Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Central African Republic (Ratification: 1964)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Imposition of imprisonment involving an obligation to work as a penalty for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social and economic system. In its previous comments the Committee drew the Government’s attention to the need to amend or repeal the provisions of Act No. 60/169 of 12 December 1960 concerning the dissemination of prohibited publications liable to prejudice the development of the Central African nation and Order No. 3-MI of 25 April 1969 concerning the dissemination of periodicals or news of foreign origin not approved by the censorship authority, which permitted the imposition of terms of imprisonment involving compulsory labour for various press offences.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its last report that Act No. 60/169 of 1960 and Order No. 3-MI of 1969 have become obsolete and fallen into disuse and are considered to be contrary to Ordinance No. 05-002 of 22 February 2005 concerning the freedom of communication in the Central African Republic, which decriminalizes press offences.

The Committee notes with satisfaction that Ordinance No. 05-002 does not impose terms of imprisonment for press offences, including defamation, slander or the publication of misinformation. It also notes that, under section 123 of the Ordinance, all previously existing contrary provisions are repealed.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.