Section 6: The principle of the legality of the offence and punishment (Article 7 (2)) 79- Information contained in previous Reports35 is still relevant given that sections 3 to 6 of the Penal Code that enshrine the constitutional principle of the legality of the offence and punishment were not amended with the reform of 12 July 2016. Section 7: Freedom of conscience and religion (Article 8) 80- Freedom of conscience, to exercise a profession and freedom of religion are guaranteed by the Constitution. Subject to the respect of public policy, no person shall be denied the enjoyment/expression of such freedoms. Freedom of religion has been characterised by the peaceful coexistence of Christian, Muslim and animistic communities in the context of the secular State. The number of religious associations still stood at 47 in spite of the spontaneous boom in Religious revival churches. Indeed, following the tragedies that occurred in some revival church groups, the State carried out reforms in the sector in 2015 beginning with an inventory and an evaluation of religious associations and religious movements operating without authorization. The goal of the reform was to cause them to regularise their situation. 81- Internal squabbles in religious associations likely to disrupt public order have often been mediated by public authorities within the framework of their police powers. In this regard, on 9 March 2017, the Governor of Centre Region issued a correspondence to appease the different factions resulting from the disagreement in the Eglise Presbytérienne du Cameroun (EPC) Consistoire Ntem, while recommending that they consult the judicial authorities the matter was referred to. In addition, by Decision No. 121/D/J06/SP of 13 October 2017, the Subdivisional Officer of Yaounde II Subdivision temporarily closed the Eglise Evangélique du Cameroun (EEC) Parish in Briqueterie II quarters in Yaounde to preserve public order relating in particular, to noise and disorganization in the religious association. The decision was uplifted by Hand-delivered Message No. 98/MP/J06/SP of 22 March 2018 following the dissipation of the crisis. However, no religious association has been dissolved since 1 January 2013. Section 8: Freedom of Expression and Communication (Article 9) Rec 4 82- The democratic opening in Cameroon and in other African States was accompanied by the liberalisation of the media with challenges relating to the learning and rooting of freedom of expression and communication. The current digital revolution helped push forward access of a large number of persons to new media. Indeed, the length of the fibre optic laid between 2015 and 2017 that increased from 11,000km to 16,400km enabled about 17% of the population to have access to the Internet with large bandwidth in Cameroon and 2.5% to the fixed Internet in 2017 although the service quality provided by the operators needs enhancement 36. This changing environment has shaped the exercise of freedom of expression and communication that has constantly been characterised by media pluralism although guiding the authors to be responsible remains a challenge. §1: Impact of Technological Development on Freedom of Expression 83- Technological development led to the enactment of Law No.2015/6 of 20 April 2015 to amend and supplement some provisions of Law No.2010/13 of 21 December 2010 governing electronic communication in Cameroon and Law No.2015/7 of 20 April 2015 governing audiovisual activity in Cameroon. The first law makes it possible to grant concession in part 35 See 2nd Periodic Report, §109-1 and §109-2 The situation obliged the State to order in March 2017, an audit of the quality of service delivered by telecommunications operators. The audit that was conducted by a Swedish Firm, Cybercom, revealed many loopholes. Government ordered the electronic communications operators to take appropriate corrective measures within a period of 6 months. 19 36