CMNT_TITLE

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Exemption from the obligation to work for persons sentenced to imprisonment for political offences. The Committee notes that, according to section 68 of Decree No. 69-189 of 14 May 1969 issuing the prison regulations, convicted persons are obliged to work. Section 680 of the Code of Criminal Procedure lays down the same obligation to work, stating that it applies to persons serving terms of imprisonment for crimes or common law offences. With reference to this provision, the Committee previously asked the Government to clarify which offences might be considered as being of a political nature. The Government indicated that offences of a political nature were those which aimed to obstruct the organization and functioning of the public authorities, offences against the security of the State, offences relating to associations, public meetings and crowds, with offences related to the press also belonging by definition in that category. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the distinction between common law offences and political offences is still applied in practice and, if so, to state which offences are considered as being of a political nature.