A/HRC/32/36/Add.3 112. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his concern about the entry into force of the NonGovernmental Organization Bill, 2015, (NGO Bill) in South Sudan. He remains concerned about the negative impact the legislation is bound to have on the essential work undertaken by civil society groups, including humanitarian organizations, in South Sudan. As indicated in the communication, the provisions contained in the legislation appear to be in contravention of international human rights law and standards and can be used to quell criticism and deter people wishing to exercise their rights to freedom of association and to freedom of opinion and expression. 113. The Special Rapporteur also echoes the concerns expressed in the report of the assessment mission by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to improve human rights, accountability, reconciliation and capacity in South Sudan (A/HRC/31/CRP.6), which refers to an on-going trend of repression against civil society organizations voicing dissent. According to the report, “[v]iolations of the freedom of opinion and expression, of peaceful assembly, as well as arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists, media workers or other individuals or groups perceived to be in opposition to the Government have been an issue of great concern in South Sudan since independence. The Government, and in particular the National Security Service (NSS), has attempted, with some success, to suffocate debate and opposition, resulting in alarm and fear among the population” (para. 170). 114. The Special Rapporteur reminds the State of its obligation to ensure a conducive environment for the free exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association guaranteed in articles 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It also restates that, according to this same Covenant, only a very limited number of restrictions to these rights may apply, which should be prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society for responding to a pressing social need for the interference. 115. The Special Rapporteur encourages the State to overturn any legislation that curtails the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Sudan 116. JAL 11/03/2015. Case no. SDN 1/2015. State reply: None. Alleged deregistration of fourteen associations in Sudan for contravening the Law on Cultural Groups of 1996 regulating associations. 117. JUA 27/04/2015. Case no. SDN 2/2015. State reply: None. Allegations of the arrest, detention, inadequate conditions of detention, and charges against a human rights defender. 118. JUA 12/06/2015. Case no. SDN 4/2015. State reply: None. Alleged criminal charges against two clergyman and undue restrictions of religious freedom of the Christian communities in Sudan Observations Responses to communications 119. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has not received a response to his communication and reminds the Government of Sudan that he considers responses to his communications as an important part of the cooperation of Governments with his mandate. He calls upon States to cooperate fully with and assist him in the performance of his mandate, in compliance with Human Rights Council resolutions 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) and 15/21 (2010). 21