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Repetition

Article 2(2)(a) of the Convention. Work in the general interest imposed in the context of compulsory military service. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to section 14 of Ordinance No. 001/PCE/CEDNACVG/91 of 1991 reorganizing the armed forces within the framework of compulsory military service, conscripts who are fit for service are classified into two categories, one of which remains at the disposal of the military authorities for two years and may be called upon to perform work in the general interest by order of the Government. The Committee recalled that, to be excluded from the scope of application of the Convention and not considered to be forced labour, any work or service exacted under compulsory military service laws must be of a purely military character. The Committee therefore requested the Government to take measures to amend the provisions of section 14 and noted the Government’s indication that those provisions would be brought into conformity with the Convention.

The Government once again indicates in its report that it will take the necessary measures to bring the provisions of section 14 of Ordinance No. 001/PCE/CEDNACVG/91 into conformity with the Convention. The Committee notes that section 14 of the Ordinance of 1991 reorganizing the armed forces was reproduced in section 32 of Act No. 012/PR/2006 of 10 March 2006 reorganizing the armed and security forces.

The Committee notes with regret the continued absence of measures bringing the provisions of the legislation on compulsory military service into conformity with the Convention, despite the Committee’s requests in this regard over several years. The Committee urges the Government to amend the legislation setting out the rules applicable to compulsory military service in order to limit the work or services exacted as part of compulsory military service to that of a purely military character, without including work in the general interest, in conformity with Article 2(2)(a) of the Convention. The Committee also requests the Government to provide a copy of the legislation currently in force governing compulsory military service. Lastly, it requests the Government to provide information on the number of persons performing work in the general interest by order of the Government and on the nature of such work.

Article 2(2)(c). Work imposed by an administrative authority. For many years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to amend or repeal section 2 of Act No. 14 of 13 November 1959 authorizing the Government to take administrative measures for the relocation, internment or expulsion of persons whose activities constitute a danger for public order and security, under which the administrative authorities may impose work on persons subject to a prohibition of residence once they have completed their sentence. This section provides that a person with a criminal conviction involving the prohibition of residence may be used for work in the public interest for a period the duration of which is determined by order of the Prime Minister.

The Committee notes with regret that the Government reiterates in its report that it will take the necessary measures to amend or repeal section 2 of Act No. 14 of 1959, without reporting any progress in this regard. The Commission recalls that, under Article 2(2)(c) of the Convention, mandatory work exacted from convicts is not considered forced labour only when it is exacted as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law and subject to certain conditions. Consequently, the Committee strongly urges the Government to take the necessary measures to amend or repeal section 2 of Act No. 14 of 13 November 1959 so that persons subjected to a prohibition of residence who have completed their sentence are not sentenced to work in the public interest by administrative authorities. In the meantime, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 2 of Act No. 14 of 1959, particularly on the number of sentences imposed under this section.