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['     8.++b >uQ!8[deJ:6z \ p @@@[߄ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5($     bScQA<< c k f"  8.++b >uQ!8ӄ    ڀ(2)$ !UKUS.,  TRX6&3'6&A43'T555  33+B.++b >uQ!XB     dTable_A dTable_BTable_CTable_DTable_ETable_FTable_GTable_HTable_I Table_J Table_K Table_L Table_M ['  8.++b >uQ!8@..h    ڀ !  33Ӏ    ڀAdoptedattheeleventhsession,38thmeeting,on25November1994.($    / %  ݀Foracomprehensivereviewofthequestion,seethefinalreportpreparedbyMr.LeandroDespouy,SpecialRapporteuronhumanrightsanddisability(E/CN.4/Sub.2/1991/31).("2Q$ !UKUS.,  TRX6&3'6&A43'T555  33+B.++b >uQ!XB    3333Ӏ  0  / . %  ݀A/47/415,para.5. %  ݀SeeGeneralAssemblyresolution37/52of3December1982,bywhichtheAssemblyadoptedtheWorldProgrammeofActionconcerningDisabledPersons.SeealsoA/37/351/Add.1andCorr.1,chapterVIII. n %  ݀SeeCommissiononHumanRightsresolutions1992/48,para.4,and1993/29,para.7. . %  ݀A/47/415,para.6. q %  ݀GeneralAssemblyresolution48/96of20December1993,annex,Introduction,para.17. %  ݀WorldProgrammeofActionconcerningDisabledPersons,seeA/37/351/Add.1andCorr.1,chapterVIII,para.1. j %  ݀A/C.3/46/4,annexI.SeealsotheReportontheInternationalMeetingontheRolesandFunctionsofNationalCoordinatingCommitteesonDisabilityinDevelopingCountries,Beijing,511November1990(CSDHA/DDP/NDC/4).SeealsoEconomicandSocialCouncilresolution1991/8andGeneralAssemblyresolution46/96of16December1991. Z %  ݀GeneralAssemblyresolution46/119of17December1991,annex. E %  ݀Seenote6above,Introduction,para.15. 3 %  ݀A/47/415,passim. + %  ݀Ibid.,para.5. 5 %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule1. 6 %  ݀Seenote7above,para.3. 3 %  ݀A/47/415,paras.3738. 7 %  ݀Seenote7above,para.25. 8 %  ݀Seenote1above,para.140. ? %  ݀A/47/415,paras.35,46,74and77. 5 %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule7. ? %  ݀SeeA/CONF.157/PC/61/Add.10,p.12. %  ݀SeealsoRecommendationNo.99(1955)concerningvocationalrehabilitationofthedisabled,andRecommendationNo.168(1983)concerningvocationalrehabilitationofpersonswithdisabilities. > %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule8,para.1. / %  ݀A/47/415,para.78. A %  ݀Seenote1above,paras.190and193. 7 %  ݀Seenote7above,para.74. > %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule9,para.2. ? %  ݀E/CN.6/1991/2,paras.14and5968. 5 %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule4. 3 %  ݀Ibid.,Rule2,para.3. %  ݀SeetheDeclarationontheRightsofDisabledPersons(GeneralAssemblyresolution3447(XXX)of9December1975),para.6.Seealsonote7above,paras.97107. 5 %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule3. / %  ݀A/47/415,para.73. 5 %  ݀Seenote6above,Rule6. ; %  ݀Ibid.,Rule10,paras.1and2. / %  ݀A/47/415,para.79. CRight ParRight-Aligned Paragraph NumbersI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)3|d<6X9`("Courier 12cpid6X@8;@<H6X9`("Courier NewTTdH6X@@($UKUS.,  TRX6&3'6&A43'T555  33+B.++b >uQ!XB  \^)sт4\0U !UKUS.,  TRX6&3'6&A43'T555  33+B.++b >uQ!XB    ,\+,UWL<8zx  :$ `@&6@@@E\,$4_$3$4  , ]UYL<8zx  :$ `@&6@@@]   | (     33 +  ++P  Z8.++b >uQ!8@..CONTENTS#..YParagraphsPage++CK!#ABBREVIATIONSK!..K!#.."7Chapter..WI.C..CDRAFTDECISIONSRECOMMENDEDFORADOPTIONBYTHE..C..CECONOMICANDSOCIALCOUNCILK!..K!#.."8&++C %#&..II.C..CORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS%..%..119#.."9..C..CA. .. StatespartiestotheCovenant%..%..1#.."9..C..CB. .. Sessionsandagenda%..%..23#.."9..C..CC. .. Membershipandattendance%..%..46#.."9..C..CD. .. Presessionalworkinggroup%..%..79#.."10..C..CE. .. OfficersoftheCommittee%..%..10#.."11..C..CF. .. Organizationofwork%..%..1114#.."11..C..CG. .. Nextsession%..%..15#.."1233..C..CH. .. Statesparties'reportsscheduledfor..C..C .. considerationbytheCommitteeatits..C..C .. twelfthsession%..