territory; for information on the actual implementation of the Decree of 25 August 1987 relating to measures taken against foreign nationals for preventing infection with the AIDS virus, particularly as to required medical examinations and appropriate coercive measures; for information concerning the law and practices relating to permissible interference with the right to privacy; for details on limitations, if any, on freedom of conscience and religion; and for details on the situation in Belarus of the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds. They also inquired how citizenship of Belarus was acquired by forwver citizens o£ the USSR and their descendants; whether there was a danger that the number of stateless persons would increase; and whether conscientious objection to armed service was tolerated and regulated by law. 537. Members also asked whether the Soviet law of 1990 restricting the right of anyone in possession of State secrets to leave the territory was still in force, and pointed out that such provisions would be contrary not only to the provisions of the Covenant, but also inadmissible in a democratic State. Members of the Committee noted that Belarus still required an exit visa, and said that the requirement was disturbing, as such a measure was clearly indicative of an undemocratic system of government. They inquired -whether the authorities o£ Belarus planned to review the need to maintain that requirement. They also asked if citizens would henceforth merely require a passport in order to travel abroad freely; whether they still needed an invitation in order to travel abroad; and whether they could appeal to the courts if they were refused permission to leave the country. Members asked whether the system of residence permits (propiska) was still in force and if so, whether there were plans to abolish it. 538. Concerning the acquisition of citizenship by descendants, members asked whether the new legislative provisions distinguished between the father and the mother for the transmission of nationality to children and whether persons of Russian or former Soviet origin living in Belarus could acquire citizenship of Belarus and on what conditions. Members also asked for further information on freedom of expression and access to the media. In particular, they inquired whether any specific measures had been adopted for the privatization of television and the radio, which were still a State monopoly; whether citizens of Belarus were able to purchase foreign newspapers and magazines, and whether the authorities of Belarus had tacitly authorized Belarusian or foreign journalists or certain groups of citizens freely to consult the archives of administrative departments. They also asked whether citizens whose honour or dignity had been injured by the contents of an article in any form of publication had the right to obtain redress. 539. Members of the Committee also asked for more detailed information on the admission to hospital of some Belarusian citizens suffering from AIDS, on the situation of conscientious objectors, and on the possibilities of a review of article 119 of the Penal Code, pursuant to which homosexuality was illegal and persons found guilty of homosexual practices were liable to a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment. 540. Replying to the questions raised, the representative of the State party explained that the Soviet law relating to entry into and departure from the territory was applied. The new Belarusian law, which had gone through a first reading in Parliament, would come into force in July 1993. The bill contained -129-