International Labour Conference, Ninety-first Session, Geneva, 2003: extract from Provisional Record 24, Pt 2 -- Committee on the Application of Standards... "The Committee noted the statements by the Government representative and the discussion which followed. It recalled that the Committee had discussed this serious case on many occasions in the last ten years and that its latest conclusions had been included in a special paragraph because of the continued failure of the Government to apply the Convention. Notwithstanding, the Committee was once again obliged to note the lack of real progress towards the establishment of a legislative framework for the creation of free and independent organizations. The Committee profoundly deplored the persistence of serious discrepancies between national legislation and the provisions of the Convention which had been ratified almost 50 years ago. The Committee regretted that the information provided by the Government on the existence of workers' associations had not solved the problems raised by the Committee of Experts towards implementing the Convention. Concerned about the total lack of progress towards implementing this Convention, the Committee strongly insisted once again that the Government urgently adopt the necessary measures and mechanisms for guaranteeing, both in law and in practice, the right of workers and employers to affiliate themselves with the organizations of their own choosing, without previous authorization, and the right for these organizations to affiliate themselves with federations, confederations and international organizations without the interference of state authorities. The Committee emphasized that respect for civil liberties was crucial for the exercise of freedom of association and therefore urged the Government to take the necessary measures so that workers and employers could exercise the rights guaranteed by the Convention in a climate of full security and in the absence of threats or fear. Furthermore, the Committee urged the Government to provide the Committee of Experts, next year, with all relevant draft legislation and existing legislation so that it could be studied, and to provide a detailed report on the concrete measures taken to ensure improved compliance with the Convention. The Committee expressed the firm hope it would be able to note significant progress next year. The Committee decided to include its conclusions in a special paragraph in its report. It also decided to mention this case as a case of continued failure to apply the Convention..."