%..1617#.."1233..C..CI. .. Compositionofthepresessionalworking..C..C .. group%..%..1819#.."12..C..C ..  .. Twelfthsession%..%..18#.."12..C..C ..  .. Thirteenthsession%..%..1933#.."12..III.C..COVERVIEWOFTHEPRESENTWORKINGMETHODSOF..C..CTHECOMMITTEE%..%..2051#.."13..C..CA. .. Generalguidelinesforreporting%..%..21#.."13..C..CB. .. ExaminationofStatesparties'reports%..%..2237#.."13..C..CC. .. Proceduresinrelationtofollowupaction%..%..3840#.."1633..C..CD. .. Procedureinresponsetononsubmitted..C..C .. andconsiderablyoverduereports%..%..4143#.."18..C..CE. .. Dayofgeneraldiscussion%..%..44#.."18..C..CF. .. Otherconsultations%..%..4547#.."19..C..CG. .. Generalcomments%..%..485133#.."19GE.9515452(E)@..CONTENTS(continued)#..ParagraphsPagèChapter..IV.C..CSUBMISSIONOFREPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDER..C..CARTICLES16AND17OFTHECOVENANT%..%..5255#.."21..WV.C..CCONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBY..C..CSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLES16AND17..C..COFTHECOVENANT%..%..56362#.."22..C..CTenthsession..C..C .. Uruguay(arts.115)%..%..6482#.."23..C..C .. Romania(arts.1315)%..%..83100#.."26#..#..C..C .. Morocco(arts.115)%..%..101124#.."28..C..C .. Iraq(arts.1315)%..%..125143#.."32..C..C .. Belgium(arts.115)%..%..144158#.."34..C..C .. Kenya(arts.115)%..%..159164#.."37..C..C .. Mauritius%..%..165185#.."37..C..C .. TheGambia%..%..186205#.."42..C..C .. DominicanRepublic%..%..206210#.."45..C..C .. Panama%..%..211215#.."46..C..C .. Philippines%..%..21622033#.."46..C..CEleventhsession..C..C .. Argentina(arts612)%..%..221242#.."47..C..C .. Austria(arts.69,1315)%..%..243263#.."5033..C..C .. UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainand..C..C .. NorthernIreland(arts.1012,1315)%..%..264304#.."52..C..C .. Suriname(arts.115)%..%..305308#.."59..C..C .. DominicanRepublic%..%..309335#.."59..C..C .. Mali%..%..336355#.."64..C..C .. Panama%..%..35636233#.."68@..CONTENTS(continued)#..ParagraphsPagèChapter&++2 %#&..RVI...DAYOFGENERALDISCUSSION%..%..363390#.."70....Tenthsession,16May1994:Theroleofsocial....safetynetsasameansofprotectingeconomic,....socialandculturalrights,withparticular....referencetosituationsinvolvingmajorstructural....adjustmentand/ortransitiontoafreemarket....economy%..%..363390#.."70..VII...REVIEWOFMETHODSOFWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE%..%..391417#.."76....A.2 ..2 DecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatits....2 ..2 tenthsession%..%..391403#.."76....B.2 ..2 DecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatits....2 ..2 eleventhsession%..%..404417#.."78..VIII...ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT%..%..418#.."82Annexes ++C K!# ..WI.C..CStatespartiestotheCovenantandstatusofsubmission..C..CofreportsK!..K!#.."83..II.C..CMembershipoftheCommitteeonEconomic,Socialand..C..CCulturalRightsK!..K!#.."96..III.C..CA.AgendaofthetenthsessionoftheCommitteeon..C..C .. Economic,SocialandCulturalRights(220May1994)K!..K!#.."97..C..CB. .. AgendaoftheeleventhsessionoftheCommitteeon..C..C .. Economic,SocialandCulturalRights..C..C .. (21November9December1994)K!..K!#.."97..IV.C..CGeneralCommentNo.5(1994)PersonswithdisabilitiesK!..K!#.."99..WV.C..CTheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopmentandthe..C..CInternationalCovenantonEconomic,Socialand..C..CCulturalRights...C..CStatementoftheCommitteeonEconomic,Socialand..C..CCulturalRights(tenthsession)K!..K!#..w"110@..CONTENTS(continued)#..!PagèAnnexes(continued)..VI.C..CEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinthecontextof..C..CtheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment..C..CStatementoftheCommitteeonEconomic,Socialand..C..CCulturalRights(eleventhsession)K!..K!