Freedom of religion and expression: prohibition of propaganda for war and incitement to national, racial or religious hatred 206. With reference to that issue, members of the Committee wished to receive information concerning registration or other procedures relating to the recognition of religious denominations and any difficulties encountered in that regard; recently drafted legislation relating to the press; and about controls exercised under the law on the freedom of the press and the mass media, including possible censorship. In addition, they wished to know how the right to seek information was ensured in Iraq; whether television and the audiovisual media were privatized or State controlled; what the extent of censorship was and whether the Government was considering any review of its use; whether dissemination of information not forming part of the "Islamic heritage" could be restricted; and, in general, whether Iraq was considering any measures to allow greater freedom of expression in the future. In addition, clarification was requested, in the light of article 19 of the Covenant, of the circumstances surrounding the condemnation and execution of a certain journalist. 207. In his reply^ the representative of the State party said that there were 17 officially recognized religious communities in Iraq that enjoyed support from the authorities without any discrimination. In keeping with its Constitution, Iraq guaranteed respect for all religions and permitted individuals to embrace the religion of their choice. At the same time, Islam was the official State religion. 208. The draft legislation relating to the press would be submitted shortly to the National Assembly with a view to its promulgation. Although there was an official control service for the media, there was no longer any censorship and the restrictions that had been imposed on the activities of foreign correspondents because of the exceptional situation created by the war had been lifted. It had been very difficult to guarantee total freedom of expression, even though it had been provided for in the Constitution, during the war between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in any event such freedom could be exercised only in compliance with rules governing morals and public order. The country was, however, trying to establish modern constitutional structures and, to that end, legislation permitting a multiparty system had been promulgated which allowed all political parties the right to publish their own magazines or journals. 209. Owing to Iraq's level of development, there were no private television or radio stations in the country, although they were not prohibited by law. Iraq was also endeavouring to revive its Arab Islamic culture and to teach the precepts of that civilization through radio and television. The journalist who had been sentenced to death and executed had not entered Iraq to express his views, but to obtain secret information in parts of the country that were off limits to journalists on account of the military installations there. He had been found guilty of espionage. Freedom of assembly and association and right to participate in the conduct of public affairs 210. Regarding those issues, members of the Committee wished to know whether recently drafted legislation relating to the freedom of political parties had -47-