E/CN.4/1992/52 page 100 As far as religious associations are concerned, they are merely associations of individuals practising the same religion, which in law are known as non-profit-making associations, under the terms of the edict of 25 April 1962 concerning non-profit-making associations. No such distinction is made in the country's administration practice either." Sudan "No distinction is made in Sudanese legislation or practice between religions and religious sects and associations. All of them, whatever their nationality, have the rights and duties conferred by religion and the legislation deriving from it. Thus, under the Criminal Code: The criminal laws derived from the Islamic shariah do not apply to non-Muslims in places such as the southern Sudan where they represent a majority of the population. As regards personal status, the laws applied to all sects are those deriving from their religion or customs. Civil courts deal with cases relating to the personal status of non-Muslims. All sects enjoy freedom of worship. They are entitled to the holidays fixed by their culture. Thus Friday is a day of rest for Muslims, whereas Christians get Sunday and other holidays. Belonging to this or that religion does not prevent anyone from having access to public employment or from enlisting. In actual fact, Christians account for a considerable proportion of the government troops fighting in the south of the country. There are at present many Christians living in areas with a Muslim majority. Because of the war, Christians and other inhabitants of the south have emigrated by the thousands to the north, where they live among Muslims. They have even established themselves beyond Khartoum, along the border with Egypt, which completely refutes the allegation that the war in the south is a war of religion between Christians and Muslims." Syrian Arab Republic In its general reply to the questionnaire, the Government of Syria stated that "the Syrian Constitution contains the following guarantees: ... Freedom of belief shall be safeguarded. The State shall respect all religions and shall guarantee freedom of all forms of religious observance. Every citizen has the right to express his opinion publicly and freely, either orally, in writing or through any other form of expression, and to participate in the task of monitoring and constructive criticism. Article 35, paragraph 2: The State shall guarantee freedom to engage in all religious observances in a manner consistent with public order."