170. The Complainants submit that the Respondent State's argument of recently allowing access to previously blocked websites, TV channels, news outlets, and blogs with political content confirms the Complainants' claim that during the 2015 elections, the Respondent State violated the right to freedom of expression by shutting down private media organizations and platforms. 171. The Complainants submit that the Respondent State's response admits to restricting political participation. Considering that the Respondent State amended laws limiting rights and freedom of expression, association, assembly, and political involvement, released previously jailed journalists, activists, and bloggers, and invited political parties previously designated as terrorist organizations to participate in politics. According to the Complainants, this supports the claim that the Government targeted and detained journalists, activists, and bloggers during the 2015 election period and designated opposition political parties as terrorist organizations, thus restricting political participation. 172. The Complainants further submit that the Respondent State's highlighting of the political, legislative, and institutional reforms implemented since April 2018 and their claim of significant improvement in the protection of freedom of expression contradicts their denial of the allegations raised in the Communication while simultaneously acknowledging the reforms. The Commission’s Analysis of the Merits Alleged violation of Article 9 (The right to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information) 173. Article 9 of the Charter guarantees that “every individual shall have the right to receive information and express and disseminate his opinions within the law.”45 174. The Commission’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information reaffirms that “freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, either orally, in writing or print, in the form of art or through any other form of communication or medium, including across frontiers, is a 45 The Charter, Article 9. ~ 33 ~ African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region, The Gambia, Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04 Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org https:/achpr.au.int/