a3. Achievements: Ordinance No. 85-05 of 29 March laying down the organization and functioning of civil status led to the creation of principal and secondary civil status centres. These centres have as aim to facilitate the population‟s access to these institutions and to prompt them to establish the birth certificates of children without having to travel very long distances. Civil status agents were trained with the support of development partners. NGOs and associations also received support during this sensitization. In 2003, 16 June was declared as birth registration day. The National Committee for the Survival, Development and Protection of the Child, in association with the Ministry of Justice, initiated public gatherings throughout the national territory to register the greatest number of children. The exercise was replicated in the outlying neighbourhoods of Niamey in 2004. Activities were financed by UNICEF. The partners Niger-Plan and UNICEF offered computers to civil status services to ease the coordination of civil status activities. Despite these efforts, it was noticed that the population mostly rural dwellers are reluctant to establish a birth certificate which is not a priority. At the level of justice, most applicants are students who are in an examination class, candidates for competitive examinations, job applicants and those wishing to travel abroad. b) Freedom of expression (article 7) b1. Administrative, legislative and judicial measures: The Constitution of 9 August 1999, (article 23 thereof) guarantees this right in conformity with the laws and regulations in force. Ordinance No. 99-67 of 20/12/99 regulating freedom of expression provides for and punishes offences related to the precipitation of felonies and misdemeanours through exercise of this right. It cracks down on defamation (articles 45 à 57). The Penal Code, in its sections 220 and 221, provides for and punishes false accusation and the disclosure of secret. Article 13 of Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) stipulates that the child has right to the freedom of expression. b2. Achievements: Among State institutions, mention should be made of the creation of the Higher Communication Council, provided for in article 124 of the Constitution of 9 August 1999 which defines it as an administrative authority independent of the political power. It has as mission to guarantee freedom of expression and equitable access of all to the media. 16