Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Afghanistan (Ratification: 1963)

Communication of texts. The Committee again requests the Government to provide a copy of the Law on the Execution of Prison Sentences, as amended, as well as a copy of the legislation in force governing the right to strike. Please also provide a copy of the Prisons Law of 2005, as well as a copy of the 2004 Law related to the freedom of media, to which the Government referred as attached to the report, but which have not been received in the ILO.

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Penal sanctions involving compulsory labour as a punishment for holding or expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. In order to ascertain their compatibility with the requirements of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government once again to supply information on the application in practice of the following provisions of the Penal Code, including the number of convictions and copies of the relevant court decisions:

–           articles 236, 237 and 238 concerning publications, speeches, songs, etc., considered contrary to culture and public manners; and

–           article 229 concerning secret societies.

Noting the Government’s indication in the report that a database relating to penal convictions is in the process of being established, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to provide the information requested.

Article 1(b). Compulsory labour for economic purposes. The Committee again requests the Government to indicate whether the Decree of 8 July 1985 issuing regulations pertaining to the Students’ Work Brigade is still in force, and if it has been repealed, to supply a copy of the repealing text.