The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 ushered in a new era for the Sudan, ending over 20 years of civil strife and paving the way for the independence of South Sudan in 2011 by popular referendum. The Sudan, however, continues to face a number of human rights challenges. While progress has been made in legislative and institutional reforms, the overall democratic transformation of the Sudan has remained precarious. Parts of the legal framework, such as the National Security Act and the Criminal Act, infringe on fundamental rights and freedoms. The harmonization of national laws with international human rights principles, as envisaged by the CPA, has advanced at a slow pace. Restrictions on civil and political rights persist. Increasing demands by political opposition groups, civil society organizations and students for democratic reforms have been met with arrests and detention by the security forces. Impunity for human rights violations remains a recurring problem.
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