ÿWPCÎ §¸-æ>ÚŸuدë×<æQ+yЮR–nï,Ò²¾e­QnÎÍ»&´>Òñs<Ò=ƒ\ìì<ðcvã㺳ø¾‘¬FÔ86‹¸éª¸Sz¶LsóWU㨯,ŽÐ‚ö'‹ØÐ#rr4CºŠiTÆ3í6ôR|G÷ô„À½…_·{&|ÞÞ‚+tî?Dúð´ãG^VÕX-3æq }ÞùbsXŠ=OÆÔOÙW΋hŠŠ¶ –ö—«‡›ÍK­Ž –òGaë 7ƒs“ú¼¾#Kû¾üY¢Ó!þ°ÿ߯GTô!FËÁ$ØÆœr¡Ô š â³³¹üÚ:ßE”hîm+5Ëï=”(¹2dLž°¹»ðvì®· Áêm½J-?UlÆcïÃL”‰¼Õ-ëWÖ#Tw„‚”ÈIê4¨¨k¡ä³XF?Ù›´²›®ãû«² ʺÀCO_E|R¬Qœ1“5ñ=¯OVž*³UGöXIƒ¨%¹À6‘¦–ãç(«_"5ïu½Üî÷ù`G~=²[òýŠ$’i}÷Éì|g…¨m•EÏ:æ œ–‚¶§tjQ„âd^ÔO`Ïš˜Ó§£Çìww ¬g ‰<MH 0nL 0ºU>Ð 0 05$U6Y 0: ÚÉ U>£ 0ná ^ O 0n[ D+É Æô 0nº 0(( 0nP AQ¾w4'#É7U N %N 0STN§© m« 0™c 1u% 0 wš 0 Š 0  › 0 ´; 0 Çï 0 Û¶ 0 ï‘ 1 ‰€(  721 0DcU6§§ÁÝÝÝÝ 08žžžžžžžžžž 0øÖ<ÿÿ:Default ParaÔ€XXXÔÔ€XXXÔ0Iœÿÿ.headerÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÓ°°ÀÐ (#ÓÔ€ôôôÔÔ€XXXÔÑ  ÑÓ°°ÀÐ (#ÓÓ  Óô\  `&Times New Roman0Iœÿÿ.footerÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÓ°°ÀÐ (#ÓÔ€ôôôÔÔ€XXXÔÑ  ÑÓ°°ÀÐ (#ÓÓ  Ó8z‚ÿÿ6Plain TextÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÔ€ôôôÔÔK€<þ6X9`(Courier NewKÔÔ€XXXÔÔS€ô\  `&Times New RomanSÔÑ  ÑÓ  Ó<þ6X9`(Courier New:ÿÿ8page number'  >Centre for Refugee Studies>0Centre for Refugee Studies .   ô\  `‹&Times New Roman(F2=Q$§§Ý ƒE]!ÝÔ€Xp XXXÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ýúˆ¸6‡ (F2=Q$©©Ý ƒE]!ÝÔ€Xp XXXÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý'ÈÈÈÈdxdƒ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5(F2=Q$££Ý ƒE]!ÝÔ€Xp XXXÔÓ  ÓÝ  Ý(ÿÿ$””(F2=Q$¢¢Ý ƒE]!ÝÔ€Xp XXXÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝCþÿ<< cÿÿcC‚693|P˜HP PSC 2350 seriesTŽ––––TŽ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(+E]$¡¡Ô€Xm:XXXÔÓ  ÓNÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(xir$··à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ (#¸ (#à(ŒÜ$¸¸à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0h(#(#à(ŸF$¹¹à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0Àh(#h(#à(³Àô$ººà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à(ǵ{$»»à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0p(#(#à !"#$%&xñ–Gaeimquy}Bullet ListBullets Listi)(F$ïïà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àÔ2#ÔÙ ÙÚ  ÚÚ  ÚÙ Ù)Ô3  Ôà0Èp(#p(#àÙ Ù<þ6X9`(‹Courier New ·Ý ƒ =Q'ÝÔ€Xp XXXÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡¼;»XXp ÔPOLITICAL€RIGHTSÔ#†Xp X»¼;e#Ô<~~ÿÿ:Endnote RefeÔ US ÔÔ‡XXXÔÔS‡ ô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔò òòòÔ UK Ôó óóóÔS‡ ô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔÔ‡XXXÔ(dlÿÿ&21Ô‡ôôôÔÔK‡+<þ6X9`(‹Courier NewKÔÔ‡XXXÔÔS‡ ô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔÝ ƒE]!ÝÔ€Xp XXXÔÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÖ€-ÿÿÖÑ8€p XXdìdÈ8Ñòòò òIII.€JURISPRUDENCEó óóóÐ Œ ÐÌòòò òÔ_ÔICCPRÔ_Ôó óóóÐ dØ ÐÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–x3ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ŸÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòMassera€v.€Uruguayóó€(R.1/5),€ICCPR,€A/34/40€(15€August€1979)€124€at€paras.€2€and€10.݃3£ŸÌÝŒÐ< °(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à2.€€...The€author€claims€that€her€stepfather,€Jose€Luis€Massera,€professor€of€mathematics€andÐ  t Ðformer€Deputy€to€the€National€Assembly,€was€arrested€on€22€October€1975€...€On€15€AugustÐ ì ` Ð1976€he€was€tried€by€a€military€court€on€the€charge€of€"subversive€association"€for€being€oneÐ ØL  Ðof€the€leaders€of€a€banned€political€party€...€The€author€further€submits€that€her€stepfatherÐ Ä8  Ðremains€imprisoned€and€that€in€his€double€quality€as€former€Deputy€and€as€an€accused€triedÐ °$  Ðfor€a€political€offence,€he€has€been€deprived€of€all€his€political€rights€by€a€GovernmentÐ œ  Ðdecree.Јü (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðtè (#(# Ðà0  à10.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€these€facts€in€so€far€as€they€haveÐ `Ô  Ðoccurred€after€23€March€1976€disclose€violations€of€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€andÐ LÀ ÐPolitical€Rights,€in€particular:Ð8¬(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  à(ii)€with€respect€to€Jose€Luis€Ô_ÔMasseraÔ_Ô,Є(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðüp(#(# Ðà0  àof€article€25,€because€of€unreasonable€restrictions€on€his€political€rightsÐè\(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐÔH(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£yÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝWeinberger€v.€Uruguayóó€(28/1978)€(R.7/28),€ICCPR,€A/36/40€(29€October€1980)114€at€paras.Ð ˜  Ð12,€15€and€16.݃3£y©ÝŒÐ„ø(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à12.€€The€Committee€therefore€decides€to€base€its€views€on€the€following€facts€which€haveÐ H!¼ Ðeither€been€essentially€confirmed€by€the€State€party€or€are€uncontested€except€for€denials€ofÐ 4"¨ Ða€general€character€offering€no€particular€information€or€explanation:€Ismael€WeinbergerÐ  #” ÐWeisz€was€arrested€at€his€home€in€Montevideo,€Uruguay,€on€25€February€1976€without€anyÐ  $€  Ðwarrant€of€arrest...Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  àIsmael€Weinberger€was€first€brought€before€a€judge€and€charged€on€16€December€1976,Ð Ð&D # Ðalmost€10€months€after€his€arrest.€€On€14€August€1979,€three€and€a€half€years€after€his€arrest,Ð ¼'0!$ Ðhe€was€sentenced€to€eight€years€of€imprisonment€by€the€Military€judge€of€the€Court€of€FirstÐ ¨("% ÐInstance€for€"subversive€association"€(art.€60€(V)€of€the€Military€Penal€Code)€withÐ ”)#& Ðaggravating€circumstances€of€conspiracy€against€the€Constitution.€€The€concrete€factual€basisÐ €*ô#' Ðof€this€offence€has€not€been€explained€by€the€Government€of€Uruguay,€although€the€authorÐ l+à$( Ðof€the€communication€claims€that€the€true€reasons€were€that€his€brother€had€contributedÐ Œ Ðinformation€on€trade-union€activities€to€a€newspaper€opposed€to€the€Government€and€hisÐ xì Ðmembership€in€a€political€party€which€had€lawfully€existed€while€the€membershipÐ dØ Ðlasted...Pursuant€to€òòActa€lnstitucional€No.€4óó€of€1€September€1976,€Ismael€Weinberger€isÐ P Ä Ðdeprived€of€the€right€to€engage€in€political€activities€for€15€years.€Ð< °(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à15.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee€is€aware€that€under€the€legislation€of€many€countriesÐ  ˆ Ðcriminal€offenders€may€be€deprived€of€certain€political€rights.€€Accordingly,€article€25€of€theÐ  t ÐCovenant€only€prohibits€"unreasonable"€restrictions.€€In€no€case,€however,€may€a€person€beÐ ì ` Ðsubjected€to€such€sanctions€solely€because€of€his€or€her€political€opinion€(arts.€2€(1)€and€26).€Ð ØL  ÐFurthermore,€in€the€circumstances€of€the€present€case€there€is€no€justification€for€such€aÐ Ä8  Ðdeprivation€of€all€political€rights€for€a€period€of€15€years.€Ð°$ (#(# ÐÌà0  à16.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€these€facts...disclose€violations€of€theÐ ˆü  ÐCovenant,€in€particular:€Ðtè (#(# ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð à...of€article€25,€because€he€is€barred€from€taking€part€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ LÀ Ðaffairs€and€from€being€elected€for€15€years€in€accordance€with€òòActaÐ 8¬ ÐInstitucional€No.€4óó€of€1€September€1976.€Ð$˜` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£5ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝPietraroia€v.€Uruguay€óó(44/1979)€(R.10/44),€ICCPR,€A/36/40€(27€March€1981)€153€at€paras.Ð è\ Ð16€and€17.݃3£5eÝŒÐÔH(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ь (#(# Ðà0  à16.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee€is€aware€that€the€sanction€of€deprivation€of€certainÐ ˜  Ðpolitical€rights€is€provided€for€in€the€legislation€of€some€countries.€€Accordingly,€article€25Ð „ø Ðof€the€Covenant€prohibits€ð ðunreasonableðð€restrictions.€€In€no€case,€however,€may€a€personÐ pä Ðbe€subjected€to€such€sanctions€solely€because€of€his€or€her€political€opinion€(arts.€2(1)€andÐ \ Ð Ð26).€€Furthermore,€the€principle€of€proportionality€would€require€that€a€measure€as€harsh€asÐ H!¼ Ðthe€deprivation€of€all€political€rights€for€a€period€of€15€years€be€specifically€justified.€€NoÐ 4"¨ Ðsuch€attempt€has€been€made€in€the€present€case.€Ð #”(#(# ÐÌà0  à17.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€these€facts...disclose€violations€of€theÐ ø$l! ÐCovenant,€in€particular:€Ðä%X"(#(# ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð à...of€article€25,€because€he€is€barred€from€taking€part€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ ¼'0!$ Ðaffairs€and€from€being€elected€for€15€years,€in€accordance€with€òòActaÐ ¨("% ÐInstitutional€No.€4€óóof€1€September€1976.Д)#&` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÐ l+à$( ЇÌòòò òSee€also:ó óóóÐ xì ÐÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£¿ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝTourð;ðn€v.€Uruguay€óó(32/1978)€(R.7/32),€ICCPR,€A/36/40€(31€March€1981)€120€at€paras.€8,Ð `Ô Ð11€and€12.݃3£¿ïÝŒÐL À(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ôÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝSilva€v.€Uruguay€óó(34/1978)€(R.8/34),€ICCPR,€A/36/40€(8€April€1981)€130€at€paras.€8.4€andÐ  „ Ð9.€Ýƒ3£ô$ÝŒÐü p(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐÔH (#(# Ðà0  à8.4€€...[E]ven€on€the€assumption€that€there€exists€a€situation€of€emergency€in€Uruguay,€theÐ À4  ÐHuman€Rights€Committee€does€not€see€what€ground€could€be€adduced€to€support€theÐ ¬  Ðcontention€that,€in€order€to€restore€peace€and€order,€it€was€necessary€to€deprive€all€citizens,Ð ˜  Ðwho€as€members€of€certain€political€groups€had€been€candidates€in€the€elections€of€1966€andÐ „ø  Ð1971,€of€any€political€right€for€a€period€as€long€as€15€years.€€This€measure€applies€toÐ pä  Ðeveryone,€without€distinction€as€to€whether€he€sought€to€promote€his€political€opinions€byÐ \Ð  Ðpeaceful€means€or€by€resorting€to,€or€advocating€the€use€of,€violent€means.€€The€GovernmentÐ H¼ Ðof€Uruguay€has€failed€to€show€that€the€interdiction€of€any€kind€of€political€dissent€is€requiredÐ 4¨ Ðin€order€to€deal€with€the€alleged€emergency€situation€and€pave€the€way€back€to€politicalÐ  ” Ðfreedom.Ð €(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that,€by€prohibiting€the€authors€of€theÐ äX Ðcommunication€from€engaging€in€any€kind€of€political€activity€for€a€period€as€long€as€15Ð ÐD Ðyears,€the€State€party€has€unreasonably€restricted€their€rights€under€article€25€of€the€Covenant.м0(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£Ï#ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòMauritian€Women€v.€Mauritiusóó€(35/1978)€(R.9/35),€ICCPR,€A/36/40€(9€April€1981)€134€atÐ €ô Ðparas.€9.2(c)1€„€9.2(c)3.݃3£Ï#ü#ÝŒÐlà(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐD!¸(#(# Ðà0  à9.2(c)1€€...The€Committee€is€not€called€upon€in€this€case€to€examine€any€restrictions€on€aÐ 0"¤ Ðcitizenððs€right€under€article€25.€€Rather,€the€question€is€whether€the€opportunity€also€referredÐ # Ðto€there,€i.e.€a€òòde€factoóó€possibility€of€exercising€this€right,€is€affected€contrary€to€theÐ $|  ÐCovenant.Ðô$h!(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.2(c)2€€The€Committee€considers€that€restrictions€established€by€law€in€various€areas€mayÐ Ì&@ # Ðprevent€citizens€in€practice€from€exercising€their€political€rights,€i.e.€deprive€them€of€theÐ ¸',!$ Ðopportunity€to€do€so,€in€ways€which€might€in€certain€circumstances€be€contrary€to€theÐ ¤("% Ðpurpose€of€Article€25...Ð)#&(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.2(c)3€€...As€regards€Mrs.€Aumeeruddy„Cziffra,€who€is€actively€participating€in€political€lifeÐ h+Ü$( Ðas€an€elected€member€of€the€legislative€assembly€of€Mauritius,€she€has€neither€in€fact€nor€inÐ Œ Ðlaw€been€prevented€from€doing€so.€€It€is€true€that€on€the€hypothesis€that€if€she€were€to€leaveÐ xì Ðthe€country€as€a€result€of€interference€with€her€family€situation,€she€might€lose€thisÐ dØ Ðopportunity€as€well€as€other€benefits€which€are€in€fact€connected€with€residence€in€theÐ P Ä Ðcountry...The€hypothetical€side„effects€just€suggested€do€not€warrant€a€finding€of€a€separateÐ < ° Ðviolation€of€article€25€at€the€present€stage,€where€no€particular€element€requiring€additionalÐ ( œ Ðconsideration€under€that€article€seems€to€be€present.Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£Õ+ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòGonzalez€v.€Uruguayóó€(R.2/10),€ICCPR,€A/37/40€(29€March€1982)€122€at€paras.€14„16.݃3£Õ+,ÝŒÐØL (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...а$ (#(# Ðà0  à14.€€As€to€the€authorsðð€allegation€that€the€enactment€of€òòActa€Institucional€No.€4óó€of€1Ð œ  ÐSeptember€1976,€òòaóó/€which€curtailed€the€political€rights€of€various€categories€of€citizens,€madeÐ ˆü  Ðtheir€father€a€victim€of€violations€of€article€25€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€refers€to€theÐ tè  Ðconsiderations€reflected€in€its€views€on€a€number€of€other€cases€(e.g.€in€R.7/28,€R.7/32,Ð `Ô  ÐR.8/34€and€R.10/44),€concerning€the€compatibility€of€òòActa€Institucional€No.€4óó€with€theÐ LÀ Ðprovisions€of€article€25€of€the€Covenant,€which€proscribes€€ð ðunreasonable€restrictionsðð€on€Ð 8¬ Ðthe€enjoyment€of€political€rights.€€It€has€been€the€Committeeððs€considered€view€that€thisÐ $˜ Ðenactment€which€deprives€all€citizens,€who€as€members€of€certain€political€groups€had€beenÐ „ Ðcandidates€in€the€elections€of€1966€and€1971,€of€any€political€rights€for€a€period€protected€byÐ üp Ðarticle€25€of€the€Covenant.Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à15.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€these€facts...disclose€violations€of€theÐ À4 ÐCovenant,€in€particular:Ь (#(# ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð àð8ðof€article€25,€because€he€is€barred€from€taking€part€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ „ø Ðaffairs€and€from€voting€in€elections€or€from€being€elected€for€15€years€inÐ pä Ðaccordance€with€òòActa€Institucional€No.€4óó€of€1€September€1976.Ð\ Ð` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà0  à16.€€The€Committee,€accordingly,€is€of€the€view€that€the€State€party€is€under€an€obligation€toÐ 4"¨ Ðprovide€the€victim€with€effective€remedies,€including€compensation€for€the€violations€whichÐ  #” Ðhe€has€suffered.€Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐä%X"(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòaóó/€€The€relevant€part€of€the€act€reads€as€follows:м'0!$(#(# ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð àð ð...The€Executive€Power,€in€exercise€of€the€powers€conferred€on€it€by€theÐ ”)#& Ðinstitutionalization€of€the€revolutionary€process,Ѐ*ô#'` Ð ` Ð  ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà8  àà0` Ð Ð àDECREES:ÐŒ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð àð ðArt.1.€€The€following€shall€be€prohibited,€for€a€term€of€15€years,€fromÐ dØ Ðengaging€in€any€of€the€activities€of€a€political€nature€authorized€by€theÐ P Ä Ðconstitution€if€the€Republic,€including€the€vote:Ð< °` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà0¸ ` x` xàð ð(a)€€All€candidates€for€elective€office€on€the€lists€for€the€1966Ð  ˆ Ðand€1971€elections€of€the€Marxist€and€pro„Marxist€PoliticalÐ  t ÐParties€or€Groups€declared€illegal€by€the€resolutions€of€theÐ ì ` ÐExecutive€Power€No.€1788/67€of€12€December€1967€and€No.Ð ØL  Ð1026/73€of€25€November€1973...ððÐÄ8 ¸ x¸ x Ðà0  à_________________а$ (#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£¯9ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòM.€A.€v.€Italyóó€(117/1981),€ICCPR,€(R.26/117),€A/39/40€(10€April€1984)€190€at€paras.€1.2€andÐ tè  Ð13.1„13.3.݃3£¯9Ü9ÝŒÐ`Ô (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð8¬(#(# Ðà0  à1.2€€The€alleged€victim€is€M.A.€who€at€the€time€of€submission€was€serving€a€sentence€uponÐ $˜ Ðconviction€of€involvement€in€"reorganizing€the€dissolved€fascist€party",€which€is€prohibitedÐ „ Ðby€an€Italian€penal€law€of€20€June€1952.€By€order€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€of€Florence,€M.A.,Ð üp Ðwas€conditionally€released€and€placed€under€mandatory€supervision€on€29€July€1983.€Ðè\(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐÔH(#(# Ðà0  à13.1€€The€Human€Rights€Committee€observes€that€in€so€far€as€the€author's€complaints€relateÐ À4 Ðto€the€conviction€and€sentence€of€M.A.€for€the€offence,€in€Italian€penal€law,€of€"reorganizingÐ ¬  Ðthe€dissolved€fascist€party"€they€concern€events€which€took€place€prior€to€the€entry€into€forceÐ ˜  Ðof€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights€and€the€Optional€Protocol€for€ItalyÐ „ø Ð(i.e.€before€15€December€1978)€and€consequently€they€are€inadmissible€under€article€3€of€theÐ pä ÐOptional€Protocol,€as€incompatible€with€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant,€òòÔ_ÔrationeÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔtemporisÔ_Ôóó.€Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.2€€In€so€far€as€the€authors'€complaints€relate€to€the€consequences,€after€the€entry€into€forceÐ 4"¨ Ðof€the€Covenant€and€the€Optional€Protocol€for€Italy,€of€M.A.'s€conviction€and€sentence,€itÐ  #” Ðmust€be€shown€that€there€were€consequences€which€could€themselves€have€constituted€aÐ  $€  Ðviolation€of€the€Covenant.€Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  àIn€the€opinion€of€the€Committee€there€were€no€such€consequences€in€the€circumstances€ofÐ Ð&D # Ðthe€present€case.€Ð¼'0!$(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.3€€The€execution€of€a€sentence€of€imprisonment€imposed€prior€to€the€entry€into€force€ofÐ ”)#& Ðthe€Covenant€is€not€in€itself€a€violation€of€the€Covenant.€€Moreover,€it€would€appear€to€theÐ €*ô#' ÐCommittee€that€the€acts€of€which€M.A.€was€convicted€(reorganizing€the€dissolved€fascistÐ l+à$( Ðparty)€were€of€a€kind€which€are€removed€from€the€protection€of€the€Covenant€by€article€5Ð Œ Ðthereof€and€which€were€in€any€event€justifiably€prohibited€by€Italian€law€having€regard€to€theÐ xì Ðlimitations€and€restrictions€applicable€to€the€rights€in€question€under€the€provisions€of€articlesÐ dØ Ð18€(3),€19€(3),€22€(2)€and€25€of€the€Covenant.€€In€these€respects€therefore€the€communicationÐ P Ä Ðis€inadmissible€under€article€3€of€the€Optional€Protocol,€as€incompatible€with€the€provisionsÐ < ° Ðof€the€Covenant,€òòratione€materiaeóó.Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£2FÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòMuteba€v.€Zaireóó€(124/1982)€(R.26/124),€ICCPR,€A/39/40€(24€July€1984)€182€at€paras.10.2Ð ì ` Ðand€12.݃3£2F_FÝŒÐØL (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...а$ (#(# Ðà0  à10.2€€Mr.€Tshitenge€Muteba€was€arrested€on€31€October€1981€by€members€of€the€MilitaryÐ œ  ÐSecurity€of€Zaire€at€Ngobila€Beach,€Zaire,€when€arriving€from€Paris€via€BrazzavilleÐ ˆü  Ð(Congo)...Although€in€the€prison€register€he€was€charged€with€attempts€against€the€internalÐ tè  Ðand€external€security€of€the€State€and€with€the€foundation€of€a€secret€political€party,€he€wasÐ `Ô  Ðnever€brought€before€a€judge€nor€brought€to€trial.€After€more€than€a€year€and€a€half€ofÐ LÀ Ðdetention€he€was€granted€amnesty€under€a€decree€of€19€May€1983€and€allowed€to€return€toÐ 8¬ ÐFrance.€Mr.€Muteba€€was€arrested,€detained€and€subjected€to€the€ill„treatment€described€aboveÐ $˜ Ðfor€political€reasons,€as€he€was€considered€to€be€an€opponent€of€the€Government€of€Zaire.Є(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðüp(#(# Ðà0  à12.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€these€facts€disclose€violations€of€theÐ è\ ÐCovenant,€in€particular:€ÐÔH(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à„€of€article€19,€because€he€suffered€persecution€for€his€political€opinions.€Ð¬ (#(# ÐÌòòFor€dissenting€opinions€in€this€context,€see€Muteba€v.€Zaireóó€(124/1982)€(R.26/124),€ICCPR,€A/39/40Ð „ø Ð(24€July€1984)€182€at€Individual€Opinion€by€Messrs.€Aguilar,€Cooray,€Ermacora,€Errera€andÐ pä ÐMavrommatis,€189.Ð \ Ð ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£¯MÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝJaona€v.€€Madagascaróó€(132/1982)€(R.28/132),€ICCPR,€A/40/40€(1€April€1985)€179€at€paras.Ð  #” Ð12.1,€12.2€and€14.݃3£¯MßM݌Р$€ (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ðä%X"(#(# Ðà0  à12.1€€The€Human€Rights€Committee,€having€examined€the€present€communication€in€theÐ Ð&D # Ðlight€of€all€the€information€made€available€to€it€by€the€parties€as€provided€in€article€5,Ð ¼'0!$ Ðparagraph€1,€of€the€Optional€Protocol,€hereby€decides€to€base€its€views€on€the€following€facts,Ð ¨("% Ðwhich€appear€uncontested,€except€€for€€denials€€of€a€€general€€character€€offering€€no€Ð ”)#& Ðparticular€€information€€or€explanations.€€€Ð€*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à12.2€€Monja€Jaona€is€a€77-year-old€Malagasy€national€and€leader€of€MONIMA,€a€politicalÐ Œ Ðopposition€party.€€In€the€elections€held€in€Madagascar€in€November€1982€he€was€theÐ xì Ðpresidential€candidate€of€his€party.€€Following€the€re-election€of€President€Ratsiraka,€Mr.Ð dØ ÐJaona€challenged€the€results€and€called€for€new€elections€at€a€press€conference.€€ShortlyÐ P Ä Ðafterwards,€on€15€December€1982,€Mr.€Jaona€was€placed€under€house€€arrest€in€TananariveÐ < ° Ðand€subsequently€detained€at€the€military€camp€of€Kelivondrake,€600€km€south€ofÐ ( œ ÐTananarive.€€He€was€not€informed€of€the€grounds€for€his€arrest€and€there€is€no€indication€thatÐ  ˆ Ðcharges€were€ever€brought€against€him€or€investigated.€€An€appeal€against€his€arrest€wasÐ  t Ðlodged€on€15€March€1983,€but€there€is€no€indication€that€the€appeal€was€ruled€on.€Mr.€JaonaÐ ì ` Ðwas€released€on€15€August€1983.€€He€was€elected€deputy€to€the€National€People's€AssemblyÐ ØL  Ðin€elections€held€on€28€August€1983.€ÐÄ8 (#(# ÐÌà0  à14.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€these€facts€disclose€violations€of€theÐ œ  ÐCovenant:Јü (#(# ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð àof€€article€€9,€€paragraph€€1,€€because€€Monja€€Jaona€was€arrested€in€DecemberÐ `Ô  Ð1982€and€detained€until€August€1983€on€account€of€his€political€opinions...ÐLÀ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£]WÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòMpaka„Nsusu€v.€Zaireóó€(157/1983),€ICCPR,€A/41/40€(26€March€1986)€142€at€paras.€8.2€andÐ „ Ð10.݃3£]WŠWÝŒÐüp(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐÔH(#(# Ðà0  à8.2€€Mr.€Andr€Alphonse€Mpaka„Nsusu€is€a€Zairian€national€at€present€living€in€exile.€€InÐ À4 Ð1977,€he€presented€his€candidacy€for€the€presidency€of€Zaire€in€conformity€with€existingÐ ¬  ÐZairian€law.€€His€candidacy,€however,€was€rejected.€€On€1€July€1979,€he€was€arrested€andÐ ˜  Ðsubsequently€detained€in€the€prison€of€the€State€Security€Police€without€trial€until€31€JanuaryÐ „ø Ð1981.€€After€being€released€from€prison€he€was€banished€to€his€village€of€origin€for€anÐ pä Ðindefinite€period.€€He€fled€the€country€on€15€February€1983.€€Ð\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à10.€€The€Human€Rights€Committeeð8ðis€of€the€view€that€these€facts€disclose€violations€of€theÐ 4"¨ ÐCovenant,€with€respect€to:Ð #”(#(# Ðà8  àà0` Ð Ð à...Ð $€ ` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àà0` Ð Ð àArticle€25,€because,€notwithstanding€the€entitlement€to€stand€for€theÐ ø$l! Ðpresidency€under€Zairian€law,€(the€author)€was€not€so€permitted.€Ðä%X"` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£I]ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝStalla€Costa€v.€Uruguay€óó(198/1985),€ICCPR,€A/42/40€(9€July€1987)€170€at€paras.€10€and€11.݃3£I]y]݌Ш("%(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ѐ*ô#'(#(# Ðà0  à10.€€The€main€question€before€the€Committee€is€whether€the€author€of€the€communicationÐ l+à$( Ðis€a€victim€of€a€violation€of€article€25(c)€of€the€Covenant€because,€as€he€alleges,€he€has€notÐ Œ Ðbeen€permitted€to€have€access€to€public€service€on€general€terms€of€equality.€€Taking€intoÐ xì Ðaccount€the€social€and€political€situation€in€Uruguay€during€the€years€of€military€rule,€inÐ dØ Ðparticular€the€dismissal€of€many€public€servants€pursuant€to€Institutional€Act€No.7,€theÐ P Ä ÐCommittee€understands€the€enactment€of€Act€no.€15.737€of€22€March€1985€by€the€newÐ < ° Ðdemocratic€Government€of€Uruguay€as€a€measure€of€redress.€€Indeed,€the€CommitteeÐ ( œ Ðobserves€that€Uruguayan€public€officials€dismissed€on€ideological,€political€or€trade„unionÐ  ˆ Ðgrounds€were€victims€of€violations€of€article€25€of€the€Covenant€and€as€such€are€entitled€toÐ  t Ðhave€an€effective€remedy€under€article€2,€paragraph€3(a),€of€the€Covenant.€€The€Act€shouldÐ ì ` Ðbe€looked€upon€as€such€a€remedy.€€The€implementation€of€the€Act,€therefore,€cannot€beÐ ØL  Ðregarded€as€incompatible€with€the€reference€to€ð ðgeneral€terms€of€equalityðð€in€article€25(c)€ofÐ Ä8  Ðthe€Covenant.€€Neither€can€the€implementation€of€the€Act€be€regarded€as€an€invidiousÐ °$  Ðdistinction€under€article€2,€paragraph€1,€or€as€prohibited€discrimination€within€the€terms€ofÐ œ  Ðarticle€26€of€the€Covenant.Јü (#(# ÐÌà0  à11.€€...[T]he€facts€as€submitted€do€not€sustain€the€authorððs€claim€that€he€has€been€deniedÐ `Ô  Ðaccess€to€public€service€in€violation€of€article€25(c)€or€that€he€is€a€victim€of€an€invidiousÐ LÀ Ðdistinction,€that€is,€of€discrimination€within€the€meaning€of€articles€2€and€26€of€€theÐ 8¬ ÐCovenant.Ð$˜(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£]fÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòDelgado€Pez€v.€Colombiaóó€(195/1985),€ICCPR,€A/45/40€(12€July€1990)€43€at€paras.€2.2,€2.4„Ð è\ Ð2.6,€2.8,€2.9€and€5.9.€Ýƒ3£]fŠfÝŒÐÔH(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ь (#(# Ðà0  à2.2€€In€October€1983,€the€Apostolic€Prefect€sent€a€letter€to€the€Education€CommissionÐ ˜  Ðwithdrawing€the€support€that€the€Church€had€given€to€Mr.€Delgado.€€On€10€December€1983,Ð „ø Ðthe€Apostolic€Prefect€wrote€to€the€Police€Inspector€accusing€Mr.€Delgado€of€having€stolenÐ pä Ðmoney€from€a€student.Ð\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à2.4€€On€5€February€1984,€Mr.€Delgado€was€informed€that€he€would€no€longer€teach€religion.€Ð 4"¨ ÐInstead,€a€course€in€manual€labour€and€handicrafts€(òòmanualidades€y€artesanasóó),€for€whichÐ  #” Ðhe€had€no€training€or€experience,€was€assigned€to€him.€€In€order€not€to€lose€employmentÐ  $€  Ðaltogether,€he€endeavoured€to€teach€these€subjects.Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€On€29€May€1984,€the€author€requested€from€the€Ministry€of€Education€two€weeksððÐ Ð&D # Ðleave...to€attend€an€advanced€course€at€Bogot€to€further€his€teaching€qualifications...but€Mr.Ð ¼'0!$ ÐDelgado€was€subsequently€denied€leave.€€He€considered€this€to€be€unjustified€discriminationÐ ¨("% Ðand€decided€to€attend€the€course...Д)#&(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€By€administrative€decisions€of€the€Ministry€of€Education,€dated€12€July,€and€11€and€15Ð l+à$( ÐSeptember€1984,€he€was€suspended€from€his€post€for€60€days,€and€a€six„monthsðð€salary€freezeÐ Œ Ðwas€imposed€on€him€on€grounds€of€having€abandoned€his€post€without€permission€from€theÐ xì ÐPrincipal...ÐdØ(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐP Ä(#(# Ðà0  à2.8€€While€at€his€residence€in€Bogot,€the€author€received€anonymous€phone€calls€threateningÐ < ° Ðhim€with€death€if€he€returned€to€Leticia€and€did€not€withdraw€his€complaint€against€theÐ ( œ ÐApostolic€Prefect€and€the€education€authorities.€€He€also€received€death€threats€at€theÐ  ˆ Ðteachersðð€residence€at€Leticia,€which€he€reported€to€the€military€authorities€at€Leticia,€theÐ  t Ðteachersðð€union,€the€Ministry€of€Education€and€the€President€of€Colombia.Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.9€€On€2€May€1986,€a€work€colleague...was€shot€to€death...by€unknown€killers.€€On€7€MayÐ Ä8  Ð1986,€the€author€was€himself€attacked€in€the€city€of€Bogot,€and,€fearing€his€own€life,€left€theÐ °$  Ðcountry€and€obtained€political€asylum€in€France€in€June€1986.€€Ðœ (#(# Ðà0  à...Јü (#(# Ðà0  à5.9€€...[C]onstant€harassment€and€the€threats€against€his€person€(in€respect€of€which€the€StateÐ tè  Ðparty€failed€to€provide€protection)€made€the€authorððs€continuation€in€public€service€teachingÐ `Ô  Ðimpossible.€€Accordingly,€the€Committee€finds€a€violation€of€article€25,€paragraph€(c)€of€theÐ LÀ ÐCovenant.Ð8¬(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£ "ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£¿sÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòMikmaq€Tribal€Society€v.€Canada€óó(205/1986),€ICCPR,€A/47/40€(4€November€1991)€205Ð üp Ð(CCPR/C/43/D/205/1986)€at€paras.€5.4,€5.5€and€6.݃3£¿sìsÝŒÐè\(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à5.4€€It€remains€to€be€determined€what€is€the€scope€of€the€right€of€every€citizen,€withoutÐ ¬  Ðunreasonable€restrictions,€to€take€part€in€the€conduct€of€public€affairs,€directly€or€throughÐ ˜  Ðfreely€chosen€representatives.€€Surely,€it€cannot€be€the€meaning€of€article€25(a)€of€theÐ „ø ÐCovenant€that€every€citizen€may€determine€either€to€take€part€directly€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ pä Ðaffairs€or€to€freely€chosen€representatives.€€It€is€for€the€legal€and€constitutional€system€of€theÐ \ Ð ÐState€party€to€provide€for€the€modalities€of€such€participation.ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  à5.5€€It€must€be€beyond€dispute€that€the€conduct€of€public€affairs€in€a€democratic€State€is€theÐ  #” Ðtask€of€representatives€of€the€people,€elected€for€that€purpose,€and€public€officials€appointedÐ  $€  Ðin€accordance€with€the€law.€€Invariably,€the€conduct€of€public€affairs€affects€the€interest€ofÐ ø$l! Ðlarge€segments€of€the€population€or€even€the€population€as€a€whole,€while€in€other€instancesÐ ä%X" Ðit€affects€more€directly€the€interests€of€more€specific€groups€in€society.€€Although€priorÐ Ð&D # Ðconsultations,€such€as€public€hearings€or€consultations€with€the€most€interested€groups€mayÐ ¼'0!$ Ðoften€be€envisaged€by€law€or€have€evolved€as€public€policy€in€the€conduct€of€public€affairs,Ð ¨("% Ðarticle€25(a)€cannot€be€understood€as€meaning€that€any€directly€affected€group,€large€or€small,Ð ”)#& Ðhas€the€unconditional€right€to€choose€the€modalities€of€participation€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ €*ô#' Ðaffairs.€€That,€in€fact,€would€be€an€extrapolation€of€the€right€to€direct€participation€by€theÐ l+à$( Ðcitizens,€far€beyond€the€scope€of€article€25€(a).€ÐŒ(#(# ÐÌà0  à6.€€Notwithstanding€the€right€of€every€citizen€to€take€part€in€the€conduct€of€public€affairsÐ dØ Ðwithout€discrimination€and€without€unreasonable€restrictions,€the€Committee€concludes€that,Ð P Ä Ðin€the€specific€circumstances€of€the€present€case,€the€failure€of€the€State€party€to€inviteÐ < ° Ðrepresentatives€of€the€Mikmaq€tribal€society€to€the€constitutional€conferences€on€aboriginalÐ ( œ Ðmatters,€which€constituted€conduct€of€public€affairs,€did€not€infringe€that€right€of€the€authorsÐ  ˆ Ðor€other€members€of€the€Mikmaq€tribal€society.€€Moreover,€in€the€view€of€the€Committee,Ð  t Ðthe€participation€and€representation€at€these€conferences€have€not€been€subjected€toÐ ì ` Ðunreasonable€restrictions.€€Accordingly,€the€Committee€is€of€the€view€that€theÐ ØL  Ðcommunication€does€not€disclose€a€violation€of€article€25€or€any€other€provisions€of€theÐ Ä8  ÐCovenant.а$ (#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£È€ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝBwalya€v.€Zambiaóó€(314/1988),€ICCPR,€A/48/40€vol.€II€(14€July€1993)€52Ð tè  Ð(CCPR/C/48/D/314/1988)€at€paras.€2.1„2.4,€6.2€and€6.6.݃3£È€ø€ÝŒÐ`Ô (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð8¬(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€In€1983,€at€the€age€of€22,€the€author€ran€for€a€parliamentary€seat€in€the€Constituency€ofÐ $˜ ÐChifubu,€Zambia.€€He€states€that€the€authorities€prevented€him€from€properly€preparing€hisÐ „ Ðcandidacy€and€from€participating€in€the€electoral€campaign.€€The€authorities'€actionÐ üp Ðapparently€helped€to€increase€his€popularity€among€the€poorer€strata€of€the€local€population,Ð è\ Ðas€the€author€was€committed€to€changing€the€Government's€policy€towards,€in€particular,€theÐ ÔH Ðhomeless€and€the€unemployed.€€He€claims€that€in€retaliation€for€the€propagation€of€hisÐ À4 Ðopinions€and€his€activism,€the€authorities€subjected€him€to€threats€and€intimidation,€and€thatÐ ¬  Ðin€January€1986€he€was€dismissed€from€his€employment.€€The€Ndola€City€CouncilÐ ˜  Ðsubsequently€expelled€him€and€his€family€from€their€home,€while€the€payment€of€his€father'sÐ „ø Ðpension€was€suspended€indefinitely.Ðpä(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€Because€of€the€harassment€and€hardship€to€which€he€and€his€family€were€beingÐ H!¼ Ðsubjected,€the€author€emigrated€to€Namibia,€where€other€Zambian€citizens€had€settled.€€UponÐ 4"¨ Ðhis€return€to€Zambia,€however,€he€was€arrested€and€placed€in€custody;€the€author's€accountÐ  #” Ðin€this€respect€is€unclear€and€the€date€of€his€return€to€Zambia€remains€unspecified.Ð $€ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€The€author€notes€that€by€September€1988€he€had€been€detained€for€31€months,€onÐ ä%X" Ðcharges€of€belonging€to€the€People's€Redemption€Organization€an€association€consideredÐ Ð&D # Ðillegal€under€the€terms€of€the€country's€one„party€Constitution€and€for€having€conspired€toÐ ¼'0!$ Ðoverthrow€the€Government€of€the€then€President€Kenneth€Kaunda.€€On€an€unspecifiedÐ ¨("% Ðsubsequent€date,€he€was€released;€again,€the€circumstances€of€his€release€remain€unknown.€Ð ”)#& ÐAt€an€unspecified€later€date,€Mr.€Bwalya€returned€to€Zambia.Ѐ*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à2.4€€On€€25€March€1990,€the€author€sought€the€Committee's€direct€intercession€in€connectionÐ Œ Ðwith€alleged€discrimination,€denial€of€employment€and€refusal€of€a€passport.€€By€letter€of€5Ð xì ÐJuly€1990,€the€author's€wife€indicated€that€her€husband€had€been€rearrested€on€1€July€1990Ð dØ Ðand€taken€to€the€Central€Police€Station€in€Ndola,€where€he€was€reportedly€kept€for€two€days.€Ð P Ä ÐSubsequently,€he€was€transferred€to€Kansenshi€prison€in€Ndola;€the€author's€wife€claims€thatÐ < ° Ðshe€was€not€informed€of€the€reasons€for€her€husband's€arrest€and€detention.Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à6.2€€In€respect€of€issues€under€article€19,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€uncontestedÐ  t Ðresponse€of€the€authorities€to€the€attempts€of€the€author€to€express€his€opinions€freely€and€toÐ ì ` Ðdisseminate€the€political€tenets€of€his€party€constitute€a€violation€of€his€rights€under€articleÐ ØL  Ð19.ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  à...а$ (#(# Ðà0  à6.6€€As€to€the€alleged€violation€of€article€25€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€notes€that€theÐ œ  Ðauthor,€a€leading€figure€of€a€political€party€in€opposition€to€the€former€President,€has€beenÐ ˆü  Ðprevented€from€participating€in€a€general€election€campaign€as€well€as€from€preparing€hisÐ tè  Ðcandidacy€for€this€€party.€€This€amounts€to€an€unreasonable€restriction€on€the€authorððs€rightÐ `Ô  Ðto€ð ðtake€part€in€the€conduct€of€public€affairsðð€which€the€State€party€has€failed€to€explain€orÐ LÀ Ðjustify.€€In€particular,€it€has€failed€to€explain€the€requisite€conditions€for€participation€in€theÐ 8¬ Ðelections.€€Accordingly,€it€must€be€assumed€that€Mr.€Bwalya€was€detained€and€denied€theÐ $˜ Ðright€to€run€for€a€parliamentary€seat€in€the€Constituency€of€Chifubu€merely€on€account€of€hisÐ „ Ðmembership€in€a€political€party€other€than€that€officially€recognised;€in€this€context,€theÐ üp ÐCommittee€observes€that€restrictions€on€political€activity€outside€the€only€recognised€politicalÐ è\ Ðparty€amount€to€an€unreasonable€restriction€of€the€right€to€participate€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ ÔH Ðaffairs.ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£u”ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝMika€Miha€v€Equatorial€Guinea€óó(414/1990),€ICCPR,€A/49/40€vol.€II€(8€July€1994)€96Ð „ø Ð(CCPR/C/51/D/414/1990)€at€para€6.8.݃3£u”¥”ÝŒÐpä(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à6.8€€In€€respect€of€issues€under€article€19,€finally,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€hasÐ 4"¨ Ðnot€refuted€the€author's€claim€that€he€was€arrested€and€detained€solely€or€primarily€becauseÐ  #” Ðof€his€membership€in,€and€activities€for,€a€political€party€in€opposition€to€the€regime€ofÐ  $€  ÐPresident€Obiang€Nguema.€€In€the€circumstances€of€the€case,€the€Committee€concludes€thatÐ ø$l! Ðthe€State€party€has€unlawfully€interfered€with€the€exercise€of€the€author's€rights€under€articleÐ ä%X" Ð19,€paragraphs€1€and€2.ÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£f˜ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòRodrguez€v.€Uruguay€óó(487/1992),€ICCPR,€A/49/40€vol.€II€(18€July€1994)€302Ð ”)#& Ð(CCPR/C/51/D/487/1992)€at€paras.€2.1€and€6.2.݃3£f˜“˜ÝŒÐ€*ô#'(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à...ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€...During€the€period€of€military€rule€in€Uruguay...[Walter€Rodrguez€Veiga]€wasÐ xì Ðdismissed€from€his€post€and€stripped€of€all€his€functions,€allegedly€on€purely€arbitraryÐ dØ Ðgrounds.€€Together€with€some€colleagues€who€found€themselves€in€a€similar€position,€heÐ P Ä Ðinstituted€judicial€proceedings€requesting€his€reinstatement...Ð< °(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à6.2€€...[T]he€Committee€has€òòex€officio€óóexamined€whether€the€facts€as€submitted€might€raiseÐ  ˆ Ðpotential€issues€under€any€provision€of€the€Covenant,€in€particular€under€article€25€inÐ  t Ðconjunction€with€article€2,€paragraph€3.€€It€concludes€that€they€do€not,€given€that€the€authorÐ ì ` Ðwas€reintegrated€into€the€civil€service,€and€that€he€was€granted€compensation€for€theÐ ØL  Ðprejudice€he€had€suffered.€€The€violation€of€article€25€has€therefore€been€remedied.€€TheÐ Ä8  ÐCommittee€accordingly€concludes€that€the€author€has€no€claim€under€article€2€of€the€OptionalÐ °$  ÐProtocol,€and€that€the€communication€is€inadmissible.М (#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ÉžÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòDebreczeny€v.€The€Netherlandsóó€(500/1992),€ICCPR,€A/50/40€vol.€II€(3€April€1995)€59Ð `Ô  Ð(CCPR/C/53/D/500/1992)€at€paras.€9.2€and€9.3.݃3£ÉžöžÝŒÐLÀ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  à9.2€€The€issue€before€the€Committee€is€whether€the€application€of€the€restrictions€providedÐ „ Ðfor€in€section€25€of€the€Municipalities€Act,€as€a€consequence€of€which€the€author€wasÐ üp Ðprevented€from€taking€his€seat€in€the€municipal€council€of€Dantumadeel€to€which€he€wasÐ è\ Ðelected,€violated€his€right€under€article€25(b)€of€the€Covenant.€€The€Committee€notes€that€theÐ ÔH Ðright€provided€for€by€article€25€is€not€an€absolute€right€and€that€restrictions€of€this€right€are€Ð À4 Ðallowed€as€long€as€they€are€not€discriminatory€or€unreasonable.Ь (#(# ÐÌà0  à9.3€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€restrictions€on€the€right€to€be€elected€to€a€municipalÐ „ø Ðcouncil€are€regulated€by€law€and€that€they€are€based€on€objective€criteria,€namely€theÐ pä Ðelecteeððs€professional€appointment€by€or€subordination€to€the€municipal€authority.€€NotingÐ \ Ð Ðthe€reasons€invoked€by€the€State€party€for€these€restrictions,€in€particular,€to€guarantee€theÐ H!¼ Ðdemocratic€decision„making€process€by€avoiding€conflicts€of€interest,€the€CommitteeÐ 4"¨ Ðconsiders€that€the€said€restrictions€are€reasonable€and€compatible€with€the€purpose€of€the€law.€Ð  #” ÐIn€this€context,€the€Committee€observes€that€€legal€norms€dealing€with€bias,€for€exampleÐ  $€  Ðsection€52€of€the€Municipalities€Act€to€which€the€author€refers,€are€not€apt€to€cover€theÐ ø$l! Ðproblem€of€balancing€interests€on€a€general€basis.€€The€Committee€observes€that€the€authorÐ ä%X" Ðwas€at€the€time€of€his€election€to€the€council€of€Dantumadeel€serving€as€a€police€officer€inÐ Ð&D # Ðthe€national€police€force,€based€Dantumadeel€and€as€such€for€matters€of€public€orderÐ ¼'0!$ Ðsubordinated€to€the€mayor€of€Dantumadeel,€who€was€himself€accountable€to€the€council€forÐ ¨("% Ðmeasures€taken€in€that€regard.€€In€these€circumstances,€the€Committee€considers€that€aÐ ”)#& Ðconflict€of€interests€could€indeed€arise€and€that€the€application€of€the€restrictions€to€the€authorÐ €*ô#' Ðdoes€not€constitute€a€violation€of€article€25€of€the€Covenant.Ðl+à$((#(# ЇÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£[©ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòAduayom,€Diasso€and€Dobou€v.€Togoóó€(422„424/1990),€ICCPR,€A/51/40€vol.€II€(12€JulyÐ xì Ð1996)€17€(CCPR/C/57/D/422/1990)€at€paras.€7.5,€7.6€and€9.݃3£[©ˆ©ÝŒÐdØ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð< °(#(# Ðà0  à7.5€€The€Committee€recalls€that€the€authors€were€all€suspended€from€their€posts€for€a€periodÐ ( œ Ðof€well€over€five€years€for€activities€considered€contrary€to€the€interests€of€the€Government;Ð  ˆ Ðin€this€context,€it€notes€that€Mr.€Dobou€was€a€civil€servant,€whereas€Messrs€Aduayom€andÐ  t ÐDiasso,€were€employees€of€the€University€of€Benin,€which€is€in€practice€State„controlled.€Ð ì ` ÐAs€far€as€the€case€of€Mr.€Dobou€is€concerned,€the€Committee€observes€that€access€to€publicÐ ØL  Ðservice€on€general€terms€of€equality€encompasses€a€duty,€for€the€State,€to€ensure€that€thereÐ Ä8  Ðis€no€discrimination€on€the€ground€of€political€opinion€or€expression.€€This€applies€òòa€fortiorióóÐ °$  Ðto€those€who€hold€positions€in€the€public€service.€€The€rights€enshrined€in€article€25€shouldÐ œ  Ðalso€be€read€to€encompass€the€freedom€to€engage€in€political€activity€individually€or€throughÐ ˆü  Ðpolitical€parties,€freedom€to€debate€public€affairs,€to€criticize€the€Government€and€to€publishÐ tè  Ðmaterial€with€political€content.Ð`Ô (#(# ÐÌà0  à7.6€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€authors€were€suspended€from€their€posts€for€allegedÐ 8¬ Ðð ðdesertionðð€of€the€same,€after€having€been€arrested€for€activities€deemed€to€be€contrary€to€theÐ $˜ Ðinterests€of€the€State€partyððs€Government.€€Mr.€Dobou€was€a€civil€servant,€whereas€Messrs.Ð „ ÐAduayom€and€Diasso€were€employees€of€the€University€of€Benin,€which€is€in€practice€StateÐ üp Ðcontrolled.€€In€the€circumstances€of€the€authorsðð€respective€cases,€an€issue€under€article€25Ð è\ Ð(c)€arises€in€so€far€as€the€authorsðð€inability€to€recover€their€posts€between€30€June€1988€andÐ ÔH Ð27€May€and€1€July€1991,€respectively,€is€concerned.€€In€this€context,€the€Committee€notesÐ À4 Ðthat€the€non„payment€of€salary€arrears€to€the€authors€is€a€consequence€of€their€non„Ð ¬  Ðreinstatement€in€the€posts€they€had€previously€occupied.€€The€Committee€concludes€that€thereÐ ˜  Ðhas€been€a€violation€of€article€25(c)€in€the€authorsðð€case€for€the€period€from€30€June€1988€toÐ „ø Ð27€May€and€to€1€July€1991,€respectively.Ðpä(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à9.€€...[T]he€€authors€€are€€entitled€€to€€an€€appropriate€€remedy,€€which€€should€€include€€Ð H!¼ Ðcompensation€determined€on€the€basis€of€a€sum€equivalent€to€the€salary€which€they€wouldÐ 4"¨ Ðhave€received€during€the€period€of€non„reinstatement€starting€from€30€June€1988...Ð #”(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ìµÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòKall€v.€Polandóó€(552/1993),€ICCPR,€A/52/40€vol.€II€(14€July€1997)€105Ð ä%X" Ð(CCPR/C/60/D/552/1993)€€at€paras.€13.1,€13.2,€13.4€and€13.6.݃3£ìµ¶ÝŒÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à13.1€€The€question€before€the€Committee€is€whether€the€authorððs€dismissal,€the€verificationÐ ”)#& Ðproceedings€and€the€subsequent€failure€to€employ€him€in€the€Police€Force€violated€his€rightsÐ €*ô#' Ðunder€article€25(c)€of€the€Covenant.Ðl+à$((#(# Їà0  à13.2€€The€Committee€notes€that€article€25(c)€provides€every€citizen€with€the€right€and€theÐ Œ Ðopportunity,€without€any€distinctions€based€on€race,€colour,€sex,€language,€religion,€politicalÐ xì Ðor€other€opinion,€national€or€social€origin,€property,€birth€or€other€status,€and€withoutÐ dØ Ðunreasonable€restrictions€to€have€access,€on€general€terms€of€equality,€to€public€service€in€hisÐ P Ä Ðcountry.€€The€Committee€further€observes,€however,€that€this€right€does€not€entitle€everyÐ < ° Ðcitizen€to€obtain€guaranteed€employment€in€the€public€service.Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à13.4€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€termination€of€the€authorððs€post€was€the€result€of€theÐ  t Ðdissolution€of€the€Security€Police€by€the€Protection€of€State€Office€Act€and€by€reason€of€theÐ ì ` Ðdissolution€of€the€Security€Police,€the€posts€of€all€members€of€the€Security€Police€wereÐ ØL  Ðabolished€without€distinction€or€differentiation.ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  à...а$ (#(# Ðà0  à13.6€€...As€reflected€above,€article€25€(c)€does€not€entitle€every€citizen€to€employment€withinÐ œ  Ðthe€public€service,€but€to€access€on€general€terms€of€equality.€€The€information€before€theÐ ˆü  ÐCommittee€does€not€sustain€a€finding€that€this€right€was€violated€in€the€authorððs€case.Ðtè (#(# ÐÌòòFor€dissenting€opinion€in€this€context,€see€Kall€v.€Polandóó€(552/1993),€ICCPR,€A/52/40€vol.€II€(14Ð LÀ ÐJuly€1997)€105€(CCPR/C/60/D/552/1993)€€at€Individual€Opinion€by€Elizabeth€Evatt,€Cecilia€MedinaÐ 8¬ ÐQuiroga€and€Christine€Chanet,€113€at€para.€2.€Ð $˜ ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ä¿ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝGauthier€v.€Canadaóó€(633/1995),€ICCPR,€A/54/40€vol.€II€(7€April€1999)€93Ð è\ Ð(CCPR/C/65/D/633/1995)€at€paras.€2.1,€13.3„13.6,€15€and€Individual€Opinion€by€RajsoomerÐ ÔH ÐLallah€(dissenting€in€part).݃3£ä¿ÀÝŒÐÀ4(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...И (#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€The€author€is€publisher€of€the€National€Capital€News,€a€newspaper€founded€in€1982.€Ð „ø ÐThe€author€applied€for€membership€in€the€Parliamentary€Press€Gallery,€a€private€associationÐ pä Ðthat€administers€the€accreditation€for€access€to€the€precincts€of€Parliament.€€He€was€providedÐ \ Ð Ðwith€a€temporary€pass€that€gave€only€limited€privileges.€€Repeated€requests€for€equal€accessÐ H!¼ Ðon€the€same€terms€as€other€reporters€and€publishers€were€denied.€Ð4"¨(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð #”(#(# Ðà0  à13.3€€The€issue€before€the€Committee€is...whether€the€restriction€of€the€author's€access€to€theÐ  $€  Ðpress€facilities€in€Parliament€amounts€to€a€violation€of€his€right€under€article€19€of€theÐ ø$l! ÐCovenant,€to€seek,€receive€and€impart€information.€Ðä%X"(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.4€€In€this€connection,€the€Committee€also€refers€to€the€right€to€take€part€in€the€conduct€ofÐ ¼'0!$ Ðpublic€affairs,€as€laid€down€in€article€25€of€the€Covenant,€and€in€particular€to€GeneralÐ ¨("% ÐComment€No.€25€(57)€which€reads€in€part:€"In€order€to€ensure€the€full€enjoyment€of€rightsÐ ”)#& Ðprotected€by€article€25,€the€free€communication€of€information€and€ideas€about€public€andÐ €*ô#' Ðpolitical€issues€between€citizens,€candidates€and€elected€representatives€is€essential.€€ThisÐ l+à$( Ðimplies€a€free€press€and€other€media€able€to€comment€on€public€issues€without€censorshipÐ Œ Ðor€restraint€and€to€inform€public€opinion."€òò36óó/€€Read€together€with€article€19,€this€implies€thatÐ xì Ðcitizens,€in€particular€through€the€media,€should€have€wide€access€to€information€and€theÐ dØ Ðopportunity€to€disseminate€information€and€opinions€about€the€activities€of€elected€bodiesÐ P Ä Ðand€their€members.€€The€Committee€recognizes,€however,€that€such€access€should€notÐ < ° Ðinterfere€with€or€obstruct€the€carrying€out€of€the€functions€of€elected€bodies,€and€that€a€StateÐ ( œ Ðparty€is€thus€entitled€to€limit€access.€€However,€any€restrictions€imposed€by€the€State€partyÐ  ˆ Ðmust€be€compatible€with€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant.€Ð t(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.5€€In€the€present€case,€the€State€party€has€restricted€the€right€to€enjoy€the€publicly€fundedÐ ØL  Ðmedia€facilities€of€Parliament,€including€the€right€to€take€notes€when€observing€meetings€ofÐ Ä8  ÐParliament,€to€those€media€representatives€who€are€members€of€a€private€organization,€theÐ °$  ÐCanadian€Press€Gallery.€€The€author€has€been€denied€active€(i.e.€full)€membership€of€theÐ œ  ÐPress€Gallery.€€On€occasion€he€has€held€temporary€membership€which€has€given€him€accessÐ ˆü  Ðto€some€but€not€all€facilities€of€the€organization.€€When€he€does€not€hold€at€least€temporaryÐ tè  Ðmembership€he€does€not€have€access€to€the€media€facilities€nor€can€he€take€notes€ofÐ `Ô  ÐParliamentary€proceedings.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€claimed€that€theÐ LÀ Ðauthor€does€not€suffer€any€significant€disadvantage€because€of€technological€advances€whichÐ 8¬ Ðmake€information€about€Parliamentary€proceedings€readily€available€to€the€public.€€The€StateÐ $˜ Ðparty€argues€that€he€can€report€on€proceedings€by€relying€on€broadcasting€services,€or€byÐ „ Ðobserving€the€proceedings.€€In€view€of€the€importance€of€access€to€information€about€theÐ üp Ðdemocratic€process,€however,€the€Committee€does€not€accept€the€State€party's€argument€andÐ è\ Ðis€of€the€opinion€that€the€author's€exclusion€constitutes€a€restriction€of€his€right€guaranteedÐ ÔH Ðunder€paragraph€2€of€article€19€to€have€access€to€information.€€The€question€is€whether€or€notÐ À4 Ðthis€restriction€is€justified€under€paragraph€3€of€article€19.€€The€restriction€is,€arguably,Ð ¬  Ðimposed€by€law,€in€that€the€exclusion€of€persons€from€the€precinct€of€Parliament€or€any€partÐ ˜  Ðthereof,€under€the€authority€of€the€Speaker,€follows€from€the€law€of€parliamentary€privilege.€Ð„ø(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.6€€The€State€party€argues€that€the€restrictions€are€justified€to€achieve€a€balance€betweenÐ \ Ð Ðthe€right€to€freedom€of€expression€and€the€need€to€ensure€both€the€effective€and€dignifiedÐ H!¼ Ðoperation€of€Parliament€and€the€safety€and€security€of€its€members,€and€that€the€State€partyÐ 4"¨ Ðis€in€the€best€position€to€assess€the€risks€and€needs€involved.€€As€indicated€above,€theÐ  #” ÐCommittee€agrees€that€the€protection€of€Parliamentary€procedure€can€be€seen€as€a€legitimateÐ  $€  Ðgoal€of€public€order€and€an€accreditation€system€can€thus€be€a€justified€means€of€achievingÐ ø$l! Ðthis€goal.€€However,€since€the€accreditation€system€operates€as€a€restriction€of€article€19Ð ä%X" Ðrights,€its€operation€and€application€must€be€shown€as€necessary€and€proportionate€to€the€goalÐ Ð&D # Ðin€question€and€not€arbitrary.€€The€Committee€does€not€accept€that€this€is€a€matter€exclusivelyÐ ¼'0!$ Ðfor€the€State€to€determine.€€The€relevant€criteria€for€the€accreditation€scheme€should€beÐ ¨("% Ðspecific,€fair€and€reasonable,€and€their€application€should€be€transparent.€€In€the€instant€case,Ð ”)#& Ðthe€State€party€has€allowed€a€private€organization€to€control€access€to€the€Parliamentary€pressÐ €*ô#' Ðfacilities,€without€intervention.€€The€scheme€does€not€ensure€that€there€will€be€no€arbitraryÐ l+à$( Ðexclusion€from€access€to€the€Parliamentary€media€facilities.€€In€the€circumstances,€theÐ Œ ÐCommittee€is€of€the€opinion€that€the€accreditation€system€has€not€been€shown€to€be€aÐ xì Ðnecessary€and€proportionate€restriction€of€rights€within€the€meaning€of€article€19,€paragraphÐ dØ Ð3,€of€the€Covenant,€in€order€to€ensure€the€effective€operation€of€Parliament€and€the€safety€ofÐ P Ä Ðits€members.€€The€denial€of€access€to€the€author€to€the€press€facilities€of€Parliament€for€notÐ < ° Ðbeing€a€member€of€the€Canadian€Press€Gallery€Association€constitutes€therefore€a€violationÐ ( œ Ðof€article€19€(2)€of€the€Covenant.€Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð t(#(# Ðà0  à15.€€Under€article€2,€paragraph€3(a),€of€the€Covenant,€the€State€party€is€under€the€obligationÐ ì ` Ðto€provide€Mr.€Gauthier€with€an€effective€remedy€including€an€independent€review€of€hisÐ ØL  Ðapplication€to€have€access€to€the€press€facilities€in€Parliament.€€The€State€party€is€under€anÐ Ä8  Ðobligation€to€take€measures€to€prevent€similar€violations€in€the€future.€Ð°$ (#(# Ðà0  à_________________М (#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóЈü (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðtè (#(# Ðà0  àòò36óó/€General€comment€No.€25,€paragraph€25,€adopted€by€the€Committee€on€12€July€1996.Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐLÀ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòIndividual€Opinion€by€Rajsoomer€LallahóóÐ$˜(#(# Ðà0  à...Є(#(# Ðà0  àIt€seems€to€me€that€articles€22€and€26€are,€in€the€particular€circumstances€of€thisÐ üp Ðcommunication,€€particularly€relevant€in€deciding€whether€there€has€been€a€violation€of€theÐ è\ Ðauthor's€right€under€article€19€(2)€of€the€Covenant€to€seek,€receive€and€impart€information,Ð ÔH Ðin€relation€to€Parliamentary€proceedings€which€are€matters€of€interest€to€the€general€public.€Ð À4 ÐIt€is€to€be€noted€that€access€to€parliamentary€press€facilities€in€this€regard€is€given€exclusivelyÐ ¬  Ðto€members€of€an€association€which€has€so€to€say€a€monopoly€over€access€to€those€facilities.€Ð˜ (#(# ÐÌà0  àFreedom€of€association€under€article€22€inherently€includes€freedom€not€to€associate.€€ToÐ pä Ðimpose€membership€of€an€association€on€the€author€as€a€condition€precedent€to€access€toÐ \ Ð ÐParliamentary€press€facilities€in€effect€means€that€the€author€is€compelled€to€seekÐ H!¼ Ðmembership€of€the€association,€which€may€or€may€not€accept€the€author€as€a€member,€unlessÐ 4"¨ Ðhe€decides€to€forego€the€full€enjoyment€of€his€rights€under€article€19€(2)€of€the€Covenant.€Ð #”(#(# ÐÌà0  àThe€rights€of€the€author,€in€respect€of€equality€of€treatment€guaranteed€under€article€26,€haveÐ ø$l! Ðbeen€violated€in€the€sense€that€the€State€party€has,€in€effect,€delegated€its€control€over€theÐ ä%X" Ðprovision€of€equal€press€facilities€within€public€premises€to€a€private€association€which€may,Ð Ð&D # Ðfor€reasons€of€its€own€and€not€open€to€judicial€control,€admit€or€not€admit€a€journalist€likeÐ ¼'0!$ Ðthe€author€as€a€member.€€The€delegation€of€this€control€by€the€State€party€exclusively€to€aÐ ¨("% Ðprivate€association€generates€inequality€of€treatment€as€between€members€of€the€associationÐ ”)#& Ðand€other€journalists€who€are€not€members.€Ð€*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  àI€conclude,€therefore,€that€the€author€has€been€a€victim€of€a€violation€of€his€rights€underÐ Œ Ðarticle€19€(2)€by€the€State€party's€recourse€to€measures,€designed€to€provide€access€toÐ xì Ðjournalists€reporting€on€Parliamentary€proceedings,€which€are€themselves€violative€of€articlesÐ dØ Ð22€and€26€of€the€Covenant€and€which€cannot€be€justified€by€the€restrictions€permissible€under€ÐP Ä(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£TéÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDiergaardt€et€al.€v.€Namibia€óó(760/1997),€ICCPR,€A/55/40€vol.€II€(25€July€2000)€140€at€paras.Ð  ˆ Ð2.3„2.6,€10.2,€10.3,€10.8€and€Individual€Opinion€by€Martin€Scheinin€(concurring),€160.݃3£Té„é݌Рt(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐØL (#(# Ðà0  à2.3€€By€Act€No.56€of€1976,€passed€by€the€South€African€parliament,€the€Rehoboth€peopleÐ Ä8  Ðwere€granted€ð ðself-government€in€accordance€with€the€Paternal€Law€of€1872ðð.€€The€lawÐ °$  Ðprovided€for€the€election€of€a€Captain€every€five€years,€who€appointed€the€Cabinet.€€LawsÐ œ  Ðpromulgated€by€the€Cabinet€had€to€be€approved€by€a€ððVolksraadðð€(Council€of€the€people),Ð ˆü  Ðconsisting€of€nine€members.Ðtè (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€According€to€counsel,€in€1989,€the€Rehoboth€Basters€accepted€under€extreme€politicalÐ LÀ Ðpressure,€the€temporary€transfer€of€their€legislative€and€executive€powers€into€the€person€ofÐ 8¬ Ðthe€Administrator-General€of€South€West€Africa,€so€as€to€comply€with€UN€Security€CouncilÐ $˜ Ðresolution€nr.435€(1978)...Є(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€...According€to€the€counsel,€this€has€had€the€effect€of€annihilating€the€means€ofÐ è\ Ðsubsistence€of€the€community,€since€communal€land€and€property€was€denied.ÐÔH(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€On€22€June€1991,€the€Rehoboth€people€organized€general€elections€for€a€Captain,Ð ¬  ÐCouncil€and€Assembly€according€to€the€Paternal€Laws.€€The€new€bodies€were€entrusted€withÐ ˜  Ðprotecting€the€communal€properties€of€the€people€at€all€cost.€€Subsequently,€the€RehobothÐ „ø ÐBaster€Community€and€its€Captain€initiated€a€case€against€the€Government€of€Namibia€beforeÐ pä Ðthe€High€Court.€€On€22€October€1993€the€Court€recognized€the€communityððs€òòlocus€standióó.€Ð \ Ð ÐCounsel€argues€that€this€implies€the€recognition€by€the€Court€of€the€Rehoboth€Basters€as€aÐ H!¼ Ðpeople€in€its€own€right.€€On€26€May€1995,€the€High€Court€however€rejected€the€communityððsÐ 4"¨ Ðclaim€to€the€communal€property.€€On€14€May€1996,€the€Supreme€Court€rejected€the€BastersððÐ  #” Ðappeal€...Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  à10.2€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€State€party€has€not€provided€any€information€withÐ ä%X" Ðregard€to€the€substance€of€the€authorsðð€claims.It€recalls€that€it€is€implicit€in€the€OptionalÐ Ð&D # ÐProtocol€that€States€parties€make€available€to€the€Committee€all€information€at€its€disposal.Ð ¼'0!$ ÐIn€the€absence€of€a€reply€from€the€State€party,€due€weight€must€be€given€to€the€authorsððÐ ¨("% Ðallegations€to€the€extent€that€they€are€substantiated.Д)#&(#(# ÐÌà0  à10.3€€The€authors€have€alleged€that€the€termination€of€their€self-government€violates€articleÐ l+à$( Ð1€of€the€Covenant.€The€Committee€recalls€that€while€all€peoples€have€the€right€ofÐ Œ Ðself-determination€and€the€right€freely€to€determine€their€political€status,€pursue€theirÐ xì Ðeconomic,€social€and€cultural€development€and€dispose€of€their€natural€wealth€and€resources,Ð dØ Ðas€stipulated€in€article€1€of€the€Covenant,€the€question€whether€the€community€to€which€theÐ P Ä Ðauthors€belong€is€a€ð ðpeopleðð€is€not€an€issue€for€the€Committee€to€address€under€the€OptionalÐ < ° ÐProtocol€to€the€Covenant.€The€Optional€Protocol€provides€a€procedure€under€whichÐ ( œ Ðindividuals€can€claim€that€their€individual€rights€have€been€violated.€These€rights€are€set€outÐ  ˆ Ðin€part€III€of€the€Covenant,€articles6€to€27,€inclusive.€òò3óó/€€As€shown€by€the€CommitteeððsÐ  t Ðjurisprudence,€there€is€no€objection€to€a€group€of€individuals,€who€claim€to€be€commonlyÐ ì ` Ðaffected,€to€submit€a€communication€about€alleged€breaches€of€these€rights.€Furthermore,€theÐ ØL  Ðprovisions€of€article€1€may€be€relevant€in€the€interpretation€of€other€rights€protected€by€theÐ Ä8  ÐCovenant,€in€particular€articles€25,€26€and€27.а$ (#(# Ðà0  à...М (#(# Ðà0  à10.8€€The€authors€have€also€claimed€that€the€termination€of€self-government€for€theirÐ ˆü  Ðcommunity€and€the€division€of€the€land€into€two€districts€which€were€themselvesÐ tè  Ðamalgamated€in€larger€regions€have€split€up€the€Ô_ÔBasterÔ_Ô€community€and€turned€it€into€aÐ `Ô  Ðminority€with€an€adverse€impact€on€the€rights€under€Article€25(a)€and€Ô_Ô(c)Ô_Ô€of€the€Covenant.€Ð LÀ ÐThe€right€under€Article€25(a)€is€a€right€to€take€part€in€the€conduct€of€public€affairs€directlyÐ 8¬ Ðor€through€freely€chosen€representatives€and€the€right€under€Article€25Ô_Ô(c)Ô_Ô€is€a€right€to€haveÐ $˜ Ðequal€access,€on€general€terms€of€equality,€to€public€service€in€oneððs€country.€€These€areÐ „ Ðindividual€rights.€€Although€it€may€very€well€be€that€the€influence€of€the€Ô_ÔBasterÔ_Ô€community,Ð üp Ðas€a€community,€on€public€life€has€been€affected€by€the€merger€of€their€region€with€otherÐ è\ Ðregions€when€Namibia€became€sovereign,€the€claim€that€this€has€had€an€adverse€effect€on€theÐ ÔH Ðenjoyment€by€individual€members€of€the€community€of€the€right€to€take€part€in€the€conductÐ À4 Ðof€public€affairs€or€to€have€access,€on€general€terms€of€equality€with€other€citizens€of€theirÐ ¬  Ðcountry,€to€public€service€has€not€been€substantiated.€The€Committee€finds€therefore€that€theÐ ˜  Ðfacts€before€it€do€not€show€that€there€has€been€a€violation€of€article€25€in€this€regard.Єø(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðpä(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐ\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  àòò3óó/€€See€the€Committeeððs€Views€in€case€No.€167/1984€(òòÔ_ÔOminayakÔ_Ô€v.€Canadaóó),€Views€adoptedÐ 4"¨ Ðon€26€March€1990.Ð #”(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ð $€ (#(# ÐÌà0  àòòIndividual€Opinion€by€Martin€Ô_ÔScheininÔ_ÔóóÐä%X"(#(# ÐÌà0  àI€share€the€Committeeððs€conclusions€in€relation€to€all€aspects€of€the€case.€€On€one€particularÐ ¼'0!$ Ðpoint,€however,€I€find€that€the€Committeeððs€reasoning€is€not€fully€consistent€with€the€generalÐ ¨("% Ðline€of€its€argumentation.€€In€paragraph€10.8,€the€Committee,€in€my€opinion€unnecessarily,Ð ”)#& Ðemphasizes€the€individual€nature€of€rights€of€participation€under€article€25.€€In€my€view€thereÐ €*ô#' Ðare€situations€where€article€25€calls€for€special€arrangements€for€rights€of€participation€to€beÐ l+à$( Ðenjoyed€by€members€of€minorities€and,€in€particular,€indigenous€peoples.€€When€such€aÐ Œ Ðsituation€arises,€it€is€not€sufficient€under€article€25€to€afford€individual€members€of€suchÐ xì Ðcommunities€the€individual€right€to€vote€in€general€elections.€€Some€forms€of€local,€regionalÐ dØ Ðor€cultural€autonomy€may€be€called€for€in€order€to€comply€with€the€requirement€of€effectiveÐ P Ä Ðrights€of€participation.€€As€is€emphasized€at€the€end€of€paragraph€10.3€of€the€Views,€the€rightÐ < ° Ðof€self-determination€under€article€1€affects€the€interpretation€of€article€25.€€This€obiterÐ ( œ Ðstatement€represents,€in€my€opinion,€proper€recognition€of€the€interdependence€between€theÐ  ˆ Ðvarious€rights€protected€by€the€Covenant,€including€article€1€which€according€to€theÐ  t ÐCommitteeððs€jurisprudence€cannot,€on€its€own,€serve€as€the€basis€for€individualÐ ì ` Ðcommunications€under€the€Optional€Protocol.ÐØL (#(# ÐÌà0  àIrrespective€of€what€has€been€said€above,€I€concur€with€the€Committeeððs€finding€that€thereÐ °$  Ðwas€no€violation€of€article€25.€€In€my€opinion,€the€authors€have€failed€to€substantiate€how€theÐ œ  Ð1996€law€on€regional€government€has€adversely€affected€their€exercise€of€article€25€rights,Ð ˆü  Ðin€particular€the€operation€and€powers€of€local€or€traditional€authorities.€€On€the€basis€of€theÐ tè  Ðmaterial€they€presented€to€the€Committee,€no€violation€of€article€25€can€be€established.Ð`Ô (#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£à ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòParaga€v.€Croatiaóó€(727/1996),€ICCPR,€A/56/40€vol.€II€(4€April€2001)€58€at€paras.€4.2€andÐ $˜ Ð9.8.݃3£à  ݌Є(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ðè\(#(# Ðà0  à4.2€€The€author€affirms€that€he€is€a€victim€of€a€violation€of€article€26,€on€the€grounds€that€heÐ ÔH Ðhas€been€discriminated€against€because€of€his€political€opinions.€€On€7€October€1997,€theÐ À4 ÐCounty€Court€of€Zagreb€initiated€proceedings€against€the€author€on€the€basis€of€article€191Ð ¬  Ðof€the€Criminal€Code€of€Croatia,€for€spreading€false€information;€the€author€notes€that€heÐ ˜  Ðmay€be€sentenced€to€six€monthsðð€imprisonment€if€found€guilty.€€On€4€December€1997,€theÐ „ø Ðauthor€was€arrested€at€the€Austrian€border,€allegedly€after€misinformation€about€the€purposeÐ pä Ðof€the€authorððs€visit€had€wilfully€been€given€to€the€Austrian€authorities€by€the€CroatianÐ \ Ð ÐMinistry€of€Foreign€Affairs€„€the€author€was€kept€16€hours€in€Austrian€detention.€€A€similarÐ H!¼ Ðevent€had€already€occurred€on€the€occasion€of€a€visit€by€the€author€to€Canada,€when€he€wasÐ 4"¨ Ðkept€detained€for€six€days€in€Toronto€in€June€1996,€allegedly€because€the€CroatianÐ  #” ÐGovernment€had€accused€him€of€subversive€activities.Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  à9.8€€As€to€the€authorððs€claim€that€he€is€a€victim€of€discrimination€because€of€his€politicalÐ ä%X" Ðopposition€to€the€then€Government€of€Croatia,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€proceedingsÐ Ð&D # Ðwhich€were€instituted€against€the€author€on€7€October€1997€were€dismissed,€a€few€monthsÐ ¼'0!$ Ðlater,€on€26€January€1998.€€In€view€of€this€fact,€and€lacking€any€further€information€thatÐ ¨("% Ðwould€substantiate€this€claim,€the€Committee€cannot€find€a€violation€of€any€of€the€articles€ofÐ ”)#& Ðthe€Covenant€in€this€regard.€Ð€*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( ЇÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£­ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝIgnatane€v.€Latviaóó€(884/1999),€ICCPR,€A/56/40€vol.€II€(25€July€2001)€191€at€paras.€2.1,€2.2,Ð Œ Ð2.6„2.8€and€7.3„7.5.݃3£­ÝÝŒÐxì(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐP Ä(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€At€the€time€of€the€events€in€question,€Ms.€Ignatane€was€a€teacher€in€Riga.€In€1993,€sheÐ < ° Ðhad€appeared€before€a€certification€board€to€take€a€Latvian€language€test€and€hadÐ ( œ Ðsubsequently€been€awarded€a€language€aptitude€certificate€stating€that€she€had€level€3Ð  ˆ Ðproficiency€(the€highest€level).€Ð t(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€In€1997,€the€author€stood€for€local€elections€to€be€held€on€9€March€1997,€as€a€candidateÐ ØL  Ðof€the€Movement€of€Social€€Justice€and€Equal€Rights€in€Latvia€list.€On€11€February€1997,€sheÐ Ä8  Ðwas€struck€off€the€list€by€decision€of€the€Riga€Election€Commission,€on€the€basis€of€anÐ °$  Ðopinion€issued€by€the€State€Language€Board€(SLB)€to€the€effect€that€she€did€not€have€the€Ð œ  Ðrequired€proficiency€in€the€official€language.€Ðˆü (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðtè (#(# Ðà0  à2.6€€The€author€has€submitted€to€the€Committee€a€translation€of€articles€9,€17€and€22€of€theÐ `Ô  ÐLaw€on€Elections€to€Town€Councils€and€Municipal€Councils,€of€13€January€1994.€Article€9Ð LÀ Ðof€the€Law€lists€the€categories€of€people€who€may€not€stand€for€local€elections.€AccordingÐ 8¬ Ðto€article€9,€paragraph€7,€no€one€who€does€not€have€level€3€(higher)€proficiency€in€the€StateÐ $˜ Ðlanguage€may€stand€for€election.€According€to€article€17,€if€anyone€standing€for€election€isÐ „ Ðnot€a€graduate€of€a€school€in€which€Latvian€is€the€language€of€instruction,€a€copy€of€his€orÐ üp Ðher€language€aptitude€certificate€showing€higher€€level€(3)€proficiency€in€the€State€languageÐ è\ Ðmust€be€attached€to€the€"candidate's€application".€The€author's€counsel€has€explained€that€theÐ ÔH Ðcopy€of€the€certificate€is€required€to€enable€SLB€to€check€its€authenticity,€not€its€validity.€ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.7€€According€to€article€22,€only€the€Election€Commission€registering€a€list€of€candidatesÐ ˜  Ðis€competent€to€alter€the€list,€and€then€only:€Ð„ø(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(1)€By€striking€a€candidate€from€the€list€if:€ð8ðÐ\ Ð` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(b)€The€conditions€mentioned€under€article€9€of€the€present€Law€are€applicable€to€theÐ 4"¨ Ðcandidate...and,€in€cases€covered€by€paragraph€1€(a),€(b)€and€(c)€of€the€present€article,Ð  #” Ða€candidate€may€be€struck€off€the€list€on€the€basis€of€an€opinion€from€the€relevantÐ  $€  Ðinstitution€or€by€court€decision.€Ðø$l!` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àIn€the€case€of€a€candidate€who:€...€ÐÐ&D #` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(8)€Does€not€meet€the€requirements€corresponding€to€the€higher€level€(3)€of€languageÐ ¨("% Ðproficiency€in€the€State€language,€that€fact€must€be€certified€by€an€opinion€of€theÐ ”)#& ÐSLB.€Ð€*ô#'` (#` (# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à2.8€€Lastly,€Ms.€Ignatane€recalls€that,€according€to€statements€made€by€the€SLB€at€the€timeÐ Œ Ðof€the€case€hearings,€the€certification€board€in€the€Ministry€of€Education€had€receivedÐ xì Ðcomplaints€about€her€proficiency€in€Latvian.€It€so€happens,€the€author€says,€that€it€was€justÐ dØ Ðthat€Ministry€that,€in€1996,€had€been€involved€in€a€widely€publicized€controversy€surroundingÐ P Ä Ðthe€closure€of€No.€9€secondary€school€in€Riga,€where€she€was€the€head€teacher.€The€schoolÐ < ° Ðwas€a€Russian-language€school€and€its€closure€had€had€a€very€bad€effect€on€the€RussianÐ ( œ Ðminority€in€Latvia.€Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð t(#(# Ðà0  à7.3€€According€to€the€State€party€participation€in€public€affairs€requires€a€high€level€ofÐ ì ` Ðproficiency€in€the€State€language€and€a€language€requirement€for€standing€as€a€candidate€inÐ ØL  Ðelections€is€hence€reasonable€and€objective.€The€Committee€notes€that€article€25€secures€toÐ Ä8  Ðevery€citizen€the€right€and€the€opportunity€to€be€elected€at€genuine€periodic€elections€withoutÐ °$  Ðany€of€the€distinctions€mentioned€in€article€2,€including€language.€Ðœ (#(# ÐÌà0  à7.4€€The€Committee€notes€that,€in€this€case,€the€decision€of€a€single€inspector,€taken€a€fewÐ tè  Ðdays€before€the€elections€and€€contradicting€a€language€aptitude€certificate€issued€some€yearsÐ `Ô  Ðearlier,€for€an€unlimited€period,€by€a€board€of€Latvian€language€specialists,€was€enough€forÐ LÀ Ðthe€Election€Commission€to€decide€to€strike€the€author€off€the€list€of€candidates€for€theÐ 8¬ Ðmunicipal€elections.€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€does€not€contest€the€validityÐ $˜ Ðof€the€certificate€as€it€€relates€to€the€author's€professional€position,€but€argues€on€the€basis€ofÐ „ Ðthe€results€of€the€inspector's€review€in€the€matter€of€€the€author's€eligibility.€The€CommitteeÐ üp Ðalso€notes€that€the€State€party€has€not€contested€counsel's€argument€that€Latvian€law€does€notÐ è\ Ðprovide€for€separate€levels€of€proficiency€in€the€official€language€in€order€to€stand€forÐ ÔH Ðelection,€but€applies€the€standards€and€certification€used€in€other€instances.€The€results€of€theÐ À4 Ðreview€led€to€the€author's€being€prevented€from€exercising€her€right€to€participate€in€publicÐ ¬  Ðlife€in€conformity€with€article€25€of€the€Covenant.€The€Committee€notes€that€the€firstÐ ˜  Ðexamination,€in€1993,€was€conducted€in€accordance€with€formal€requirements€and€wasÐ „ø Ðassessed€by€five€experts,€whereas€the€1997€review€was€conducted€in€an€ad€hoc€manner€andÐ pä Ðassessed€by€a€single€individual.€The€annulment€of€the€author's€candidacy€pursuant€to€a€reviewÐ \ Ð Ðthat€was€not€based€on€objective€criteria€and€which€the€State€party€has€not€demonstrated€to€beÐ H!¼ Ðprocedurally€correct€is€not€compatible€with€the€State€party's€obligations€under€article€25€ofÐ 4"¨ Ðthe€Covenant.€Ð #”(#(# ÐÌà0  à7.5€€The€Committee€concludes€that€Mrs.€Ignatane€has€suffered€specific€injury€in€beingÐ ø$l! Ðprevented€from€standing€for€the€local€elections€in€the€city€of€Riga€in€1997,€because€of€havingÐ ä%X" Ðbeen€struck€off€the€list€of€candidates€on€the€basis€of€€insufficient€proficiency€in€the€officialÐ Ð&D # Ðlanguage.€The€Human€Rights€Committee€considers€that€the€author€is€a€victim€of€a€violationÐ ¼'0!$ Ðof€article€25,€in€conjunction€with€article€2€of€the€Covenant.€Ð¨("%(#(# ÐÌÌÐ l+à$( ЇÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ž2ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝMazou€v.€Cameroonóó€(630/1995),€ICCPR,€A/56/40€vol.€II€(26€July€2001)€30€at€paras.2.1„2.7,Ð Œ Ð8.2,€8.4€and€9.݃3£ž2Î2ÝŒÐxì(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐP Ä(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€Following€an€attempted€òòcoup€d'tatóó€in€Cameroon€in€April€1984,€the€author,€who€at€thatÐ < ° Ðtime€was€a€second€class€magistrate,€was€arrested€on€16€April€1984.€€He€was€suspected€ofÐ ( œ Ðhaving€sheltered€his€brother,€who€was€wanted€by€the€police€for€having€taken€part€in€the€òòcoupÐ  ˆ Ðd'tatóó.€The€author€was€found€guilty€and€sentenced€by€the€military€court€in€Yaound€to€fiveÐ  t Ðyears'€imprisonment...Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€While€the€author€was€detained,€the€President€of€Cameroon€signed€a€decree€on€2€JuneÐ Ä8  Ð1987€(No.€87/747)€removing€the€author€from€his€post€as€Secretary-General€in€the€MinistryÐ °$  Ðof€Education€and€Chairman€of€the€Governing€Council€of€the€National€Sports€Office.€TheÐ œ  ÐDecree€gave€no€reasons€for€the€action€and,€according€to€the€author,€was€issued€in€violationÐ ˆü  Ðof€article€133€of€the€Civil€Service€Statute.€Ðtè (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€On€23€April€1990€the€author€was€released€from€prison€but€placed€under€house€arrest€inÐ LÀ ÐYagoua,€his€birthplace,€in€the€far€north€of€the€country.€Not€until€the€end€of€April€1991,Ð 8¬ Ðfollowing€the€adoption€of€the€Amnesty€Act€of€23€April€1991€(No.€91/002),€were€theÐ $˜ Ðrestrictions€lifted.€On€the€date€of€transmission€of€the€communication,€however,€theÐ „ Ðpresidential€decree€of€2€June€1987€remained€in€force€and€the€author€had€not€been€allowed€toÐ üp Ðresume€his€duties.€Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€On€12€June€1991€the€author€requested€the€President€to€reinstate€him€in€the€civil€service.Ð À4 ÐOn€18€July€1991€he€filed€an€appeal€with€the€Ministry€of€Justice€requesting€the€annulment€ofÐ ¬  Ðthe€presidential€Decree€of€2€June€1987.€Receiving€no€response,€on€9€September€1991€heÐ ˜  Ðapplied€for€a€judicial€remedy€to€the€administrative€division€of€the€Supreme€Court,€asking€itÐ „ø Ðto€find€that€the€Decree€was€illegal€and€ought€therefore€to€be€annulled.€The€author€points€outÐ pä Ðthat€although€the€Supreme€Court€has€regularly€ruled€that€such€decrees€should€be€annulled,Ð \ Ð Ðas€of€31€October€1994€the€case€had€still€not€been€settled.€ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€On€4€May€1992,€Decrees€No.€92/091€and€No.€92/092,€setting€out€the€terms€ofÐ  #” Ðreinstatement€and€compensation€of€those€covered€by€the€Amnesty€Act,€were€issued.€Ð $€ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€On€13€May€1992€the€author€applied€to€the€Ministry€of€Justice€for€reinstatement€in€hisÐ ä%X" Ðpost.€Pursuant€to€Decree€No.€92/091,€his€application€was€transmitted€to€the€committeeÐ Ð&D # Ðresponsible€for€monitoring€reinstatement€in€the€civil€service.€On€12€May€1993€that€committeeÐ ¼'0!$ Ðissued€an€opinion€in€support€of€the€author's€reinstatement€in€the€civil€service.€According€toÐ ¨("% Ðthe€author,€however,€the€Ministry€did€not€take€action€on€this€opinion.€Ð”)#&(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.7€€On€22€September€1992€the€author€initiated€proceedings€before€the€administrativeÐ l+à$( Ðdivision€of€the€Supreme€Court€to€attack€Decree€No.€92/091€and€Decree€No.€92/092.€In€hisÐ Œ Ðview,€the€Decrees€sought€to€block€the€full€implementation€of€the€Amnesty€Act€of€23€AprilÐ xì Ð1991€which,€he€claims,€provided€for€automatic€reinstatement.€This€application€was€alsoÐ dØ Ðpending€at€the€time€of€submission€of€his€communication.€ÐP Ä(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð< °(#(# Ðà0  à8.2€€The€Committee€learned€that,€pursuant€to€the€Supreme€Court€decision€of€30€JanuaryÐ ( œ Ð1997,€the€author€had€been€reinstated€in€his€post€and€that€his€salary€had€been€paid€retroactivelyÐ  ˆ Ðfrom€the€date€of€his€dismissal.€However,€there€seems€to€be€no€question€that€the€State€partyÐ  t Ðneither€honoured€the€request€for€damages€in€compensation€for€the€injury€suffered€€nor€soughtÐ ì ` Ðto€restore€the€author's€career,€which€would€have€resulted€in€his€being€reinstated€at€the€gradeÐ ØL  Ðto€which€he€would€have€been€entitled€had€he€not€been€dismissed.€ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  à...а$ (#(# Ðà0  à8.4€€With€regard€to€the€author's€allegations€that€the€State€party€violated€both€article€2€andÐ œ  Ðarticle€25€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€Supreme€Court€proceedings€thatÐ ˆü  Ðgave€rise€to€the€decision€of€30€January€1997€satisfying€the€request€that€the€author€had€madeÐ tè  Ðin€his€communication€were€unduly€delayed,€taking€place€more€than€10€years€after€the€author'sÐ `Ô  Ðremoval€from€his€post,€and€were€not€followed€by€restoration€of€his€career€on€reinstatement,Ð LÀ Ðto€which€he€was€legally€entitled€in€view€of€the€annulment€decision€of€30€January€1997.€SuchÐ 8¬ Ðproceedings€cannot,€therefore,€be€considered€to€be€a€satisfactory€remedy€in€the€meaning€ofÐ $˜ Ðarticles€2€and€25€of€the€Covenant.€Ð„(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.€€Consequently,€the€State€party€has€an€obligation€to€reinstate€the€author€of€theÐ è\ Ðcommunication€in€his€career,€with€all€the€€attendant€consequences€under€Cameroonian€law,Ð ÔH Ðand€must€ensure€that€similar€violations€do€not€recur€in€the€future.€ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£:JÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝMarn€Gð;ðmez€v.€Spainóó€(865/1999),€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(22€October€2001)€198Ð „ø Ð(CCPR/C/73/D/865/1999)€at€paras.€2.1„2.4,€3.1,€9.2,€9.3€and€10.݃3£:JjJÝŒÐpä(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€The€author€joined€the€Guardia€Civil€on€1€March€1981,€when€he€was€19,òò1óó/€and€remainedÐ 4"¨ Ðon€active€duty€until€15€November€1990,€when€he€went€on€"active€reserve"€status€owing€toÐ  #” Ðthe€loss€of€psychological€and€physical€fitness.òò2óó/€€On€15€November€1994,€when€he€had€beenÐ  $€  Ðin€the€active€reserve€for€four€years,€the€District€Military€Medical€Court€handed€down€a€rulingÐ ø$l! Ðunanimously€recognizing€him€as€fit€for€active€duty.€òò3óó/Ðä%X"(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€In€a€decision€dated€28€April€1995,€the€Ministry€of€Defence€rejected€the€application€theÐ ¼'0!$ Ðauthor€made€to€return€to€active€duty€in€February€1995.€The€decision€was€based€on€the€factÐ ¨("% Ðthat€"the€transitional€provision€in€question,€which€allows€a€return€to€active€duty,€does€notÐ ”)#& Ðapply€to€the€person€in€question€because€the€reason€for€his€change€to€active€reserve€status€wasÐ €*ô#' Ðnot€that€referred€to€in€article€4,€paragraph€1€(a),€of€Act€No.€20/1981,òò4óó/€but,€rather,Ð l+à$( Ðpsychological€and€physical€unfitness,€as€referred€to€in€article€4,€paragraph€1€(d)".€ÐŒ(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€The€author€applied€for€judicial€review€against€the€decision€by€the€Ministry€of€DefenceÐ dØ Ðdated€28€April€1995;€the€application€was€ruled€on€by€the€Fifth€Administrative€Law€DivisionÐ P Ä Ðof€the€National€High€Court€on€28€February€1997,€which€upheld€the€decision€by€the€MinistryÐ < ° Ðof€Defence.€That€Division€based€its€decision€on€the€fact€that,€unlike€the€acceptance€of€theÐ ( œ Ðreturn€to€active€duty€of€persons€who€were€on€reserve€status€for€reasons€of€age,€the€rejectionÐ  ˆ Ðof€the€return€to€active€duty€by€persons€who€were€on€active€reserve€status€owing€to€the€lossÐ  t Ðof€psychological€and€physical€fitness,€which€was€later€recovered,€does€not€involve€a€violationÐ ì ` Ðof€the€right€to€equal€access€to€public€service.€The€National€High€Court€concluded€that€the€twoÐ ØL  Ðsituations€are€different€and€that€there€is€thus€no€discrimination.€ÐÄ8 (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€The€author€filed€a€remedy€of€òòamparoóó,€which€was€rejected€by€the€Constitutional€CourtÐ œ  Ðon€3€November€1997€on€the€grounds€that€the€ruling€in€question€is€not€contrary€to€theÐ ˆü  Ðprinciple€of€equality,€since€it€deals€with€different€problems€on€the€basis€of€different€criteria.€Ðtè (#(# Ðà0  à...Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  à3.1€€The€author€considers€that€the€rights€provided€for€in€articles€25€(c)€and€26€of€the€CovenantÐ LÀ Ðwere€violated€when€he€was€prevented€from€returning€to€active€duty€in€the€Guardia€Civil€afterÐ 8¬ Ðbeing€declared€fit€by€a€Medical€Court€following€the€illness€which€had€led€to€his€change€toÐ $˜ Ðreserve€status,€since€reincorporation€is€allowed€for€civil€guards€who€were€on€active€reserveÐ „ Ðstatus€for€reasons€of€age.€In€this€regard,€the€author€maintains€that€the€second€transitionalÐ üp Ðprovision€of€Act€No.€28/1994€(5)€creates€discrimination.€It€is€also€contrary€to€the€right€toÐ è\ Ðaccess€to€public€service€in€the€Guardia€Civil,€which€must€be€performed€in€conditions€ofÐ ÔH Ðequality.€ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à...Ь (#(# Ðà0  à9.2€€With€regard€to€the€author's€allegations€that€he€is€a€victim€of€a€violation€of€article€26€ofÐ ˜  Ðthe€Covenant,€the€Committee€notes€that€he€was€declared€fit€for€active€duty€on€15€NovemberÐ „ø Ð1994€and€that€he€was€notified€of€the€Medical€Court's€agreement€on€15€December.€However,Ð pä Ðthe€author€did€not€request€a€transfer€to€active€duty€at€that€time.€The€Committee€notes€that€newÐ \ Ð ÐAct€No.€20/1994€entered€into€force€on€20€January€1995€and€that€it€eliminated€the€"activeÐ H!¼ Ðreserve€status"€category,€leaving€only€the€"reserve€status"€category,€which,€according€toÐ 4"¨ Ðarticle€103€of€Act€No.€17/1989,€does€not€allow€military€personnel€on€reserve€status€to€changeÐ  #” Ðto€active€duty.€The€Committee€notes€that€the€author€was€affected€by€Act€No.€20/1994€onlyÐ  $€  Ðto€the€extent€that,€as€of€20€January€1995,€he€could€not€request€a€transfer€to€active€duty.€TheÐ ø$l! ÐCommittee€also€notes€that,€since€the€author€did€not€take€the€opportunity€to€request€a€transferÐ ä%X" Ðto€active€duty€prior€to€20€January€1995,€the€situation€is€of€his€own€making,€not€that€of€theÐ Ð&D # ÐState€party.€The€Committee€takes€note€of€the€author's€allegation€that€Act€No.€20/1994€isÐ ¼'0!$ Ðdiscriminatory€because€it€allows€a€return€to€active€duty€only€for€persons€who€went€on€reserveÐ ¨("% Ðstatus€for€reasons€of€age.€However,€the€Committee€considers€that€this€Act€is€notÐ ”)#& Ðdiscriminatory,€since€it€merely€extends€the€retirement€age€to€56€years€and€allows€persons€whoÐ €*ô#' Ðwent€on€active€reserve€status€at€age€50€to€apply€to€return€to€active€duty,€as€provided€for€byÐ l+à$( Ðlaw,€and€then€base€themselves€on€the€new€age€to€change€to€reserve€status.€Consequently,€theÐ Œ ÐCommittee€takes€the€view€that€the€facts€as€submitted€by€the€author€do€not€disclose€a€violationÐ xì Ðof€article€26€of€the€Covenant.€ÐdØ(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.3€€For€the€same€reasons€as€those€cited€in€the€preceding€paragraph,€the€Committee€considersÐ < ° Ðthat€there€has€been€no€€violation€of€the€right€to€equality€of€access€to€public€service,€asÐ ( œ Ðprovided€for€in€article€25€(c)€of€the€Covenant.€Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  à10.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€do€not€disclose€aÐ ì ` Ðviolation€by€Spain€of€any€of€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant.€ÐØL (#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  àòòNotes€óóа$ (#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€He€was€born€on€25€July€1961.€Ðˆü (#(# ÐÌà0  àòò2óó/€€Article€4,€paragraph€1€(d),€of€Act€No.€20/1981€of€6€July€establishing€active€reserve€statusÐ `Ô  Ðand€setting€ages€of€retirement€for€professional€military€personnel.€ÐLÀ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò3óó/€€He€has€not€submitted€a€copy€of€the€ruling€to€the€secretariat.€Ð$˜(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò4óó/€€Article€4,€paragraph€1€(a),€refers€to€a€change€to€active€reserve€status€upon€reaching€theÐ üp Ðages€set€in€article€5€of€Act€No.€20/1981.€Ðè\(#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐÔH(#(# ÐÌòòFor€dissenting€opinion€in€this€context,€see€Marn€Gð;ðmez€v.€Spainóó€(865/1999),€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.Ð ¬  ÐII€(22€October€2001)€198€(CCPR/C/73/D/865/1999)€at€Individual€Opinion€by€Ms.€Christine€Chanet,Ð ˜  Ð205.Ð „ø ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£&hÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝDergachev€v.€Belarus€óó(921/2000)€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(2€April€2002)€252Ð H!¼ Ð(CCPR/C/74/D/921/2000)€at€paras.€2.1„2.3,€7.2€and€8.݃3£&hVhÝŒÐ4"¨(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€On€21€March€1999,€the€author,€a€member€of€Belarus€People's€Front,€a€political€party€inÐ ø$l! ÐBelarus€Republic,€carried€a€poster€during€a€picket€he€had€organized.€€The€poster€carried€anÐ ä%X" Ðinscription€to€the€effect€that:€€"Followers€of€the€present€regime!€€You€have€led€the€people€toÐ Ð&D # Ðpoverty€for€five€years.€€Stop€listening€to€lies.€€Join€the€struggle€led€by€the€Belarus€People'sÐ ¼'0!$ ÐFront€for€you."Ш("%(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€On€29€March€1999,€the€author€was€tried€in€the€Smorgon€district€court.€€The€courtÐ €*ô#' Ðconsidered€the€inscription€on€the€poster€as€amounting€to€a€call€for€insubordination€against€theÐ l+à$( Ðexisting€government€and/or€to€the€destruction€of€the€constitutional€order€of€the€ByelorussianÐ Œ ÐRepublic.€€It€ruled€accordingly€that€the€poster€constituted€an€administrative€offence€under€theÐ xì ÐBelarus€Code€of€Administrative€Offences€(art.€167,€para.€2).€€Accordingly,€the€author€wasÐ dØ Ðconvicted€and€fined€five€million€Belarussian€roubles.€€It€also€ordered€confiscation€of€theÐ P Ä Ðposter.€€Militia€officers€who€were€present€on€duty€during€the€picket€were€summoned€to€theÐ < ° Ðcourt€as€witnesses.Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€The€author€pleaded€not€guilty€during€the€court€hearings€and€argued€that€the€expressionÐ  t Ðon€his€poster€implied€solely€a€legitimate€political€expression€in€the€context€of€democraticÐ ì ` Ðelections.€€On€21€April€1999,€the€Grodnenski€regional€court€rejected€the€author's€appeal.€€TheÐ ØL  Ðauthor€then€appealed€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€the€Republic€of€Belarus.€€On€9€June€1999,€theÐ Ä8  ÐSupreme€Court,€while€allowing€the€conviction€to€stand,€reduced€the€sentence€imposed€by€theÐ °$  Ðcourt€and€imposed€a€warning€upon€the€author...€Ðœ (#(# Ðà0  à...Јü (#(# Ðà0  à7.2€€The€Committee€is€of€the€view€that€the€particular€expression€of€political€opinionÐ tè  Ðexpressed€by€the€author€in€carrying€the€poster€in€question€falls€within€the€scope€of€freedomÐ `Ô  Ðof€expression€protected€under€article€19€of€the€Covenant.€€The€State€party€has€not€advancedÐ LÀ Ðthat€any€of€the€restrictions€set€out€in€article€19,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant€are€applicable.€Ð 8¬ ÐThe€Committee€therefore€considers€that€the€conviction€of€the€author€for€expression€of€hisÐ $˜ Ðviews€amounted€to€a€violation€of€his€rights€under€article€19€of€the€Covenant,€and€notes€thatÐ „ Ðhis€conviction€had€not€been€annulled€when€the€communication€was€submitted€to€theÐ üp ÐCommittee.Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à8.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€disclose€violationÐ À4 Ðof€article€19€of€the€Covenant.€€However,€with€reference€to€article€4,€paragraph€2,€of€theÐ ¬  ÐOptional€Protocol,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€State€party,€by€the€annulment€of€theÐ ˜  Ðdecisions€against€the€author,€subsequent€to€the€submission€of€the€communication,€hasÐ „ø Ðrectified€the€situation€by€a€remedy€that€the€Committee€deems€appropriate€within€the€meaningÐ pä Ðof€article€2€of€the€Covenant.€€The€State€party€is€requested€to€publish€the€Committee's€Views.€Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£–wÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝKarakurt€v.€Austriaóó€(965/2000),€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(4€April€2002)€304Ð  #” Ð(CCPR/C/74/D/965/2000)€at€paras.€3.1„3.4€and€8.2.݃3£–wÆw݌Р$€ (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ðä%X"(#(# Ðà0  à3.1€€The€author€possesses€(solely)€Turkish€citizenship,€while€holding€an€open-endedÐ Ð&D # Ðresidence€permit€in€Austria.€He€is€an€employee€of€the€'Association€for€the€Support€ofÐ ¼'0!$ ÐForeigners'€in€Linz,€which€employs€10€persons€in€total.€On€24€May€1994,€there€was€anÐ ¨("% Ðelection€for€the€Association's€work-council€('Betriebsrat')€which€has€statutory€rights€andÐ ”)#& Ðresponsibilities€to€promote€staff€interests€and€to€supervise€compliance€with€work€conditions.Ð €*ô#' ÐThe€author,€who€fulfilled€the€formal€legal€requirements€of€being€over€19€years€old€and€havingÐ l+à$( Ðbeen€employed€for€over€six€months,€and€another€employee,€Mr€Vladimir€Polak,€were€bothÐ Œ Ðelected€to€the€two€available€spaces€on€the€work-council.Ðxì(#(# ÐÌà0  à3.2€€On€1€July€1994,€Mr€Polak€applied€to€the€Linz€Regional€Court€for€the€author€to€beÐ P Ä Ðstripped€of€his€elected€position€on€the€grounds€that€he€had€no€standing€to€be€a€candidate€forÐ < ° Ðthe€work-council.€€On€15€September€1994,€the€Court€granted€the€application,€on€the€basis€thatÐ ( œ Ðthe€relevant€labour€law,€that€is€s.€53(1)€Industrial€Relations€Act€(Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz),Ð  ˆ Ðlimited€the€entitlement€to€stand€for€election€to€such€work-councils€to€Austrian€nationals€orÐ  t Ðmembers€€of€the€European€Economic€Area€(EEA).€Accordingly,€the€author,€satisfying€neitherÐ ì ` Ðcriteria,€was€excluded€from€standing€for€the€work-council.ÐØL (#(# ÐÌà0  à3.3€€On€15€March€1995€the€Linz€Court€of€Appeal€dismissed€the€author's€appeal€and€upheldÐ °$  Ðthe€lower€Court's€reasoning.€It€also€€held€that€no€violation€of€Art.€11€of€the€EuropeanÐ œ  ÐConvention€on€Human€Rights€(ECHR)€was€involved,€considering€that€the€right€to€join€tradeÐ ˆü  Ðunions€had€not€been€interfered€with.€On€21€April€1995,€the€author€appealed€to€the€SupremeÐ tè  ÐCourt,€including€a€request€for€a€constitutional€reference€(including€in€terms€of€the€ECHR)Ð `Ô  Ðof€s.€53(1)€of€the€Act€by€the€Constitutional€Court.ÐLÀ(#(# ÐÌà0  à3.4€€On€21€December€1995,€the€Supreme€Court€discussed€the€author's€appeal€and€denied€€theÐ $˜ Ðrequest€for€a€constitutional€reference.€The€Court€considered€that€the€work-council€was€notÐ „ Ðan€'association'€within€the€meaning€of€Art.€11€ECHR.€The€work-council€was€not€anÐ üp Ðassociation€formed€on€a€voluntary€and€private€basis,€but€its€organisation€and€functions€wereÐ è\ Ðdetermined€by€law€and€was€comparable€to€a€chamber€of€trade.€Nor€were€the€staff€as€such€anÐ ÔH Ðindependent€association,€as€they€were€not€a€group€of€persons€associated€on€a€voluntary€basis.Ð À4 ÐAs€to€arguments€of€discrimination€against€foreigners,€the€Supreme€Court,€referring€to€theÐ ¬  ÐState€party's€obligations€under€the€International€Convention€for€the€Elimination€of€All€FormsÐ ˜  Ðof€Racial€Discrimination,€considered€the€difference€in€treatment€between€Austrian€nationalsÐ „ø Ðand€foreigners€to€be€justified€both€under€the€distinctions€that€the€European€economic€treatiesÐ pä Ðdraw€in€labour€matters€between€nationals€and€non-nationals,€and€also€on€account€of€theÐ \ Ð Ðparticular€relationship€between€nationals€and€their€home€State.€Moreover,€as€a€foreigner'sÐ H!¼ Ðstay€could€be€limited€and€subjected€to€administrative€decision,€the€statutory€period€ofÐ 4"¨ Ðmembership€in€a€work-council€was€potentially€in€conflict.Ð #”(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à8.2€€As€to€the€State€party's€argument€that€the€claim€is,€in€truth,€one€under€article€25€of€theÐ ø$l! ÐCovenant,€the€Committee€observes€that€the€rights€protected€by€that€article€are€to€participationÐ ä%X" Ðin€the€public€political€life€of€the€nation,€and€do€not€cover€private€employment€matters€suchÐ Ð&D # Ðas€the€election€of€an€employee€to€a€private€company's€work-council.€It€accordingly€findsÐ ¼'0!$ Ðarticle€25,€and€any€adverse€consequences€possibly€flowing€for€the€author€from€it,€notÐ ¨("% Ðapplicable€to€the€facts€of€the€present€case.Д)#&(#(# ÐÌÔ_ÔÐ l+à$( ЇÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ÎŠÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝGedumbe€v.€Democratic€Republic€of€the€Congo€óó(641/1995),€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(9€JulyÐ Œ Ð2002)€24€(CCPR/C/75/D/641/1995)€at€paras.€2.1„2.5,€5.2,€5.3,€6.1€and€6.2.€Ýƒ3£ÎŠþŠÝŒÐxì(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐP Ä(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€In€1985€the€author€was€appointed€director€of€a€Zairian€consular€school€in€Bujumbura,Ð < ° ÐBurundi.€In€1988€he€was€suspended€from€his€duties€by€Mboloko€Ikolo,€the€then€ZairianÐ ( œ Ðambassador€to€Burundi.€This€suspension€allegedly€was€attributable€to€a€complaint€addressedÐ  ˆ Ðby€the€author€and€by€other€staff€members€of€the€schoolòò1óó/€to€several€administrative€authoritiesÐ  t Ðof€Zaire,€including€the€President€and€the€Minister€of€Foreign€Affairs,€concerning€theÐ ì ` Ðembezzlement€by€Mr.€Ikolo€of€the€salaries€for€the€personnel€of€the€consular€school.€MoreÐ ØL  Ðparticularly,€the€ambassador€allegedly€embezzled€the€author's€salary€in€order€to€force€him€toÐ Ä8  Ðyield€his€wife.€Ð°$ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€In€March€1988€a€fact„finding€commission€was€sent€from€Zaire€to€Bujumbura,€which,Ð ˆü  Ðpurportedly,€made€an€overwhelming€report€against€the€ambassador€and€confirmed€all€theÐ tè  Ðallegations€made€against€him.€In€August€1988€the€Minister€of€Foreign€Affairs€of€ZaireÐ `Ô  Ðenjoined€Mr.€Ikolo€to€pay€all€the€salary€arrears€to€the€author,€who,€in€the€meantime,€had€beenÐ LÀ Ðtransferred€as€director€of€the€Zairian€consular€school€to€Kigali,€Rwanda.€The€ambassador,Ð 8¬ Ðwho€allegedly€refused€to€obey€this€order,€was€suspended€from€his€duties€and€recalled€to€ZaireÐ $˜ Ðon€20€June€1989.€Ð„(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€In€September€1989€the€Ministry€of€Primary€and€Secondary€Education€issued€an€order€toÐ è\ Ðreinstate€the€author€in€his€post€in€Bujumbura.€Accordingly,€the€author€moved€back€toÐ ÔH ÐBurundi€in€order€to€fill€his€post.€Subsequently,€Mr.€Ikolo,€who€despite€his€suspensionÐ À4 Ðremained€in€Bujumbura€until€20€December€1989,€informed€the€authorities€in€Zaire€that€theÐ ¬  Ðauthor€was€a€member€of€a€network€of€political€opponents€of€the€Zairian€Government,€andÐ ˜  Ðthat€he€therefore€had€requested€the€authorities€of€Burundi€to€expel€him.€For€this€reason,€theÐ „ø Ðauthor€maintains,€Mr.€Ikolo€and€his€successor€at€the€embassy,€Vizi€Topi,€refused€to€reinstateÐ pä Ðhim€in€his€post,€even€after€confirmation€by€the€Minister€of€Primary€and€Secondary€Education,Ð \ Ð Ðor€to€pay€his€salary€arrears.€ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€The€author€appealed€to€the€Public€Prosecutor€of€the€County€Court€(òòTribunal€de€GrandeÐ  #” ÐInstanceóó)€of€Uvira,€who€passed€on€the€file€to€the€Public€Prosecutor€of€the€Court€of€AppealÐ  $€  Ð(òòCour€d'Appelóó)€of€Bukavu€on€25€July€1990.€Both€offices€described€the€facts€as€being€anÐ ø$l! Ðabuse€of€rights€and€called€into€question€the€former€ambassador's€conduct.€On€14€SeptemberÐ ä%X" Ð1990€the€case€was€further€transmitted€for€advice€to€the€Office€of€the€Public€Prosecutor€inÐ Ð&D # ÐKinshasa,€where€the€case€was€registered€in€February€1991.€Since€then,€despite€numerousÐ ¼'0!$ Ðreminders€sent€by€the€author,€no€further€action€has€been€taken.€Consequently,€the€authorÐ ¨("% Ðappealed€to€the€Minister€of€Justice€and€to€the€Chairman€of€the€National€Assembly.€The€latterÐ ”)#& Ðinterceded€with€the€Minister€of€Foreign€Affairs€and€the€Minister€of€Education,€who,Ð €*ô#' Ðallegedly,€intervened€on€the€author's€behalf€with€Mr.€Vizi€Topi,€all€to€no€avail.€Ðl+à$((#(# Їà0  à2.5€€On€7€October€1990€the€author€served€a€summons€on€Mr.€Ikolo€for€adultery,€slanderousÐ Œ Ðdenunciation€and€prejudicial€charges,€abuse€of€power€and€embezzlement€of€private€monies.Ð xì ÐBy€a€letter€dated€24€October€1990,€the€President€of€the€Kinshasa€Court€of€Appeal€(òòCourÐ dØ Ðd'Appelóó)€informed€the€author€that€Mr.€Ikolo,€as€an€ambassador,€benefited€from€functionalÐ P Ä Ðimmunity€and€could€only€be€brought€to€trial€upon€summons€of€the€Public€Prosecutor.€All€theÐ < ° Ðauthor's€requests€to€the€latter€to€start€legal€proceedings€against€Mr.€Ikolo€have€to€dateÐ ( œ Ðremained€unanswered.€According€to€the€author,€this€is€due€to€the€fact€that€a€specialÐ  ˆ Ðauthorization€of€the€President€is€required€to€start€legal€proceedings€against€members€of€theÐ  t Ðsecurity€police€and€that,€therefore,€the€Public€Prosecutor€could€not€take€the€risk€of€servingÐ ì ` Ða€summons€on€Mr.€Ikolo,€who€is€also€a€senior€official€in€the€National€Intelligence€andÐ ØL  ÐProtection€Service.€Accordingly,€the€author's€case€cannot€be€the€subject€of€a€judicialÐ Ä8  Ðdetermination.€Therefore,€it€is€submitted,€all€available€and€effective€domestic€remedies€haveÐ °$  Ðbeen€exhausted.€Ðœ (#(# Ðà0  à...Јü (#(# Ðà0  à5.2€€With€regard€to€the€alleged€violation€of€article€25€(c)€of€the€Covenant,€the€CommitteeÐ tè  Ðnotes€that€the€author€has€made€specific€allegations€relating,€on€the€one€hand,€to€hisÐ `Ô  Ðsuspension€in€complete€disregard€of€legal€procedure€and,€in€particular,€in€violation€of€theÐ LÀ ÐZairian€regulations€governing€State€employees,€and,€on€the€other€hand,€to€the€failure€toÐ 8¬ Ðreinstate€him€in€his€post,€in€contravention€of€decisions€by€the€Ministry€of€Primary€andÐ $˜ ÐSecondary€Education.€In€this€connection€the€Committee€notes€also€that€the€non„payment€ofÐ „ Ðthe€author's€salary€arrears,€notwithstanding€the€instructions€by€the€Minister€for€ForeignÐ üp ÐAffairs,€is€the€direct€consequence€of€the€failure€to€implement€the€above„mentioned€decisionsÐ è\ Ðby€the€authorities.€In€the€absence€of€a€response€by€the€State€party,€the€Committee€finds€thatÐ ÔH Ðthe€facts€in€the€case€show€that€the€decisions€by€the€authorities€in€the€author's€favour€have€notÐ À4 Ðbeen€acted€upon€and€cannot€be€regarded€as€an€effective€remedy€for€violation€of€article€25€(c)Ð ¬  Ðread€in€conjunction€with€article€2€of€the€Covenant.€Ð˜ (#(# ÐÌà0  à5.3€€To€the€extent€that€the€Committee€has€found€that€there€was€no€effective€legal€procedureÐ pä Ðallowing€the€author€to€invoke€his€rights€before€a€tribunal€(article€25€(c)€in€conjunction€withÐ \ Ð Ðarticle€2),€no€separate€issue€arises€concerning€the€conformity€of€proceedings€before€such€aÐ H!¼ Ðtribunal€with€article€14€of€the€Covenant.€With€regard€to€article€26,€the€Committee€sustainsÐ 4"¨ Ðthe€author's€reasoning€by€finding€a€violation€of€article€25€Ô_Ô(c)Ô_Ô.€Ð #”(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à6.1€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€disclose€violationsÐ ø$l! Ðby€the€Democratic€Republic€of€the€Congo€of€articles€25€(c)€in€conjunction€with€article€2€ofÐ ä%X" Ðthe€Covenant.€ÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌà0  à6.2€€Pursuant€to€article€2,€paragraph€3€(a),€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€is€of€the€view€thatÐ ¨("% Ðthe€author€is€entitled€to€an€appropriate€remedy,€namely:€(a)€effective€reinstatement€to€publicÐ ”)#& Ðservice€and€to€his€post,€with€all€the€consequences€that€that€implies,€or,€if€necessary,€to€aÐ €*ô#' Ðsimilar€post;òò2óó/€(b)€compensation€comprising€a€sum€equivalent€to€the€payment€of€the€arrearsÐ l+à$( Ðof€salary€and€remuneration€that€he€would€have€received€from€the€time€at€which€he€was€notÐ Œ Ðreinstated€to€his€post,€beginning€in€September€1989.òò3óó/€Ðxì(#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐdØ(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐP Ä(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€This€complaint€was€also€signed€by€Odia€Amisi;€communication€No.€497/1992€(òòOdiaÐ ( œ ÐAmisi€v.€Zaireóó),€declared€inadmissible€on€27€July€1994.€Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò2óó/€€Communication€No.€630/1995€òòAbdoulaye€Mazou€v.€Cameroonóó.€Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò3óó/€€Communications€No.€422/1990,€423/1990€and€424/1990,€òòAdimayo€M.€Aduayom,€SofianouÐ Ä8  ÐT.€Diasso€and€Yawo€S.€Dobou€v.€Togoóó.€Ð°$ (#(# Ðà0  à_________________М (#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£N®ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòGillot€v.€France€óó(932/2000),€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(15€July€2002)€270Ð `Ô  Ð(CCPR/C/75/D/932/2000)€at€paras.€2.1„2.7,€11.2,€12.1,€12.2,€13.1„13.8,€14.1„14.7€and€15.€Ýƒ3£N®{®ÝŒÐLÀ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€On€5€May€1998,€two€political€organizations€in€New€Caledonia,€the€òòFront€de€LibrationÐ „ ÐNationale€Kanak€Socialisteóó€(FLNKS)€and€the€òòRassemblement€pour€la€Caldonie€dans€laÐ üp ÐRpubliqueóó€(RPCR),€€together€with€the€Government€of€France,€signed€the€so-called€NoumeaÐ è\ ÐAccord.€The€Accord,€which€forms€part€of€a€process€of€self-determination,€established€theÐ ÔH Ðframework€for€the€institutional€development€of€New€Caledonia€...€over€the€next€20€years.€ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€Implementation€of€the€Noumea€Accord€led€to€a€constitutional€amendment€in€that€itÐ ˜  Ðinvolved€derogations€from€certain€constitutional€principles,€such€as€the€principle€of€equalityÐ „ø Ðof€political€rights€(restricted€electorate€in€local€ballots).€Thus,€by€a€joint€vote€of€the€FrenchÐ pä ÐParliament€and€Senate,€and€approval€of€a€draft€constitutional€amendment€by€the€Congress,Ð \ Ð Ðthe€Constitution€Act€of€New€Caledonia€(No.€98-610)€of€20€July€1998€inserted€a€title€XIIIÐ H!¼ Ðreading€"Transitional€provisions€concerning€New€Caledonia"€in€the€Constitution.€The€titleÐ 4"¨ Ðcomprises€the€following€articles€76€and€77:€Ð #”(#(# ÐÌà0  àArticle€76€of€the€Constitution€provides€that:€Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à"The€people€of€New€Caledonia€shall,€before€13€December€1998,€express€their€viewsÐ Ð&D # Ðon€the€provisions€of€the€accord€signed€at€Noumea€on€5€May€1998€and€published€onÐ ¼'0!$ Ð27€May€1998€in€the€òòJournal€Officielóó€of€the€French€Republic.€Those€persons€fulfillingÐ ¨("% Ðthe€requirements€established€in€article€2€of€Act€No.€88-1028€of€9€November€1988Ð ”)#& Ðshall€be€eligible€to€vote.€The€measures€required€for€the€conduct€of€the€voting€shall€beÐ €*ô#' Ðtaken€by€decree€of€the€Council€of€State,€after€consideration€by€the€Council€ofÐ l+à$( ÐMinisters."€ÐŒ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àArticle€77€provides€that:€ÐdØ(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à"Following€approval€of€the€Accord€in€the€referendum€provided€for€in€article€76,€theÐ < ° ÐOrganic€Law,€adopted€following€consultation€with€the€deliberative€assembly€of€NewÐ ( œ ÐCaledonia,€shall€establish,€to€ensure€the€development€of€New€Caledonia€with€dueÐ  ˆ Ðrespect€for€the€guidelines€provided€for€in€the€Accord€and€in€accordance€with€theÐ  t Ðprocedures€necessary€for€its€implementation:€[ð8ð]€-€regulations€on€citizenship,€theÐ ì ` Ðelectoral€system€[ð8ð]€-€the€conditions€and€time€frame€for€a€decision€by€the€peopleÐ ØL  Ðconcerned€in€New€Caledonia€on€accession€to€full€sovereignty."ÐÄ8 ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€An€initial€referendum€was€held€on€8€November€1998.