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The Committee has noted the information concerning the application of Public Order Decree No. 5 of 1979, as amended, supplied by the Government with its latest report received in 1995. In its earlier comments the Committee noted that, under the said Decree, public assemblies, meetings and processions on the public roads or places of public resort must be previously authorized and may be subject to certain directions and conditions (sections 1 to 4), and that offences may be punished by imprisonment for six months or two years (sections 3(c) and 4(5)). The Government indicates that the information on convictions under these provisions and on penalties imposed are being compiled by the Federal Office of Statistics. The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to provide this information, as well as copies of relevant court decisions, with its next report.

Please also supply a copy of the Newspaper Registration Board Decree No. 43 of 1993, which provides for punishment by a ten-year imprisonment or a fine for publishing "false information". Please provide information on its practical application, indicating, in particular, any recent convictions under the said Decree, as well as penalties imposed, and supply copies of relevant court decisions.