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

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