beliefs and practices, and that the freedom of worship and engage in such acts is central to freedom of religion?" Furthermore, the African Commission considered in the Communication Free Legnl Assistance Group v. Zaire, that the right to freedom of conscience allows individuals or groups to worship or assemble in relation to a religion or belief, and to establish and maintain places in relation thereto, as well as to perform ceremonies in accordance with the precepts of the religion or belief. 144. States should ensure that this right is respected. In accordance with Article 8, the Commission considers that the restriction that could be placed on the exercise of this right to freedom of conscience, profession and free practice of religion is maintaining law and order. However, as the African Court indicated in the Ogick ease, this restriction must be "necessary and reasonable".4*l 145. Based on the submissions of the Complainants and witnesses, the Commission notes that the land of the Kahuzi - Biega forest is for the Batwa a sanctuary for their religious and spiritual life and that their religious beliefs and practices are inextricably linked to their traditional way of life in the forest." 146. lt further notes from the same testimonies, as well as from the Report of the Commission's Working Group on indigenous Populations/Communities as presented by the Complainants, that the local authorities refuse to allow the Batwa to return to the Kahuzi-Biega forest, alleging that they pose a threat to the ecosystems." On the contrary, this Report by the Commission's Working Group indicates that this is only a pretext because, traditionally, the Batwa have never hunted gorillas and do not destroy the forest by cutting down trees." 147. Consequently, and in the present case, the Commission considers that the eviction of the Batwa people from their ancestral lands, with a ban on their return, constitutes an infringement on their freedom of worship, and a violation of Article 8 of the African Charter. On the alleged violation of Article 14 39 Communication 276/03 - op.cit., para 16 40 Application No. 006/2012 African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights v. Kenya, para 167. "1 See para 395 of the Complainants' submissions on the merits az See the Report of the African Commission on Human and peoples' Rights Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Com Ordinary Sessi opted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights at its 28"' P..,Z 43 ibidem 29