the ground of language. The Committee observes that the. defacing of roadsigns does not raise issues under article 19 and notes that the material before it shows that S. G. was able to express himself freely throughout the proceedings, that he chose to express himself in French, a language he did not claim not to understand, and that such sanctions as were imposed on him by the postal administration of Rennes were suspended and did not affect his employment in public service. 4.3 The State party rejects the author’s allegation of a violation of his rights under article 19, paragraph 2, as an abuse of the right of submission. Apart from having failed to properly substantiate his allegation, the State party notes that the author was not prevented, at any stage of the proceedings against him, from freely expressing his views. Defacing roadsigns cannot, under any circumstances, be construed as a manifestation of the freedom of expression, within the meaning of article 19, paragraph 2. 5.3 As to the claim of a violation. of article 27, the Committee reiterates that France’s “declaration” made in respect of this provision is tantamount to a reservation and therefore precludes the Committee from considering complaints against France alleging violations of article 27 of the Covenant.3 4.4 Concerning the alleged violation of article 25, the State party notes that a disciplinary sanction of a six months’ suspension of the author from his functions was never envisaged against him. The State party further notes that article 25(c)only protects the access to public service; it cannot be interpreted as encompassing a right of security of tenure in public office. In this respect, therefore, the communication is deemed inadmissible as incompatible with the provisions of the Covenant, pursuant to article 3 of the Optional Protocol. 5.4 The author has also invoked article 2 of the Covenant. The Committee recalls that article 2 is a general undertaking by States parties and cannot be invoked, in isolation, by individuals under the Optional Protocol (communication No. 268/1987, M. G. B and S.P. v Trinidad and Tobago declared inadmissible on 3 November 1989, paragraph 6.2). Since the author’s claims relating to articles 19, 25 and 26 of the Covenant are inadmissible pursuant to article 2 of the Optional Protocol, it follows that the author cannot invoke a violation of article 2 of the Covenant. 4.5 As to the claim of a violation of article 26, the State party notes that the author has failed to substantiate, for purposes of admissibility, how he was discriminated against on the ground of his language. Furthermore, he chose to express himself in French throughout the proceedings. 4.6 Finally, the State party recalls that upon ratification of the Covenant, the French Government entered the following declaration in respect of article 27: “In the light of article 2 of the Constitution of the French Republic, the French Government declares that article 27 is not applicable so far as the Republic is concerned.” 6. The Human Rights Committee therefore decides: (a) That the communication is inadmissible under article 2 of the Optional Protocol; (b) That this decision shall be communicated to the State party and the author of the communication. 5.1 Before considering any claims contained in a communication,. the Human Rights Committee must, in accordance with rule 87 of its rules of procedure, decide whether or not it is admissible under the Optional Protocol to the Covenant. APPENDIX Individual opinion submitted by Mrs. Rosalyn Higgins, pursuant to rule 92, paragraph 3. of the Committee’s rules of procedure, 5.2 The Committee has considered the material placed before it by the parties. As to the claims under articles 19, paragraph 2, 25(c) and 26 of the Covenant, it considers that the author has failed to substantiate, for purposes of admissibility, how he was denied his freedom of expression, how he was denied his right to access, under general terms of equality, to public service, and how he was discriminated against on 3 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 40 (A/45/40), vol. II, annex X, sect. A and appendices I and II, communication No. 220/1987, decision of 8 November 1989. 10