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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

Article 2(2)(c) of the Convention. The Committee previously noted that section 8(e) of the Prison Regulations (No. 1 of 1955) issued under the Prison Act of 1953 provided that prisoners might carry out work for an officer or members of the army by authorization of the Minister of Defence. It also noted the Government’s statement that the abovementioned provision of the Prison Regulations was no longer applied in practice.

The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Provisional Law (No. 40 of 2001) on reformatory and rehabilitation centres, which has repealed the Prison Act of 1953, as amended (section 44). It requests the Government to indicate, in its next report, whether the above Prison Regulations (No. 1 of 1955) have been also repealed and, if so, to supply a copy of the repealing text.

The Committee also notes that, under section 21(a) of the Provisional Law (No. 40 of 2001), a person sentenced to hard labour may work either inside or outside the centre and may be assigned any task decided upon by the director. It requests the Government to state, in its next report, whether guarantees are provided to ensure that such persons are not hired to or placed at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations.