freedom of conscience. The broad definition of State secrets in connection with the definition of espionage is also potentially open to abuse. 517. The Committee also expresses concern about the still high number of offences liable to the death penalty. In particular, the inclusion of robbery among the offences carrying the death penalty clearly contravenes article 6 of the Covenant. The very long period allowed for interrogation before charges are brought is incompatible with article 9, paragraph 3, of the Covenant. Other areas of concern relate to the continued imprisonment of persons on grounds of their political opinion; the persistence of discrimination against women in certain respects; problems relating to the principle of the lawfulness of the penalties covered by article 15 of the Covenant; and the requirement for advance authorization of assemblies and demonstrations. 4. Suggestions and recommendations 518. Taking into account the positive developments regarding respect for human rights that have taken place in the State party over recent years, the Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to bring its legislation more in line with the provisions of the Covenant. To that end, a serious attempt ought to be made to phase out the National Security Law, which the Committee perceives as a major obstacle to the full realization of the rights enshrined in the Covenant and, in the meanwhile, not to derogate from certain basic rights. Furthermore, measures should be taken to reduce the cases in which the death penalty is applied; to harmonize to a greater extent the Penal Code with the provisions of article 15 of the Covenant; and to reduce further the restrictions on exercising the right to peaceful assembly (art, 21). Finally, the Committee suggests that the Government actively consider withdrawing its sweeping reservation in respect of article 14 and take additional steps with a view to enhancing public awareness of the Covenant and the Optional Protocol in the State party. BELARUS 519. The Committee considered the third periodic report of Belarus (CCPR/C/52/Add.8) at its 1151st to 1153rd meetings, held on 14 and 15 July 1992 <CCPR/C/SR.1151-1153). (For the composition of the delegation, see annex VIII.) 520. The report was introduced by the representative of the State party, who emphasized that since the consideration of the second periodic report and the preparation of the third periodic report in July 1990, enormous changes had taken place in the political, social and economic life of Belarus. The representative drew attention to the new legislation adopted or being prepared by the national Parliament, thus specifying the constitutional and legal framework for the implementation of the Covenant. In particular, he mentioned a new electoral act, a nationality act adopted in 1991, an act on referendums of 13 June 1991, an act on the basic principles of the people's power of 27 February 1991, an act amending the monopoly of the Communist Party and introducing a multiparty system and acts on military service, together with a range of economic laws. -124-