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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

The Committee notes that under article 19 of the Constitution of the Congo, all citizens have the right to freely express and disseminate their views in speech, in writing, in images or by any other media; freedom of information and communication is guaranteed; censure is forbidden; access to sources of information is free; all citizens have a right to information and communication; and all activities pertaining thereto are to be carried in observance of the law. The Committee requests the Government to provide the laws governing the exercise of the constitutional rights laid down in article 19.

The Committee also notes that under article 21 of the Constitution, the State recognizes and guarantees, under the conditions set by law, freedom of movement, association, assembly, procession and demonstration. The Committee requests the Government to send the legislation in force governing the freedoms of association, assembly and demonstration.

The Committee notes that under section 629 of the Code of Penal Procedure, persons sentenced to imprisonment are under obligation to work, and that section 637(1) stipulates that a decree shall determine the organization and internal running of penitentiary establishments. The Committee requests the Government to provide copies of the texts governing the execution of penalties and the prison regime.