#..w"114..VII.C..CA. .. ListofStatesparties'delegationswhichparticipated..C..C .. intheconsiderationoftheirrespectivereportsby..C..C .. theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights..C..C .. atitstenthsessionK!..K!#..w"116..C..CB. .. ListofStatesparties'delegationswhichparticipated..C..C .. intheconsiderationoftheirrespectivereportsby..C..C .. theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights..C..C .. atitseleventhsessionK!..K!#..w"118..+VIII.C..CA. .. ListofdocumentsoftheCommitteeatits..C..C .. tenthsessionK!..K!#..w"121..C..CB. .. ListofdocumentsoftheCommitteeatits..C..C .. eleventhsessionK!..K!#..w"1228.++b >uQ!8@.. ABBREVIATIONSFAOb..b .. FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNationsGDPb..b .. GrossdomesticproductIBRDb..b .. InternationalBankforReconstructionandDevelopment(WorldBank)ILOb..b .. InternationalLabourOrganizationb..b .. InternationalLabourOfficeIMFb..b .. InternationalMonetaryFundMERCOSUR .. MercadoComndelSurUNDPb..b .. UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammeUNESCO .. UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganizationUNHCR .. OfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugeesUNICEF .. UnitedNationsChildren'sFundUNRISD .. UnitedNationsResearchInstituteforSocialDevelopmentWHOb..b .. WorldHealthOrganization    @..ChapterI@..tEleventhsession@..f DRAFTDECISIONSRECOMMENDEDFORADOPTIONBYTHE@..NECONOMICANDSOCIALCOUNCIL@..tDRAFTDECISIONI@.. ExtraordinaryadditionalsessionfortheCommittee@.. onEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsb..bTheEconomicandSocialCouncil,notingthebacklogofStatesparties'reportsawaitingconsiderationbytheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,andbeingawarethatsuchasituationseriouslyunderminestheeffectivenessandthreatensthecredibilityofthesystemformonitoringtheimplementationoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,authorizes,onanexceptionalbasis,theholdingofanextraordinaryadditionalsession,ofthreeweeks'duration,oftheCommitteeinthesecondhalfof1995.Additionally,theCouncilauthorizesaspecialfive-daymeetingoftheCommittee'spre-sessionalworkinggroup,tobeheldimmediatelyfollowingtheconclusionoftheCommittee'stwelfthsession,inordertopreparefortheconsiderationofStatesparties'reportsduringtheextraordinaryadditionalsessionoftheCommittee.@..BDRAFTDECISIONII@..4 PaymentofhonorariatomembersoftheCommittee@.. onEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsb..bTheEconomicandSocialCouncil,recallingitsdecision1993/297of28July1993,inwhichitendorsedtherecommendationoftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsthatpaymentshouldbeauthorizedtoeachmemberoftheCommitteeofanhonorariumequivalenttothatpayabletothemembersofotherrelevanttreatybodies,suchastheHumanRightsCommittee,notesthatnoactionhasyetbeentakenonthismatterbytheGeneralAssemblyinresponsetothatdecision.InordertoavoidcontinuingdelaysinthismattertheCouncilurgestheGeneralAssemblytogivespeedyattentiontothismatter.@..ChapterII@..TORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@.. A.StatespartiestotheCovenant1.b..bAsat9December1994,theclosingdateoftheeleventhsessionoftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,129StateshadratifiedoraccededtotheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightswhichwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinresolution2200A(XXI)of16December1966andopenedforsignatureandratificationinNewYorkon19December1966.TheCovenantenteredintoforceon3January1976inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofitsarticle27.AlistofStatespartiestotheCovenantiscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.