37. There is a low level of literacy especially amongst the girl-child. 38. Child labour and recruitment of child soldiers, particularly in war torn areas are still prevalent. 39. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has not been ratified by Sudan. Torture, Cruel and Degrading Treatment and Punishment 40. Sudan’s laws provide for several forms of corporal punishment, including stoning, amputation, cross-amputation and whipping and that such punishment is routinely meted out, particularly against women from a marginalised background, following summary trials. The African Commission regards such forms of punishment as cruel, inhuman and degrading. 41. There is no law that criminalizes torture. 42. Though Sudan signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), it is yet to ratify it. 43. The Resolution on Guidelines and Measures for the prohibition and Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Africa (Robben Island Guidelines) is not being used to train police and prison officials. Press Freedom 44. That laws promulgated to regulate the press, does not guarantee free press and may be used by the state to undermine a free press. 45. Media practitioners are often arrested, imprisoned, beaten and tortured for doing their jobs. 46. While recognizing the efforts of the State Party to provide appropriate medical treatment and social security for all its citizens especially for those infected with HIV/Aids, the Report lacks details on the availability of antiretrovirals for those infected with the HIV/Aids virus. Ratification of International Instruments 47. Despite the efforts that Sudan is making to avail its citizens of economic, social and cultural rights, it has not yet ratified:  the Optional Protocol on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); 5