€The€Noumea€Accord€wasÐ œ  Ðapproved€by€72€per€cent€of€those€voting,€and€it€was€established€that€one€or€more€referendumsÐ ˆü  Ðwould€be€held€thereafter.€The€authors€were€not€eligible€to€participate€in€that€ballot.€Ðtè (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€The€authors€contest€the€way€in€which€the€electorates€for€these€various€referendums,€asÐ LÀ Ðestablished€under€the€Noumea€Accord€and€implemented€by€the€French€Government,€wereÐ 8¬ Ðdetermined.€Ð$˜(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€For€the€first€referendum€on€8€November€1998,€Decree€No.€98-733€of€20€August€1998Ð üp Ðon€organization€of€a€referendum€of€the€people€of€New€Caledonia,€as€provided€for€by€articleÐ è\ Ð76€of€the€Constitution,€determined€the€electorate€with€reference€to€article€2€of€Act€No.Ð ÔH Ð88-1028€of€9€November€1988€(also€determined€in€article€6.3€of€the€Noumea€Accord),Ð À4 Ðnamely:€"Persons€registered€on€the€electoral€rolls€for€the€territory€on€that€date€and€residentÐ ¬  Ðin€New€Caledonia€since€6€November€1988€shall€be€eligible€to€vote."€Ð˜ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€For€future€referendums,€the€electorate€was€determined€by€the€French€Parliament€inÐ pä Ðarticle€218€of€the€Organic€Law€of€New€Caledonia€(No.€99-209)€of€19€March€1999€(reflectingÐ \ Ð Ðarticle€2.2€of€the€Noumea€Accord)òò2óó/,€pursuant€to€which:€ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à"Persons€registered€on€the€electoral€roll€on€the€date€of€the€referendum€and€fulfillingÐ  #” Ðone€of€the€following€conditions€shall€be€eligible€to€vote:Ð $€ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(a)€They€must€have€been€eligible€to€participate€in€the€referendum€of€8€NovemberÐ ä%X" Ð1998;€ÐÐ&D #` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(b)€They€were€not€registered€on€the€electoral€roll€for€the€referendum€of€8€NovemberÐ ¨("% Ð1998,€but€fulfilled€the€residence€requirement€for€that€referendum;€Ð”)#&` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(c)€They€were€not€registered€on€the€electoral€roll€for€the€8€November€1998Ð l+à$( Ðreferendum€owing€to€non-fulfilment€of€the€residence€requirement,€but€must€be€ableÐ Œ Ðto€prove€that€their€absence€was€due€to€family,€professional€or€medical€reasons;€Ðxì` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(d)€They€must€enjoy€customary€civil€status€or,€having€been€born€in€New€Caledonia,Ð P Ä Ðthey€must€have€their€main€moral€and€material€interests€in€the€territory;€Ð< °` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(e)€Having€one€parent€born€in€New€Caledonia,€they€must€have€their€main€moral€andÐ  ˆ Ðmaterial€interests€in€the€territory;€Ð t` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(f)€They€must€be€able€to€prove€20€years€continuous€residence€in€New€Caledonia€onÐ ØL  Ðthe€date€of€the€referendum€or€by€31€December€2014€at€the€latest;€ÐÄ8 ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(g)€Having€been€born€before€1€January€1989,€they€must€have€been€resident€in€NewÐ œ  ÐCaledonia€from€1988€to€1998;€Ðˆü ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(h)€Having€been€born€on€or€after€1€January€1989,€they€must€have€reached€voting€ageÐ `Ô  Ðon€the€date€of€the€referendum€and€have€one€parent€who€fulfilled€the€conditions€forÐ LÀ Ðparticipation€in€the€referendum€of€8€November€1998.€Ð8¬` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àPeriods€spent€outside€New€Caledonia€for€the€performance€of€national€service,€forÐ „ Ðstudy€or€training,€or€for€family,€professional€or€medical€reasons€shall,€in€the€case€ofÐ üp Ðpersons€previously€domiciled€in€the€territory,€be€included€in€the€periods€taken€intoÐ è\ Ðconsideration€in€order€to€determine€domicile."ÐÔH` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à2.7€€The€authors,€who€did€not€fulfil€the€above€criteria,€state€that€they€were€excluded€from€theÐ ¬  Ðreferendum€of€8€November€1998€and€that€they€will€also€be€excluded€from€referendumsÐ ˜  Ðplanned€from€2014€onwards.€Ð„ø(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðpä(#(# Ðà0  à11.2€€The€Committee€has€to€determine€whether€the€restrictions€imposed€on€the€electorate€forÐ \ Ð Ðthe€purposes€of€the€local€referendums€of€8€November€1998€and€in€2014€or€thereafterÐ H!¼ Ðconstitute€a€violation€of€articles€25€and€26€of€the€Covenant,€as€the€authors€maintain.€Ð4"¨(#(# ÐÌà0  à12.1€€The€authors€maintain,€first,€that€they€have€an€absolute,€acquired€and€indivisible€rightÐ  $€  Ðto€vote€in€all€political€ballots€organized€in€their€place€of€residence.€Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à12.2€€On€this€point€the€Committee€recalls€its€decisions€in€relation€to€article€25€of€theÐ Ð&D # ÐCovenant,€namely€that€the€right€to€vote€is€not€an€absolute€right€and€that€restrictions€may€beÐ ¼'0!$ Ðimposed€on€it€provided€they€are€not€discriminatory€or€unreasonable.òò22óó/Ш("%(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.1€€The€authors€maintain,€secondly,€that€the€criteria€used€to€determine€the€electorates€inÐ €*ô#' Ðlocal€ballots€represent€a€departure€from€French€rules€on€electoral€matters€(the€right€to€voteÐ l+à$( Ðcan€be€made€dependent€only€on€the€criterion€of€inclusion€on€an€electoral€roll,€either€of€theÐ Œ Ðcommune€of€domicile,€irrespective€of€the€period€of€residence,€or€of€the€commune€of€actualÐ xì Ðresidence€for€at€least€6€months)€and€thereby€impose€on€them€discriminatory€restrictionsÐ dØ Ðwhich€are€contrary€to€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights.€ÐP Ä(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.2€€In€order€to€determine€the€discriminatory€or€non-discriminatory€character€of€the€criteriaÐ ( œ Ðin€dispute,€in€conformity€with€its€above-mentioned€decisions,€the€Committee€considers€thatÐ  ˆ Ðthe€evaluation€of€any€restrictions€must€be€effected€on€a€case-by-case€basis,€having€regard€inÐ  t Ðparticular€to€the€purpose€of€such€restrictions€and€the€principle€of€proportionality.€Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.3€€In€the€present€case,€the€Committee€has€taken€note€of€the€fact€that€the€local€ballots€wereÐ Ä8  Ðconducted€in€the€context€of€a€process€of€self-determination€of€the€population€of€NewÐ °$  ÐCaledonia.€In€this€connection,€it€has€taken€into€consideration€the€State€party's€argument€thatÐ œ  Ðthese€referendums€-€for€which€the€procedures€were€fixed€by€the€Noumea€Accord€andÐ ˆü  Ðestablished€according€to€the€type€of€ballot€by€a€vote€of€Congressòò€23óó/€or€Parliament€òò24óó/€-€must,Ð tè  Ðby€virtue€of€their€purpose,€provide€means€of€determining€the€opinion€of,€not€the€whole€of€theÐ `Ô  Ðnational€population,€but€the€persons€"concerned"€by€the€future€of€New€Caledonia.€ÐLÀ(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.4€€Although€the€Committee€does€not€have€the€competence€under€the€Optional€ProtocolÐ $˜ Ðto€consider€a€communication€alleging€violation€of€the€right€to€self-determination€protectedÐ „ Ðin€article€1€of€the€Covenant,€it€may€interpret€article€1,€when€this€is€relevant,€in€determiningÐ üp Ðwhether€rights€protected€in€parts€II€and€III€of€the€Covenant€have€been€violated.€TheÐ è\ ÐCommittee€is€of€the€view,€therefore,€that,€in€this€case,€it€may€take€article€1€into€account€inÐ ÔH Ðinterpretation€of€article€25€of€the€Covenant.€ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.5€€In€relation€to€the€authors'€complaints,€the€Committee€observes,€as€the€State€party€indeedÐ ˜  Ðconfirms,€that€the€criteria€governing€the€right€to€vote€in€the€referendums€have€the€effect€ofÐ „ø Ðestablishing€a€restricted€electorate€and€hence€a€differentiation€between€(a)€persons€deprivedÐ pä Ðof€the€right€to€vote,€including€the€author(s)€in€the€ballot€in€question,€and€(b)€personsÐ \ Ð Ðpermitted€to€exercise€this€right,€owing€to€their€sufficiently€strong€links€with€the€territoryÐ H!¼ Ðwhose€institutional€development€is€at€issue.€The€question€which€the€Committee€must€decide,Ð 4"¨ Ðtherefore,€is€whether€this€differentiation€is€compatible€with€article€25€of€the€Covenant.€TheÐ  #” ÐCommittee€recalls€that€not€all€differentiation€constitutes€discrimination€if€it€is€based€onÐ  $€  Ðobjective€and€reasonable€criteria€and€the€purpose€sought€is€legitimate€under€the€Covenant.€Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.6€€The€Committee€has,€first€of€all,€to€consider€whether€the€criteria€used€to€determine€theÐ Ð&D # Ðrestricted€electorates€are€objective.€Ð¼'0!$(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.7€€The€Committee€observes€that,€in€conformity€with€the€issue€in€each€ballot,€apart€fromÐ ”)#& Ðthe€requirement€of€inclusion€on€the€electoral€rolls,€the€criteria€used€are:€(a)€for€the€1998Ð €*ô#' Ðreferendum€relating€to€the€continuation€or€non-continuation€of€the€process€ofÐ l+à$( Ðself-determination,€the€condition€of€length€of€residence€in€New€Caledonia;€and€(b)€for€theÐ Œ Ðpurpose€of€future€referendums€directly€relating€to€the€option€of€independence,€additionalÐ xì Ðconditions€relating€to€possession€of€customary€civil€status,€the€presence€in€the€territory€ofÐ dØ Ðmoral€and€material€interests,€combined€with€birth€of€the€person€concerned€or€his€parents€inÐ P Ä Ðthe€territory.€It€accordingly€follows,€as€the€date€for€a€decision€on€self-determinationÐ < ° Ðapproaches,€that€the€criteria€are€more€numerous€and€take€into€account€the€specific€factorsÐ ( œ Ðattesting€to€the€strength€of€the€links€to€the€territory.€To€the€length€of€residence€condition€(asÐ  ˆ Ðopposed€to€the€cut-off€points€for€length€of€residence)€for€determining€a€general€link€with€theÐ  t Ðterritory€are€added€more€specific€links.€Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à13.8€€The€Committee€considers€that€the€above-mentioned€criteria€are€based€on€objectiveÐ Ä8  Ðelements€for€differentiating€between€residents€as€regards€their€relationship€with€NewÐ °$  ÐCaledonia,€namely€the€different€forms€of€ties€to€the€territory,€whether€specific€or€general€-Ð œ  Ðin€conformity€with€the€purpose€and€nature€of€each€ballot.€The€question€of€the€discriminatoryÐ ˆü  Ðor€non-discriminatory€effects€of€these€criteria€nevertheless€arises.€Ðtè (#(# Ðà0  à...Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  à14.1€€Lastly,€the€authors€argue€that€the€cut-off€points€set€for€the€length€of€residenceÐ LÀ Ðrequirement,€10€and€20€years€respectively€for€the€referendums€in€question,€are€excessive€andÐ 8¬ Ðaffect€their€right€to€vote.€Ð$˜(#(# ÐÌà0  à14.2€€The€Committee€considers€that€it€is€not€in€a€position€to€determine€the€length€of€residenceÐ üp Ðrequirements.€It€may,€however,€express€its€view€on€whether€or€not€these€requirements€areÐ è\ Ðexcessive.€In€the€present€case,€the€Committee€has€to€decide€whether€the€requirements€haveÐ ÔH Ðthe€purpose€or€effect€of€restricting€in€a€disproportionate€manner,€given€the€nature€and€purposeÐ À4 Ðof€the€referendums€in€question,€the€participation€of€the€"concerned"€population€of€NewÐ ¬  ÐCaledonia.€Ð˜ (#(# ÐÌà0  à14.3€€In€addition€to€the€State€party's€position€that€the€criteria€used€for€the€determination€ofÐ pä Ðthe€electorates€favour€long-term€residents€over€recent€arrivals€owing€to€actual€differences€inÐ \ Ð Ðconcern€with€regard€to€New€Caledonia,€the€Committee€notes,€in€particular,€that€the€cut-offÐ H!¼ Ðpoints€for€length€of€residence€are€designed,€according€to€the€State€party,€to€ensure€that€theÐ 4"¨ Ðreferendums€reflect€the€will€of€the€population€"concerned"€and€that€their€results€cannot€beÐ  #” Ðundermined€by€a€massive€vote€by€people€who€have€recently€arrived€in€the€territory€and€haveÐ  $€  Ðno€proven,€strong€ties€to€it.€Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à14.4€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€21€authors€were€excluded€from€the€1998€referendumÐ Ð&D # Ðbecause€they€did€not€meet€the€10€years'€continuous€residence€requirement.€It€also€notes€thatÐ ¼'0!$ Ðone€author€will€not€be€able€to€participate€in€the€next€referendum€because€of€the€20€years'Ð ¨("% Ðcontinuous€residence€requirement,€whereas€the€other€20€authors€do,€as€things€stand,€have€theÐ ”)#& Ðright€to€vote€in€that€referendum€-€18€authors€on€the€basis€of€the€residence€criterion€and€2Ð €*ô#' Ðothers€on€the€strength€of€having€been€born€in€New€Caledonia,€their€ethnic€origin€and€nationalÐ l+à$( Ðextraction€being€of€no€consequence€in€this€respect.€ÐŒ(#(# ÐÌà0  à14.5€€The€Committee€considers,€first,€that€the€cut-off€points€adopted€do€not€have€aÐ dØ Ðdisproportionate€effect,€given€the€nature€and€purpose€of€the€referendums€in€question,€on€theÐ P Ä Ðauthors'€situation,€particularly€since€their€non-participation€in€the€first€referendum€manifestlyÐ < ° Ðhas€no€consequences€for€nearly€all€of€them€as€regards€the€final€referendum.€Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌà0  à14.6€€The€Committee€further€considers€that€each€cut-off€point€should€provide€a€means€ofÐ  t Ðevaluating€the€strength€of€the€link€to€the€territory,€in€order€that€those€residents€able€to€proveÐ ì ` Ða€sufficiently€strong€tie€are€able€to€participate€in€each€referendum.€The€Committee€considersÐ ØL  Ðthat,€in€the€present€case,€the€difference€in€the€cut-off€points€for€each€ballot€is€linked€to€theÐ Ä8  Ðissue€being€decided€in€each€vote:€the€20-year€cut-off€point€-€rather€than€10€years€as€for€theÐ °$  Ðfirst€ballot€-€is€justified€by€the€time€frame€for€self-determination,€it€being€made€clear€thatÐ œ  Ðother€ties€are€also€taken€into€account€for€the€final€referendum.€Ðˆü (#(# ÐÌà0  à14.7€€Noting€that€the€length€of€residence€criterion€is€not€discriminatory,€the€CommitteeÐ `Ô  Ðconsiders€that,€in€the€present€case,€the€cut-off€points€set€for€the€referendum€of€1998€andÐ LÀ Ðreferendums€from€2014€onwards€are€not€excessive€inasmuch€as€they€are€in€keeping€with€theÐ 8¬ Ðnature€and€purpose€of€these€ballots,€namely€a€self-determination€process€involving€theÐ $˜ Ðparticipation€of€persons€able€to€prove€sufficiently€strong€ties€to€the€territory€whose€future€isÐ „ Ðbeing€decided.€This€being€the€case,€these€cut-off€points€do€not€appear€to€be€disproportionateÐ üp Ðwith€respect€to€a€decolonization€process€involving€the€participation€of€residents€who,€overÐ è\ Ðand€above€their€ethnic€origin€or€political€affiliation,€have€helped,€and€continue€to€help,€buildÐ ÔH ÐNew€Caledonia€through€their€sufficiently€strong€ties€to€the€territory.€ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌà0  à15.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€do€not€disclose€aÐ ˜  Ðviolation€of€any€article€of€the€Covenant.€Ð„ø(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðpä(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐ\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  àòò2óó/€€Article€2.2€of€the€Noumea€Accord:€"The€electorate€for€the€referendums€on€the€politicalÐ 4"¨ Ðorganization€of€New€Caledonia€to€be€held€once€the€period€of€application€of€this€Accord€hasÐ  #” Ðended€(sect.€5)€shall€consist€only€of:€voters€registered€on€the€electoral€rolls€on€the€dates€ofÐ  $€  Ðthe€referendums€provided€for€under€section€5€who€were€eligible€to€participate€in€theÐ ø$l! Ðreferendum€provided€for€in€article€2€of€the€Referendum€Act,€or€who€fulfilled€the€conditionsÐ ä%X" Ðfor€participating€in€that€referendum;€those€who€are€able€to€prove€that€any€interruptions€inÐ Ð&D # Ðtheir€continuous€residence€in€New€Caledonia€were€attributable€to€professional€or€familyÐ ¼'0!$ Ðreasons;€those€who€have€customary€status€or€were€born€in€New€Caledonia€and€whoseÐ ¨("% Ðproperty€and€personal€ties€are€mainly€in€New€Caledonia;€and€those€who,€although€they€wereÐ ”)#& Ðnot€born€in€New€Caledonia,€have€one€parent€born€there€and€whose€property€and€personal€tiesÐ €*ô#' Ðare€mainly€in€New€Caledonia.€Young€people€who€have€reached€voting€age€and€are€registeredÐ l+à$( Ðon€the€electoral€rolls€and€who,€if€they€were€born€before€1988,€resided€in€New€Caledonia€fromÐ Œ Ð1988€to€1998,€or,€if€they€were€born€after€1988,€have€one€parent€who€fulfilled€or€could€haveÐ xì Ðfulfilled€the€conditions€for€voting€in€the€referendum€held€at€the€end€of€1998,€shall€also€beÐ dØ Ðeligible€to€vote€in€these€referendums.€Persons€who,€in€2013,€are€able€to€prove€that€they€haveÐ P Ä Ðresided€continuously€in€New€Caledonia€for€20€years€may€also€vote€in€these€referendums."€Ð< °(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  àòò22óó/€€Communications€No.€500/1992,€òòJ.€Debreczeny€v.€Netherlandsóó;€No.€44/1979,€AlbaÐ  ˆ ÐPietraroia€on€behalf€of€òòRosario€Pietraroia€Zapala€v.€Uruguayóó;€General€Comment€No.€18Ð  t Ðrelating€to€article€25€(fifty-seventh€session,€1996),€paras.€4,€10,€11€and€14.€Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò23óó/€€Constitutional€Act€(No.€98-610)€of€20€July€1998,€whose€article€76€determined€conditionsÐ Ä8  Ðfor€participation€in€the€1998€ballot.€Congress€is€constituted€by€the€meeting€of€the€NationalÐ °$  ÐAssembly€and€the€Senate€for€the€purposes€of€amending€the€Constitution,€in€accordance€withÐ œ  Ðarticle€89€of€the€Constitution€of€4€October€1958.€Ðˆü (#(# ÐÌà0  àòò24óó/€€Organic€Law€(No.€99-209)€of€19€March€1999,€whose€article€218€determines€conditionsÐ `Ô  Ðfor€participation€in€ballots€as€from€2014.€ÐLÀ(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ð8¬(#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£uÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝChira€Vargas€v.€Peruóó€(906/2000)€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(22€July€2002)€228Ð üp Ð(CCPR/C/75/D/906/2000)€at€paras.€2.3„2.5,€2.7„2.10,€7.4,€8€and€9.݃3£u¥ÝŒÐè\(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à2.3€€On€16€October€1991,€an€administrative€decision€relieved€the€author€of€his€duties€as€aÐ ¬  Ðdisciplinary€measure,€after€26€years€of€service.òò1óó/€The€decision€was€based€on€a€report€datedÐ ˜  Ð8€October€1991,€which€contained€conclusions€based€on€a€police€report€that€the€author€claimsÐ „ø Ðnever€existed,€and€a€second€disciplinary€report€dated€16€October€1991,€in€which€the€authorÐ pä Ðwas€accused€of€violating€article€84.C.6€of€the€Disciplinary€Regulations,€although€he€contendsÐ \ Ð Ðthat€the€article€in€question€was€intended€to€cover€a€different€situation.€ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€The€same€day,€an€order€was€issued€for€the€author's€arrest,€without€a€judicial€order€andÐ  #” Ðwithout€his€being€apprehended€in€òòflagrante€delictoóó.€The€author€was€taken€to€Lima,€where€heÐ  $€  Ðwas€forced€to€attend€a€press€conference.€The€author€claims€that€no€charges€were€ever€broughtÐ ø$l! Ðagainst€him,€in€either€the€ordinary€or€the€military€courts,€for€criminal€negligence€or€liabilityÐ ä%X" Ðin€the€course€of€his€duties,€or€for€any€other€criminal€offence€arising€from€the€death€of€Mr.Ð Ð&D # ÐÔ_ÔPrezÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔArvaloÔ_Ô,€and€that€he€was€neither€tried€nor€sentenced.€Ð¼'0!$(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€On€25€October€1991,€the€Office€of€the€National€Police€Headquarters€Legal€AdviserÐ ”)#& Ðissued€a€report€stating€that€the€author,€in€his€capacity€as€Chief€of€the€Drug€Department,€hadÐ €*ô#' Ðfailed€to€inform€his€superiors€of€the€action€he€had€taken€against€Mr.€Ô_ÔPrezÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔArvaloÔ_Ô€for€illicitÐ l+à$( Ðdrug€trafficking.€The€author,€however,€maintains€that€the€Institutional€Command€wasÐ Œ Ðinformed€immediately€and€expediently€of€the€detention€of€certain€individuals€for€drugÐ xì Ðtrafficking,€in€the€report€of€the€Trujillo€Police€Department€secretariat€dated€1€October€1991.Ð dØ ÐThe€Ministry€of€the€Interior€was€also€informed€of€the€arrest€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔPrezÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔArvaloÔ_Ô€and€others,Ð P Ä Ðin€a€letter€dated€4€October€1991€from€the€National€Police€Directorate„General.€Ð< °(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à2.7€€On€30€January€1995,€the€author€submitted€an€application€for€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€to€the€TrujilloÐ  ˆ ÐThird€Special€Civil€Court,€requesting€that€the€Supreme€Decision€relieving€him€of€his€dutiesÐ  t Ðshould€be€declared€unenforceable.€In€its€judgement€of€2€March€1995,€the€Court€declared€theÐ ì ` Ðdecision€unenforceable€and€ordered€the€reinstatement€of€the€author€to€active€service€in€theÐ ØL  ÐNational€Police€with€the€rank€of€commander.€The€judgement€was€appealed€by€the€PublicÐ Ä8  ÐProsecutor€of€the€Ministry€of€the€Interior€in€the€Trujillo€First€Civil€Division€which,€on€20Ð °$  ÐJune€1995,€upheld€the€order€for€the€author's€reinstatement.€The€Public€Prosecutor€thenÐ œ  Ðappealed€to€the€Constitutional€Division€of€the€Supreme€Court,€which,€in€its€decision€of€6Ð ˆü  ÐDecember€1995,€declared€itself€incompetent€to€hear€the€appeal.€On€27€December€1995,€theÐ tè  Ðappeal€was€declared€inadmissible€by€the€Trujillo€First€Civil€Division.€Ð`Ô (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.8€€On€12€January€1996,€the€Trujillo€Third€Special€Civil€Court€ordered€the€execution€of€theÐ 8¬ Ðjudgement€of€2€March€1995,€with€the€reinstatement€of€the€author€as€commander€in€the€policeÐ $˜ Ðforce.€In€a€written€submission€dated€1€February€1996,€the€Public€Prosecutor€opposed€theÐ „ Ðauthor's€reinstatement,€arguing€that€administrative€procedures€must€be€carried€out€prior€toÐ üp Ðsuch€reinstatement.€Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.9€€On€15€February€1996,€the€author€requested€the€Trujillo€Third€Special€Civil€Court€to€urgeÐ À4 Ðthe€Ministry€of€the€Interior€to€implement€the€Supreme€Decision€ordering€his€reinstatementÐ ¬  Ðand€to€publish€it€in€the€Official€Gazette.€On€23€May€1996,€the€Court€issued€a€decision€givingÐ ˜  Ðthe€Ministry€of€the€Interior€10€days€to€implement€and€publish€the€Supreme€Decision.Ð „ø ÐHowever,€on€28€May€1996,€the€National€Police€Public€Prosecutor€declared€the€decision€nullÐ pä Ðand€void,€claiming€that€the€relevant€procedures€had€not€been€completed€and€that€the€decisionÐ \ Ð Ðshould€be€signed€by€the€President€of€the€Republic.€ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.10€€The€author€sent€notarized€communications€to€the€Ministry€of€the€Interior€and€to€theÐ  #” ÐPresident€of€the€Republic€on€8€and€12€August€1996€respectively,€informing€them€that€theÐ  $€  Ðjudicial€order€had€not€been€executed.€The€Trujillo€Third€Special€Civil€Court€sent€a€note€datedÐ ø$l! Ð9€April€1997€to€the€Secretary€of€the€Office€of€the€President€of€Peru€requesting€informationÐ ä%X" Ðon€the€outcome€of€the€draft€Supreme€Decision€that€the€Minister€of€the€Interior€hadÐ Ð&D # Ðtransmitted€to€the€President€on€15€February€1996.€On€25€June€1997,€the€Court€againÐ ¼'0!$ Ðrequested€the€President€to€sign€the€decision,€to€no€avail.Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à...Д)#&(#(# Ðà0  à7.4€€Although€not€explicitly€stated€by€the€author,€the€Committee€considers€that€theÐ €*ô#' Ðcommunication€raises€issues€under€article€25€(c)€concerning€every€citizen's€right€to€haveÐ l+à$( Ðaccess,€on€general€terms€of€equality,€to€public€service€in€his€country,€together€with€the€rightÐ Œ Ðto€the€execution€of€decisions€and€judgements.€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€notes€the€author'sÐ xì Ðclaims€that,€notwithstanding€the€Supreme€Decision€of€21€August€1997,€he€was€neverÐ dØ Ðreinstated€in€his€post,€and€that€another€Supreme€Decision€was€issued€on€29€August€1997Ð P Ä Ðforcing€him€to€retire€owing€to€the€reorganization€of€the€police€force.€Considering€that€theÐ < ° ÐState€party€has€not€demonstrated€in€what€way€it€reinstated€the€author€in€service,€what€rankÐ ( œ Ðhe€was€given€or€on€what€date€he€resumed€his€post,€as€required€by€law€in€the€light€of€theÐ  ˆ Ðannulment€ruling€of€2€March€1995,€the€Committee€considers€that€there€has€been€a€violationÐ  t Ðof€article€25€(c),€in€conjunction€with€article€2,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant.€Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à8.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€that€have€been€set€forthÐ Ä8  Ðconstitute€violations€of€article€25€(c)€of€the€Covenant,€in€conjunction€with€article€2,€paragraphÐ °$  Ð3,€of€the€Covenant.€Ðœ (#(# ÐÌà0  à9.€€Pursuant€to€article€2,€paragraph€3€(a),€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€is€of€the€view€thatÐ tè  Ðthe€author€is€entitled€to€an€appropriate€remedy,€namely:€(a)€effective€reinstatement€to€hisÐ `Ô  Ðduties€and€to€his€post,€with€all€the€consequences€that€that€implies,€at€the€rank€that€he€wouldÐ LÀ Ðhave€held€had€he€not€been€dismissed€in€1991,€or€to€a€similar€post;òò4óó/€(b)€compensationÐ 8¬ Ðcomprising€a€sum€equivalent€to€the€payment€of€the€arrears€of€salary€and€remuneration€thatÐ $˜ Ðhe€would€have€received€from€the€time€at€which€he€was€not€reinstated€to€his€post.òò5óó/€Finally,Ð „ Ðthe€State€party€must€ensure€that€similar€violations€do€not€recur€in€the€future.€Ðüp(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðè\(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐÔH(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€According€to€the€decision,€the€author€had€committed€serious€breaches€of€discipline€andÐ ¬  Ðpolice€regulations€through€his€improper€handling€of€a€drug€trafficking€case,€which€resultedÐ ˜  Ðin€the€death€of€the€suspect,€Ô_ÔððureoÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔPrezÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔArvaloÔ_Ô.€Ð„ø(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðpä(#(# Ðà0  àòò4óó/€€See€the€Committee's€Views€concerning€communication€No.€630/1995,€òòAbdoulaye€MazouÐ \ Ð Ðv.€Cameroonóó,€paragraph€9,€and€communication€641/1995,€òòGedumbe€v.€Democratic€RepublicÐ H!¼ Ðof€the€Congoóó.€Ð4"¨(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò5óó/€€See€the€Views€concerning€communications€No.€422/1990,€No.€423/1990€and€No.Ð  $€  Ð424/1990,€òòAdimado€M.€Aduayom,€Sofianou€T.€Diasso€and€Yawo€S.€Dobou€v.€Togoóó,€paragraphÐ ø$l! Ð9.€Ðä%X"(#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ù+ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝMtyus€v.€Slovakiaóó€(923/2000)€ICCPR,€A/57/40€vol.€II€(22€July€2002)€257Ð ”)#& Ð(CCPR/C/75/D/923/2000)€at€paras.€2.1,€2.2,€3.1,€3.2,€9.2,€10€and€11.€€Ýƒ3£ù+),݌Ѐ*ô#'(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à...ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€The€author€states€that,€on€5€November€1998,€the€Ro€ððava€Town€Council€passedÐ xì ÐResolution€193/98€establishing€five€voting€districts€in€the€region€and€21€representatives€inÐ dØ Ðtotal,€for€the€elections€to€the€Ro€ððava€Town€Council,€due€to€take€place€on€18€and€19€ofÐ P Ä ÐDecember€1998.€Each€voting€district€was€to€have€the€following€number€of€representatives:Ð < ° Ðfive€in€voting€district€number€one;€five€in€voting€district€number€two;€seven€in€voting€districtÐ ( œ Ðnumber€three;€two€in€voting€district€number€four;€two€in€voting€district€number€five.€InÐ  ˆ Ðaccordance€with€paragraph€9€section€1€of€Law€no.€346/1990€Coll.€on€elections€to€municipalÐ  t Ðbodies,€ð ðin€every€town,€multi-mandate€voting€districts€shall€be€established€in€whichÐ ì ` Ðrepresentatives€shall€be€elected€to€the€village€or€town€council€proportional€to€the€number€ofÐ ØL  Ðinhabitants€in€the€town,€and€at€most€12€representatives€in€one€electoral€districtðð.€ÐÄ8 (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€According€to€the€author,€when€comparing€the€number€of€residents€per€representative€inÐ œ  Ðthe€individual€voting€districts€in€the€town€of€Ro€ððava,€he€came€up€with€the€followingÐ ˆü  Ðfigures;€one€representative€per€1,000€residents€in€district€number€one;€one€per€800€residentsÐ tè  Ðin€district€number€two;€one€per€1,400€residents€in€district€number€three;€one€per€200€residentsÐ `Ô  Ðin€district€number€four;€and€one€per€200€residents€in€district€number€five.€The€number€ofÐ LÀ Ðrepresentatives€in€each€district€was€not€therefore€proportional€to€the€number€of€inhabitantsÐ 8¬ Ðtherein.€The€author€was€a€candidate€in€voting€district€number€three€but€failed€to€secure€a€seatÐ $˜ Ðas€he€came€number€eighth€and€only€seven€deputies€were€elected€for€this€district.€Ð„(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðüp(#(# Ðà0  à3.1€€The€author€contends€that€the€rights€of€the€ð ðcitizens€of€Ro€ððavaðð,€under€article€25(a)€andÐ è\ Ð(c)€of€the€Covenant,€were€violated€as€they€were€not€given€an€equal€opportunity€to€influenceÐ ÔH Ðthe€results€of€the€elections,€in€exercising€their€right€to€take€part€in€the€conduct€of€publicÐ À4 Ðaffairs,€through€the€election€of€representatives.€In€addition,€the€author€states€that€their€rightsÐ ¬  Ðwere€violated€as€they€were€not€given€an€equal€opportunity€to€exercise€their€right€to€be€electedÐ ˜  Ðto€posts€in€the€town€council.Єø(#(# ÐÌà0  à3.2€€The€author€contends€that€his€rights,€under€article€25(a)€and€(c),€were€violated,€as€heÐ \ Ð Ðwould€have€needed€substantially€more€votes€to€be€elected€to€the€town€council€than€candidatesÐ H!¼ Ðin€other€districts,€due€to€the€fact€that€the€number€of€representatives€in€each€district€was€notÐ 4"¨ Ðproportional€to€the€number€of€inhabitants€therein.€The€author€claims€that€this€resulted€in€hisÐ  #” Ðloss€of€the€election.Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  à9.2€€As€regards€the€question€whether€article€25€of€the€Covenant€was€violated,€the€CommitteeÐ ä%X" Ðnotes€that€the€Constitutional€Court€of€the€State€party€held€that€by€drawing€election€districtsÐ Ð&D # Ðfor€the€same€municipal€council€with€substantial€differences€between€the€number€ofÐ ¼'0!$ Ðinhabitants€per€elected€representative,€despite€the€election€law€which€required€those€votingÐ ¨("% Ðdistricts€to€be€proportional€to€the€number€of€inhabitants,€the€equality€of€election€rightsÐ ”)#& Ðrequired€by€the€State€party's€constitution€was€violated.€In€the€light€of€this€pronouncement,Ð €*ô#' Ðbased€on€a€constitutional€clause€similar€to€the€requirement€of€equality€in€article€25€of€theÐ l+à$( ÐCovenant,€and€in€the€absence€of€any€reference€by€the€State€party€to€factors€that€might€explainÐ Œ Ðthe€differences€in€the€number€of€inhabitants€or€registered€voters€per€elected€representativeÐ xì Ðin€different€parts€of€Ro€ððava,€the€Committee€is€of€the€opinion€that€the€State€party€violatedÐ dØ Ðthe€author's€rights€under€article€25€of€the€Covenant.ÐP Ä(#(# ÐÌà0  à10.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€as€found€by€the€CommitteeÐ ( œ Ðreveal€a€violation€by€Slovakia€of€article€25€paragraphs€(a)€and€(c)€of€the€Covenant.Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  à11.€€The€Committee€acknowledges€that€cancelling€elections€after€they€have€already€takenÐ ì ` Ðplace€may€not€always€be€the€appropriate€remedy€in€the€case€of€an€inequality€in€the€elections,Ð ØL  Ðespecially€when€the€inequality€was€inherent€in€the€laws€and€regulations€laid€down€before€theÐ Ä8  Ðelections,€rather€than€irregularities€in€the€elections€themselves.€Furthermore,€in€the€specificÐ °$  Ðcircumstances€of€the€case,€given€the€time€lapse€since€the€elections€in€December€1998,€theÐ œ  ÐCommittee€is€of€the€opinion€that€its€finding€of€a€violation€is€of€itself€a€sufficient€remedy.€TheÐ ˆü  ÐState€party€is€under€an€obligation€to€prevent€similar€violations€in€the€future.€Ðtè (#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ãCÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòKang€v.€Republic€of€Koreaóó€(878/1999),€ICCPR,€A/58/40€vol.€II€(15€July€2003)€152Ð 8¬ Ð(CCPR/C/78/D/878/1999)€at€paras.€2.1,€2.2,€2.5€and€7.2.݃3£ãCDÝŒÐ$˜(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ðüp(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€The€author,€along€with€other€acquaintances,€was€an€opponent€of€the€State€partyððsÐ è\ Ðmilitary€regime€of€the€1980s.€€In€1984,€he€distributed€pamphlets€criticizing€the€regime€andÐ ÔH Ðthe€use€of€security€forces€to€harass€him€and€others.€€At€that€time,€he€also€made€anÐ À4 Ðunauthorized€(and€therefore€criminal)€visit€to€North€Korea.€€In€January,€March€and€MayÐ ¬  Ð1985,€he€distributed€dissident€publications€covering€numerous€political,€historical,€economicÐ ˜  Ðand€social€issues.€Ð„ø(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€The€author€was€arrested€without€warrant€on€1€July€1985€by€the€Agency€for€NationalÐ \ Ð ÐSecurity€Planning€(ANSP).€€He€was€held€òòincommunicado€óóand€interrogated€in€ANSPÐ H!¼ Ðdetention,€suffering€ð ðtorture€and€other€mistreatmentsðð,€over€36€days.€€Under€torture,€heÐ 4"¨ Ðconfessed€to€joining€the€North€Korean€Labour€Party€and€receiving€instructions€for€espionageÐ  #” Ðfrom€North€Korea.€€Only€on€5€August€1985,€was€a€judicial€warrant€issued€for€his€arrest.Ð  $€  ÐRemaining€in€detention,€he€was€formally€indicted€on€4€September€1985€for€alleged€violationsÐ ø$l! Ðof€the€National€Security€Law€of€31€December€1980.òò1óó/€€€These€allegations€encompassedÐ ä%X" Ðmeeting€with€another€member€of€a€spy€ring,€ð ðenemy„benefitting€activitiesðð€in€favour€of€NorthÐ Ð&D # ÐKorea,€gathering€and€divulging€state€or€military€secrets€(espionage),€and€conspiracy.€Ð¼'0!$(#(# Ðà0  à...Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à2.5€€€After€his€conviction,€the€author€was€held€in€solitary€confinement.€€He€was€classified€asÐ ”)#& Ða€communist€ð ðconfident€criminalððòò4óó/€€under€the€ð ðideology€conversion€systemðð,€a€system€givenÐ €*ô#' Ðlegal€foundation€by€the€1980€Penal€Administration€Law€and€designed€to€induce€change€to€aÐ l+à$( Ðprisonerððs€political€opinion€by€the€provision€of€favourable€benefits€and€treatment€in€prison.€Ð Œ ÐDue€to€this€classification,€he€was€not€eligible€for€more€favourable€treatment.€€On€14€MarchÐ xì Ð1991,€the€authorððs€detention€regime€was€reclassified€by€the€Regulation€on€the€ClassificationÐ dØ Ðand€Treatment€of€Convicts€(ððthe€1991€Regulationðð)€to€ð ðthose€who€have€not€shown€signs€ofÐ P Ä Ðrepentance€after€having€committed€crimes€aimed€at€destroying€the€free€and€democratic€basicÐ < ° Ðorder€by€denying€itðð.€€Moreover,€having€been€convicted€under€the€National€Security€Law,€theÐ ( œ Ðauthor€was€subject€to€an€especially€rigorous€parole€process.