A/RES/56/175 (iv) The plight of internally displaced persons in the Sudan, whose numbers are among the highest in the world, in particular with regard to women and children, and the harassment of these groups; (v) The forced displacement of populations, in particular in areas surrounding the oilfields, and notes the invitation extended by the Government of the Sudan to the Special Rapporteur to visit the oil-producing areas; (vi) The continued abduction of women and children by Murahaleen groups and other government militias and their subjection to forced labour or similar conditions; (vii) The lack of efforts to restrain the establishment by certain groups directly sponsored by the Government, including the Murahaleen, of militias that commit serious human rights abuses such as killings, torture, rape, abduction and the destruction of shelter and livelihood; (viii) The negative role of undisciplined southern militias, armed by the Sudanese army and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement, which are responsible for killings, torture, rape, the burning of villages, the destruction of crops and the stealing of cattle; (ix) The continuation of indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civil targets by the Government of the Sudan, in particular the bombing of schools, hospitals, churches, food distribution areas and market places, which seriously and repeatedly affects the civilian population and civilian installations; (x) The use by both the Sudanese army and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement of civilian premises for military purposes; (xi) The use of weapons, including landmines, and indiscriminate artillery shelling against the civilian population; (xii) The conditions, in contravention of humanitarian principles, imposed by both the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement on humanitarian organizations working in the Sudan, especially the denial of access to them, which have seriously affected their safety and led to the withdrawal of many such organizations, with grave consequences for the already dangerous situation of thousands of people living in areas under their control; (xiii) The difficulties encountered by United Nations and humanitarian staff in carrying out their mandate because of abductions and harassment by both parties to the conflict, indiscriminate aerial bombings and the reopening of hostilities; (xiv) The attacks on and use of force against United Nations as well as humanitarian personnel by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement; (xv) The measures taken by the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement to prevent tribal elders, women and youths from participating in civil society gatherings such as the Nuer conference; (b) At continuing violations of human rights in areas under the control of the Government of the Sudan, in particular: (i) Restrictions on the freedom of religion, as well as restrictions on freedom of expression, in particular the significant censorship of the press; 4