@..B.Sessionsandagenda2.b..bTheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,atitseighthsession,requestedtheEconomicandSocialCounciltoauthorize,onanexceptionalbasis,theholdingofanadditionalsessionoftheCommitteeinthefirsthalfof1994. ]   ׀TheEconomicandSocialCouncil,byitsdecision1993/296of28July1993,endorsedtheCommittee'srecommendation.Accordingly,in1994,theCommitteehelditstenthsessionfrom2to20Mayanditseleventhsessionfrom21Novemberto9December.BothsessionswereheldattheUnitedNationsOfficeatGeneva.TheagendaforeachsessionisshowninannexIIItothepresentreport.3.b..bAnaccountoftheCommittee'sdeliberationsatitstenthandeleventhsessionsiscontainedintherelevantsummaryrecords(E/C.12/1994/SR.1-28andE/C.12/1994/SR.2956,respectively).@..C.Membershipandattendance4.b..bAllmembersoftheCommittee,exceptMr.AbdelHalimBadawiandMr.AlexandreMuterahejuru,attendedthetenthsession.Mr.KennethOsborneRattrayattendedonlypartofthesession.AllmembersoftheCommittee,exceptMr.AbdelHalimBadawi,Mr.AlexandreMuterahejuruandMr.KennethOsborneRattray,attendedtheeleventhsession.5.b..bThefollowingspecializedagenciesandUnitedNationsorganswererepresentedbyobserversatthetenthsession:ILO,UNESCO,WHOandUNDP;attheeleventhsession:ILO,WHO,UNESCO,UNHCRandUNICEF.6.b..bThefollowingnon-governmentalorganizationsinconsultativestatuswiththeEconomicandSocialCouncilwererepresentedbyobserversatthetenthsession:0b..bCategoryII:0..HabitatInternationalCoalitionandInternationalServiceforHumanRights;andattheeleventhsession:0b..bCategoryI:..WorldFederationofUnitedNationsAssociations;0b..bCategoryII:0..HabitatInternationalCoalition,InternationalServiceforHumanRights,Women'sInternationalLeagueforPeaceandFreedom;0b..bRoster:0 .. 0..FoodfirstInformationandActionNetwork(FIAN).@..D.Presessionalworkinggroup7.b..bTheEconomicandSocialCouncil,initsresolution1988/4of24May1988,authorizedtheestablishmentofapresessionalworkinggroupcomposedoffivememberstobeappointedbytheChairmantomeetforuptooneweekpriortoeachsession.Bydecision1990/252of25May1990theCouncilauthorizedthemeetingsoftheworkinggrouptobeheldonetothreemonthspriortoasessionoftheCommittee.8.b..bTheChairpersonoftheCommittee,inconsultationwiththemembersoftheBureau,designatedthefollowingindividualsasmembersofthepre-sessionalworkinggrouptomeet.0b..bPriortothetenthsession:b..bMr.AbdessatarGRISSA0b..bMrs.LuvsandanzangiinIDER0b..bMrs.MaradelosAngelesJIMENEZBUTRAGUEO0b..bMr.ValeriKOUZNETSOV0b..bMr.AlexandreMUTERAHEJURU0b..bPriortotheeleventhsession:0b..bMr.PhilipALSTON0b..bMrs.VirginiaBONOANDANDAN0b..bMr.AbdessatarGRISSA0b..bMr.DumitruCEAUSU0b..bMr.JavierWIMERZAMBRANO9.b..bThepresessionalworkinggrouphelditsmeetingsattheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevafrom13to15December1993andfrom27Juneto1July1994,respectively.Allmembersoftheworkinggroupattendeditsmeetings.TheworkinggroupidentifiedissuesthatmightmostusefullybediscussedwiththerepresentativesofthereportingStatesandlistsofsuchquestionsweretransmittedtothepermanentmissionsoftheStatesconcerned.&  @..E.OfficersoftheCommittee10.b..bThefollowingmembersoftheCommittee,electedforatermoftwoyearsinaccordancewithrule14oftheCommittee'srulesofprocedure,continuedtoserveasmembersoftheCommittee'sBureau:'  0b..bChairperson:..>..>Mr.PhilipALSTONb..bViceChairpersons:>..>Mr.JuanALVAREZVITAb..b>..>Mr.AlexandreMUTERAHEJURUb..b ..  .. ..>..>Mrs.MargeritaVYSOKAJOVAb..bRapporteur:>..