practicing religious rites on the grounds of ‘respecting public order and morals.’ The
Court also ruled that mentioning the Baha’i faith in identity documents violated public
order and may therefore be prohibited by the State. The Complainants submit that
neither the Government lawyers nor the Court provided evidence to support this
claim. They further submit that the decision by the SAC is final and cannot be appealed
before any other court.
Articles alleged to have been violated
14.
The Complainants allege the violation of Articles 2, 3 and 8 of the African
Charter.
PROCEDURE
15.
The Secretariat received the Communication by letter of 7 November 2007.
16.
By letter of 8 November 2007, the Secretariat acknowledged receipt of the
Communication and stated that the Commission would be seized of it at its 42nd
Ordinary Session that took place from 15 to28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic
of Congo.
17.
At its 42nd Ordinary Session, held from 15-28 November 2007, the African
Commission considered the Communication and decided to be seized thereof.
18.
By letter and Note Verbale of 19 December 2007, the Secretariat informed the
parties that the Communication was seized and requested them to forward their
arguments on Admissibility within three (3) months from the date of this notification.
19.
By letter and Note Verbale of 19 March 2008, the Secretariat reminded the
parties to forward their arguments on Admissibility.
20.
On 8 April 2008, the Secretariat received the arguments on Admissibility from
both parties.
21.
By letter and Note Verbale dated 9 April 2008, the Secretariat acknowledged
receipt of the parties’ submissions on Admissibility and forwarded to the
Complainants the submissions of the Respondent State and invited the former to send
its observations on the submissions, if any.
22.
The Secretariat sent the Arabic submission from the Respondent State for
translation.
3