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Repetition

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has been received, despite the complexity of the situation prevailing on the ground and the presence of armed groups and armed conflict in the country. It notes however that the report does not contain much information on the points raised by the Committee previously.

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Penalties involving compulsory labour as a punishment for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political system. Over a number of years, the Committee has been referring to sections 103 and 104 of Act No. 25 of 1990 on the press and publications, which impose restrictions on printing, publishing and disseminating of certain political views, violation of such restrictions being punishable with imprisonment involving an obligation to work by virtue of Chapter 4 of Act No. 48 of 1991 on the organization of prisons. The Committee had also noted the Government’s indication that the new Act on the press and publications had been promulgated.

The Committee notes the Government’s repeated indication in its report that, it will soon provide the Committee with the new Press and Publications Act, once adopted. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation prevailing on the ground and the presence of armed groups and armed conflict in the country, the Committee trusts once again that the Government will communicate a copy of the Press and Publications Act in its next report, in order to assess its conformity with the provisions of the Convention.

Article 1(c). Disciplinary measures applicable to seafarers. In its earlier comments, the Committee noted that section 119 of the Maritime Act (No. 15 of 1994), empowers the captain to take disciplinary measures in accordance with the special laws regulating them and requested copies of such special laws. The Committee also noted the Government’s statement in its last report that such regulations giving effect to the Maritime Act had not been adopted.

The Committee notes the Government’s repeated indication that it will soon provide the Committee with the regulations giving effect to the Maritime Act. The Committee requests once again the Government to supply, once adopted, a copy of the implementing regulations under the Maritime Act (No. 15 of 1994), as is specified in section 119.