units. In
addition, the National Security and Intelligence Service established a detainee
affairs department and a medical unit in order to improve conditions of
confinement. The enquiries and complaints office was also established to
receive queries and complaints from citizens directly.

63. Women's rights: The INC grants women equal rights with men, without
discrimination, stating as it does that "any reference to the masculine also
includes the feminine". Moreover, in the Bill of Rights provides that: "The State
shall guarantee the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil,
political, social, cultural and economic rights." The Constitution also
incorporates the principle of equal pay for equal work and affirms positive
discrimination in favor of women. The principle of equal pay for equal work
was reaffirmed in the Public Service Act of 2007. The Nationality Act
promulgated in 1994 and amended in 2005, accorded women the right to pass
on their nationality to their children. Provisions for the special protection for
women during armed conflict were included in the 2009 amendment of the
Criminal Code of 1991 and the Armed Forces Act of 2007.
64. In addition to the legal reforms, Sudan has taken a number of actions to
advance the rights and role of women including a quota system included in the
Electoral Act of 2008 that guarantees a minimum of 25 per cent of
parliamentary seats for women. Representation of women stood at 28.3 per cent
in the elections held in 2010. Actions taken to advance to address issues relevant
for women include the adoption of a national plan to combat violence against
women in 2005, and the adoption of a national strategy for the elimination of
female circumcision. The Violence against Women and Children Unit was
established in 2005 in the Ministry of Justice to monitor the implementation of
the national plan to combat violence against women. Similar units have been
established in the three states of Darfur and in a number of the other states in the
Sudan.

65. Children's rights: The Constitution makes education is a right for every
citizen and requires the State to guarantee access to education, without
discrimination as to religion, race, ethnicity, gender or disability. Since 2004,
the Sudan has experienced significant progress with the provision of education
for all, particularly at the basic level, reflecting the constitutional mandate. The
National Council for Child Welfare, established in 1991, and chaired by the
President of the Republic, with State governors and federal ministers concerned
with children's issues as members,