òò5óó/Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð t(#(# Ðà0  à7.2€€€As€to€the€authorððs€claim€that€the€ð ðideology€conversion€systemðð€violates€his€rights€underÐ ì ` Ðarticles€18,€19€and€26,€the€Committee€notes€the€coercive€nature€of€such€a€system,€preservedÐ ØL  Ðin€this€respect€in€the€succeeding€ð ðoath€of€law„abidance€systemðð,€which€is€applied€inÐ Ä8  Ðdiscriminatory€fashion€with€a€view€to€alter€the€political€opinion€of€an€inmate€by€offeringÐ °$  Ðinducements€of€preferential€treatment€within€prison€and€improved€possibilities€of€parole.òò15óó/€Ð œ  ÐThe€Committee€considers€that€such€a€system,€which€the€State€party€has€failed€to€justify€asÐ ˆü  Ðbeing€necessary€for€any€of€the€permissible€limiting€purposes€enumerated€in€articles€18€andÐ tè  Ð19,€restricts€freedom€of€expression€and€of€manifestation€of€belief€on€the€discriminatory€basisÐ `Ô  Ðof€political€opinion€and€thereby€violates€articles€18,€paragraph€1,€and€19,€paragraph€1,€bothÐ LÀ Ðin€conjunction€with€article€26.Ð8¬(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóЄ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€€The€Law€was€enacted€by€the€ð ðNational€Security€Legislative€Councilðð,€an€unelected€bodyÐ è\ Ðorganized€as€a€legislature€following€the€1980€military€coup€dððtat.€Forming€or€joining€anÐ ÔH Ðð ðanti„State€organizationðð,€and€espionage€or€other€activities€under€instruction€of€an€anti„StateÐ À4 Ðorganization€are€punishable€with€heavy€penalties€under€articles€3€and€4,€respectively.€Ð¬ (#(# Ðà0  à...И (#(# Ðà0  àòò4óó/€€€ð ðConfident€criminalðð€is€not€specifically€defined,€but€appears€from€the€context€of€theÐ „ø Ðcommunication€to€be€a€prisoner€who€fails€to€comply€with€the€ideology€conversion€system€andÐ pä Ðits€renunciation€requirements...Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò5óó/€€€Under€the€Parole€Administration€Law,€in€such€cases,€the€Parole€Examination€CommitteeÐ 4"¨ Ðð ðshall€examine€whether€the€convict€has€converted€the€[sic]€thought,€and,€when€deemedÐ  #” Ðnecessary,€shall€request€the€convict€to€submit€an€announcement€or€statement€of€conversionðð.€Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  àòò15óó/€€€See€the€comments€of€the€State€party€arguing€the€contrary€with€regard€to€the€CommitteeððsÐ ä%X" ÐConcluding€Observations€on€their€second€periodic€report.€(CCPR/C/79/Add.122,€at€para€2).ÐÐ&D #(#(# Ðà0  à_________________м'0!$(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ƒ[ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòAdrien€Mundyo€Buyso,€Thomas€Osthudi€Wongodi,€Ren€Sibu€Matubuka€et€al.€v.€DemocraticÐ €*ô#' ÐRepublic€of€the€Congoóó€(933/2000),€ICCPR,€A/58/40€vol.€II€(31€July€2003)€224Ð l+à$( Ð(CCPR/C/78/D/933/2000)€at€paras.€2.1„2.3,€5.2,€6.1€and€6.2.݃3£ƒ[°[݌Ќ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐdØ(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€Under€Presidential€Decree€No.€144€of€6€November€1998,€315€judges€and€publicÐ P Ä Ðprosecutors,€including€the€above„mentioned€authors,€were€dismissed€on€the€followingÐ < ° Ðgrounds:Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðThe€President€of€the€Republic;Ð t` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àHaving€regard€to€Constitutional€Decree„Law€No.€003€of€27€May€1997€on€theÐ ØL  Ðorganization€and€exercise€of€power€in€the€Democratic€Republic€of€Congo,€asÐ Ä8  Ðsubsequently€amended€and€completed;а$ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àHaving€regard€to€articles€37,€41€and€42€of€Ordinance„Law€No.€88„056€of€29Ð ˆü  ÐSeptember€1988€on€the€status€of€judges;Ðtè ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àGiven€that€the€reports€by€the€various€commissions€which€were€set€up€by€the€MinistryÐ LÀ Ðof€Justice€and€covered€the€whole€country€show€that€the€above„mentioned€judges€areÐ 8¬ Ðimmoral,€corrupt,€deserters€or€recognized€to€be€incompetent,€contrary€to€theirÐ $˜ Ðobligations€as€judges€and€to€the€honour€and€dignity€of€their€functions;Є` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àConsidering€that€the€conduct€in€question€has€discredited€the€judiciary,€tarnished€theÐ è\ Ðimage€of€the€system€of€justice€and€hampered€its€functioning;ÐÔH` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àHaving€regard€to€urgency,€necessity€and€appropriateness;Ь ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àOn€the€proposals€of€the€Minister€of€Justice;Єø` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àHereby€decrees:Ð\ Ð` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àArticle€1:Ð4"¨` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€following€individuals€are€dismissed€from€their€functions€as€judges...ðð.Ð $€ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€Contesting€the€legality€of€these€dismissals,€the€authors€filed€an€appeal,€followingÐ ä%X" Ðnotification€and€within€the€three„month€period€established€by€law,€with€the€President€of€theÐ Ð&D # ÐRepublic€to€obtain€the€withdrawal€of€the€above„mentioned€decree.€€Having€received€noÐ ¼'0!$ Ðresponse,€in€accordance€with€Ordinance€No.€82/017€of€31€March€1982€on€procedure€beforeÐ ¨("% Ðthe€Supreme€Court€of€Justice,€the€68€judges€all€referred€their€applications€to€the€SupremeÐ ”)#& ÐCourt€during€the€period€from€April€to€December€1999.€€According€to€the€informationÐ €*ô#' Ðprovided€by€the€authors,€it€appears,€first€of€all,€that€the€Attorney„General€of€the€Republic,Ð l+à$( Ðwho€was€required€to€give€his€views€within€one€month,€deliberately€failed€to€transmit€theÐ Œ Ðreportòò1óó/€by€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office€until€19€September€2000€in€order€to€block€theÐ xì Ðappeal.€€Moreover€the€Supreme€Court,€by€a€ruling€of€26€September€2001,€decided€thatÐ dØ ÐPresidential€Decree€No.€144€was€an€act€of€Government€inasmuch€as€it€came€within€theÐ P Ä Ðcontext€of€government€policy€aimed€at€raising€moral€standards€in€the€judiciary€and€improvingÐ < ° Ðthe€functioning€of€one€of€the€three€powers€of€the€State.€€The€Supreme€Court€consequentlyÐ ( œ Ðdecided€that€the€actions€taken€by€the€President€of€the€Republic,€as€the€political€authority,€toÐ  ˆ Ðexecute€national€policy€escaped€the€control€of€the€administrative€court€and€thus€declaredÐ  t Ðinadmissible€the€applications€by€the€authors.Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€€On€27€and€29€January€1999,€the€authors,€who€formed€an€organization€called€the€ð ðGroupÐ Ä8  Ðof€the€315€illegally€dismissed€judgesðð,€known€as€the€ð ðG.315ðð,€submitted€their€application€toÐ °$  Ðthe€Minister€for€Human€Rights,€without€results.М (#(# Ðà0  à...Јü (#(# Ðà0  à5.2€€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€authors€have€made€specific€and€detailed€allegationsÐ tè  Ðrelating€to€their€dismissal,€which€was€not€in€conformity€with€the€established€legal€proceduresÐ `Ô  Ðand€safeguards.€€The€Committee€notes€in€this€regard€that€the€Minister€of€Justice,€in€hisÐ LÀ Ðstatement€of€June€1999...and€the€Attorney„General€of€the€Republic,€in€the€report€by€theÐ 8¬ ÐPublic€Prosecutorððs€Office€of€19€September€2000€(see€note€1),€recognize€that€the€establishedÐ $˜ Ðprocedures€and€safeguards€for€dismissal€were€not€respected.€€Furthermore,€the€CommitteeÐ „ Ðconsiders€that€the€circumstances€referred€to€in€Presidential€Decree€No.€144€could€not€beÐ üp Ðaccepted€by€it€in€this€specific€case€as€grounds€justifying€the€fact€that€the€dismissal€measuresÐ è\ Ðwere€in€conformity€with€the€law€and,€in€particular,€with€article€4€of€the€Covenant.€€TheÐ ÔH ÐPresidential€Decree€merely€refers€to€specific€circumstances€without,€however,€specifying€theÐ À4 Ðnature€and€extent€of€derogations€from€the€rights€provided€for€in€domestic€legislation€and€inÐ ¬  Ðthe€Covenant€and€without€demonstrating€that€these€derogations€are€strictly€required€and€howÐ ˜  Ðlong€they€are€to€last.€€Moreover,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€Democratic€Republic€of€theÐ „ø ÐCongo€failed€to€inform€the€international€community€that€it€had€availed€itself€of€the€right€ofÐ pä Ðderogation,€as€stipulated€in€article€4,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant.€€In€accordance€with€itsÐ \ Ð Ðjurisprudence,òò6óó/€the€Committee€recalls,€moreover,€that€the€principle€of€access€to€publicÐ H!¼ Ðservice€on€general€terms€of€equality€implies€that€the€State€has€a€duty€to€ensure€that€it€does€notÐ 4"¨ Ðdiscriminate€against€anyone.€€This€principle€is€all€the€more€applicable€to€persons€employedÐ  #” Ðin€the€public€service€and€to€those€who€have€been€dismissed.€€With€regard€to€article€14,Ð  $€  Ðparagraph€1,€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€notes€the€absence€of€any€reply€from€the€StateÐ ø$l! Ðparty€and€also€notes,€on€the€one€hand,€that€the€authors€did€not€benefit€from€the€guarantees€toÐ ä%X" Ðwhich€they€were€entitled€in€their€capacity€as€judges€and€by€virtue€of€which€they€should€haveÐ Ð&D # Ðbeen€brought€before€the€Supreme€Council€of€the€Judiciary€in€accordance€with€the€law,€andÐ ¼'0!$ Ðon€the€other€hand,€that€the€President€of€the€Supreme€Court€had€publicly,€before€the€case€hadÐ ¨("% Ðbeen€heard,€supported€the€dismissals€that€had€taken€place€(see€paragraph€3.8)€thus€damagingÐ ”)#& Ðthe€equitable€hearing€of€the€case.€€Consequently,€the€Committee€considers€that€thoseÐ €*ô#' Ðdismissals€constitute€an€attack€on€the€independence€of€the€judiciary€protected€by€article€14,Ð l+à$( Ðparagraph€1,€of€the€Covenant.€€The€dismissal€of€the€authors€was€ordered€on€grounds€thatÐ Œ Ðcannot€be€accepted€by€the€Committee€as€a€justification€of€the€failure€to€respect€theÐ xì Ðestablished€procedures€and€guarantees€that€all€citizens€must€be€able€to€enjoy€on€general€termsÐ dØ Ðof€equality.€€In€the€absence€of€a€reply€from€the€State€party,€and€inasmuch€as€the€SupremeÐ P Ä ÐCourt,€by€its€ruling€of€26€September€2001,€has€deprived€the€authors€of€all€remedies€byÐ < ° Ðdeclaring€their€appeals€inadmissible€on€the€grounds€that€Presidential€Decree€No.€144Ð ( œ Ðconstituted€an€act€of€Government,€the€Committee€considers€that,€in€this€specific€case,€theÐ  ˆ Ðfacts€show€that€there€has€been€a€violation€of€article€25,€paragraph€Ô_Ô(c)Ô_Ô,€read€in€conjunctionÐ  t Ðwith€article€14,€paragraph€1,€on€the€independence€of€the€judiciary,€and€of€article€2,€paragraphÐ ì ` Ð1,€of€the€Covenant.€ÐØL (#(# Ðà0  à...ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  à6.1€€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€State€party€has€committed€aÐ °$  Ðviolation€of€article€25€(c),€article€14,€paragraph€1,€article€9€and€article€2,€paragraph€1,€of€theÐ œ  ÐCovenant.€€Ðˆü (#(# ÐÌà0  à6.2€€€Pursuant€to€article€2,€paragraph€3€(a),€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€is€of€the€view€thatÐ `Ô  Ðthe€authors€are€entitled€to€an€appropriate€remedy,€which€should€include,€òòinter€aliaóó:€€(a)€in€theÐ LÀ Ðabsence€of€a€properly€established€disciplinary€procedure€against€the€authors,€reinstatementÐ 8¬ Ðin€the€public€service€and€in€their€posts,€with€all€the€consequences€that€that€implies,€or,€ifÐ $˜ Ðnecessary,€in€similar€posts;òò7óó/€and€(b)€compensation€calculated€on€the€basis€of€an€amountÐ „ Ðequivalent€to€the€salary€they€would€have€received€during€the€period€of€non„reinstatement.òò8óó/€Ð üp ÐThe€State€party€is€also€under€an€obligation€to€ensure€that€similar€violations€do€not€occur€inÐ è\ Ðfuture€and,€in€particular,€that€a€dismissal€measure€can€be€taken€only€in€accordance€with€theÐ ÔH Ðprovisions€of€the€Covenant.€ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ь (#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóИ (#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€€The€authors€transmitted€a€copy€of€the€report€by€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office.€€In€theÐ pä Ðreport,€the€Office€of€the€Attorney„General€of€the€Republic€requests€the€Supreme€Court€ofÐ \ Ð ÐJustice€to€declare,€first€and€foremost,€that€Presidential€Decree€No.€144€is€an€act€ofÐ H!¼ ÐGovernment€that€is€outside€its€jurisdiction;€and,€secondly,€that€this€decree€is€justified€becauseÐ 4"¨ Ðof€exceptional€circumstances.€€On€the€basis€of€accusations€made€by€both€the€population€andÐ  #” Ðforeigners€living€in€the€Democratic€Republic€of€the€Congo€against€allegedly€incompetent,Ð  $€  Ðirresponsible,€immoral€and€corrupt€judges,€as€well€as€of€the€missions€carried€out€by€judgesÐ ø$l! Ðin€this€regard,€the€Attorney-General€of€the€Republic€maintains€that€the€Head€of€State€issuedÐ ä%X" ÐPresidential€Decree€No.€144€in€response€to€a€crisis€situation€characterized€by€war,€partialÐ Ð&D # Ðterritorial€occupation€and€the€need€to€intervene€as€a€matter€of€urgency€in€order€to€combatÐ ¼'0!$ Ðimpunity.€€He€stressed€that€it€was€materially€impossible€for€the€authorities€to€follow€theÐ ¨("% Ðordinary€disciplinary€procedure€and€that€the€urgency€of€the€situation,€the€collapse€of€theÐ ”)#& Ðjudiciary€and€action€to€combat€impunity€were€incompatible€with€any€decision€to€suspend€theÐ €*ô#' Ðpunishment€of€the€judges€concerned.Ðl+à$((#(# Ðà0  à...ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  àòò6óó/€€Communication€No.€422/1990€òòAdimayo€M.€Aduayom€T.€Diasso€and€Yawo€S.€Dobou€v.Ð xì ÐTogo;€óógeneral€comment€No.€25€on€article€25€(fiftieth€session€„€1996).ÐdØ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò7óó/€€€Communications€No.€630/1995€òòAbdoulaye€Mazou€v.€Cameroonóó;€No.€641/1995€òòGedumbeÐ < ° Ðv.€Democratic€Republic€of€the€Congoóó;€and€No.€906/2000€òòFelix€Enrique€Chira€Vargas„Ð ( œ ÐMachuca€v.€Peruóó.Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò8óó/€€Communications€Nos.€422/1990,€423/1990€and€424/1990€òòAdimayo€M.€Aduayom,Ð ì ` ÐSofianou€T.€Diasso€and€Yawo€S.€Dobou€v.€Togoóó;€No.€641/1995€òòGedumbe€v.€DemocraticÐ ØL  ÐRepublic€of€the€Congoóó;€and€No.€906/2000€òòFelix€Enrique€Chira€Vargas„Machuca€v.€Peruóó.ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  à_________________а$ (#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòPastukhov€v.€Belarusóó€(814/1998),€ICCPR,€A/58/40€vol.€II€(5€August€2003)€69Ð tè  Ð(CCPR/C/78/D/814/1998)€at€paras.€2.1„2.5,€7.2,€7.3,€9€and€Individual€Opinion€of€Mrs.€RuthÐ `Ô  ÐWedgwood€and€Mr.€Walter€Kaelin€(concurring),€75.݃3£ºÝŒÐLÀ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€On€28€April€1994,€the€Supreme€Council€(Parliament),€acting€according€to€the€relevantÐ „ Ðlegal€procedure€and,€in€particular,€the€Constitution€of€15€March€1994,€elected€the€author€aÐ üp Ðjudge€of€the€Constitutional€Court€for€a€period€of€11€years.Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€By€a€presidential€decree€of€24€January€1997,€the€author€lost€his€post€on€the€ground€thatÐ À4 Ðhis€term€of€office€had€expired€following€the€entry€into€force€of€the€new€Constitution€of€25Ð ¬  ÐNovember€1996òò1óó/.И (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€€On€11€February€1997,€the€author€applied€to€a€district€court€for€reinstatement.€€On€21Ð pä ÐFebruary€1997,€the€court€refused€to€admit€the€application.Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€€On€31€March€1997,€the€author€appealed€that€decision€to€the€Minsk€Municipal€Court,Ð 4"¨ Ðwhich€rejected€his€appeal€on€10€April€1997€on€the€ground€that€the€courts€were€not€competentÐ  #” Ðto€consider€disputes€over€the€reinstatement€of€persons,€such€as€Constitutional€Court€judges,Ð  $€  Ðwho€had€been€appointed€by€the€Supreme€Council€of€the€Republic€of€Belarus.Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€€On€2€June€1997,€the€author€applied€for€judicial€review€to€the€Supreme€Court.€€On€13Ð Ð&D # ÐJune€1997,€the€Supreme€Court€dismissed€the€application€on€the€above€ground.м'0!$(#(# Ðà0  à...Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à7.2€€€In€reaching€its€Views,€the€Committee€has€taken€into€account,€first,€the€fact€that€the€StateÐ ”)#& Ðparty€did€not€provide€it€with€sufficiently€well€supported€arguments€concerning€the€effectiveÐ €*ô#' Ðremedies€available€in€the€present€case€and,€second,€that€it€did€not€respond€to€the€authorððsÐ l+à$( Ðallegations€concerning€either€the€termination€of€his€service€on€the€bench€or€the€independenceÐ Œ Ðof€the€courts€in€that€regard.€€The€Committee€draws€attention€to€the€fact€that€article€4,Ð xì Ðparagraph€2,€of€the€Optional€Protocol€requires€States€parties€to€submit€to€it€writtenÐ dØ Ðexplanations€or€statements€clarifying€the€matter€and€the€remedies,€if€any,€that€they€may€haveÐ P Ä Ðtaken.€€That€being€so,€the€allegations€in€question€must€be€recognized€as€carrying€full€weight,Ð < ° Ðsince€they€were€adequately€supported.Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌà0  à7.3€€€The€Committee€takes€note€of€the€authorððs€claim€that€he€could€not€be€removed€from€theÐ  t Ðbench€since€he€had,€in€accordance€with€the€law€in€force€at€the€time,€been€elected€a€judge€onÐ ì ` Ð28€April€1994€for€a€term€of€office€of€11€years.€€The€Committee€also€notes€that€presidentialÐ ØL  Ðdecree€of€24€January€1997€No.€106€was€not€based€on€the€replacement€of€the€ConstitutionalÐ Ä8  ÐCourt€with€a€new€court€but€that€the€decree€referred€to€the€author€in€person€and€the€sole€reasonÐ °$  Ðgiven€in€the€presidential€decree€for€the€dismissal€of€the€author€was€stated€as€the€expiry€of€hisÐ œ  Ðterm€as€Constitutional€Court€judge,€which€was€manifestly€not€the€case.€€Furthermore,€noÐ ˆü  Ðeffective€judicial€protections€were€available€to€the€author€to€contest€his€dismissal€by€theÐ tè  Ðexecutive.€€In€these€circumstances,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€authorððs€dismissal€fromÐ `Ô  Ðhis€position€as€a€judge€of€the€Constitutional€Court,€several€years€before€the€expiry€of€the€termÐ LÀ Ðfor€which€he€had€been€appointed,€constituted€an€attack€on€the€independence€of€the€judiciaryÐ 8¬ Ðand€failed€to€respect€the€authorððs€right€of€access,€on€general€terms€of€equality,€to€publicÐ $˜ Ðservice€in€his€country.€€Consequently,€there€has€been€a€violation€of€article€25€(c)€of€theÐ „ ÐCovenant,€read€in€conjunction€with€article€14,€paragraph€1,€on€the€independence€of€theÐ üp Ðjudiciary€and€the€provisions€of€article€2.Ðè\(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐÔH(#(# Ðà0  à9.€€€By€virtue€of€article€2,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant,€the€author€has€a€right€to€an€effectiveÐ À4 Ðremedy€including€compensation.€€It€is€incumbent€on€the€State€party€to€ensure€that€there€is€noÐ ¬  Ðrecurrence€of€such€violations.И (#(# Ðà0  à_________________Єø(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐpä(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€€ð ðPresidential€decree€No.€106€of€24€January€1997€dismissing€Mr.€Mikhail€Pastukhov€fromÐ H!¼ Ðhis€duties€as€judge€of€the€Constitutional€Court:€€In€conformity€with€article€146€of€the€BelarusÐ 4"¨ ÐConstitution,€Mr.€Pastukhov€is€dismissed€from€his€duties€as€judge€of€the€Constitutional€CourtÐ  #” Ðupon€expiry€of€his€term€of€office.ððÐ $€ (#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòIndividual€Opinion€of€Mrs.€Ruth€Wedgwood€and€Mr.€Walter€Kaelin€(concurring)óóÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌà0  àThe€dismissal€of€Judge€Mikhail€Ivanovich€Pastukhov€from€his€position€as€a€judge€of€theÐ ¨("% ÐBelarus€Constitutional€Court€was€part€of€an€attempt€to€diminish€the€independence€of€theÐ ”)#& Ðjudiciary.€€While€the€organization€of€a€national€court€system€may€be€changed€by€legitimateÐ €*ô#' Ðdemocratic€means,€the€change€here€was€part€of€an€attempt€to€consolidate€power€in€a€singleÐ l+à$( Ðbranch€of€government€through€the€pretense€of€a€constitutional€referendum.€€It€has€interruptedÐ Œ Ðthe€state€partyððs€fledgling€progress€towards€an€independent€judiciary.€€As€such,€theÐ xì Ðpresidential€decree€dismissing€Judge€Pastukhov€from€his€office€as€judge€of€the€ConstitutionalÐ dØ ÐCourt€violated€the€rights€guaranteed€to€him€and€to€the€people€of€Belarus€under€Articles€14Ð P Ä Ðand€25€of€the€Covenant.Ð< °(#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£V¨ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòArenz€v.€GermanyóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô(1138/2002)ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€A/59/40€vol.€II€(24€March€2004)€548€at€paras.€1,€2.1„2.5,€3.1„Ð  t Ð3.4,€4.1,€8.5,€8.6€and€9.݃3£V¨ƒ¨ÝŒÐì `(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ô1.€€The€authors€of€the€communication€are€Paul€Arenz€(first€author)€and€Thomas€RderÐ Ä8  Ð(second€author),€as€well€as€his€wife€Dagmar€Rder€(third€author),€all€German€citizens€andÐ °$  Ðmembers€of€the€ð ðChurch€of€Scientologyðð€(Scientology).€€They€claim€to€be€victims€ofÐ œ  Ðviolations€by€GermanyÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€òò1óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€of€articles€2,€18,€19,€22,€25,€26€and€27€of€the€InternationalÐ ˆü  ÐCovenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights...Ðtè (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.1€€On€17€December€1991,€the€Christian€Democratic€Union€(CDU),€one€of€the€two€majorÐ LÀ Ðpolitical€parties€in€Germany,€adopted€resolution€C€47€at€its€National€Party€Convention,Ð 8¬ Ðdeclaring€that€affiliation€with€Scientology€is€not€ð ðcompatible€with€CDU€membershipðð.€€ThisÐ $˜ Ðresolution€still€continues€to€operate.Є(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€By€letter€of€22€September€1994,€the€chairman€of€the€municipal€branch€of€the€CDU€atÐ è\ ÐMechernich€(Northrhine-Westphalia),€with€the€subsequent€support€of€the€Federal€MinisterÐ ÔH Ðof€Labour€and€regional€party€leader€of€the€CDU€in€Northrhine-Westphalia,€asked€the€firstÐ À4 Ðauthor,€a€long-standing€CDU€member,€to€terminate€his€membership€in€the€CDU€withÐ ¬  Ðimmediate€effect€by€signing€a€declaration€of€resignation,€stating€that€he€had€learned€of€theÐ ˜  Ðfirst€authorððs€affiliation€with€Scientology.€€When€the€latter€refused€to€sign€the€declaration,Ð „ø Ðthe€Euskirchen€CDU€District€Board€decided,€on€17€October€1994,€to€initiate€exclusionÐ pä Ðproceedings€against€him,€thereby€stripping€him€of€his€rights€as€a€party€member€until€theÐ \ Ð Ðdelivery€of€a€final€decision€by€the€CDU€party€courts.ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€By€letter€of€24€October€1994,€the€President€of€the€Euskirchen€District€Party€CourtÐ  #” Ðinformed€the€first€author€that€the€Board€had€decided€to€expel€him€from€the€CDU€because€ofÐ  $€  Ðhis€membership€in€the€Scientology€Church€and€that€it€had€requested€the€District€Party€CourtÐ ø$l! Ðto€take€a€decision€to€that€effect€after€providing€him€with€an€opportunity€to€be€heard.€€AfterÐ ä%X" Ða€hearing€was€held€on€2€December€1994,€the€District€Party€Court,€on€6€December€1994,Ð Ð&D # Ðinformed€the€first€author€that€it€had€confirmed€the€decision€of€the€District€Board€to€expel€himÐ ¼'0!$ Ðfrom€the€party.€€On€2€October€1995,€the€Northrhine-Westphalia€CDU€State€Party€CourtÐ ¨("% Ðdismissed€the€first€authorððs€appeal.€€His€further€appeal€was€rejected€by€the€CDU€FederalÐ ”)#& ÐParty€Court€on€18€December€1996.Ѐ*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à2.4€€In€separate€proceedings,€the€second€author,€a€long„standing€member€and€later€chairmanÐ Œ Ðof€the€Municipal€Board€of€the€CDU€at€Wetzlar-Mitte€(Hessia),€as€well€as€the€third€author,Ð xì Ðwho€had€also€been€a€CDU€member€for€many€years,€were€expelled€from€the€party€by€decisionÐ dØ Ðof€29€January€1992€of€the€CDU€District€Association€of€Lahn-Dill.€€This€decision€wasÐ P Ä Ðpreceded€by€a€campaign€against€the€second€authorððs€party€membership,€culminating€in€theÐ < ° Ðorganization€of€a€public€meeting€attended€by€approximately€1,000€persons,€in€January€1992,Ð ( œ Ðduring€which€the€second€authorððs€reputation€and€professional€integrity€as€a€dentist€wereÐ  ˆ Ðallegedly€slandered€because€of€his€Scientology€membership.Ð t(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€On€16€July€1994,€the€Middle€Hessia€District€Party€Court€decided€that€the€expulsion€ofÐ ØL  Ðthe€second€and€third€authors€from€the€party€was€in€conformity€with€the€relevant€CDUÐ Ä8  Ðstatutes.€€The€authorsðð€appeals€to€the€Hessia€CDU€State€Party€Court€and€to€the€Federal€PartyÐ °$  ÐCourt€at€Bonn€were€dismissed€on€26€January€1996€and,€respectively,€on€24€September€1996.М (#(# ÐÌà0  à3.1€€On€9€July€1997,€the€Bonn€Regional€Court€(ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòLandgericht€BonnóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô)€dismissed€the€authorsððÐ tè  Ðlegal€action€against€the€respective€decisions€of€the€CDU€Federal€Party€Tribunal,€holding€thatÐ `Ô  Ðthese€decisions€were€based€on€an€objective€investigation€of€the€facts,€were€provided€by€law,Ð LÀ Ðand€complied€with€the€procedural€requirements€set€out€in€the€CDU€statutes.€€As€to€theÐ 8¬ Ðsubstance€of€the€complaint,€the€Court€limited€itself€to€a€review€of€arbitrariness,€owing€to€theÐ $˜ Ðfundamental€principle€of€party€autonomy€set€out€in€article€21,€paragraph€1,ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò2óó/€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€of€the€BasicÐ „ ÐLaw.Ðüp(#(# ÐÌà0  à3.2€€The€Court€considered€the€decisions€of€the€Federal€Party€Tribunal€not€to€be€arbitrary,Ð ÔH Ðgiven€that€the€authors€had€acted€in€a€manner€contrary€to€resolution€C€47,€which€spelled€outÐ À4 Ða€party€principle€of€the€CDU,€within€the€meaning€of€article€10,€paragraph€4,ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€òò3óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€of€the€PoliticalÐ ¬  ÐParties€Act.€€The€resolution€itself€was€not€arbitrary€or€inconsistent€with€the€partyððs€obligationÐ ˜  Ðto€a€democratic€internal€organization€under€article€21,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Basic€Law,€becauseÐ „ø Ðnumerous€publications€of€Scientology€and,€in€particular,€its€founder€Ron€Hubbard€objectivelyÐ pä Ðindicated€a€conflict€with€the€CDUððs€principles€of€free€development€of€oneððs€personality,Ð \ Ð Ðtolerance€and€protection€of€the€socially€disadvantaged.€€This€ideology€could,€moreover,€beÐ H!¼ Ðpersonally€attributed€to€the€authors,€based€on€their€self-identification€with€the€organizationððsÐ 4"¨ Ðprinciples€and€their€considerable€financial€contributions€to€it.Ð #”(#(# ÐÌà0  à3.3€€Although€the€CDU€was€bound€to€respect€the€authorsðð€basic€rights€to€freedom€ofÐ ø$l! Ðexpression€and€religious€freedom,€by€virtue€of€its€obligation€to€a€democratic€internalÐ ä%X" Ðorganization,€the€restriction€of€these€rights€was€justified€by€the€need€to€protect€the€autonomyÐ Ð&D # Ðand€proper€functioning€of€political€parties,€which€by€definition€could€not€represent€allÐ ¼'0!$ Ðpolitical€and€ideological€tendencies€and€were€thus€entitled€to€exclude€opponents€from€withinÐ ¨("% Ðthe€party.€€Taking€into€account€that€the€authors€had€considerably€damaged€the€public€imageÐ ”)#& Ðof€the€CDU€and€thereby€decreased€its€electoral€support€at€the€local€level,€the€CourtÐ €*ô#' Ðconsidered€that€their€expulsion€was€not€disproportionate€since€it€was€the€only€means€toÐ l+à$( Ðrestore€party€unity,€the€authors€being€at€liberty€to€found€a€new€party.€€Lastly,€the€CourtÐ Œ Ðconsidered€that€the€authors€could€not€invoke€their€rights€under€the€European€Convention€onÐ xì Ðthe€Protection€of€Human€Rights€and€Fundamental€Freedoms€or€under€the€InternationalÐ dØ ÐCovenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights€òòvis--visóó€the€CDU,€which€was€not€bound€by€theseÐ P Ä Ðtreaties€as€a€private€association.Ð< °(#(# ÐÌà0  à3.4€€By€judgement€of€10€February€1998,€the€Cologne€Court€of€Appeals€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôdismissed€the€authorsððÐ  ˆ Ðappeal,€endorsing€the€reasoning€of€the€Bonn€Regional€Court€and€reiterating€that€politicalÐ  t Ðparties,€by€virtue€of€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôarticle€21,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Basic€Law,€had€to€balance€their€right€toÐ ì ` Ðparty€autonomy€against€the€competing€rights€of€party€members.€€In€addition,€the€Court€foundÐ ØL  Ðthat€political€parties€were€entitled€to€adopt€resolutions€on€the€incompatibility€of€theirÐ Ä8  Ðmembership€with€parallel€membership€in€another€organization,€in€order€to€distinguishÐ °$  Ðthemselves€from€competing€parties€or€other€associations€pursuing€opposite€objectives,€unlessÐ œ  Ðsuch€decisions€are€arbitrary.€€However,€Resolution€C€47,€as€well€as€the€decision€of€theÐ ˆü  ÐFederal€Party€Tribunal€that€the€teachings€of€Scientology€were€incompatible€with€basic€CDUÐ tè  Ðprinciples,€was€not€considered€arbitrary€by€the€Court.Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  à...ÐLÀ(#(# Ðà0  à4.1€€The€authors€allege€violations€of€their€rights€under€articles€2,€paragraph€1,€18,€19,€22,€25,Ð 8¬ Ð26€and€27€of€the€Covenant,€as€a€result€of€their€expulsion€from€the€CDU,€based€on€theirÐ $˜ Ðaffiliation€with€Scientology,€and€as€a€result€of€the€German€courtsðð€decisions€confirming€theseÐ „ Ðactions.€€In€the€authorsðð€view,€they€were€deprived€of€their€right€to€take€part€in€theirÐ üp Ðcommunitiesðð€political€affairs,€as€article€25€of€the€Covenant€protected€the€right€of€ð ðeveryÐ è\ Ðcitizenðð,€meaning€that€ð ð[n]ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôo€distinctions€are€permitted€between€citizens€in€the€enjoyment€ofÐ ÔH Ðthese€rights€on€the€grounds€of€race,€colour,€sex,€language,€religion,€political€or€other€opinion,Ð À4 Ðnational€or€social€origin,€property,€birth€or€other€statusððòò4óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€Their€expulsion€from€the€CDUÐ ¬  Ðamounted€to€an€unreasonable€restriction€of€that€right,€in€the€absence€of€any€reference€to€aÐ ˜  Ðright€of€party€autonomy€in€article€25.Єø(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðpä(#(# Ðà0  à8.5€€With€regard€to€the€State€partyððs€argument€that€it€cannot€be€held€responsible€for€theÐ \ Ð Ðauthorsðð€exclusion€from€the€CDU,€this€being€the€decision€not€of€one€of€its€organs€but€of€aÐ H!¼ Ðprivate€association,€the€Committee€recalls€that€under€article€2,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Covenant,Ð 4"¨ Ðthe€State€party€is€under€an€obligation€not€only€to€respect€but€also€to€ensure€to€all€individualsÐ  #” Ðwithin€its€territory€and€subject€to€its€jurisdiction€all€the€rights€recognized€in€the€Covenant,Ð  $€  Ðwithout€distinction€of€any€kind,€such€as€race,€colour,€sex,€language,€religion,€political€or€otherÐ ø$l! Ðopinion,€national€or€social€origin,€property,€birth€or€other€status.€€Where,€as€in€the€presentÐ ä%X" Ðcase,€the€domestic€law€regulates€political€parties,€such€law€must€be€applied€withoutÐ Ð&D # Ðconsideration.€€Furthermore,€States€parties€are€thus€under€an€obligation€to€protect€theÐ ¼'0!$ Ðpractices€of€all€religions€or€beliefs€from€infringementÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€òò11óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€and€to€ensure€that€political€parties,Ð ¨("% Ðin€their€internal€management,€respect€the€applicable€provisions€of€article€25€of€theÐ ”)#& ÐCovenantòò12óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔЀ*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à8.6€€The€Committee€notes€that€although€the€authors€have€made€some€references€to€theÐ Œ Ðhardship€they€have€more€generally€experienced€due€to€their€membership€in€the€Church€ofÐ xì ÐScientology,€and€to€the€responsibility€of€the€State€party€to€ensure€their€rights€under€theÐ dØ ÐCovenant,€their€actual€claims€before€the€Committee€merely€relate€to€their€exclusion€from€theÐ P Ä ÐCDU,€an€issue€in€respect€of€which€they€also€have€exhausted€domestic€remedies€in€theÐ < ° Ðmeaning€of€article€5,€paragraph€2€(b),€of€the€Optional€Protocol.€€Consequently,€theÐ ( œ ÐCommittee€need€not€address€the€broader€issue€of€what€legislative€and€administrativeÐ  ˆ Ðmeasures€a€State€party€must€take€in€order€to€secure€that€all€citizens€may€meaningfullyÐ  t Ðexercise€their€right€of€political€participation€under€article€25€of€the€Covenant.€€The€issueÐ ì ` Ðbefore€the€Committee€is€whether€the€State€party€violated€the€authorsðð€rights€under€theÐ ØL  ÐCovenant€in€that€its€courts€gave€priority€to€the€principle€of€party€autonomy,€over€their€wishÐ Ä8  Ðto€be€members€in€a€political€party€that€did€not€accept€them€due€to€their€membership€inÐ °$  Ðanother€organization€of€ideological€nature.€€The€Committee€recalls€its€constant€jurisprudenceÐ œ  Ðthat€it€is€not€a€fourth€instance€competent€to€re-evaluate€findings€of€fact€or€re-evaluate€theÐ ˆü  Ðapplication€of€domestic€legislation,€unless€it€can€be€ascertained€that€the€proceedings€beforeÐ tè  Ðthe€domestic€courts€were€arbitrary€or€amounted€to€a€denial€of€justice.€€The€CommitteeÐ `Ô  Ðconsiders€that€the€authors€have€failed€to€substantiate,€for€purposes€of€admissibility,€that€theÐ LÀ Ðconduct€of€the€courts€of€the€State€party€would€have€amounted€to€arbitrariness€or€a€denial€ofÐ 8¬ Ðjustice.€€Therefore,€the€communication€is€inadmissible€under€article€2€of€the€OptionalÐ $˜ ÐProtocol.Є(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee€therefore€decides:Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à(a)€€That€the€communication€is€inadmissible€under€article€2€of€the€Optional€Protocol;ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à...Ь (#(# Ðà0  à_________________И (#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóЄø(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò1óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔThe€Covenant€and€the€Optional€Protocol€to€the€Covenant€entered€into€force€for€the€StateÐ \ Ð ÐpÔL  ÔÔM  Ôarty€on€23€March€1976€and€25€November€1993€respectively.€€Upon€ratification€of€theÐ H!¼ ÐOptional€Protocol,€the€State€party€entered€the€following€reservation:€€ð ðThe€Federal€RepublicÐ 4"¨ Ðof€Germany€formulates€a€reservation€concerning€article€5€paragraph€2€(a)€to€the€effect€thatÐ  #” Ðthe€competence€of€the€Committee€shall€not€apply€to€communications:€Ð $€ (#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ô(a)€€Which€have€already€been€considered€under€another€procedure€of€internationalÐ ä%X" Ðinvestigation€or€settlement;€orÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€By€means€of€which€a€violation€of€rights€is€reprimanded€having€its€origin€in€eventsÐ ¨("% Ðoccurring€prior€to€the€entry€into€force€of€the€Optional€Protocol€for€the€Federal€Republic€ofÐ ”)#& ÐGermany;Ѐ*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à(c)€€By€means€of€which€a€violation€of€article€26€of€the€[said€Covenant]€is€reprimanded,€if€andÐ Œ Ðinsofar€as€the€reprimanded€violation€refers€to€rights€other€than€those€guaranteed€under€theÐ xì Ðaforementioned€Covenant.