conditions provided for by law. There are also many places of worship to practise one’s faith (Catholic, Protestant, Coptic, Greek Orthodox and other churches), which is a clear reflection of the tolerant nature of Djiboutian society. 108. The legal exercise of the freedom of religion thus recognized is borne out by the facts, namely the absence of any specific exclusion of religious minorities, whether they are citizens or foreign residents, as they enjoy the same State benefits and services as the rest of the population. Furthermore, nonMuslim citizens do not experience discrimination in employment, including in the civil service, or in participation in affairs of State. 109. Religious minorities do not face any restrictions on their right to demonstrate their beliefs freely. They may organize seminars, establish religious schools and distribute or sell publications of a religious nature for the purpose of practising and teaching religion. 7. The right to receive information and freedom of expression Article 9 Every individual shall have the right to receive information. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law. 110. Article 15 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to express and disseminate their opinions freely either in speech, writing or images. Any legal restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression are justified by the need to respect the rights and dignity of others or uphold morality and law and order. Such restrictions are in no way contrary to those set out in the Charter. 111. Under the Criminal Code any concerted attempt to impede the exercise of the right of opinion by battery, violence, assault, threats or destruction or defacement is punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a fine of DF 1 million (Article 388). Accordingly, persons cannot be prosecuted for their opinions under Djiboutian law. 112. National legislation recognizes freedom of the press, particularly through the Freedom of Communication Act of 1992. This law sets the conditions for the exercise of freedom of the press, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. Article 3 of the Act defines freedom of communication as the “right of everyone to create and use freely the medium of their choosing in order to express their thoughts by imparting them to others and to gain access to the expression of others’ thoughts”. 113. Articles 8, 41 and 45 of the Act establish freedom of publication and distribution for the press, radio and television under conditions laid down by law. 114. The Constitution establishes preliminary restrictions by stating that “these rights are limited by law and by respect for the honour of others”. In this light, article 4 of the Freedom of Communication Act sets out the 26