A/HRC/18/40 by the police. They were all released without charge. A second wave of arrests was made on 2 February, when the NSS detained eight journalists working with a newspaper affiliated with the Sudan Communist Party, together with nine employees of the newspaper. While all detainees were eventually released, some were kept for long periods without charge. 20. In mid-January 2011, Dr. Hassan al-Turabi, the leader of the opposition of the Popular Congress Party, together with nine members of the Party was arrested by the NSS. The arrests followed statements made by the Party leader that the Government could face a popular uprising similar to the ones witnessed in some Arab countries if it continued to resist calls for democratic reforms. All 10 men were released in May, but were never charged with any offence. 21. On 14 December 2010, the NSS arrested a 60-year old man for his role in planning a demonstration in Khartoum by a women’s group calling for an end to the discriminatory use of public order laws. The man was held incommunicado and had no access to relatives or a lawyer prior to being released. 22. Freedom of expression and assembly were subjected to restrictions throughout the reporting period. A number of media organizations, non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders reported increasing harassment and censorship, particularly by the NSS. For example, on the night of 19 January 2011, NSS agents raided the premises of two Khartoum newspapers, Ajrass Al Hurriya and Al Sahafa, and ordered editors not to distribute their daily editions of the papers without NSS approval. The NSS intervention interrupted the operation of the newspapers for two days. Another Khartoum newspaper, the Khartoum Monitor, had its publication suspended on 22 and 23 December 2010 for having published an article on the subject “HIV and religion”. 23. During his first visit to the Sudan in 2011 year, the independent expert was informed that a Special Prosecutor has been appointed by the Minister for Justice to monitor detentions made by the NSS. In spite of this, the independent expert remains concern about the wide discretionary powers granted to the NSS. He notes the lack of judicial oversight 9