ððÐdØ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò2óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔArticle€21,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Basic€Law€reads:€€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôð ðÔL  ÔÔM  ÔPolitical€parties€shall€participate€in€theÐ < ° Ðformation€of€the€political€will€of€the€people.€€They€may€be€freely€established.€€Their€internalÐ ( œ Ðorganization€must€conform€to€democratic€principles.€€They€must€publicly€account€for€theirÐ  ˆ Ðassets€and€for€the€sources€and€use€of€their€funds.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔððÐ t(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò3óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔArticle€10,€paragraphs€4€and€5,€of€the€Political€Parties€Act€read:€€ð ð(4)€A€member€may€onlyÐ ØL  Ðbe€expelled€from€the€party€if€he€or€she€deliberately€infringes€the€statutes€or€acts€in€a€mannerÐ Ä8  Ðcontrary€to€the€principles€or€discipline€of€the€party€and€thus€seriously€impairs€its€standing.Ð °$  Ð(5)€The€arbitration€court€competent€in€accordance€with€the€Code€on€Arbitration€ProcedureÐ œ  Ðshall€decide€on€expulsion€from€the€party.€€The€right€to€appeal€to€a€higher€court€shall€beÐ ˆü  Ðgranted.€Reasons€for€the€decisions€shall€be€given€in€writing.€€In€urgent€and€serious€casesÐ tè  Ðrequiring€immediate€action,€the€executive€committee€of€the€party€or€a€regional€associationÐ `Ô  Ðmay€exclude€a€member€from€exercising€his€rights€pending€the€arbitration€courtððs€decision.ððÐLÀ(#(# ÐÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò4óó/€€The€authors€quote€the€Committeeððs€general€comment€25ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€at€para.€3.Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  à...Є(#(# Ðà0  àòò11óó/€€Cf.€CCPR,€forty-eighth€session€(1993),€general€comment€No.€22,€at€para.€9.Ðüp(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò12óó/€€See€CCPR,€fifty-seventh€session€(1996),€general€comment€No.€25,€at€para.€€26.ÐÔH(#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£îÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòGuido€Jacobs€v.€Belgiumóó€(943/2000),€ICCPR,€A/59/40€vol.€II€(7€July€2004)€138€at€paras.€2.1„Ð „ø Ð2.10,€9.2„9.11€and€Individual€Opinion€of€Ruth€Wedgwood€(concurring),€at€158.݃3£î?îÝŒÐpä(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.1€€On€2€February€1999€the€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòMoniteur€belgeóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€published€the€Act€of€22€December€1998Ð 4"¨ Ðamending€certain€provisions€of€part€two€of€the€Judicial€Code€concerning€the€High€CouncilÐ  #” Ðof€Justice,€the€nomination€and€appointment€of€magistrates€and€the€introduction€of€anÐ  $€  Ðevaluation€system.Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€As€amended,€article€259€bis-1,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Judicial€Code€provides€that€the€HighÐ Ð&D # ÐCouncil€of€JusticeÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò1óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€shall€comprise€44€members€of€Belgian€nationality,€divided€into€oneÐ ¼'0!$ Ð22-member€Dutch-speaking€college€and€one€22-member€French-speaking€college.€€EachÐ ¨("% Ðcollege€comprises€11€justices€and€11€non-justices.Д)#&(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.3€€Article€259€bis-1,€paragraph€3,€stipulates:Ðl+à$((#(# Їà0  àà0` (#(#àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôð ðThe€group€of€non-justices€in€each€college€shall€have€no€fewer€than€four€membersÐ Œ Ðof€each€sex€and€shall€be€composed€of€no€fewer€than:Ðxì` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.€€Four€lawyers€with€at€least€10€yearsðð€professional€experience€at€the€bar;ÐP Ä` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.€€Three€teachers€from€universities€or€colleges€in€the€Flemish€or€French€communitiesÐ ( œ Ðwith€at€least€10€yearsðð€professional€experience€relevant€to€the€High€Councilððs€work;Ð ˆ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.€€Four€members€holding€at€least€a€diploma€from€a€college€in€the€Flemish€or€FrenchÐ ì ` Ðcommunity€and€with€at€least€10€yearsðð€professional€experience€in€legal,€economic,Ð ØL  Ðadministrative,€social€or€scientific€affairs€relevant€to€the€High€Councilððs€work€[...].ððÐÄ8 ` (#` (# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.4€€Article€259€bis-2,€paragraph€2,€also€stipulates:М (#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôð ðNon-justices€shall€be€appointed€by€the€Senate€by€a€two-thirds€majority€of€thoseÐ tè  Ðvoting.€€Without€prejudice€to€the€right€to€submit€individual€applications,€candidatesÐ `Ô  Ðmay€be€put€forward€by€each€of€the€bar€associations€and€each€of€the€universities€andÐ LÀ Ðcolleges€in€the€French€community€and€the€Flemish€community.€€In€each€college,€atÐ 8¬ Ðleast€five€members€shall€be€appointed€from€among€the€candidates€proposed.ððÐ$˜` (#` (# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.5€€Lastly,€in€accordance€with€paragraph€4€of€the€same€article,€ð ða€list€of€alternate€membersÐ üp Ðof€the€High€Council€shall€be€drawn€up€for€the€duration€of€the€term€[...].€€For€non-justices€thisÐ è\ Ðlist€shall€be€drawn€up€by€the€Senate€[...]€and€shall€comprise€the€candidates€who€are€notÐ ÔH Ðappointedðð.ÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€Article€259€bis-2,€paragraph€5,€stipulates€that€nominations€should€be€sent€to€theÐ ˜  ÐChairman€of€the€Senate,€by€registered€letter€posted€within€a€strict€deadline€of€three€monthsÐ „ø Ðfollowing€the€call€for€candidates.Ðpä(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.7€€On€25€June€1999,€the€Senate€published€in€the€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòMoniteur€belgeóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€a€call€for€candidates€forÐ H!¼ Ða€non-justice€seat€on€the€High€Council€of€Justice.Ð4"¨(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.8€€On€16€September€1999,€Mr.€G.€Jacobs,€first€legal€assistant€in€the€Council€of€State,Ð  $€  Ðsubmitted€his€application€within€the€legal€three-month€period.Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.9€€On€14€October€1999,€the€Senate€published€a€second€call.ÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.10€€On€29€December€1999,€the€Senate€elected€the€members€of€the€High€Council€of€Justice.€Ð ¨("% ÐThe€author€was€not€elected€but€was€included€in€the€list€of€alternates€for€non-justices€asÐ ”)#& Ðprovided€in€article€295€bis-2,€paragraph€4.Ѐ*ô#'(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðl+à$((#(# Ðà0  à9.2€€With€regard€to€the€complaints€of€violations€of€articles€2,€3,€25€(c)€and€26€of€theÐ Œ ÐCovenant,€arising€from€article€295€bis-1,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Act€of€22€December€1998,€theÐ xì ÐCommittee€takes€note€of€the€authorððs€arguments€challenging€the€gender€requirement€forÐ dØ Ðaccess€to€a€non-justice€seat€on€the€High€Council€of€Justice€on€the€grounds€that€it€isÐ P Ä Ðdiscriminatory.€€The€Committee€also€notes€the€State€partyððs€argument€justifying€such€aÐ < ° Ðrequirement€by€reference€to€the€law,€the€objective€of€the€measure,€and€its€effect€in€terms€ofÐ ( œ Ðthe€appointment€of€candidates€and€the€constitution€of€the€High€Council€of€Justice.Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.3€€The€Committee€recalls€that,€under€article€25€(c)€of€the€Covenant,€every€citizen€shall€haveÐ ì ` Ðthe€right€and€opportunity,€without€any€of€the€distinctions€mentioned€in€article€2€and€withoutÐ ØL  Ðunreasonable€restrictions,€to€have€access,€on€general€terms€of€equality,€to€public€service€inÐ Ä8  Ðhis€or€her€country.€€In€order€to€ensure€access€on€general€terms€of€equality,€the€criteria€andÐ °$  Ðprocesses€for€appointment€must€be€objective€and€reasonable.€€States€parties€may€takeÐ œ  Ðmeasures€in€order€to€ensure€that€the€law€guarantees€to€women€the€rights€contained€in€articleÐ ˆü  Ð25€on€equal€terms€with€men€òò8óó/.€€The€Committee€must€therefore€determine€whether,€in€theÐ tè  Ðcase€before€it,€the€introduction€of€a€gender€requirement€constitutes€a€violation€of€article€25Ð `Ô  Ðof€the€Covenant€by€virtue€of€its€discriminatory€nature,€or€of€other€provisions€of€the€CovenantÐ LÀ Ðconcerning€discrimination,€notably€articles€2€and€3€of€the€Covenant,€as€invoked€by€theÐ 8¬ Ðauthor,€or€whether€such€a€requirement€is€objectively€and€reasonably€justifiable.€€The€questionÐ $˜ Ðin€this€case€is€whether€there€is€any€valid€justification€for€the€distinction€made€betweenÐ „ Ðcandidates€on€the€grounds€that€they€belong€to€a€particular€sex.Ðüp(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.4€€In€the€first€place,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€gender€requirement€was€introduced€byÐ ÔH ÐParliament€under€the€terms€of€the€Act€of€20€July€1990€on€the€promotion€of€a€balance€betweenÐ À4 Ðmen€and€women€on€advisory€bodies€òò9óó/.€€The€aim€in€this€case€is€to€increase€the€representationÐ ¬  Ðof€and€participation€by€women€in€the€various€advisory€bodies€in€view€of€the€very€lowÐ ˜  Ðnumbers€of€women€found€there€òò10óó/.€€On€this€point,€the€Committee€finds€the€authorððsÐ „ø Ðassertion€that€the€insufficient€number€of€female€applicants€in€response€to€the€first€call€provesÐ pä Ðthere€is€no€inequality€between€men€and€women€to€be€unpersuasive€in€the€present€case;€suchÐ \ Ð Ða€situation€may,€on€the€contrary,€reveal€a€need€to€encourage€women€to€apply€for€publicÐ H!¼ Ðservice€on€bodies€such€as€the€High€Council€of€Justice,€and€the€need€for€taking€measures€inÐ 4"¨ Ðthis€regard.€€In€the€present€case,€it€appears€to€the€Committee€that€a€body€such€as€the€HighÐ  #” ÐCouncil€of€Justice€could€legitimately€be€perceived€as€requiring€the€incorporation€ofÐ  $€  Ðperspectives€beyond€one€of€juridical€expertise€only.€€Indeed,€given€the€responsibilities€of€theÐ ø$l! Ðjudiciary,€the€promotion€of€an€awareness€of€gender-relevant€issues€relating€to€the€applicationÐ ä%X" Ðof€law,€could€well€be€understood€as€requiring€that€perspective€to€be€included€in€a€bodyÐ Ð&D # Ðinvolved€in€judicial€appointments.€Accordingly,€the€Committee€cannot€conclude€that€theÐ ¼'0!$ Ðrequirement€is€not€objective€and€reasonably€justifiable.Ш("%(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.5€€Secondly,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€gender€clause€requires€there€to€be€at€least€fourÐ €*ô#' Ðapplicants€of€each€sex€among€the€11€non-justices€appointed,€which€is€to€say€just€over€oneÐ l+à$( Ðthird€of€the€candidates€selected.€€In€the€Committeeððs€view,€such€a€requirement€does€not€inÐ Œ Ðthis€case€amount€to€a€disproportionate€restriction€of€candidatesðð€right€of€access,€on€generalÐ xì Ðterms€of€equality,€to€public€office.€€Furthermore,€and€contrary€to€the€authorððs€contention,€theÐ dØ Ðgender€requirement€does€not€make€qualifications€irrelevant,€since€it€is€specified€that€allÐ P Ä Ðnon-justice€applicants€must€have€at€least€10€yearsðð€experience.€€With€regard€to€the€authorððsÐ < ° Ðargument€that€the€gender€requirement€could€give€rise€to€discrimination€between€the€threeÐ ( œ Ðcategories€within€the€group€of€non-justices€as€a€result,€for€example,€of€only€men€beingÐ  ˆ Ðappointed€in€one€category,€the€Committee€considers€that€in€that€event€there€would€be€threeÐ  t Ðpossibilities:€€either€the€female€applicants€were€better€qualified€than€the€male,€in€which€caseÐ ì ` Ðthey€could€justifiably€be€appointed;€or€the€female€and€male€applicants€were€equally€wellÐ ØL  Ðqualified,€in€which€case€the€priority€given€to€women€would€not€be€discriminatory€in€view€ofÐ Ä8  Ðthe€aims€of€the€law€on€the€promotion€of€equality€between€men€and€women,€as€yet€stillÐ °$  Ðlacking;€or€the€female€candidates€were€less€well€qualified€than€the€male,€in€which€case€theÐ œ  ÐSenate€would€be€obliged€to€issue€a€second€call€for€candidates€in€order€to€reconcile€the€twoÐ ˆü  Ðaims€of€the€law,€namely,€qualifications€and€gender€balance,€neither€of€which€may€precludeÐ tè  Ðthe€other.€€On€that€basis,€there€would€appear€to€be€no€legal€impediment€to€reopeningÐ `Ô  Ðapplications.€€Lastly,€the€Committee€finds€that€a€reasonable€proportionality€is€maintainedÐ LÀ Ðbetween€the€purpose€of€the€gender€requirement,€namely€to€promote€equality€between€menÐ 8¬ Ðand€women€in€consultative€bodies;€the€means€applied€and€its€modalities,€as€described€above;Ð $˜ Ðand€one€of€the€principal€aims€of€the€law,€which€is€to€establish€a€High€Council€made€up€ofÐ „ Ðqualified€individuals.€€Consequently,€the€Committee€finds€that€paragraph€3€of€article€295Ð üp Ðbis-1€of€the€Act€of€22€December€1998€€meets€the€requirements€of€objective€and€reasonableÐ è\ Ðjustification.ÐÔH(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.6€€In€the€light€of€the€foregoing,€the€Committee€finds€that€article€295€bis-1,€paragraph€3,Ð ¬  Ðdoes€not€violate€the€authorððs€rights€under€the€provisions€of€articles€2,€3,€25€(c)€and€26€of€theÐ ˜  ÐCovenant.Єø(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.7€€As€regards€the€complaints€of€violations€of€articles€2,€3,€25€(c)€and€26€of€the€CovenantÐ \ Ð Ðarising€from€the€application€of€the€Act€of€22€December€1998,€and€in€particular€article€295Ð H!¼ Ðbis-1,€paragraph€3,€the€Committee€takes€note€of€the€authorððs€arguments€claiming,€in€the€firstÐ 4"¨ Ðplace,€that€the€appointment€of€the€Dutch-speaking€non-justices,€the€group€to€which€Mr.Ð  #” ÐJacobs€belonged,€was€conducted€without€regard€to€an€established€procedure,€withoutÐ  $€  Ðinterviews,€profiling€or€comparison€of€qualifications,€being€based€rather€on€nepotism€andÐ ø$l! Ðpolitical€affiliation.€€The€Committee€has€also€examined€the€State€partyððs€arguments,€whichÐ ä%X" Ðexplain€in€detail€the€procedure€for€appointing€the€non-justices.€€The€Committee€notes€that€theÐ Ð&D # ÐSenate€established€and€put€into€effect€a€special€appointments€procedure,€òòvizóó.:€€first,€a€list€ofÐ ¼'0!$ Ðrecommended€candidates€was€drawn€up€after€consideration€and€comparison€of€allÐ ¨("% Ðapplications€on€the€basis€of€the€relevant€files€and€òòcurricula€vitaeóó;€secondly,€each€senator€wasÐ ”)#& Ðgiven€the€choice€of€voting,€in€a€secret€ballot,€either€for€the€recommended€list,€or€for€a€list€ofÐ €*ô#' Ðall€the€candidates.€€The€Committee€finds€that€this€appointments€procedure€was€objective€andÐ l+à$( Ðreasonable€for€the€reasons€made€clear€in€the€State€partyððs€explanations:€€before€theÐ Œ Ðrecommended€list€was€drawn€up€and€the€Senate€made€the€appointments,€each€candidateððsÐ xì Ðcurriculum€vitae€and€files€were€examined€and€their€qualifications€compared;€the€choice€ofÐ dØ Ða€procedure€based€on€files€and€òòcurricula€vitae€óórather€than€on€interviews€was€prompted€by€theÐ P Ä Ðnumber€of€applications€and€the€constraints€of€the€parliamentary€timetable,€and€there€was€noÐ < ° Ðlegal€provision€specifying€a€particular€method€of€evaluation,€such€as€interviews...the€choiceÐ ( œ Ðof€the€recommended€list€method€had€to€do€with€the€large€number€of€criteria€and€the€overlapÐ  ˆ Ðbetween€them,€and€was€a€practice€already€established€in€the€Senate€and€Chamber€ofÐ  t ÐRepresentatives;€lastly,€it€was€possible€for€the€senators€to€make€the€appointments€using€twoÐ ì ` Ðmethods€of€voting,€which€guaranteed€them€freedom€of€choice.€€Furthermore,€the€CommitteeÐ ØL  Ðfinds€that€the€authorððs€complaints€that€the€appointment€of€candidates€was€made€on€the€basisÐ Ä8  Ðof€nepotism€and€political€considerations€have€not€been€sufficiently€substantiated.€Ð°$ (#(# ÐÌà0  à9.8€€With€regard€to€the€complaint€of€discrimination€between€categories€within€the€group€ofÐ ˆü  Ðnon-justices€arising€from€the€introduction€of€the€gender€requirement,€the€Committee€findsÐ tè  Ðthat€the€author€has€not€sufficiently€substantiated€this€part€of€the€communication€and,€inÐ `Ô  Ðparticular,€has€produced€no€evidence€to€show€that€any€female€candidates€were€appointedÐ LÀ Ðdespite€being€less€well€qualified€than€male€candidates.Ð8¬(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.9€€With€regard€to€the€complaint€of€discrimination€between€applicants€in€connection€withÐ „ Ðthe€Senateððs€second€call€for€applications,€and€to€the€claim€that€the€second€call€was€illegal,€theÐ üp ÐCommittee€notes€that€this€call€was€issued€because€of€the€insufficient€numbers€of€applicationsÐ è\ Ðfrom€women,€i.e.,€two€applications€from€women€for€the€Dutch-speaking€college€-€which€theÐ ÔH Ðauthor€concedes€-€whereas€under€article€295€bis-1,€paragraph€3,€each€group€of€non-justicesÐ À4 Ðon€the€High€Council€of€Justice€must€comprise€at€least€four€members€of€each€sex.€€TheÐ ¬  ÐCommittee€finds,€therefore,€that€the€second€call€was€justified€to€allow€the€Council€to€beÐ ˜  Ðconstituted€and,€furthermore,€that€there€was€no€impediment€to€such€action€either€in€law€orÐ „ø Ðin€parliamentary€practice,€particularly€as€the€applications€submitted€in€response€to€the€firstÐ pä Ðcall€remained€valid.Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.10€€As€to€the€complaint€of€discrimination€arising€from€the€listing€of€non-justice€alternatesÐ 4"¨ Ðin€alphabetical€order,€the€Committee€notes€that€article€295€bis-2,€paragraph€4,€of€the€JudicialÐ  #” ÐCode€gives€the€Senate€the€right€to€draw€up€the€list€of€alternates€but€for€them,€unlike€theÐ  $€  Ðjustices,€does€not€prescribe€any€particular€method€of€ranking.€€Consequently€it€finds€that,€asÐ ø$l! Ðshown€by€the€State€partyððs€detailed€argument,€(a)€the€alphabetical€order€chosen€by€the€SenateÐ ä%X" Ðdoes€not€imply€an€order€of€succession;€and€(b)€any€succession€in€the€event€of€a€vacancy€willÐ Ð&D # Ðrequire€the€appointments€procedure€to€be€conducted€afresh.€€The€authorððs€complaints€do€notÐ ¼'0!$ Ðdisclose€a€violation.Ш("%(#(# ÐÌà0  à9.11€€The€Committee€therefore€finds€that€the€application€of€the€Act€of€22€December€1998,Ð €*ô#' Ðand€in€particular€of€article€295€bis-1,€paragraph€3,€does€not€violate€the€provisions€of€articlesÐ l+à$( Ð2,€3,€25€(c)€and€26€of€the€Covenant.ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðxì(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐdØ(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àòò1óó/€€Article€151€of€the€Constitution€instituting€the€High€Council€of€Justice€provides€inÐ < ° Ðparagraph€2:Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðOne€High€Council€of€Justice€exists€for€all€of€Belgium.€€In€the€exercise€of€itsÐ  ˆ Ðattributes€the€High€Council€of€Justice€shall€respect€the€independence€referred€to€inÐ  t Ðparagraph€1.€€It€shall€consist€of€a€French-speaking€college€and€a€Dutch-speakingÐ ì ` Ðcollege.€€Each€college€shall€have€an€equal€number€of€members€and€shall€be€composedÐ ØL  Ðequally€of€judges€and€officials€of€the€public€prosecutorððs€office€directly€elected€byÐ Ä8  Ðtheir€peers€under€the€conditions€and€according€to€the€form€determined€by€law,€and€ofÐ °$  Ðother€members€nominated€by€the€Senate€by€a€two-thirds€majority€of€those€voting,Ð œ  Ðunder€the€conditions€established€by€law.ððЈü ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðWithin€each€college€there€shall€be€a€nomination€and€appointments€committee€andÐ `Ô  Ðan€advisory€and€investigative€committee,€on€which€representation€shall€be€equallyÐ LÀ Ðdistributed€as€provided€in€the€previous€paragraph€[ð8ð].ððÐ8¬` (#` (# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àParagraph€3:Є(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðThe€High€Council€of€Justice€shall€exercise€its€authority€in€the€following€areas:Ðüp` (#` (# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àà0` (#(#à1.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔPresentation€of€candidates€for€appointment€as€judges€[ð8ð]€or€members€of€theÐ ÔH Ðprosecutorððs€office;ÐÀ4` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à2.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔPresentation€of€candidates€for€designation€to€the€duties€[ð8ð]€of€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòòchef€de€corpsóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€in€theÐ ¬  Ðpublic€prosecutorððs€office;И ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à3.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔAccess€to€the€position€of€judge€or€member€of€the€public€prosecutorððs€office;Єø` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à4.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔTraining€of€judges€and€members€of€the€public€prosecutorððs€office;Ðpä` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à5.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔEstablishment€of€general€profiles€for€the€designations€referred€to€in€2;Ð\ Ð` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à6.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIssuance€of€opinions€and€proposals€concerning€the€general€operation€andÐ H!¼ Ðorganization€of€the€judicial€branch;Ð4"¨` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à7.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔGeneral€supervision€and€promotion€of€the€use€of€internal€monitoring€methods;Ð #”` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à8.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔTo€the€exclusion€of€all€disciplinary€and€criminal€tribunals:Ð $€ ` (#` (# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔAcceptance€and€follow-up€of€complaints€concerning€the€operation€of€theÐ ø$l! Ðjudicial€branch;Ðä%X"¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔInitiation€of€inquiries€into€the€operation€of€the€judicial€branch€[...].ððÐÐ&D #¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  à...ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0` (#(#àм'0!$` (#` (# Ðà0  àòò8óó/€€General€comment€No.€28,€on€article€3€of€the€Covenant€(sixty-eighth€session,€2000),€para.Ð ¨("% Ð29.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔД)#&(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò9óó/€ð ðSince€the€High€Council€also€serves€as€an€advisory€body,€each€college€shall€comprise€eightÐ l+à$( Ðmembers€of€each€sex.ðð€€Bill€of€15€July€1998,€Discussion,€p.€44,€Belgian€Chamber€ofÐ Œ ÐRepresentatives...Ðxì(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò10óó/€€ð ðA€study€of€the€actual€situation€reveals€that,€in€the€majority€of€the€advisory€bodies,€theÐ P Ä Ðmembership€includes€a€very€small€number€of€women.ðð€€Preamble€to€the€Bill,€p.1,€€27€MarchÐ < ° Ð1990,€Chamber€of€Representatives,€parliamentary€documents;€ð ðA€survey€of€the€nationalÐ ( œ Ðconsultative€bodies€shows€that€the€proportion€of€women€is€no€more€than€10€percent.ðð€Ð  ˆ ÐIntroduction€to€the€Bill€by€the€Secretary€of€State€for€Social€Emancipation,€p.1,€3€July€1990,Ð  t ÐBelgian€Senate.Ðì `(#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐØL (#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌà0  àòòIndividual€Opinion€of...Ruth€Wedgwood€(concurring)óóа$ (#(# ÐÌà0  àThe€Committee€has€concluded€that€the€norms€of€non-discriminatory€access€to€public€serviceÐ ˆü  Ðand€political€office€embodied€in€article€25€of€the€Covenant€do€not€preclude€Belgium€fromÐ tè  Ðrequiring€the€inclusion€of€at€least€four€members€of€each€gender€on€its€High€Council€ofÐ `Ô  ÐJustice.€€The€Council€is€a€body€of€some€significant€powers,€recommending€candidates€forÐ LÀ Ðappointment€as€judges€and€prosecutors,€as€well€as€issuing€opinions€and€investigatingÐ 8¬ Ðcomplaints€concerning€the€operation€of€the€judicial€branch.€€However,€it€is€pertinent€to€noteÐ $˜ Ðthat€the€membership€of€the€Council€of€Justice€is€highly€structured€by€many€other€criteria€asÐ „ Ðwell,€under€the€Belgium€Judicial€Code.€€The€Council€is€comprised€of€€two€separate€ð ðcollegesððÐ üp Ðfor€French-speaking€and€Dutch-speaking€members.€€Within€each€college€of€€22€members,Ð è\ Ðhalf€are€directly€elected€by€sitting€judges€and€prosecutors.€€The€other€ð ðnon-justiceðð€membersÐ ÔH Ðare€chosen€by€the€Belgium€Senate,€and€the€slate€must€include€a€minimum€number€ofÐ À4 Ðexperienced€lawyers,€college€or€university€teachers,€and€other€professionals,€with€ð ðno€fewerÐ ¬  Ðthan€four€members€of€each€sexðð€included€among€the€11€members€of€these€ð ðnon-justiceððÐ ˜  Ðgroups.€€This€electoral€rule€may€benefit€men€as€well€as€women,€although€it€was€rather€clearlyÐ „ø Ðintended€to€assure€the€participation€of€women€on€this€ð ðadvisoryðð€body.€€It€is€important€to€noteÐ pä Ðthat€the€constitution€or€laws€of€some€States€parties€to€the€Covenant€may€disdain€or€forbid€anyÐ \ Ð Ðuse€of€set-asides€or€minimum€numbers€for€participation€in€governmental€bodies,€and€nothingÐ H!¼ Ðin€the€instant€decision€interferes€with€that€national€choice.€€The€Committee€only€decides€thatÐ 4"¨ ÐBelgium€is€free€to€choose€a€different€method€in€seeking€to€assure€the€fair€participation€ofÐ  #” Ðwomen€as€well€as€men€in€the€processes€of€government.Ð $€ (#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£@QÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòSvetik€v.€Belarusóó€(927/2000),€ICCPR,€A/59/40€vol.€II€(8€July€2004)€125€at€paras.€2.1,€2.3,€7.2,Ð Ð&D # Ð7.3,€8,€9,€and€Individual€Opinion€of€Sir€Nigel€Rodley€(concurring),€at€131.݃3£@QmQ݌м'0!$(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Д)#&(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.1€€The€author€-€a€teacher€in€a€high€school€-€is€a€representative€of€the€NGO€-€BelarusianÐ €*ô#' ÐHelsinki€Committee€(BHC)€in€the€city€of€Krichev€(Belarus).€€On€24€March€1999,€the€nationalÐ l+à$( Ðnewspaper€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòNarodnaya€VolyaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€(Peopleððs€Will)€published€a€declaration,€criticizing€the€policyÐ Œ Ðof€the€authorities€in€power.€€The€declaration€was€written€and€signed€by€representatives€ofÐ xì Ðhundreds€of€Belarusian€regional€political€and€non-governmental€organizations€(NGOs),Ð dØ Ðincluding€the€author.€€The€latter€observes€that€the€declaration€contained€an€appeal€not€to€takeÐ P Ä Ðpart€in€the€forthcoming€local€elections€as€a€protest€against€the€electoral€law€which€theÐ < ° Ðsignatories€believed€was€incompatible€with€ð ðthe€Belarusian€Constitution€and€the€internationalÐ ( œ Ðnormsðð.Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à...Ð t(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.3€€On€26€April€1999,€the€author€was€summoned€to€appear€before€the€Krichev€DistrictÐ ì ` ÐCourt.€€The€judge€informed€him€that€his€signature€on€the€open€letter€amounted€to€an€offenceÐ ØL  Ðunder€article€167,€part€3,ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€òò1óó/€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôof€the€Belarusian€Code€on€Administrative€Offences€(CAOÔL  ÔÔM  Ô)ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€andÐ Ä8  Ðordered€him€to€pay€a€fine€of€1€million€Belarusian€rubles,€the€equivalent€of€two€minimumÐ °$  Ðsalaries.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€òò2óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€According€to€the€author,€the€judge€was€not€impartial€and€threatened€to€sentenceÐ œ  Ðhim€to€the€maximum€penalty€-€10€minimum€monthly€salaries,€as€well€as€to€report€him€to€hisÐ ˆü  Ðemployer€if€he€did€not€confess€his€guilt.Ðtè (#(# Ðà0  à...Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  à7.2€€The€author€claims€that€his€right€under€article€19€has€been€violated,€as€he€was€subjectedÐ LÀ Ðto€an€administrative€penalty€for€the€sole€expression€of€his€political€opinion.€€The€State€partyÐ 8¬ Ðonly€objects€that€the€author€was€sentenced€in€compliance€with€the€applicable€law,€and€that,Ð $˜ Ðpursuant€to€paragraph€3€of€article€19,€the€rights€protected€by€paragraph€2€are€subject€toÐ „ Ðlimitations.€€The€Committee€recalls€that€article€19€allows€restrictions€only€to€the€extent€thatÐ üp Ðthey€are€provided€by€law€and€only€if€they€are€necessary€(a)€for€respect€of€the€rights€andÐ è\ Ðreputation€of€others;€and€(b)€for€the€protection€of€national€security€or€public€order€(òòordreÐ ÔH Ðpublicóó),€or€of€public€health€or€morals.òò6óó/€€The€Committee€thus€has€to€decide€whether€or€notÐ À4 Ðpunishing€a€call€to€boycott€a€particular€election€is€a€permissible€limitation€of€the€freedom€ofÐ ¬  Ðexpression.И (#(# ÐÌà0  à7.3€€The€Committee€recalls€that€according€to€article€25€(b),€every€citizen€has€the€right€to€vote.€Ð pä ÐIn€order€to€protect€this€right,€States€parties€to€the€Covenant€should€prohibit€intimidation€orÐ \ Ð Ðcoercion€of€voters€by€penal€laws€and€those€laws€should€be€strictly€enforced.òò7óó/€€TheÐ H!¼ Ðapplication€of€such€laws€constitutes,€in€principle,€a€lawful€limitation€of€the€freedom€ofÐ 4"¨ Ðexpression,€necessary€for€respect€of€the€rights€of€others.€€However,€intimidation€and€coercionÐ  #” Ðmust€be€distinguished€from€encouraging€voters€to€boycott€an€election.€€The€Committee€notesÐ  $€  Ðthat€voting€was€not€compulsory€in€the€State€party€concerned€and€that€the€declaration€signedÐ ø$l! Ðby€the€author€did€not€affect€the€possibility€of€voters€to€freely€decide€whether€or€nor€toÐ ä%X" Ðparticipate€in€the€particular€election.€€The€Committee€concludes€that€in€the€circumstances€ofÐ Ð&D # Ðthe€present€case€the€limitation€of€the€liberty€of€expression€did€not€legitimately€serve€one€ofÐ ¼'0!$ Ðthe€reasons€enumerated€in€article€19,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant€and€that€the€authorððsÐ ¨("% Ðrights€under€article€19,€paragraph€2,€of€the€Covenant€have€been€violated.Д)#&(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌà0  à8.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€disclose€a€violationÐ l+à$( Ðof€article€19,€paragraph€2,€of€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÐŒ(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à9.€€In€accordance€with€article€2,€paragraph€3€(a),€of€the€Covenant,€the€State€party€is€under€anÐ dØ Ðobligation€to€provide€the€author€with€an€effective€remedy,€including€compensation€amountingÐ P Ä Ðto€a€sum€not€less€than€the€present€value€of€the€fine€and€any€legal€costs€paid€by€the€author.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò8óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  ԀР< ° ÐThe€State€party€is€also€under€an€obligation€to€prevent€similar€violations€in€the€future.Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐ t(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò1óó/€€Article€167-3,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔCAOÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.€(Violation€of€electoral€legislation).€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔArticle€167-3€was€introducedÐ ØL  Ðby€the€Law€of€5€December€1989€-€Collection€of€Laws€BSSR,€1989,€No.€35,€art.€386;€editionÐ Ä8  Ðof€the€Law€of€30€March€1994€-€of€the€Supreme€Court€of€Belarus,€1994,€No.€14,€p.€190ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.а$ (#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò2óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔA€copy€of€the€decision€has€been€provided€by€the€author.€€The€Court€concluded€that€on€24Ð ˆü  ÐMarch€1999,€ð ðrepresentatives€of€regional€political€and€non-governmental€organizationsÐ tè  Ðpublished€a€statement€in€the€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòNarodnaya€VolyaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€newspaper,€which€contained€public€appealsÐ `Ô  Ðto€boycott€the€forthcoming€local€elections€for€counsels€of€deputies.€€The€representative€of€theÐ LÀ ÐKrichev€Section€of€the€Belarusian€Helsinki€Committee,€L.V.€Svetik,€agreed€with€the€text€ofÐ 8¬ Ðthe€appeal€and€put€his€signature€on€itðð.Ð$˜(#(# Ðà0  à...Є(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò6óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔSee,€òòinter€aliaóó,€communication€No.€574/1994,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòKim€v.€Republic€of€KoreaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€Views€dated€3Ð üp ÐNovember€1998;€communication€No.€628/1995,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòPark€v.€Republic€of€KoreaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€Views€dated€20Ð è\ ÐOctober€1998;€communication€No.€780/1997,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòLaptsevich€v.€BelarusóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€Views€dated€13€AprilÐ ÔH Ð2000.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÐÀ4(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àòò7óó/€€For€the€proposed€remedy,€see€communication€No.€780/1997,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòLaptsevich€v.€BelarusóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,Ð ˜  ÐViews€dated€13€April€2000.Єø(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àòò8óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔGeneral€comment€No.€25€(1996),€para.€11.Ð\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòIndividual€Opinion€of€Sir€Nigel€Rodley€(concurring)óóÐ #”(#(# ÐÌà0  àIn€its€consideration€of€the€merits,€the€Committee€ð ðnotes€that€voting€was€not€compulsory€inÐ ø$l! Ðthe€State€party€concernedðð€(paragraph€7.3).€€The€Committee€does€not€spell€out€the€relevanceÐ ä%X" Ðof€this€observation.€€It€is€to€be€hoped€that€it€is€not€wittingly€or€unwittingly€indicating€that€aÐ Ð&D # Ðsystem€of€compulsory€voting€would€of€itself€justify€the€enforcement€of€a€law€that€wouldÐ ¼'0!$ Ðmake€advocacy€of€electoral€boycott€an€offence.€€Much€will€depend€on€the€context€withinÐ ¨("% Ðwhich€a€particular€system€is€established.€€In€a€jurisdiction€in€which€there€may€be€forcesÐ ”)#& Ðseeking,€not€to€persuade,€but€to€intimidate€voters€not€to€vote,€legal€compulsion€to€vote€mayÐ €*ô#' Ðbe€an€appropriate€means€to€protect€voters€who€wish€to€vote€but€are€afraid€of€being€seen€toÐ l+à$( Ðdisobey€the€pressures€not€to€vote.ÐŒ(#(# ÐÌà0  àConversely,€history€is€replete€with€honourable€reasons€for€opposing€regular€participation€inÐ dØ Ðan€electoral€process€that€is€believed€to€be€illegitimate.€€The€most€blatant€example€is€a€voteÐ P Ä Ðcollection€and€counting€system€that€is€or€is€expected€to€be€fraudulently€manipulated€(voteÐ < ° Ðrigging).€€Another€example€would€be€when€the€voter€is€offered€no€choice.€€A€more€equivocalÐ ( œ Ðexample€would€be€when€there€may€be€a€choice€but€it€is€argued€that€it€is€not€a€real€choice.