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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation on the following matters:

Article 1(a) of the Convention. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the provisions of Act No. 60-12 of 30 June 1962 on the freedom of the press provides for sentences of imprisonment involving compulsory labour for certain acts or activities related to the exercise of the right of expression. The Committee referred in this connection to the following provisions: section 8 (deposit of the publication with the authorities before its circulation to the public); section 12 (permitting a ban on publications of foreign origin printed either inside or outside the country in French or in the vernacular); section 20 (incitement to commit an act classified as an offence); section 23 (causing offence to the Prime Minister); section 25 (publishing false reports); and sections 26 and 27 (slander and insults). However, the Government indicated in its report received in September 1997 that a Bill on freedom of information and communication had been drafted but that the Bill has been resubmitted to the National Assembly for reasons of non-conformity with the Constitution. The Committee therefore reiterates its hope that the Bill on freedom of information and communication will shortly be adopted and that it will guarantee that no term of imprisonment including compulsory labour can be imposed as a sanction for acts or activities related to the exercise of the right of expression.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.