11. The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights acknowledged receipt of the Communication on 10 February 2005 and informed the Complainants that the Communication was registered as Communication 297/2005 – Scanlen & Holderness (on behalf of Independent Journalists Association of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Media Institute of Southern Africa)/Zimbabwe. 12. The Secretariat also informed the Complainants that the Communication would be considered for seizure at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Commission scheduled to take place from 27 April to 11 May 2005, in Banjul, The Gambia. 13. On 2 June 2005, the Secretariat informed both parties that during its 37th Ordinary Session the African Commission considered the Communication and decided to be seized thereof. The Secretariat also informed them that the Commission intended to consider the Communication on admissibility at its 38th Ordinary Session to be held from 21 November to 5 December 2005. It requested the parties to forward their arguments on admissibility within three (3) months from the date of the notification. 14. On 18 August 2005, the Secretariat sent reminders to both parties requesting them to submit their arguments on admissibility. 15. On 12 September 2005, the Secretariat received the Complainants' arguments on admissibility. 16. On 14 December 2005, the Secretariat wrote to both parties informing them that during its 38th Ordinary Session held from 21 November to 05 December 2005, in Banjul, The Gambia, the African Commission considered the Communication and declared it admissible. 17. The Secretariat also informed both parties that the African Commission intended to consider the Communication on the merits at its forthcoming session, and invited the parties to forward their arguments on the same. 18. On 6 March 2006, the Secretariat received and acknowledged receipt of the Complainants' submissions on the merits. 19. On 4 April 2006, the Secretariat wrote a reminder to the Respondent State to submit their arguments on the merits. 20. During the 39th Ordinary Session held from 11 – 25 May 2006, in Banjul, The Gambia, the Respondent State submitted its arguments on the merits. 21. On 26 July 2006, the Secretariat wrote to both parties informing them that, at its 39th Ordinary Session held from 11 – 25 May 2006, in Banjul, The Gambia, the African Commission considered the above Communication and decided to defer its decision on the merits to its 40th Ordinary Session to be held from 15 – 29 November 2006 in Banjul – The Gambia. 22. On 8 December 2006, the Secretariat informed both parties that at its 40th Ordinary Session, the African Commission considered the Communication and decided to defer its decision on the merits to its 41st Ordinary Session scheduled from 16-30 May 2007 in Ghana.