Ð ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  àThere€is€no€comfortable€way€in€which€a€body€such€as€the€Committee€could€or€should€beginÐ ì ` Ðcredibly€to€make€judgements€on€matters€like€these.€€It€will€never€be€in€a€position€itself€toÐ ØL  Ðpronounce€on€the€legitimacy€of€advocating€this,€that€or€the€other€form€of€non-cooperationÐ Ä8  Ðwith€a€particular€electoral€exercise€in€a€given€jurisdiction.€€It€follows€that€in€any€system€itÐ °$  Ðmust€òòalwaysóó€be€possible€for€a€person€to€advocate€non-cooperation€with€an€electoral€exerciseÐ œ  Ðwhose€legitimacy€that€person€may€wish€to€challenge.€€There€may€be€room€for€flexibility€inÐ ˆü  Ðthe€means€of€non-cooperation€that€may€be€advocated,€be€it€electoral€boycott,€the€spoiling€ofÐ tè  Ðballots,€the€writing€in€of€alternatives€and€so€on.€€But,€it€would€be€inconsistent€with€article€19Ð `Ô  Ðto€prevent€the€advocacy€of€any€means€of€non-cooperation€as€a€challenge€to€the€process€itself.€Ð LÀ ÐIndeed,€it€may€similarly€be€incompatible€with€the€right€contained€in€article€25€to€deny€to€theÐ 8¬ Ðindividual€voter,€on€pain€of€legally€prescribed€disadvantage,€any€possibility€whatsoever€ofÐ $˜ Ðmanifesting€his€or€her€non-cooperation€with€the€process.Є(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£Ô}ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝGorji„Dinka€v.€CameroonÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€óóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô(ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô1134/2002)ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€ICCPR,€A/60/40€vol.€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔII€(ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô17€March€2005)€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô194ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€atÐ ÔH ÐparasÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.€5.6,€6€and€7.݃3£Ô}~ÝŒÐÀ4(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...И (#(# Ðà0  à5.6€€As€regards€the€authorððs€claim€that€the€removal€of€his€name€from€the€votersðð€registerÐ „ø Ðviolates€his€rights€under€article€25€(b)€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€observes€that€theÐ pä Ðexercise€of€the€right€to€vote€and€to€be€elected€may€not€be€suspended€or€excluded€except€onÐ \ Ð Ðgrounds€established€by€law€which€are€objective€and€reasonable€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò14óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€Although€the€letter€datedÐ H!¼ Ð25€March€1998,€which€informed€the€author€of€the€removal€of€his€name€from€the€register€ofÐ 4"¨ Ðvoters,€refers€to€the€ð ðcurrent€electoral€lawðð,€it€justifies€that€measure€with€his€ð ðjudicialÐ  #” Ðantecedentðð.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€reiterates€that€persons€who€are€deprived€of€libertyÐ  $€  Ðbut€who€have€not€been€convicted€should€not€be€excluded€from€exercising€the€right€to€vote,ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò15óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÐ ø$l! Ðand€recalls€that€the€author€was€acquitted€by€the€Military€Tribunal€in€1986€and€that€hisÐ ä%X" Ðconviction€by€another€tribunal€in€1981€was€expunged€by€virtue€of€Amnesty€Law€82/21.€€ItÐ Ð&D # Ðalso€recalls€that€persons€who€are€otherwise€eligible€to€stand€for€election€should€not€beÐ ¼'0!$ Ðexcluded€by€reason€of€political€affiliation€òò16óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€In€the€absence€of€any€objective€and€reasonableÐ ¨("% Ðgrounds€to€justify€the€authorððs€deprivation€of€his€right€to€vote€and€to€be€elected,€theÐ ”)#& ÐCommittee€concludes,€on€the€basis€of€the€material€before€it,€that€the€removal€of€the€authorððsÐ €*ô#' Ðname€from€the€votersðð€register€amounts€to€a€violation€of€his€rights€under€article€25€(b)€of€theÐ l+à$( ÐCovenant.ÐŒ(#(# ÐÌà0  à6.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€reveal€violations€ofÐ dØ Ðarticles€9,€paragraph€1;€10,€paragraphs€1€and€2€(a);€€12,€paragraph€1;€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôand€25€(b)€of€theÐ P Ä ÐCovenant.Ð< °(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌà0  à7.€€In€accordance€with€article€2,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant,€the€author€is€entitled€to€anÐ  ˆ Ðeffective€remedy,€including€compensation€and€assurance€of€the€enjoyment€of€his€civil€andÐ  t Ðpolitical€rights.€€The€State€party€is€also€under€an€obligation€to€take€measures€to€preventÐ ì ` Ðsimilar€violations€in€the€future.ÐØL (#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóа$ (#(# Ðà0  à...М (#(# Ðà0  àòò14óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔGeneral€comment€No.€25€[57]€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔonÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôart.€25,€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôpara.€4.Јü (#(# ÐÌà0  àòò15óó/€òò€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIbidÔL  ÔÔM  Ôóó.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€at€para.€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô14.Ð`Ô (#(# ÐÌà0  àòò16óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòIbidÔL  ÔÔM  Ôóó.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€at€para.€15.Ð8¬(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ð$˜(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ˆÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòKaratsis€v.€CyprusÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€óóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô(1182/2003ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô)ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€ICCPR,€A/60/40€vol.€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔII€(ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô25€July€2005)ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€378ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€at€parasÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.€2.1„2.6,Ð è\ Ð3.1€and€6.3„6.5.݃3£ˆµÝŒÐÔH(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ь (#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.1€€On€11€January€1994,€the€author€was€appointed€to€the€post€of€Family€Court€judge,€aÐ ˜  Ðposition€that€he€continues€to€hold€until€today.€€In€June€2000,€he€applied€for€a€vacant€post€ofÐ „ø ÐDistrict€Court€judge€offering€better€promotion€opportunities,€a€higher€salary€scale€and€higherÐ pä Ðpension€benefits.€€On€12€July€2000,€the€Supreme€Council€of€Judicature€(ð ðthe€SupremeÐ \ Ð ÐCouncilðð),€a€panel€responsible€for€the€appointment€and€promotion€of€judges€under€theÐ H!¼ ÐAdministration€of€Justice€Law€(1964),€whose€13€members€also€sit€as€Supreme€Court€ofÐ 4"¨ ÐCyprus,€selected€the€author€for€a€temporary€post€as€District€Court€judge€for€a€period€of€oneÐ  #” Ðyear€from€1€October€2000,€subject€to€the€condition€that€he€would€resign€from€his€post€ofÐ  $€  ÐFamily€Court€judge€before€taking€up€his€function€at€the€District€Court.€€At€the€end€of€thatÐ ø$l! Ðperiod,€the€Supreme€Council€would€decide€about€his€appointment€as€permanent€judge€andÐ ä%X" Ðcivil€servant.ÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€On€14€July€2000,€acting€on€instructions€from€the€Supreme€Court,€the€Chief€RegistrarÐ ¨("% Ðcommunicated€with€the€author.€€After€the€author€had€accepted€the€conditions€of€appointment,Ð ”)#& Ðincluding€his€prior€resignation€from€the€post€of€Family€Court€judge,€the€Chief€registrar€sentÐ €*ô#' Ðhim€an€offer€of€appointment€to€the€post€of€District€Court€judge€(with€the€starting€salary€of€theÐ l+à$( Ðscale€for€District€Court€judges)€and€advertised€the€authorððs€post€of€Family€Court€judge.€€ByÐ Œ Ðletter€of€19€July€2000,€the€author€accepted€the€written€offer€of€appointment,€which€did€notÐ xì Ðcontain€a€proviso€on€his€resignation€from€the€post€as€Family€Court€judge.ÐdØ(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.3€€On€26€September€2000,€the€Chief€Registrar€sent€the€author€the€following€letter€togetherÐ < ° Ðwith€the€document€of€his€appointment€to€the€temporary€post€of€District€Court€judge:Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðFurther€to€the€letter€offering€appointment€dated€13€July€2000€and€its€acceptance€byÐ  t Ðyou€by€your€letter€dated€19€July€2000,€I€forward€to€you€the€relevant€document€of€yourÐ ì ` Ðappointment€to€the€post€of€temporary€district€judge.ÐØL ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.€€It€is€noted€that,€as€you€have€been€informed,€a€prerequisite€to€your€appointment€isÐ °$  Ðyour€resignation€from€the€post€of€judge€of€the€Family€Court€before€the€assumptionÐ œ  Ðof€your€duties.Јü ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.€€Provided€the€above€[is]€observed,€you€will€take€the€judicial€oath€and€will€give€theÐ `Ô  Ðaffirmation€to€the€Republic€for€the€post€of€temporary€district€judge€next€Monday,€2Ð LÀ ÐOctober€2000,€at€8.00€a.m.€at€the€Supreme€Court.ððÐ8¬` (#` (# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€On€2€October€2000,€the€author€objected€to€the€condition€of€prior€resignation€from€hisÐ „ Ðpost€as€Family€Court€judge,€which€he€believed€to€have€been€dropped,€as€it€had€not€beenÐ üp Ðincluded€in€the€written€offer€of€appointment.€€He€argued€that€such€resignation€would€resultÐ è\ Ðin€a€reduction€of€his€annual€salary€by€CYPð ð€10,000.00,€loss€of€benefit€of€his€more€than€sixÐ ÔH Ðyears€of€service€in€the€Family€Court,€including€loss€of€his€pension€benefits,€and€uncertaintyÐ À4 Ðof€tenure€as€it€was€not€sure€whether€he€would€be€permanently€appointed€at€the€end€of€theÐ ¬  Ðone-year€period.€€He€would€only€accept€the€ð ðnew€conditionðð€of€prior€resignation€in€the€eventÐ ˜  Ðof€permanent€appointment€to€the€post€of€District€Court€judge€on€a€scale€which€correspondsÐ „ø Ðto€the€salary€of€a€Family€Court€judge€with€more€than€six€yearsðð€service€and€if€any€acquiredÐ pä Ðrights€were€preserved.Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€On€the€same€day,€the€Chief€Registrar€informed€the€author€that€his€appointment€had€beenÐ 4"¨ Ðrevoked,€as€he€did€not€accept€the€conditions€of€such€appointment.€€On€4€December€2000,€theÐ  #” Ðauthor€filed€a€complaint€with€the€Supreme€Court,€challenging€the€Supreme€CouncilððsÐ  $€  Ðnotification€of€26€September€2000€on€the€basis€that€it€purported€unilaterally€to€change€theÐ ø$l! Ðterms€of€his€employment€contract.€€The€author€also€challenged€the€Councilððs€decision€of€2Ð ä%X" ÐOctober€2000€revoking€his€appointment.€€The€case€was€first€referred€to€a€single€judge€of€theÐ Ð&D # ÐCourt€but€later€assigned€to€the€full€Supreme€Court€by€the€Chief€Registrar.€€On€23€JanuaryÐ ¼'0!$ Ð2001,€the€author,€by€reference€to€article€153€(9)€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò2óó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€of€the€Constitution€of€Cyprus,€applied€forÐ ¨("% Ðhis€case€to€be€heard€by€a€different€bench,€arguing€that€the€13€judges€of€the€Supreme€CourtÐ ”)#& Ðwere€the€very€authors€of€the€impugned€decisions,€which€they€had€taken€in€their€capacity€asÐ €*ô#' Ðmembers€of€the€Supreme€Council.Ðl+à$((#(# Їà0  à2.6€€By€judgement€of€15€March€2001,€the€Supreme€Court€dismissed€the€case€for€want€ofÐ Œ Ðjurisdiction€without€addressing€the€issue€of€impartiality€òò3óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€It€held€that€the€appointment€ofÐ xì Ðjudges€is€an€exercise€of€the€judicial€rather€than€the€executive€or€administrative€power,€thusÐ dØ Ðfalling€within€the€exclusive€competence€of€the€Supreme€Council€and€outside€the€SupremeÐ P Ä ÐCourtððs€jurisdiction€under€article€146€of€the€Constitution€of€Cyprus€òò4óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÐ< °(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô...Ð( œ(#(# Ðà0  à3.1€€The€author€claims€that€the€fact€that€the€Supreme€Courtððs€decision€not€to€hear€his€caseÐ  ˆ Ðwas€taken€by€the€same€judges€who,€in€their€capacity€as€members€of€the€Supreme€Council,€hadÐ  t Ðrevoked€his€temporary€appointment€as€District€Court€judge€deprived€him€of€his€rights€to€aÐ ì ` Ðfair€and€public€hearing€before€an€impartial€tribunal€and€to€an€effective€remedy,€in€violationÐ ØL  Ðof€article€14,€paragraph€1,€read€alone€and€in€conjunction€with€article€2,€paragraph€3,€of€theÐ Ä8  ÐCovenant.а$ (#(# Ðà0  à...М (#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à6.3€€As€to€the€authorððs€claim€under€article€14,€paragraph€1,€the€Committee€observes€that,€inÐ ˆü  Ðcontrast€to€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòCasanovas€v.€FranceóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€and€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòChira€Vargas€v.€PeruóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€the€present€case€concerns€theÐ tè  Ðrevocation€of€an€appointment€to€another€post€within€the€judiciary€rather€than€the€dismissalÐ `Ô  Ðfrom€public€service.€€The€Committee€recalls€that€the€concept€of€ð ðsuit€at€lawðð€under€articleÐ LÀ Ð14,€paragraph€1,€is€based€on€the€nature€of€the€rights€in€question€rather€than€the€status€of€oneÐ 8¬ Ðof€the€parties€òò12óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIt€also€recalls€that€that€the€procedure€of€appointing€judges,€albeit€subjectÐ $˜ Ðto€the€right€in€article€25€(c)€to€access€to€public€service€on€general€terms€of€equality,€as€wellÐ „ Ðas€the€right€in€article2,€paragraph€3,€to€an€effective€remedy,€does€not€as€such€come€within€theÐ üp Ðpurview€of€a€determination€of€rights€and€obligations€in€a€suit€at€law€within€the€meaning€ofÐ è\ Ðarticle€14,€paragraph€1.ÐÔH(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à6.4€€The€issue€before€the€Committee€is€therefore€whether€the€proceedings€initiated€by€theÐ ¬  Ðauthor€to€challenge€the€revocation€of€his€appointment€to€the€post€of€District€Court€judgeÐ ˜  Ðconstituted€a€determination€of€his€rights€and€obligations€in€a€suit€at€law.€€The€CommitteeÐ „ø Ðrecalls€that€the€author€chose€not€to€resign€from€his€post€as€Family€Court€judge€to€prevent€aÐ pä Ðsubstantial€reduction€in€his€annual€salary,€exclusion€of€his€years€of€service€at€the€FamilyÐ \ Ð ÐCourt€from€the€calculation€of€his€pension€benefits,€as€well€as€uncertainty€of€tenure.€€It€notesÐ H!¼ Ðthat€the€author€entirely€preserved€these€acquired€rights€and€considers€that€his€claimÐ 4"¨ Ðconcerning€the€loss€of€career€prospects€and€possible€increases€in€salary€and€pension€benefitsÐ  #” Ðcaused€by€the€revocation€of€his€appointment€is€merely€hypothetical.€€Similarly,€he€has€failedÐ  $€  Ðto€substantiate€any€violation€of€his€right€under€article€25€(c)€to€equal€access€to€publicÐ ø$l! Ðservice...The€author€has€therefore€not€substantiated€that€the€proceedings€initiated€by€himÐ ä%X" Ðconstituted€a€determination€of€his€rights€and€obligations€in€a€suit€at€law€within€the€meaningÐ Ð&D # Ðof€article€14,€paragraph€1.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôм'0!$(#(# ÐÌà0  à6.5€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔWhile€the€revocation€of€appointments€within€the€judiciary€must€not€necessarily€beÐ ”)#& Ðdetermined€by€a€court€or€tribunal,€the€Committee€recalls€that€whenever€a€judicial€body€isÐ €*ô#' Ðentrusted€under€national€law€with€the€task€of€deciding€on€such€matters,€it€must€respect€theÐ l+à$( Ðguarantee€of€equality€of€all€persons€before€the€courts€and€tribunals€as€enshrined€in€article€14,Ð Œ Ðparagraph€1,€and€the€principles€of€impartiality,€fairness€and€equality€of€arms€implicit€in€thisÐ xì Ðguarantee€òò14óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€However,€the€author€has€not€rebutted€the€State€partyððs€argument€that€theÐ dØ ÐSupreme€Courtððs€judgement€in€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòKourris€v.€The€Supreme€Council€of€JudicatureóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€was€a€bindingÐ P Ä Ðprecedent€to€the€effect€that€the€Supreme€Councilððs€exercise€of€powers€is€not€subject€toÐ < ° Ðjudicial€review€and€falls€outside€the€Supreme€Courtððs€jurisdiction€under€article€146€of€theÐ ( œ ÐConstitution.€€Accordingly,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€Supreme€Court€did€not€violateÐ  ˆ Ðthe€guarantees€of€article€14,€paragraph€1,€when€it€declared€itself€incompetent€to€deal€with€theÐ  t Ðauthorððs€case,€given€that€Cypriot€law€explicitly€excluded€the€Courtððs€jurisdiction€toÐ ì ` Ðadjudicate€the€matter.€€The€initiation€of€proceedings€before€a€judicial€body€that€manifestlyÐ ØL  Ðlacks€jurisdiction€to€deal€with€a€matter€cannot€trigger€the€guarantees€of€article€14,€paragraphÐ Ä8  Ð1.€€The€Committee€concludes€that€this€part€of€the€communication€is€therefore€inadmissibleÐ °$  ÐÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòòratione€materiaeóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€under€article€3€of€the€Optional€Protocol.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔМ (#(# Ðà0  à_________________Јü (#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐtè (#(# Ðà0  à...Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò2óó/€€Article€153€(9)€of€the€Constitution€of€Cyprus€reads:€€ð ðIn€the€case€of€temporary€absenceÐ LÀ Ðor€incapacity€of€the€President€of€the€High€Court€or€of€one€of€the€Greek€judges€or€of€theÐ 8¬ ÐTurkish€judge€thereof,€the€President€of€the€Supreme€Constitutional€Court€or€the€Greek€judgeÐ $˜ Ðof€the€Turkish€judge€thereof,€respectively,€shall€act€in€his€place€during€such€temporaryÐ „ Ðabsence€of€incapacity.€€Provided€that€it€is€impracticable€or€inconvenient€for€the€Greek€or€theÐ üp ÐTurkish€judge€of€the€Supreme€Constitutional€Court€to€act,€the€senior€in€office€Greek€orÐ è\ ÐTurkish€judge€in€the€judicial€service€of€the€Republic€shall€so€act€respectively.ððÐÔH(#(# ÐÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò3óó/€€The€Court€recalled€that€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôð ð[i]t€is€up€to€the€court,€which€is€legally€competent€under€the€law,Ð ¬  Ðto€decide€whether€the€subject€matter€of€an€application€comes€under€its€jurisdiction.€€ThisÐ ˜  Ðmatter€takes€precedence€over€any€other.€Once€it€is€considered€that€the€court€has€jurisdictionÐ „ø Ðto€deal€with€the€subject€matter€of€an€application,€then€the€question€of€excluding€judges€whoÐ pä Ðwill€exercise€the€courtððs€jurisdiction€is€examined.ðð€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔSupreme€Court€of€Cyprus,€case€No.Ð \ Ð Ð1547/2000,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòSavvas€Karatsis€v.€The€RepublicóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€Judgement€of€15€March€2001.ÐH!¼(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò4óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔThe€Supreme€Court€referred€to€its€previous€judgement€in€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòAntonios€Kourris€v.€TheÐ  #” ÐSupreme€Council€of€JudicatureóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€(1972)€3€CLR,€390.Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à...Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôòò12óó/€€Communication€No.€112/1981,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòY.L.€v.€CanadaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€decision€on€admissibility€adopted€on€8Ð ä%X" ÐApril€1986,€at€para.€9.2;€communication€No.€441/1990,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòCasanovas€v.€FranceóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€at€para.€5.2.ÐÐ&D #(#(# Ðà0  à...м'0!$(#(# Ðà0  àòò14óó/€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔCf.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€communication€No.€1015/2001,€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔòòPerterer€v.€AustriaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô,€Views€adopted€on€20€July€2004,Ð ¨("% Ðat€para.€9.2.Д)#&(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ѐ*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( ЇÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£TÉÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòJong-Choel€v.€Republic€of€Korea€óóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô(968/2001),€ICCPR,€A/60/40€volÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€IÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€(ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô27€July€2005ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô)€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô60ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€atÐ Œ Ðparas.€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô1,€2.1,€2.2,€8.2,€8.3€and€9.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô݃3£TÉÉÝŒÐxì(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à1.€€The€author€of€the€communication€is€Mr.€Kim€Jong-Cheol,€a€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔKorean€national.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔHe€claimsÐ P Ä Ðto€be€a€victim€of€violations€by€the€Republic€of€Korea€of€his€rights€under€articles€19,Ð < ° Ðparagraph€2,€25€(a)€and€(b),€and€26€of€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€on€Civil€andÐ ( œ ÐPolitical€Rights.€€He€is€represented€by€counsel.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÐ ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.1€€On€11€December€1997,€the€author,€a€journalist,€published€an€article€in€a€national€weeklyÐ ì ` Ðpublication,€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôreporting€on€opinion€polls,€between€31€July€and€11€December€1997,€for€theÐ ØL  ÐPresidential€election€of€18€December€1997.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIn€February€1998,€he€was€charged€by€the€DistrictÐ Ä8  ÐAttorney€for€violating€section€108€(1)€of€the€Election€for€Public€Office€and€ElectionÐ °$  ÐMalpractice€Prevention€Act€(hereinafter€the€ð ðElection€Actðð),€which€prohibits€publication€ofÐ œ  Ðpublic€opinion€polls€during€the€electoral€campaign€period€òò1óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€According€to€article€33€(1),€theÐ ˆü  Ðpresidential€campaign€period€is€23€days.€€The€Election€Act€imposes€criminal€liability€for€theÐ tè  Ðdisclosure€of€political€opinion€polls€for€the€23-day€period€running€up€to€and€includingÐ `Ô  Ðelection€day€òò2óó/.ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€On€16€July€1998,€the€author€was€found€guilty€as€charged€by€the€SeoulÐ LÀ ÐCriminal€District€Court€Collegiate€Division€and€fined€1,000,000€won€(approx.€US$€445).€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÐ8¬(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à2.2€€The€author€appealed€this€decision€and€at€the€same€time€challenged€the€constitutionalityÐ „ Ðof€the€related€provisions€of€the€Election€Act€before€the€Constitutional€Court.€€On€28€JanuaryÐ üp Ð1999,€the€Constitutional€Court€declared€the€relevant€provisions€of€the€Election€ActÐ è\ Ðconstitutional,€finding€that€the€length€of€the€ban€suppressing€the€publication€of€polls€duringÐ ÔH Ðthe€electoral€campaign€period€was€reasonable€to€ensure€a€fair€and€undistorted€election€result.€Ð À4 ÐIn€its€judgement,€it€referred€to€aÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€study€which€allegedly€demonstrates€that€a€public€opinionÐ ¬  Ðpoll€may€encourage€voters€to€move€toward€a€candidate€with€a€stronger€chance€of€winningÐ ˜  Ð(so-called€ð ðbandwagon€effectðð),€or€may€add€sympathy€votes€to€the€underdog€(so-calledÐ „ø Ðð ðunderdog€effectðð),€thereby€distorting€the€will€of€voters.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔOn€13€April€1999,€the€High€CourtÐ pä Ðupheld€the€District€Courtððs€decision,€and€on€20€August€1999,€the€Supreme€Court€dismissedÐ \ Ð Ðthe€authorððs€appeal.ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð4"¨(#(# Ðà0  à8.2€€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€issue€before€it€is€whether€the€authorððs€conviction,€underÐ  #” Ðsection€108€(1)€of€the€Election€for€Public€Office€and€Election€Malpractice€Prevention€Act,Ð  $€  Ðfor€having€published€an€article€on€the€results€of€opinion€polls€during€the€campaign€period€ofÐ ø$l! Ðthe€Presidential€election,€violates€article€19,€paragraph€2,€of€the€Covenant.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔArticle€19,Ð ä%X" Ðparagraph€2,€of€the€Covenant€guarantees€the€right€to€freedom€of€expression€and€includesÐ Ð&D # Ðð ðfreedom€to€seek,€receive€and€impart€information€and€ideas€of€all€kinds,€regardless€ofÐ ¼'0!$ Ðfrontiers,€either€orally,€in€writing€or€in€print,€in€the€form€of€art,€or€through€any€other€mediaðð.€Ð ¨("% ÐThe€Committee€considers€that€through€his€articles,€the€author€was€exercising€his€right€toÐ ”)#& Ðimpart€information€and€ideas€within€the€meaning€of€article€19,€paragraph€2,€of€the€Covenant.€Ð €*ô#' ÐÐl+à$((#(# Ðà0  à8.3€€The€Committee€observes€that€any€restriction€of€the€freedom€of€expression€pursuant€toÐ Œ Ðparagraph€3€of€article€19€must€cumulatively€meet€the€following€conditionsÔL  ÔÔM  Ô:€€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôit€must€beÐ xì Ðprovided€for€by€law,€it€must€address€the€aims€enumerated€in€paragraph€3€of€article€19,€andÐ dØ Ðmust€be€necessary€to€achieve€the€purpose.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔTÔL  ÔÔM  Ôhe€restrictions€were€provided€for€by€law,€underÐ P Ä Ðsection€108€(1)€of€the€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔElection€for€Public€Office€and€Election€Malpractice€Prevention€Act.€Ð < ° ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔAs€toÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€whether€the€measures€addressed€one€of€the€aims€enumerated€in€paragraph€3,€theÐ ( œ ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔCommittee€notes€that€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôthe€State€party€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ômaintains€thatÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€the€restriction€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôis€justifiedÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€in€terms€of€theÐ  ˆ Ðprotection€of€public€order€(para.€3€(b)).€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔTÔL  ÔÔM  Ôhe€Committee€considers€that,€to€the€extent€that€theÐ  t Ðrestriction€relates€to€the€rights€of€Presidential€candidates,€this€restriction€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ômay€alsoÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€fall€withinÐ ì ` Ðthe€terms€of€article€19,€paragraph€3€(a)€(necessary€for€the€respect€of€the€rights€of€others).€€TheÐ ØL  ÐCommittee€notes€the€underlying€€reasoning€for€such€a€restriction€is€based€on€the€wish€toÐ Ä8  Ðprovide€the€electorate€with€a€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôlimited€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôperiod€of€reflection,€during€which€they€are€insulatedÐ °$  Ðfrom€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôconsiderations€extraneous€to€the€issues€under€contest€in€the€elections,€and€that€similarÐ œ  Ðrestrictions€can€be€found€in€many€jurisdictions.€€The€Committee€also€notes€the€recentÐ ˆü  Ðhistorical€specificities€of€the€democratic€political€processes€of€the€State€party,€including€thoseÐ tè  Ðinvoked€by€the€State€party.€€Under€such€circumstances,€a€law€restricting€the€publication€ofÐ `Ô  Ðopinion€polls€for€a€limited€period€in€advance€of€an€election€does€not€seem€òòipso€factoóó€to€fallÐ LÀ Ðoutside€the€aims€contemplated€in€article€19,€paragraph€3.€€As€to€the€issue€of€proportionality,Ð 8¬ Ðthe€Committee€notes€that,€while€a€cut-off€date€of€23€days€prior€to€the€election€is€unusuallyÐ $˜ Ðlong,€it€need€not€pronounce€itself€on€the€compatibility€òòper€seóó€of€the€cut-off€date€with€articleÐ „ Ð19,€paragraph€3,€since€the€authorððs€initial€act€of€publishing€previously€unreported€opinionÐ üp Ðpolls€took€place€within€seven€days€of€the€election.€€The€authorððs€conviction€for€suchÐ è\ Ðpublication€cannot€be€considered€excessive€in€the€context€of€the€conditions€obtaining€in€theÐ ÔH ÐState€party.€€The€Committee€also€notes€that€the€sanction€visited€on€the€author,€albeit€one€orÐ À4 Ðcriminal€law,€cannot€be€categorized€as€excessively€harsh.€It€is€not,€therefore,€in€a€position€toÐ ¬  Ðconclude€that€the€law,€as€applied€to€the€author,€is€disproportionate€to€its€aim.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔAccordingly,Ð ˜  Ðthe€Committee€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôdoes€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ônot€find€a€violation€of€article€19€of€the€Covenant€in€this€regard.Єø(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  à9.€€The€Human€Rights€Committee...is€of€the€view€that€the€facts€before€it€do€not€disclose€aÐ \ Ð Ðviolation€of€the€International€Covenant€on€Civil€and€Political€Rights.€€ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ð4"¨(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐ #”(#(# ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  Ôà0  àòò1óó/€€It€stipulates€that€ð ðNo€person€may€publish€or€quote€in€a€report€the€details€and€result€of€aÐ ø$l! Ðpublic€opinion€poll€(including€a€mock€voting€or€popularity€poll)€making€a€degree€of€supportÐ ä%X" Ðto€a€political€party€or€a€successful€candidate€anticipated,€in€connection€with€an€election,€fromÐ Ð&D # Ðthe€day€the€election€period€commences€to€the€time€the€voting€is€closed€on€the€election€day.ððм'0!$(#(# ÐÌà0  àòò2óó/€€According€to€article€256€(1),€as€amended,€ð ðany€person€who€discloses€the€details€and€resultÐ ”)#& Ðof€a€survey€of€public€opinion,€or€makes€a€report€citing€them€or€makes€another€person€do€so,Ð €*ô#' Ðin€contravention€of€the€provisions€of€article€108€(1)ð8ðwith€imprisonment€for€not€more€thanÐ l+à$( Ðtwo€years,€or€a€fine€not€exceeding€four€million€won.ððÐŒ(#(# ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÌòòFor€dissenting€opinion€in€this€context,€see€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔJong-Choel€v.€Republic€of€KoreaóóÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô(968/2001),€ICCPR,Ð dØ ÐA/60/40€volÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€IÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€(ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô27€July€2005ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô)€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô54€atÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIndividual€Opinion€of€€Ms.€Christine€Chanet€and€Messrs.Ð P Ä ÐAbdelfattah€Amor,€Prafullachandra€Natwarlal€Bhagwati,€Alfredo€Castillero€Hoyos,€Ahmed€TawfikÐ < ° ÐKhalil,and€Rajsoomer€Lallah,€66,€and€Individual€Opinion€of€Ms.€Ruth€Wedgwood,€67.Ð ( œ ÐÌÌò òòòFor€related€individual€opinions€in€this€context€generally,€see:óóó ó€Ð ì ` ÐÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£òÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòMuoz€v.€Peruóó€(203/1986),€ICCPR,€A/44/40€(4€November€1988)€200€at€Individual€OpinionÐ ØL  Ðby€Mr.€Bertil€Wennergren,€208€at€paras.€1€and€4.݃3£òKòÝŒÐÄ8 (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÌòòò òCATó óóóÐ ˆü  ÐÌÓ‡ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ôÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝH.€B.€H.,€T.€N.€T.,€H.J.H.,€H.€O.€H.,€H.€R.€H.€and€H.€G.€H.€v.€Switzerlandóó€(192/2001),€CAT,Ð `Ô  ÐA/58/44€(29€April€2003)€126€(CAT/C/30/D/192/2001)€at€paras.€1.1,€2.1„2.8,€6.2,€6.5€and€6.7„Ð LÀ Ð6.9.݃3£ôKôÝŒÐ8¬(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÓ…† ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&šó…ÓÌà0  à1.1€€€The€complainants,€Mr.€H.B.H.,€his€wife,€Mrs.€T.N.T.,€and€their€children€H.J.H.,€H.O.H.,Ð „ ÐH.R.H.€and€H.G.H.€„€are€Syrian€nationals€of€Kurdish€origin.€€They€are€currently€inÐ üp ÐSwitzerland,€where€they€submitted€an€application€for€asylum.€€The€application€was€rejected,Ð è\ Ðand€the€complainants€maintain€that€their€return€to€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€would€constituteÐ ÔH Ða€violation€by€Switzerland€of€article€3€of€the€Convention...ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à...Ь (#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€Mr.€H.€states€that€he€was€arrested€while€performing€his€compulsory€military€serviceÐ ˜  Ðowing€to€his€refusal€to€join€the€ruling€Baath€party.€€He€claims€to€have€been€imprisoned€inÐ „ø ÐTadmur€prison€from€1€November€1987€to€31€March€1988,€and€to€have€been€ill„treated.Ðpä(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€He€also€states€that€he€has€been€a€committed€Yekiti€party€sympathizer€since€1992,€andÐ H!¼ Ðthat€he€became€a€member€of€the€party€in€1995.€€In€this€connection,€he€explains€that€he€hasÐ 4"¨ Ðdistributed€pamphlets€and€newspapers€and€taken€part€in€party€meetings.€€He€asserts€that€onÐ  #” Ð5€November€1996€the€Syrian€political€security€service€accused€him€of€handing€out€prohibitedÐ  $€  Ðleaflets€and€arrested€him,€releasing€him€owing€to€lack€of€evidence€on€20€November€1996.Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€€On€18€July€1998€a€meeting€attended€by€some€45€to€50€people,€including€senior€officialsÐ Ð&D # Ðof€the€Yekiti€party,€was€held€at€his€home€in€Al€Qamishli,€at€which€he€roundly€criticizedÐ ¼'0!$ Ðgovernment€policy.€€Following€the€meeting,€on€the€advice€of€the€organizer,€the€complainantÐ ¨("% Ðwent€to€stay€with€his€sister€for€fear€that€the€authorities€would€be€told€about€his€remarks.€Ð ”)#& ÐShortly€after€the€meeting,€members€of€the€Syrian€security€service€in€fact€went€to€his€homeÐ €*ô#' Ðto€look€for€him.€€Over€the€next€few€days€he€heard€that€the€security€forces€had€reportedly€madeÐ l+à$( Ðseveral€attempts€to€arrest€him.€€He€first€hid€at€his€sisterððs€home€in€Al€Qamishli,€then€at€hisÐ Œ Ðuncleððs€home,€near€to€the€border€with€Turkey.€€There€he€met€up€with€his€family,€which€hadÐ xì Ðmeanwhile€also€fled€Al€Ô_ÔQamishliÔ_Ô.€€The€complainants€state€that€they€left€Syria€together,€inÐ dØ Ðearly€August€1998,€and€crossed€Turkey€en€route€to€Switzerland.€€ÐP Ä(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€€Mr.€H.€affirms€that,€after€he€fled,€he€remained€in€contact€with€organizations€of€partyÐ ( œ Ðexiles€in€Europe.€€He€also€states€that€he€took€part€in€a€demonstration€against€the€SyrianÐ  ˆ Ðregime€in€the€spring€of€2000€in€Geneva.