A/HRC/39/71 the 2005 Interim National Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Sudan is a State party. Civil society organizations are the bedrock of the protection and promotion of human rights in a democratic society, and the Government must ensure that they are able to operate freely and that their rights to freedom of assembly and expression are fully respected. 26. In this context, the Independent Expert welcomed the decision to release other human rights defenders and political activists who had been arrested in connection with the demonstrations against austerity measures in the country’s 2018 budget, and encouraged the authorities to ensure that all those still arbitrarily detained were released and to refrain from such detentions in the future. He received assurances from the relevant Sudanese authorities that those who had been released would not be rearrested, charged or prosecuted further. B. Restrictions on freedom of religion 27. On 11 February 2018, a Sudanese Evangelical Presbyterian church in El Haj Yousif, Khartoum North, was demolished by Sudanese security agents. According to information received, at least three police trucks arrived at the church without notice moments after the service had ended, and security personnel proceeded to clear and confiscate property before demolishing the church. The confiscated property included chairs, bibles and musical instruments. 28. The Independent Expert raised this issue in his meeting with the Sudanese authorities during his visit in April 2018. While representatives of the Sudanese Evangelical Presbyterian Church stated that the Church was the legal owner of the property and land and that the building had been used as a place of worship since 1989, the Government argued that the church building was among the 25 earmarked for demolition in an official order signed in June 2016 for lack of proper authorization for its establishment. 29. During the visit of the Independent Expert, the Government, under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice, organized a forum on freedom of religion in the Sudan with the participation of various religious leaders. While the Independent Expert welcomed this initiative and appreciated the fruitful debate on the subject, he is of the view that further steps should be taken by the Government to ensure respect for the right to freedom of religion in the country. 30. In this regard, the Independent Expert recalls that the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Interim National Constitution of the Sudan and article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Constitution also established the Commission for the Rights of Non-Muslims in Khartoum State to ensure that their rights are protected in accordance with the Constitution. The Sudan has an obligation to ensure that the provisions on the right to freedom of religion are fully respected without discrimination. 31. The Independent Expert calls upon the Government of the Sudan to respect the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Interim National Constitution and to allow the Sudanese people to exercise their rights freely, including the freedom of religion. C. Press censorship 32. Press censorship by government security agents continued unabated during the reporting period. The National Intelligence and Security Service continued to intimidate and instil fear of arrest in journalists, which consequently impeded press freedom, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression. At least three newspapers were confiscated by officers of the Service multiple times between 15 and 18 January 2018 for publishing articles that were critical of the Government’s response to the demonstrations. In addition, security officials arrested at least 15 journalists. Six journalists were arrested in Khartoum on 16 and 17 January and released on 21 January. There are credible reports that Amel 6