E/C.12/SDN/CO/2 recommends that the State party condemn and punish acts of discrimination against religious minorities as well as against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights. Regional disparities 21. The Committee notes with concern the significant disparities in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights among the constituent states of the State party, with states in the eastern Sudan, Darfur and Kordofan regions being particularly disadvantaged, as extreme poverty remains widespread there and access to education, health services and safe drinking water is limited. The Committee is further concerned that disadvantaged states do not received federal resources proportionate to their needs. (art. 2 and 11) 22. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) raise awareness among its constituent states of their obligations under the Covenant; (b) integrate accountability mechanisms at the federal and state levels into the design and implementation of programmes and policies aimed at the realization of economic, social and cultural rights; (c) allocate adequate budgetary resources to close regional disparities in the level of enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the State party; (d) intensify efforts to deliver basic services in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas, bearing in mind that the enjoyment of Covenant rights should not be conditional on, or determined by, place of residence. The Committee requests that the State party provide in its next periodic report statistical data showing the progress achieved with regard to allocation of federal and state resources to sectors such as health, education and social security and the realization of related rights. Internally displaced persons 23. The Committee is concerned at the plight of internally displaced persons in the State party. It is particularly concerned at their limited access to basic services, including in camps. The Committee is also concerned at reports of forced evictions of internally displaced persons settled in urban areas such as Khartoum, impeding their prospects for local integration. Moreover, it regrets the slow pace of progress made in ensuring favourable conditions for the safe return of volunteers to their place of origin. (art. 2) 24. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify efforts to create conditions for the voluntary return or local integration of internally displaced persons. In this regard, the State party should address obstacles to the return of internally displaced persons, such as lack of safety and restitution of land and property, and ensure that, if relocated, they have access to basic services. It also recommends that the State party respect the Covenant rights of internally displaced persons wherever they are settled. Therefore, it recommends that the State party cease the practice of forcibly evicting such persons, without due process, from informal settlements and camps. Asylum seekers and refugees 25. The Committee expresses concern at the barriers, including language barriers, experienced by asylum seekers and refugees in the State party in accessing health care and education. (art. 2) 26. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure effective access to health-care services and education by asylum seekers and refugees, including through cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and non-governmental organizations. 5