€€Ð t(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€€The€complainants€applied€for€asylum€in€Switzerland€on€17€August€1998;€the€applicationÐ ØL  Ðwas€rejected€on€21€January€1999.€€The€Swiss€Asylum€Appeal€Commission€(CRA),€ruling€onÐ Ä8  Ðthe€appeal€submitted€by€the€complainants€on€20€February€2001,€confirmed€the€initial€decisionÐ °$  Ðto€reject€the€application€on€11€April€2001.€€In€a€letter€dated€23€April€2001€the€complainantsÐ œ  Ðwere€given€a€deadline€for€departure€of€23€July€2001.Јü (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€€On€the€basis€of€a€new€document€intended€to€demonstrate€that€the€fear€of€persecutionÐ `Ô  Ðcited€was€well€founded€„€an€internal€memorandum€from€the€Al€Hasakah€political€securityÐ LÀ Ðdivision,€dated€21€August€1998,€addressed€to€the€Al€Qamishli€political€security€division€forÐ 8¬ Ðthe€arrest€of€Mr.€H.€for€prohibited€political€propaganda€on€behalf€of€the€Kurdish€cause€„€theÐ $˜ Ðcomplainant,€on€21€June€2001,€submitted€to€CRA€an€application€for€review€of€the€decisionÐ „ Ðof€11€April€2001.€€By€an€interlocutory€decision€of€28€June€2001€CRA€rejected€a€request€forÐ üp Ðthe€applications€for€review€to€have€suspensive€effect€and€for€expulsion€to€be€deferred.Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.7€€€In€a€letter€dated€27€August€2001€a€copy€of€a€judgement€of€20€May€1999€by€an€AlÐ À4 ÐHasakah€court€sentencing€Mr.€H.€to€three€yearsðð€imprisonment€for€belonging€to€a€prohibitedÐ ¬  Ðorganization€was€sent€to€CRA.€€The€Commission€did€not€consider€it€appropriate€to€overturnÐ ˜  Ðits€interlocutory€decision.Єø(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.8€€€On€31€August€2001€a€report€from€the€Swiss€section,€Berne,€of€Amnesty€InternationalÐ \ Ð Ðwas€sent€to€CRA;€the€report€concluded€that€the€complainants€would€very€probably€beÐ H!¼ Ðimprisoned,€interrogated€under€torture€and€subjected€to€arbitrary€detention€if€they€returnedÐ 4"¨ Ðto€Syria.€€CRA€did€not€change€its€original€decision.Ð #”(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð $€ (#(# Ðà0  à6.2€€€The€issue€before€the€Committee€is€whether€the€return€of€the€complainants€to€the€SyrianÐ ø$l! ÐArab€Republic€would€violate€the€obligation€of€the€State€party€under€article€3€of€theÐ ä%X" ÐConvention€not€to€expel€or€return€a€person€to€a€State€where€there€are€substantial€grounds€forÐ Ð&D # Ðbelieving€that€he€or€she€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture.м'0!$(#(# Ðà0  à...Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à6.5€€€In€this€case€the€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€draws€attention€to€blatantÐ ”)#& Ðinconsistencies€and€contradictions€in€the€accounts€and€submissions€by€the€complainants,Ð €*ô#' Ðcasting€doubt€on€the€veracity€of€their€allegations.€€It€also€takes€note€of€the€informationÐ l+à$( Ðsupplied€in€this€regard€by€the€complainants.ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðxì(#(# Ðà0  à6.7€€€Regarding€the€complainantsðð€political€activities,€the€Committee€notes,€firstly,€that€onlyÐ dØ ÐMr.€H.€reports€such€an€involvement€in€Syria.€€Secondly,€in€view€of€the€complainantsððÐ P Ä Ðcontradictions€and€inconsistencies€and€the€serious€doubts€as€to€the€authenticity€of€the€internalÐ < ° Ðmemorandum€from€the€Syrian€security€service€of€21€August€1998€and€of€the€Al€HasakahÐ ( œ Ðcourt€judgement€of€20€May€1999,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€complainant€has€notÐ  ˆ Ðestablished,€either€in€his€statements€or€by€means€of€the€documents€produced,€his€activeÐ  t Ðmembership€in€the€Yekiti€party€and€opposition€to€the€Syrian€authorities.€€Lastly,€theÐ ì ` ÐCommittee€considers€that€the€complainants€have€not€shown€involvement€in€oppositionÐ ØL  Ðpolitical€activities€in€Switzerland.ÐÄ8 (#(# ÐÌà0  à6.8€€€The€Committee€considers€that€the€above„mentioned€documents€were€produced€by€theÐ œ  Ðcomplainants€only€in€response€to€decisions€by€the€Swiss€authorities€to€reject€their€applicationÐ ˆü  Ðfor€asylum,€and€that€the€complainants€have€failed€to€offer€any€coherent€explanation€of€theÐ tè  Ðdelay€in€making€submissions.Ð`Ô (#(# ÐÌà0  à6.9€€€Regarding€the€2001€Amnesty€International€report,€in€addition€to€the€contradictionsÐ 8¬ Ðpointed€out€by€the€State€party€concerning€the€conclusions€drawn€regarding€the€complainantsððÐ $˜ Ðpolitical€activities€in€Syria,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€information€relating€to€measuresÐ „ Ðthat€might€affect€persons€returning€to€Syria€after€a€long€stay€abroad€is€invoked€in€generalÐ üp Ðterms€without€being€linked€in€a€relevant€manner€to€the€specific€cases€of€the€complainants,Ð è\ Ðand€is€contradicted€by€the€information€transmitted€by€the€State€party,€in€submissions€whichÐ ÔH Ðthe€complainants€have€not€subsequently€contested.€€It€is€also€apparent€that€the€Kurdish€originÐ À4 Ðof€the€complainants€would€not€in€itself€constitute€a€reason€for€ill„treatment€or€torture€in€Syria.Ь (#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£"ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòA.T.A.€v.€Switzerland€óó(236/2003),€CAT,€A/59/44€(11€November€2003)€323Ð pä Ð(CAT/C/31/D/236/2003)€at€paras.€2.1„2.4€and€4.2.݃3£"OÝŒÐ\ Ð(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...Ð4"¨(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€In€1996,€the€complainant,€who€belongs€to€the€Ew€ethnic€minority,€joined€the€ð ðUnionÐ  #” Ðdes€Forces€du€Changementðð€(UFC).Ð $€ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€On€27€April€2000,€the€complainant€played€for€the€UFC€soccer€team€in€a€match€againstÐ ä%X" Ðthe€team€of€the€ruling€political€party.€€The€UFC€team€won€the€game€after€the€complainant€hadÐ Ð&D # Ðscored€the€decisive€goal.€€The€same€evening,€two€soldiers€came€to€his€residence€looking€forÐ ¼'0!$ Ðhim.€€While€attempting€to€escape,€he€allegedly€had€to€dodge€bullets€fired€by€soldiers;Ð ¨("% Ðhowever,€he€managed€to€escape.Д)#&(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€€The€complainant€argues€that€the€security€forces€in€Togo€are€controlled€by€the€KhabyÐ l+à$( Ðethnic€majority€and€frequently€violate€human€rights,€the€Togolese€Constitution€and€domesticÐ Œ Ðlaws€which€protect€the€rights€and€freedoms€of€the€individual.Ðxì(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€€The€complainant€left€Togo,€he€arrived€in€Europe€and€requested€asylum€in€SwitzerlandÐ P Ä Ðon€30€May€2000.€€On€11€October€2000,€the€Federal€Refugee€Office€refused€his€applicationÐ < ° Ðand€ordered€his€deportation€from€Switzerland.€€On€19€November€2001,€the€Asylum€AppealsÐ ( œ ÐCommission€dismissed€his€appeal€and,€on€15€July€2003,€it€confirmed€the€decision€of€theÐ  ˆ ÐFederal€Refugee€Office€ordering€the€complainantððs€deportation.€€On€18€September€2003,€theÐ  t ÐAsylum€Appeals€Commission€rejected€his€request€to€review€its€decision€of€15€July€2003.Ðì `(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐØL (#(# Ðà0  à4.2€€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€information€submitted€by€the€complainant€inÐ Ä8  Ðsubstantiation€of€his€claim€is€general€and€vague€and€does€not€reveal€the€existence€of€anyÐ °$  Ðpersonal€and€foreseeable€risk€of€torture€to€which€the€complainant€might€be€subjected€in€theÐ œ  Ðevent€of€his€return€in€Togo.€€The€bare€assertion€of€membership€in€a€political€party,€in€theÐ ˆü  Ðinstant€case€of€the€UFC,€and€the€vague€allegation€that€he€was€shot€at€while€attempting€toÐ tè  Ðescape,€do€not€satisfy€the€Committee€that€the€threshold€of€admissibility€has€been€met€in€theÐ `Ô  Ðcomplainantððs€case.€€In€the€circumstances,€the€Committee€observes€that€the€complaint,€asÐ LÀ Ðformulated,€does€not€give€rise€to€any€arguable€claim€under€the€Convention.Ð8¬(#(# ÐÌÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝòòÝ‚3£ê"ÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝA.€R.€v.€The€Netherlandsóó€(203/2002),€CAT,€A/59/44€(14€November€2003)€247Ð üp Ð(CAT/C/31/D/203/2002)€€at€paras.€1.1,€2.1„2.6,€7.3„7.6€and€8.݃3£ê"#ÝŒÐè\(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐÀ4(#(# Ðà0  à1.1€€€The€complainant€is€A.R.,€an€Iranian€national,€born€on€30€June€1966,€currently€residingÐ ¬  Ðin€the€Netherlands€and€awaiting€deportation€to€Iran.€€He€claims€that€his€forcible€return€to€IranÐ ˜  Ðwould€constitute€a€violation€by€the€Netherlands€of€article€3€of€the€Convention€against€TortureÐ „ø Ðand€Other€Cruel,€Inhuman€or€Degrading€Treatment€or€Punishment.€€He€is€represented€byÐ pä Ðcounsel.Ð\ Ð(#(# Ðà0  à...ÐH!¼(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€Counsel€submits€that,€after€the€Iranian€revolution€in€1979,€the€complainant€becameÐ 4"¨ Ðassociated€with€a€political€party,€the€Fedayeen€Khalg„Iran.€€He€became€active€in€theÐ  #” Ðorganization€whilst€in€secondary€school.€€In€January€1983€he€was€arrested€on€suspicion€ofÐ  $€  Ðdistributing€illegal€pamphlets€and€causing€disorder,€and€was€detained€for€25€days.€€DuringÐ ø$l! Ðthis€time,€he€alleges€that€he€was€severely€beaten.€€Upon€release€he€was€removed€from€hisÐ ä%X" Ðschool.ÐÐ&D #(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€The€complainant€continued€his€political€activities.€€These€consisted€of€handing€outÐ ¨("% Ðillegal€pamphlets€and€attending€illegal€gatherings.€€He€was€arrested€again€in€July€1983,€andÐ ”)#& Ðbrought€before€a€Revolutionary€Court,€which€sentenced€him€to€two€yearsðð€imprisonment.€Ð €*ô#' ÐDuring€his€first€two€weeks€in€prison€he€was€interrogated,€tortured€and€maltreated.€€He€wasÐ l+à$( Ðtwice€taken€out€for€a€mock€execution,€for€which€he€was€blindfolded€and€put€against€a€wall,Ð Œ Ðwith€shots€being€fired.€€He€was€then€kept€in€solitary€confinement€for€a€month€and€a€half.€€AtÐ xì Ðthe€end€of€his€term€of€imprisonment,€the€complainant€was€required€to€sign€a€statement€thatÐ dØ Ðhe€would€not€engage€in€political€activities,€on€pain€of€death.€ÐP Ä(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€€After€his€release,€the€complainant€was€required€to€carry€out€his€military€service,€duringÐ ( œ Ðwhich€time€he€claims€he€was€discriminated€against,€in€that€he€had€to€perform€dangerous€tasksÐ  ˆ Ðat€the€front.€€After€completing€his€military€service,€he€took€up€tertiary€studies€at€a€privateÐ  t Ðuniversity,€as€he€was€not€permitted€to€study€at€a€regular€university,€and€then€obtainedÐ ì ` Ðemployment.€€In€1989€he€resumed€his€political€activities€with€a€group€of€people€associatedÐ ØL  Ðwith€the€Fedayeen„e„Khalg.€€The€group€distributed€pamphlets€and€a€political€periodical,Ð Ä8  Ðwrote€slogans€on€walls,€and€collected€financial€aid€for€families€of€political€detainees.а$ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.4€€€On€the€evening€of€30€April€1994,€the€group€distributed€pamphlets€and€wrote€slogans€inÐ ˆü  Ðcertain€areas€of€Tehran.€€The€following€morning,€the€complainant€noticed€that€some€of€theÐ tè  Ðslogans€were€unfinished,€and€learned€that€two€members€of€the€group€had€not€notified€themÐ `Ô  Ðthat€they€had€finished€work.€€Fearing€that€the€activities€of€his€group€had€been€detected,€theÐ LÀ Ðcomplainant€fled€Tehran.€€He€later€learned€that€officials€had€searched€his€apartment€and€takenÐ 8¬ Ðaway€his€belongings,€including€illegal€pamphlets€and€other€political€material.€€He€alsoÐ $˜ Ðlearned€that€his€father€had€been€detained€and€interrogated€by€officials,€and€released€onÐ „ Ðcondition€that€he€keep€the€authorities€informed€about€the€complainantððs€whereabouts.€€TheÐ üp Ðcomplainant€fled€Iran€on€21€June€1994.€Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.5€€€After€arriving€in€the€Netherlands,€the€complainant€became€involved€in€a€number€ofÐ À4 Ðpolitical€activities,€including€co„founding€an€organization€called€Nabard,€an€organization€ofÐ ¬  ÐIranian€refugees€which€comments€on€the€human€rights€situation€in€Iran.€€He€was€involved€inÐ ˜  Ðwriting€and€publishing€reports€for€this€group,€although€his€name€did€not€appear€in€them.€Ð „ø ÐNabard€has€close€connections€with€a€Fedayeen€group€in€France,€and€opposition€groups€inÐ pä ÐIran.€€In€1996,€the€complainant€was€told€by€his€brother,€who€had€obtained€asylum€in€Sweden,Ð \ Ð Ðthat€a€letter€from€the€complainant€to€his€father€had€been€intercepted€by€the€authorities,€andÐ H!¼ Ðthat€his€father€had€been€detained€for€not€apprising€the€authorities€about€receiving€the€letter.€Ð4"¨(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.6€€€On€14€July€1994€the€complainant€applied€for€asylum€in€the€Netherlands.€€His€applicationÐ  $€  Ðwas€rejected€by€the€State€Secretary€of€the€Department€of€Justice€on€30€August€1994.€€AnÐ ø$l! Ðinternal€review€of€this€decision,€requested€by€the€complainant,€confirmed€the€originalÐ ä%X" Ðdecision,€and€a€subsequent€appeal€to€the€District€Court€in€The€Hague€was€dismissed€on€11Ð Ð&D # ÐFebruary€1997.€€The€Court€found€that€the€complainant€had€had€no€problems€with€the€IranianÐ ¼'0!$ Ðauthorities€between€1985€and€1994,€and€that€there€was€no€objective€evidence€regarding€theÐ ¨("% Ðsupposed€arrest€of€his€fellow€group€members€in€May€1994.Д)#&(#(# Ðà0  à...Ѐ*ô#'(#(# Ðà0  à7.3€€€The€Committee€recalls€its€general€comment€on€article€3,€which€states€that€theÐ l+à$( ÐCommittee€is€to€assess€whether€there€are€ð ðsubstantial€grounds€for€believing€that€the€authorÐ Œ Ðwould€be€in€danger€of€tortureðð€if€returned,€and€that€the€risk€of€torture€ð ðmust€be€assessed€onÐ xì Ðgrounds€that€go€beyond€mere€theory€or€suspicionðð.€€The€risk€need€not€be€ð ðhighly€probableðð,Ð dØ Ðbut€it€must€be€ð ðpersonal€and€presentðð.òòcóó/€€In€this€regard,€in€previous€decisions,€the€CommitteeÐ P Ä Ðhas€determined€that€the€risk€of€torture€must€be€ð ðforeseeable,€real€and€personalðð.€òòdóó/Ð< °(#(# ÐÌà0  à7.4€€€In€assessing€the€risk€of€torture€in€the€present€case,€the€Committee€notes€that€theÐ  ˆ Ðcomplainant€claims€to€have€been€tortured€and€imprisoned€previously€by€the€IranianÐ  t Ðauthorities,€because€of€his€involvement€with€the€Fedayeen€Khalg„Iran.€€This€is€not€contestedÐ ì ` Ðby€the€State€party.€€However,€the€alleged€acts€of€torture€occurred€in€1983,€some€20€years€ago.€Ð ØL  ÐThe€Committee€notes€that,€in€accordance€with€its€general€comment€on€article€3,€informationÐ Ä8  Ðwhich€is€considered€pertinent€to€risk€of€torture€includes€whether€the€complainant€has€beenÐ °$  Ðtortured€in€the€past,€and€if€so,€whether€this€was€in€the€òòrecentóó€past.€òòeóó/€€This€cannot€be€said€toÐ œ  Ðbe€the€case€in€the€authorððs€complaint.Јü (#(# ÐÌà0  à7.5€€€The€Committeeððs€general€comment€also€directs€the€inquiry€at€whether€the€author€of€theÐ `Ô  Ðcommunication€has€engaged€in€any€political€or€other€activity€within€or€outside€the€StateÐ LÀ Ðconcerned€which€appear€to€make€him€or€her€ð ðparticularly€vulnerableðð€to€the€risk€of€torture.òòfóó/€Ð 8¬ ÐIn€the€current€case,€the€complainant€contends€that€he€signed€a€form€upon€his€release,€to€theÐ $˜ Ðeffect€that€he€would€not€engage€in€further€political€activities,€and€that€he€was€harassed€by€theÐ „ Ðauthorities€after€his€release.€€He€claims€that,€despite€this,€he€did€continue€to€engage€inÐ üp Ðpolitical€activities€in€Iran,€that€he€had€good€reason€to€flee€Iran€in€1994,€and€that€he€hasÐ è\ Ðcontinued€his€political€activities€in€the€Netherlands,€of€which€the€Iranian€authorities€mightÐ ÔH Ðbe€aware.€€The€complainant€further€alleges€that€he€submitted€to€the€authorities€IranianÐ À4 Ðdocuments,€issued€by€the€Revolutionary€Prosecutorððs€Office,€which€attest€to€the€IranianÐ ¬  Ðauthoritiesðð€interest€in€him€and€the€dangers€confronting€him€in€Iran.€Ð˜ (#(# ÐÌà0  à7.6€€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€complainantððs€arguments,€and€his€evidence€to€supportÐ pä Ðthem,€have€all€been€considered€by€the€State€partyððs€courts.€€The€Committee€recalls€itsÐ \ Ð Ðjurisprudence€to€the€effect€that€it€is€not€an€appellate,€quasi„judicial€or€administrative€body.€Ð H!¼ ÐConsistent€with€its€general€comment,€whilst€the€Committee€has€the€power€of€free€assessmentÐ 4"¨ Ðof€the€facts€arising€in€the€circumstances€of€each€case,€it€must€give€considerable€weight€toÐ  #” Ðfindings€of€fact€made€by€the€organs€of€the€State€party.€€In€this€case,€the€Committee€cannotÐ  $€  Ðdetermine€that€the€State€partyððs€review€of€the€complainantððs€case€was€deficient€in€thisÐ ø$l! Ðrespect.€€€On€the€basis€of€the€above,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€complainant€has€notÐ ä%X" Ðsubstantiated€that€he€would€face€a€foreseeable,€real€and€personal€risk€of€being€subjected€toÐ Ð&D # Ðtorture€upon€his€return€to€Iran.м'0!$(#(# ÐÌà0  à8.€€€The€Committee€against€Torture...concludes€that€the€removal€of€the€complainant€to€IranÐ ”)#& Ðwould€not€constitute€a€breach€of€article€3€of€the€Convention.Ѐ*ô#'(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðl+à$((#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðxì(#(# Ðà0  àòòcóó/€€€General€comment€No.€1€(1996).ÐdØ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòdóó/€€€Views€of€the€Committee€on€Communication€No.€204/2002,€òòH.K.H.€v.€Swedenóó,€28Ð < ° ÐNovember€2002.Ð( œ(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòeóó/€€€Paragraph€8€(b).Ð t(#(# ÐÌà0  àòòfóó/€€€€Paragraph€8€(e).ÐØL (#(# Ðà0  à_________________ÐÄ8 (#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£,MÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòT.€M.€v.€Sweden€óó(228/2002),€CAT,€A/59/44€(18€November€2003)€294Ð ˆü  Ð(CAT/C/31/D/228/2003)€at€paras.€2.1„2.3,€2.6,€2.7,€7.1€and€7.3.݃3£,MYMÝŒÐtè (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  à...ÐLÀ(#(# Ðà0  à2.1€€€The€complainant€entered€Sweden€on€26€September€1999€and€immediately€applied€forÐ 8¬ Ðasylum.€€During€an€Immigration€Board€interview€on€the€same€day,€he€stated€he€had€beenÐ $˜ Ðbecome€a€member€of€the€Bangladesh€Freedom€Party€(hereafter€ð ðBFPðð)€in€1991,€an€allegedlyÐ „ Ðillegal€political€party,€and€in€1994€started€actively€working€for€the€party,€including€byÐ üp Ðorganizing,€and€participating€in,€meetings€and€demonstrations.€€In€1997,€upon€release€on€bailÐ è\ Ðthree€days€after€being€arrested€for€illegal€possession€of€weapons,€he€claimed€to€have€goneÐ ÔH Ðinto€hiding€for€two€years.€€As€the€political€situation€worsened,€he€paid€a€smuggler€to€arrangeÐ À4 Ðdeparture€from€Bangladesh.€€Ð¬ (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€€On€29€September€1999,€the€Immigration€Board€held€a€second€interview€with€theÐ „ø Ðcomplainant.€€He€stated€that€from€1994€to€1997€he€was€joint€secretary€of€the€party€in€theÐ pä ÐDhaka€city€party€district.€€He€claimed€Government€members€harass€and€abuse€partyÐ \ Ð Ðmembers,€and€that€he€too,€as€a€known€party€figure,€suffered€harassment.€€He€claimed€to€haveÐ H!¼ Ðbeen€falsely€accused€of€murder,€possession€of€weapons€and€taking€bribes€in€1997.€€While€heÐ 4"¨ Ðwas€under€arrest,€he€claimed€to€have€been€tortured€with€kicks€and€truncheons,€and€he€addsÐ  #” Ðthat€he€continues€to€suffer€from€a€back€injury€as€a€result.€€The€party€arranged€for€his€releaseÐ  $€  Ðon€bail,€whereupon€he€went€into€hiding€outside€Dhaka.€€He€allegedly€was€unaware€whetherÐ ø$l! Ðhe€had€been€convicted€of€the€offences€of€which€he€had€been€accused.€€By€subsequent€writtenÐ ä%X" Ðsubmissions€and€seeking€to€clarify€ð ðmisunderstandingsðð,€the€complainantððs€counsel€observedÐ Ð&D # Ðthat€the€party€was€legal€but€due€to€Government€impediments€of€its€activities,€its€activitiesÐ ¼'0!$ Ðwere€ð ðundergroundðð.€€Counsel€stated€that€the€bribe€charges€were€in€fact€charges€to€the€effectÐ ¨("% Ðthat€the€complainant€had€unlawfully€extorted€money,€charges€which€had€been€brought€byÐ ”)#& Ðpolice€upon€pressure€from€the€party€then€in€Government,€the€Awami€League.Ѐ*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à2.3€€€On€8€October€1999,€the€Immigration€Board€denied€his€application.€€The€BoardÐ Œ Ðestablished€a€variety€of€credibility€problems€related€to€documentation,€and€that€he€had€notÐ xì Ðestablished€his€identity.€€On€the€substance€of€the€claim,€it€found€that€the€BFP€was€legal€inÐ dØ ÐBangladesh,€and€that€the€complainant€had€not€engaged€in€any€impermissible€political€activity.€Ð P Ä ÐWhile€aware€of€some€politically„motivated€charges,€the€Board€considered€that€the€criminalÐ < ° Ðjustice€system€in€Bangladesh€provided€sufficient€guarantees€for€fair€trial€in€respect€of€anyÐ ( œ Ðcriminal€charges.€€The€Board€observed€that€the€complainant€had€been€released€after€3€daysÐ  ˆ Ðin€custody,€had€not€been€able€to€provide€any€documentary€evidence€supporting€his€allegationsÐ  t Ðof€charges€against€him€and€had€provided€very€vague€information€as€to€any€legal€proceedingsÐ ì ` Ðafter€his€release.€€It€thus€concluded€that€the€complainant€had€not€shown€reason€to€believe€heÐ ØL  Ðwas€at€risk€of€punishment€for€political€reasons.€€ÐÄ8 (#(# Ðà0  à...а$ (#(# Ðà0  à2.6€€€On€20€December€2002,€the€complainant€lodged€a€new€application€with€the€AliensÐ œ  ÐAppeals€Board,€arguing€that€during€his€detention€in€January€1997,€he€had€been€subjected€toÐ ˆü  Ðdifferent€forms€of€severe€torture€that€resulted€in€physical€and€mental€injuries.€€His€family€hadÐ tè  Ðallegedly€been€threatened€by€Awami€League€members€after€his€departure.€€If€he€returned,€heÐ `Ô  Ðwould€be€arrested,€and€given€allegedly€widespread€torture€during€criminal€investigations€itÐ LÀ Ðwas€ð ðvery€improbableðð€that€he€would€be€able€to€avoid€such€treatment.€€As€a€result€of€theÐ 8¬ Ðtorture€allegedly€suffered,€he€suffered€from€post„traumatic€stress€syndrome€(PTSS),€such€thatÐ $˜ Ðreturn€would€place€him€at€ð ðgreat€riskðð€of€taking€his€own€life.€€He€presented€psychiatricÐ „ Ðcertificates€on€his€state€of€mental€health€as€well€as€detailed€forensic€reports€undertaken€inÐ üp ÐSweden,€which€assessed€that€the€complainant€had€been€subjected€to€torture€in€1997.Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.7€€€On€16€January€2003,€the€Board€rejected€the€application,€applying€the€standards€of€articleÐ À4 Ð3€of€the€Convention€and€the€Committeeððs€general€comment€on€its€implementation.€€ItÐ ¬  Ðobserved€that€the€complainant€had€waited€three€years€since€the€expulsion€order€became€finalÐ ˜  Ðbefore€first€complaining€about€acts€of€torture€during€his€detention€in€1997.€€Applying€anÐ „ø Ðappropriately€low€burden€of€proof,€however,€it€found€that€the€medical€evidence€supported€aÐ pä Ðclaim€of€torture.€€As€to€whether€there€was€a€current€risk€of€torture,€the€Board€found€that€inÐ \ Ð Ðthe€light€of€the€passage€of€six€years,€of€the€complainantððs€inability€to€show€he€was€still€beingÐ H!¼ Ðsought€by€Bangladeshi€authorities,€and€of€the€fall€from€power€of€the€party€allegedlyÐ 4"¨ Ðpersecuting€him,€there€was€no€reason€presently€to€fear€such€treatment.€€As€to€his€health,€theÐ  #” ÐBoard€observed€that€he€had€at€no€previous€point€complained€of€the€psychological€problemsÐ  $€  Ðsuddenly€alleged,€nor€had€he€shown€that€he€had€been€in€contact€with€any€mental€health-careÐ ø$l! Ðprovider€in€Sweden.€€It€thus€concluded€that€his€mental€health€status€was€primarily€due€to€hisÐ ä%X" Ðunsettled€life€in€Sweden€resulting€from€his€failure€to€comply€with€the€expulsion€order€andÐ Ð&D # Ðcontinued€illegal€presence€in€the€country.€€Ð¼'0!$(#(# Ðà0  à...Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à7.1€€€The€issue€before€the€Committee€is€whether€the€removal€of€the€complainant€toÐ ”)#& ÐBangladesh€violated€the€State€partyððs€obligation€under€article€3€of€the€Convention€not€toÐ €*ô#' Ðexpel€or€to€return€a€person€to€another€State€where€there€are€substantial€grounds€for€believingÐ l+à$( Ðthat€he€or€she€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture.€€ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðxì(#(# Ðà0  à7.3€€€In€the€present€case,€the€Committee€observes€that€the€Aliens€Appeals€Board€accepted€theÐ dØ Ðcomplainantððs€(belated)€contention€that€he€had€been€subjected€to€torture€in€January€1997.€Ð P Ä ÐThe€Committee€notes,€however,€that€the€complainantððs€case€was€based€on€the€contention€that,Ð < ° Ðas€a€political€activist€for€the€BFP,€false€charges€were€brought€against€him,€and€that€heÐ ( œ Ðsuffered€abuse€at€the€hands€of€the€police,€as€a€result€of€political€pressure€from€the€governmentÐ  ˆ Ðauthorities€then€in€power.€€The€Committee€notes€that€this€practice€has€been€documented€byÐ  t Ðseveral€sources.€€In€the€light€of€the€six€years€that€have€passed€since€the€alleged€torture€tookÐ ì ` Ðplace,€however,€and,€more€pertinently,€given€that€the€complainantððs€political€party€nowÐ ØL  Ðparticipates€in€government€in€Bangladesh,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€complainant€hasÐ Ä8  Ðfailed€to€show€that€substantial€grounds€existed,€at€the€time€of€his€removal,€that€he€was€at€aÐ °$  Ðreal€and€personal€risk€of€being€subjected€to€torture.М (#(# ÐÌÌÓ€ ' !"#$%&(ñ–xx' !"#$%&ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ßnÝÔ2ñ–ÔððÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝòòA.€K.€v.€Australia€óó(148/1999),€CAT,€A/59/44€(5€May€2004)€123€at€paras.€1.1,€2.1„2.4,€2.8,Ð `Ô  Ð2.10,€2.11,€6.1€and€6.3„6.6.݃3£ßn oÝŒÐLÀ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ô1.1€€The€complainant€is€A.K.,€a€Sudanese€national,€currently€detained€at€the€ImmigrationÐ $˜ ÐDetention€Centre,€New€South€Wales.€€He€claims€that€his€forcible€return€to€Sudan€wouldÐ „ Ðconstitute€a€violation€of€article€3€of€the€Convention€against€Torture€and€Other€Cruel,Ð üp ÐInhuman€or€Degrading€Treatment€by€Australia...Ðè\(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.1€€The€complainant€alleges€that€he€is€Ansari€and€a€member€of€the€Umma€Party,€which€isÐ À4 Ðone€of€the€two€traditionalist€parties€of€the€North€opposing€the€current€Government.€€FromÐ ¬  Ð1990€to€1995,€the€complainant€attended€Cairo€University,€Khartoum€Branch,€where€heÐ ˜  Ðcompleted€a€law€degree.€€The€Umma€Party€had€about€100€members€at€Cairo€University,€andÐ „ø Ðthe€complainant€became€the€leader€of€this€group.Ðpä(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.2€€In€April€1992,€the€complainant€alleges€to€have€organized€rallies€and€demonstrationsÐ H!¼ Ðagainst€the€Government.€€Following€one€of€these€rallies,€he€was€detained€by€members€of€theÐ 4"¨ Ðsecurity€forces.€€He€was€threatened,€forced€to€sign€an€undertaking€that€he€would€notÐ  #” Ðparticipate€in€political€activities€and€then€released.€€Following€this€incident,€the€securityÐ  $€  Ðforces€kept€him€under€surveillance.€Ðø$l!(#(# ÐÌà0  à2.3€€While€he€was€attending€university,€the€complainant€alleges€that€students€were€compelledÐ Ð&D # Ðto€join€the€Peopleððs€Defence€Force€(PDF),€the€army€of€the€ruling€party,€the€National€IslamicÐ ¼'0!$ ÐFront€(NIF).€€To€avoid€conscription€the€complainant€became€a€police€officer,€and€from€1993Ð ¨("% Ðto€1995,€he€worked€at€the€head€office€of€the€Khartoum€prison€administration€and€sometimesÐ ”)#& Ðat€Kober€prison.€Ð€*ô#'(#(# ÐÐ l+à$( Ðà0  à2.4€€In€1994,€the€Government€sent€students€who€were€seen€as€troublemakers€and€opponentsÐ Œ Ðof€the€regime€to€fight€in€Southern€Sudan.€€On€1€June€1996,€the€complainant€allegedlyÐ xì Ðreceived€a€summons€stating€that€he€had€to€report€to€the€PDF€within€72€hours€as€he€had€beenÐ dØ Ðchosen€ð ðto€fulfil€the€duty€of€Jihadðð.€€As€he€did€not€want€to€fight€against€his€own€people€orÐ P Ä Ðto€clear€minefields,€he€decided€to€flee€the€country.€€He€was€unable€to€use€his€passport€becauseÐ < ° Ðof€the€summons€and€therefore€used€his€older€brotherððs€passport.€€After€his€departure€theÐ ( œ Ðmilitary€allegedly€visited€his€home.Ð ˆ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ð t(#(# Ðà0  à2.8€€The€complainant€outlines€the€recent€political€history€of€Sudan€and€claims€that€there€isÐ ì ` Ða€consistent€pattern€of€gross,€flagrant€and€mass€violations€of€human€rights.€€He€refers,€òòinterÐ ØL  Ðaliaóó,€to€the€adoption€of€a€country€resolution€in€April€1997€by€the€United€Nations€CommissionÐ Ä8  Ðon€Human€Rights,€according€to€which€human€rights€violations€in€Sudan€includedÐ °$  Ðð ðextrajudicial€killings,€arbitrary€arrests,€detentions€without€due€process,€enforced€orÐ œ  Ðinvoluntary€disappearances,€violations€of€the€rights€of€women€and€children,€slavery€andÐ ˆü  Ðslavery„like€practices,€forced€displacement€of€persons€and€systematic€torture,€and€denial€ofÐ tè  Ðthe€freedoms€of€religion,€expression,€association€and€peaceful€assemblyðð.Ð`Ô (#(# Ðà0  à...ÐLÀ(#(# Ðà0  à2.10€€The€complainant€alleges€that€although€much€of€the€religious€persecution€has€beenÐ 8¬ Ðdirected€against€non„Muslims,€the€fundamentalist€nature€of€the€current€regime€is€such€thatÐ $˜ Ðmany€Muslims,€including€the€Sufis,€are€not€free€to€practise€their€own€brand€of€Islam€underÐ „ Ðthe€NIF€regime.€€The€Ansar€(consisting€largely€of€Sufis)€have€been€subjected€to€governmentÐ üp Ðcontrol€with€the€confiscation€of€their€mosques.€€In€addition,€Muslim€groups€critical€of€theÐ è\ ÐGovernment€continue€to€suffer€harassment.€òòbóó/€€On€the€political€level,€the€complainantÐ ÔH Ðsubmits€that€contrary€Islamist€political€opinions,€including€centrist€Islamic€parties€such€as€theÐ À4 ÐUmma€are€not€tolerated.Ь (#(# ÐÌà0  à2.11€€According€to€the€complainant,€there€is€evidence€that€military€deserters€will€face€tortureÐ „ø Ðand€death.€€Amnesty€International€reported€in€April€1998€that:€€ð ðScores€of€student€conscriptsÐ pä Ðdied€as€hundreds€of€youths€broke€out€of€a€military€training€camp€at€al„Ayfun€near€Khartoum.€Ð \ Ð ÐThe€authorities€announced€that€more€than€50€deserters€had€drowned€trying€to€cross€the€BlueÐ H!¼ ÐNile.€€However,€other€reports€said€that€over€100€were€killed,€many€of€whom€had€been€shotÐ 4"¨ Ðand€others€beaten€to€death.ðð€€He€also€submits€that€both€the€UNHCR€and€AmnestyÐ  #” ÐInternational€have€reported€on€the€detention€centres€in€Sudan€and€on€the€risk€of€ill„treatmentÐ  $€  Ðand€torture,€in€particular€during€interrogation€in€security€offices.ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€òòcóó/ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€€According€to€theÐ ø$l! Ðcomplainant,€ð ða€failed€Sufiðð,€Umma€Party€asylum„seeker,€who€has€spent€considerable€timeÐ ä%X" Ðin€the€West,€and€who€has€qualified€in€law,€whether€or€not€his€military€service€has€beenÐ Ð&D # Ðcompleted,€would€face€considerable€difficulty€on€return€to€Sudan.м'0!$(#(# Ðà0  à...Ш("%(#(# Ðà0  à6.1€€The€Committee€must€decide€whether€the€forced€return€of€the€complainant€to€SudanÐ ”)#& Ðwould€violate€the€State€partyððs€obligation,€under€article€3,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,Ð €*ô#' Ðnot€to€expel€or€return€(òòrefouleróó)€an€individual€to€another€State€where€there€are€substantialÐ l+à$( Ðgrounds€for€believing€that€he€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture...ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  à...Ðxì(#(# Ðà0  à6.3€€Concerning€the€allegations€of€political€involvement€and€previous€ill„treatment€at€theÐ dØ Ðhands€of€the€Sudanese€authorities€as€grounds€for€fearing€that€the€complainant€would€beÐ P Ä Ðsubjected€to€torture€on€return,€the€Committee€notes€that€even€if€it€were€to€discount€the€above„Ð < ° Ðmentioned€inconsistencies€and€accept€these€claims€as€true,€the€complainant€does€not€claimÐ ( œ Ðto€have€been€politically€involved€since€1992,€and€at€no€time€during€the€domestic€proceedingsÐ  ˆ Ðnor€in€his€complaint€to€the€Committee€did€he€claim€to€have€been€tortured€by€the€SudaneseÐ  t Ðauthorities.Ðì `(#(# ÐÌà0  à6.4€€On€the€issue€of€his€alleged€desertion,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€didÐ Ä8  Ðexamine€the€letter,€dated€1€June€1996,€in€which€the€complainant€was€allegedly€drafted€by€theÐ °$  ÐPDF,€but€considered€it€not€to€be€genuine.€€The€Committee€considers€that€due€weight€mustÐ œ  Ðbe€accorded€to€findings€of€fact€made€by€domestic,€judicial€or€competent€governmentÐ ˆü  Ðauthorities€unless€it€can€be€demonstrated€that€such€findings€are€arbitrary€or€unreasonable.€Ð tè  ÐEven€if€the€Committee€were€to€consider€that€the€complainant€is€a€deserter€or€evaded€the€draft,Ð `Ô  Ðhe€has€not€demonstrated€that€he€would€be€subjected€to€torture€upon€his€return€to€Sudan.€€TheÐ LÀ ÐCommittee€observes€that€the€State€party€considered€a€significant€amount€of€information€fromÐ 8¬ Ðvarious€different€sources€before€arriving€at€this€conclusion.Ð$˜(#(# ÐÌà0  àÔL  ÔÔM  Ô6.5€€The€Committee€notes€the€claim€that€if€returned€to€Sudan,€the€complainant€would€beÐ üp Ðcompelled€to€perform€military€service,€despite€the€fact€that€he€is€a€conscientious€objector,€andÐ è\ Ðthe€implication€that€this€would€amount€to€torture,€as€defined€by€article€3€of€the€ConventionÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.€Ð ÔH ÐÔL  ÔÔM  ÔThe€Committee€considers€that€the€letter€of€1€June€1996,€the€veracity€of€which€has€beenÐ À4 Ðchallenged,€as€well€as€the€complainantððs€allegation€that€opponents€of€the€regime€are€calledÐ ¬  Ðup€to€fight€in€the€civil€war,€is€insufficient€to€demonstrate€that€he€either€is€a€conscientiousÐ ˜  Ðobjector€or€that€he€would€be€drafted€on€return€to€SudanÔL  ÔÔM  Ô.€€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔAs€with€the€other€reasons€forÐ „ø Ðclaiming€a€fear€of€torture€on€return,€the€State€partyððs€evaluation€of€the€facts€in€this€respect€hasÐ pä Ðnot€been€shown€to€be€unreasonable€or€arbitrary.Ð\ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  à6.6€€On€the€basis€of€the€foregoing,€the€Committee€considers€that€the€complainant€has€notÐ 4"¨ Ðprovided€a€verifiable€basis€to€conclude€that€substantial€grounds€exist€for€believing€that€heÐ  #” Ðwould€face€a€foreseeable,€real€and€personal€risk€of€being€subjected€to€torture€upon€his€returnÐ  $€  Ðto€Sudan,€within€the€meaning€of€article€3€of€the€Convention.€Ðø$l!(#(# Ðà0  à_________________Ðä%X"(#(# Ðà0  àòòNotesóóÐÐ&D #(#(# Ðà0  à...м'0!$(#(# Ðà0  àòòbóó/€€The€complainant€refers€to€Amnestyððs€Annual€Report€of€1999€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôin€which€it€reported€thatÐ ¨("% Ðthose€detained€in€1997€includedÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ôfive€imams€who€were€reported€to€have€cast€doubt€on€theÐ ”)#& Ðreligious€credentials€ofÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔHassan€al„Turabi,€Secretary„General€of€the€National€Congress€andÐ €*ô#' ÐideologicalÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ômentor€of€the€Government.Ðl+à$((#(# ÐÔ_Ô‡à0  àòòcóó/€€He€refers€to€Amnesty€Internationalððs€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔUrgent€ActionÔL  ÔÔM  Ô€of€ÔL  ÔÔM  Ô21€January€1997.ÐŒ(#(# Ðà0  àÔ_Ô_________________Ô_ÔÐxì(#(# ÐÌ