cooperate fully with the Committee in the consideration of communications submitted under the Optional Protocol. The complaint 3. The author claims that he was dismissed without justification. He claims that his reclassification as a member of the Security Police was only implemented to facilitate his dismissal, as the law did not stipulate the termination of contracts of officers working in the Civic Militia. Moreover, he claims that he was subsequently denied access to public service only because of his political opinions, since he has been an active member of the Polish United Workers' Party and refused to hand back his membership card during the period of political changes within the Ministry. He claims that this constitutes discrimination in contravention of article 25 (c) of the Covenant. 7.2 The State party provides information concerning the legal background of the facts of the communication. It explains that, following profound political transformation towards restoring representative democracy, it was necessary to reorganize the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in particular its political service sector. Parliament thus adopted a Police Act and a Protection of State Office Act, both of 6 April 1990. The Protection of State Office Act provided for the dissolution of the Security Police and the ex lege dismissal of its officers. The Police Act provided for the dissolution of the Civic Militia, but provided that its officers became ex lege officials of the Police. However, article 149 (2) makes exception for those Militia officers who until 31 July 1989 were Security Police officers posted in the Militia. These officers were ex lege dismissed from their post. The changes became effective on 1 August 1990. Committee's admissibility decision 4. On 25 October 1993, the communication was transmitted to the State party under rule 91 of the rules of procedure of the Human Rights Committee. No submission under rule 91 was received from the State party, despite a reminder addressed to it on 7 December 1994. By letter of 11 May 1995, the author confirmed that his situation remains unchanged. 7.3 Under article 132 (2) of the Protection of State Office Act, the Council of Ministers issued ordinance No. 69 of 21 May 1990, providing for "verification proceedings" of the ex lege dismissed officers before a Qualifying Committee. An appeal was provided from negative assessments by the Regional Qualifying Committees to the Central Qualifying Committee. Upon application, the Committees examined whether the applicant fulfilled the requirements for officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as well as whether (s)he was a person of a high moral character. Those positively assessed were free to apply for a post within the Ministry. According to the State party, 10,349 of the former Security Police officers who applied for verification were positively assessed, while 3,595 received a negative assessment. The State party explains that the reorganization of the Ministry led to a substantial reduction of posts and a positive verification assessment was merely a condition necessary to apply for employment but did not guarantee placement. 5.1 At its fifty-fourth session, the Committee considered the admissibility of the communication. The Committee noted with regret the State party's failure to provide information and observations on the question of the admissibility of the communication. 5.2 As required by article 5, paragraph 2 (a), of the Optional Protocol, the Committee ascertained that the same matter was not being examined under another procedure of international investigation or settlement. With respect to the exhaustion of domestic remedies, the Committee found that the author met the requirements of article 5, paragraph 2 (b), of the Optional Protocol. 5.3 The Committee observed that the author alleged that he was denied access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country, a claim which is admissible ratione materiae, in particular under article 25 (c) of the Covenant. 7.4 On 2 July 1990, the Minister of Internal Affairs issued an order confirming which categories of posts were recognized as forming part of the Security Police. According to the order, officers employed until 31 July 1989 on posts of, inter alia, Head and Deputy Head of the Political and Educational Board were considered officers of the Security Police. 6. On 5 July 1995, the Human Rights Committee declared the communication admissible. State party's submission and author's comments 7.1 By submission of 11 March 1996, the State party apologizes for its failure to provide observations in time on the admissibility of the communication. According to the State party, the delay was attributable to extensive consultations concerning the matter. The State party undertakes to 7.5 The State party further points out that employment under the Police Act and the Protection of the State Office Act is not regulated by the Labour Code, but by the Code of Administrative Procedure, an appointment being 77