>Mrs.VirginiaBONOANDANDAN@..F.OrganizationofworkTenthsession11.b..bTheCommitteeconsidereditsorganizationofworkatits1stmeetingon2May,3rdmeetingon3May,5thand6thmeetingson4May,7thmeetingon5May,14thmeetingon10May,and28thmeetingon20May1994.Inconnectionwiththisitem,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:b..b(a) .. Draftprogrammeofworkforthetenthsession,preparedbytheSecretary-GeneralinconsultationwiththeChairpersonoftheCommittee(E/C.12/1994/L.1);b..b(b) .. ReportsoftheCommitteeontheworkofitsfirst(E/1987/28),second(E/1988/14),third(E/1989/22),fourth(E/1990/23),fifth(E/1991/23),sixth(E/1992/23),seventh(E/1993/22),eighthandninthsessions(E/1994/23).12.b..bInaccordancewithrule8ofitsrulesofprocedure,theCommitteeatits1stmeetingon2May1994consideredthedraftprogrammeofworkforitstenthsessionandapprovedit,asamendedduringconsideration(seeE/C.12/1994/L.1/Rev.1).Eleventhsession13.b..bTheCommitteeconsidereditsorganizationofworkatits29thmeetingon21November,31stmeetingon22November,37thand38thmeetingson25November,41stmeetingon29November,43rdand44thmeetingson30November,45thand46thmeetingson1December,47thmeetingon2December,50thand51stmeetingson6December,52ndand53rdmeetingson7December,55thmeetingon8Decemberand56thmeetingon9December1994.Inconnectionwiththisitem,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:b..b(a) .. Draftprogrammeofworkfortheeleventhsession,preparedbytheSecretary-GeneralinconsultationwiththeChairpersonoftheCommittee(E/C.12/1994/L.2);b..b(b) .. ReportsoftheCommitteeontheworkofitsfirst(E/1987/28),second(E/1988/14),third(E/1989/22),fourth(E/1990/23),fifth(E/1991/23),sixth(E/1992/23),seventh(E/1993/22),eighthandninthsessions(E/1994/23).̇&  14.b..bInaccordancewithrule8ofitsrulesofprocedure,theCommitteeatits29thmeetingon21November1994consideredthedraftprogrammeofworkforitseleventhsessionandapprovedit,asamendedduringconsideration(seeE/C.12/1994/L.2/Rev.1).'  @..tG.Nextsession15.b..bInaccordancewithestablishedschedule,thetwelfthsessionwouldtakeplacefrom1to19May1995.  H.  Statesparties'reportsscheduledforconsideration  bytheCommitteeatitstwelfthsession16.b..bTheCommitteeatits51stmeetingon6December1994,decidedthatthefollowingStatesparties'reportswouldbeconsideredatitstwelfthsession:b..bInitialreportsconcerningarticles1to15oftheCovenantb..b .. RepublicofKoreau..u....E/1990/5/Add.19b..b .. Suriname..>..>u..u....E/1990/5/Add.200b..bInitialreportsconcerningarticles10to12oftheCovenantb..b .. Philippines>..>u..u....E/1986/3/Add.170b..bSecondperiodicreportsconcerningarticles13to15oftheCovenantb..b .. Portugal..>..>u..u....E/1990/6/Add.6b..bThirdperiodicreportsconcerningarticles1to15oftheCovenantb..b .. Sweden..>..>u..u....E/1994/104/Add.117.b..bTheCommitteewouldalsoreviewtheimplementationofarticle11.1(righttohousing)oftheCovenantbyPanama.@.. I.CompositionofthepresessionalworkinggroupTwelfthsession18.b..bMr.J.AlvarezVita,Mrs.V.Ahodikpe,Mrs.JimnezButragueo,Mr.V.KouznetsovandMs.C.Taya.Thirteenthsession19.b..bMr.J.AlvarezVita,Mrs.V.Ahodikpe,Mr.D.Ceausu,Mrs.V.Bonoan-DandanandMr.B.Simma.@..nChapterIII@.. OVERVIEWOFTHEPRESENTWORKINGMETHODSOFTHECOMMITTEE20.b..bThischapteroftheCommittee'sreportaimsatprovidingaconciseanduptodateoverviewandexplanationofthewaysinwhichtheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscarriesoutitsvariousfunctions.ItisdesignedtomaketheCommittee'scurrentpracticemoretransparentandreadilyaccessiblesoastoassistStatespartiesandothersinterestedintheimplementationoftheCovenant.Sinceitsfirstsession,in1987,theCommitteehasmadeaconcertedefforttodeviseappropriateworkingmethodswhichadequatelyreflectthenatureofthetaskswithwhichithasbeenentrusted.Inthecourseofits11sessionsithassoughttomodifyanddevelopthesemethodsinthelightofitsexperience.Itmaybeexpectedthatthesemethodswillcontinuetoevolve,takingaccountof:theintroductionofthereportingsystemwhichrequiresthatasingleglobalreportbesubmittedeveryfiveyears,theevolutionoftheproceduresdevelopingwithinthetreatyregimeasawholeandthefeedbackwhichtheCommitteereceivesfromStatespartiesandtheEconomicandSocialCouncil.@.. A.Generalguidelinesforreporting21.b..bTheCommitteeattachesmajorimportancetotheneedtostructurethereportingprocessandthedialoguewitheachStateparty'srepresentativesinsuchawayastoensurethattheissuesofprincipalconcerntoitaredealtwithinamethodicalandinformativemanner.ForthispurposetheCommitteehassubstantiallyreviseditsreportingguidelineswithaviewtoassistingStatesinthereportingprocessandimprovingtheeffectivenessofthemonitoringsystemasawhole.TheCommitteestronglyurgesallStatespartiestoreporttoitinaccordancewiththeguidelinestothegreatestextentpossible.Itnotesthat,overthecourseoftime,theguidelinesadoptedatitsfifthsession(E/1991/23,annexIV)mayberevisedtotakeaccountofitsexperiencetherewith.@.. B.ExaminationofStateparties'reports̀b..b1. .. Workofthepresessionalworkinggroup22.b..bSincethethirdsession,apresessionalworkinggrouphasmet,usuallyforfivedays,priortoeachoftheCommittee'ssessions.ItiscomposedoffivemembersoftheCommitteenominatedbytheChairperson,takingaccountofthedesirabilityofabalancedgeographicaldistribution.23.b..bTheprincipalpurposeoftheworkinggroupistoidentifyinadvancethequestionswhichmightmostusefullybediscussedwiththerepresentativesofthereportingStates.TheaimistoimprovetheefficiencyofthesystemandtofacilitatethetaskofStates'representativesbyprovidingadvancenoticeofmanyoftheprincipalissueswhichwillariseintheexaminationofthereports(E/1988/14,para.361).24.b..bItisgenerallyacceptedthatthecomplexnatureanddiverserangeofmanyoftheissuesraisedinconnectionwiththeimplementationoftheCovenantconstitutesastrongargumentinfavourofprovidingStatespartieswiththepossibilityofpreparinginadvancetoanswersomeoftheprincipalquestionsarisingoutoftheirreports.SuchanarrangementalsoenhancesthelikelihoodthattheStatepartywillbeabletoprovidepreciseanddetailedinformation.25.b..bIntermsofitsownworkingmethods,theworkinggroup,intheinterestsofefficiency,allocatestoeachofitsmembersinitialresponsibilityforundertakingadetailedreviewofaspecificnumberofreportsandforputtingbeforethegroupapreliminarylistofissues.Thedecisionastohowthereportsshouldbeallocatedforthispurposeisbasedinpartonthepreferredareasofexpertiseofthememberconcerned.Eachdraftisthenrevisedandsupplementedonthebasisofobservationsbytheothermembersofthegroupandthefinalversionofthelistisadoptedbythegroupasawhole.Thisprocedureappliesequallytobothinitialandperiodicreports.26.b..bInpreparationforthepresessionalworkinggroup,theCommitteehasaskedthesecretariattoplaceatthedisposalofitsmembersacountryanalysisaswellasallpertinentdocumentscontaininginformationrelevanttoeachofthereportstobeexamined.ForthispurposetheCommitteehasinvitedallconcernedindividuals,bodiesandnon-governmentalorganizationstosubmitrelevantandappropriatedocumentationtothesecretariat.Ithasalsoaskedthesecretariattoensurethatcertaintypesofinformationareregularlyplacedintherelevantfiles.27.b..bInordertoensurethattheCommitteeisaswellinformedaspossible,itprovidesopportunitiesfornongovernmentalorganizationstosubmitrelevantinformationtoit.Theymaydothisinwritingatanytime,inaccordancewiththeappropriateEconomicandSocialCouncilprocedures.TheCommittee'spresessionalworkinggroupisalsoopentothesubmissionofinformationinpersonorinwritingfromanynongovernmentalorganizations,providedthatitrelatestomattersontheagendaoftheworkinggroup.Inaddition,theCommitteesetsasidepartofthefirstafternoonateachofitssessionstoenablerepresentativesofnongovernmentalorganizationstoprovideoralinformation.Suchinformationshould:(a)focusspecificallyontheprovisionsoftheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights;(b)beofdirectrelevancetomattersunderconsiderationbytheCommittee;(c)bereliable;and(d)notbeabusive.Therelevantmeetingisopenandprovidedwithinterpretationservices,butisnotcoveredbysummaryrecords.28.b..bAsfromitseleventhsession,theCommitteerequeststhesecretariattoensurethatanywritteninformationformallysubmittedtoitbyindividualsornon-governmentalorganizationsinrelationtotheconsiderationofaspecificStatepartyreport,bemadeavailableassoonaspossibletotherepresentativeoftheStateconcerned.29.b..bThelistsofissuesdrawnupbytheworkinggrouparegivendirectlytoarepresentativeoftheStatesconcerned,alongwithacopyoftheCommittee'smostrecentreportandwithanotestating,interalia,thefollowing:0b..b .. "ThelistisnotintendedtobeexhaustiveanditshouldnotbeinterpretedaslimitingorinanyotherwayprejudgingthetypeandrangeofquestionswhichmembersoftheCommitteemightwishtoask.However,theworkinggroupbelievesthattheconstructivedialoguewhichtheCommitteewishestohavewiththerepresentativesoftheStatepartycanbefacilitatedbymakingthelistavailableinadvanceoftheCommittee'ssession.InordertoimprovethedialoguethattheCommitteeseeks,itstronglyurgeseachStatepartytoprovideinwritingitsrepliestothelistofissuesandtodososufficientlyinadvanceofthesessionatwhichitsreportwillbeconsidered,toenabletherepliestobetranslatedandmadeavailabletoallmembersoftheCommittee."30.b..bInadditiontothetaskofformulatingthelistsofquestions,thepre-sessionalworkinggroupisalsoentrustedwithavarietyofothertasksdesignedtofacilitatetheworkoftheCommitteeasawhole.Thesehaveinthepastincluded:discussingthemostappropriateallocationoftimefortheconsiderationofeachStatereport;consideringtheissueofhowbesttorespondtosupplementaryreportscontainingadditionalinformation;examiningdraftgeneralcomments;consideringhowbesttostructurethedayofgeneraldiscussion;andotherrelevantmatters.&  b..b2. .. Presentationofthereport31.b..bInaccordancewiththeestablishedpracticeofeachoftheUnitedNations'  humanrightstreatymonitoringbodies,representativesofthereportingStatesareentitled,andindeedarestronglyencouraged,tobepresentatthemeetingsoftheCommitteewhentheirreportsareexamined.ThefollowingprocedurewasfollowedinthisregardattheCommittee'sninthsession.TherepresentativeoftheStatepartywasinvitedtointroducethereportbymakingbriefintroductorycommentsandintroducinganywrittenreplies,orotherwiserespondingorally,tothelistofissuesdrawnupbythepre-sessionalworkinggroup.AperiodoftimewasthenallocatedtoenabletherepresentativesofthespecializedagenciestoprovidetheCommitteewithanyobservationsrelevanttothereportunderconsideration.Duringthesameperiod,membersoftheCommitteewereinvitedtoputquestionsandobservationstotherepresentativeoftheStateparty.Afurtherperiodoftime,preferablynotonthesameday,wasthenallocatedtoenabletherepresentativetorespond,aspreciselyaspossible,tothequestionsasked.ItwasgenerallyunderstoodthatquestionsthatcouldnotadequatelybedealtwithinthismannercouldbethesubjectofadditionalinformationprovidedtotheCommitteeinwriting.32.b..bThefinalphaseoftheCommittee'sexaminationofthereportconsistsofthedraftingandadoptionoftheCommittee'sconcludingobservations.TheCommitteehasagreedthat,asfromitstenthsession,thistaskwillbeapproachedinthefollowingway.WithinadayorsoofthecompletionofthedialoguewiththeStateparty'srepresentatives,theCommitteewillsetasidea30minuteperiod,inclosedsession,toenableitsmemberstoexpresstheirpreliminaryviews.ThememberwithprimaryresponsibilityinrelationtotheStatepartyconcernedwillthenprepare,withtheassistanceofthesecretariat,adraftsetofconcludingobservationsforconsiderationbytheCommittee.Theagreedstructureoftheconcludingobservationsisasfollows:introduction;positiveaspects;factorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheCovenant;principalsubjectsofconcern;andsuggestionsandrecommendations.Atalaterstage,theCommitteethendiscussesthedraft,againinprivatesession,withaviewtoadoptingitbyconsensus.33.b..bTheconcludingobservationsareformallyadoptedinpublicsessiononthefinaldayofthesession.Assoonasthisoccurstheyareconsideredtohavebeenmadepublicandareavailabletoallinterestedparties.TheyarethenforwardedtotheStatepartyconcernedandincludedintheCommittee'sreport.Ifitsowishes,theStatepartymayaddressanyoftheCommittee'sconcludingobservationsinthecontextofanyadditionalinformationthatitprovidestotheCommittee.34.b..bWhenconsideringreportsbasedonthepreviousreportingcycleanddealingwithonlythreearticlesoftheCovenant,theCommitteehasendeavouredtomakethemostoftheverylimitedtimeavailableinwhichtoundertakeaconstructiveandmutuallyrewardingdialoguewiththerepresentativesoftheStatesparties.Thishasgenerallyinvolvedanefforttoremainwithinatimelimitforeachphaseoftheexamination,onthebasisthatonlyonemeeting(threehours)cangenerallybedevotedtoeachreport.35.b..bSincethenewreportingperiodicitywasendorsedbytheEconomicandSocialCouncilin1988,theCommitteedecidedatitsninthsessionthattheinterimarrangementsithadmadetofacilitatethetransitionbyStatespartiestothenewperiodicitywouldnolongerapplyasfrom1January1995.Fromthatdateon,allreportssubmittedtotheCommitteeshouldbecomprehensivereportscoveringalltheprovisionsoftheCovenantinaccordancewiththereportingguidelines.36.b..bIngeneral,theCommitteedevotesthreemeetings(ofthreehourseach)toitsconsiderationofeachglobalreport(dealingwitharts.115).Whiletheuseofthetimeavailablevariesfromonecasetoanother,areasonablytypicalallocationisasfollows:betweenoneandtwohoursfortheStatepartyrepresentativestointroducethereportandexplaintheanswersprovidedinadvanceinwritingtotheCommittee'slistofwrittenquestions;uptothreehoursforthemembersoftheCommitteetomakecommentsandposeadditionalquestions;uptothreehours(atameetingheldthefollowingday)fortherepresentativesoftheStatepartytorespondtotheadditionalquestionsandforfurtherclarificationofissuesraised;onehourtowardstheendofthesessionfortheCommitteetodiscuss,inprivate,itsconcludingobservations.b..b3. .. Deferralsofthepresentationofreports37.b..bLastminuterequestsbyStatestodeferthepresentationofareportwhichhasbeenscheduledforconsiderationataparticularsessionareextremelydisruptiveforallconcernedandhavecausedmajorproblemsfortheCommitteeinthepast.Accordingly,theCommittee'spolicyasfromitseighthsessionisnottograntsuchrequestsandtoproceedwithitsconsiderationofallscheduledreports,evenintheabsenceofarepresentativeoftheStateconcerned.&  @.. C.Proceduresinrelationtofollowupaction38.b..bInsituationsinwhichtheCommitteeconsidersthatadditionalinformationisnecessarytoenableittocontinueitsdialoguewiththeStatepartyconcerned,thereareseveraloptionsthatmightbepursued:'  b..b(a) .. TheCommitteemightnotethatspecificissuesshouldbeaddressedinadetailedmannerintheStateparty'snextperiodicreport,whichwouldnormallybedueinfiveyears'time;b..b(b) .. TheCommitteemighttakenotespecificallyoftheStateparty'sstatedintentiontosubmitadditionalinformationinwriting,particularlyinresponsetoquestionsposedbythemembersoftheCommittee;b..b(c) .. TheCommitteemightspecificallyrequestthatadditionalinformation,relatingtomattersthatitwouldidentify,besubmittedtotheCommitteewithinsixmonths,thusenablingittobeconsideredbythepre-sessionalworkinggroup.Ingeneral,theworkinggroupcouldrecommendoneoranotherofthefollowingresponsestotheCommittee: ++  .. (i) .. Thatittakenoteofsuchinformation; ..7 (ii)0 .. Thatitadoptspecificconcludingobservationsinresponsetothatinformation; ..(iii)0 .. Thatthematterbepursuedthrougharequestforfurtherinformation;or ..7 (iv)0 .. ThattheCommittee'sChairpersonbeauthorizedtoinformtheStateparty,inadvanceofthenextsession,thattheCommitteewouldtakeuptheissueatitsnextsessionandthat,forthatpurpose,theparticipationofarepresentativeoftheStatepartyintheworkoftheCommitteewouldbewelcome.8.++b >uQ!8b..b(d) .. TheCommitteemightdeterminethatthereceiptofadditionalinformationisurgentandrequestthatitbeprovidedwithinagiventime-limit(perhapstwotothreemonths).InsuchacasetheChairperson,inconsultationwiththemembersoftheBureau,couldbeauthorizedtofollowupthematterwiththeStatepartyifnoresponseisreceivedoriftheresponseispatentlyunsatisfactory.39.b..bInsituationsinwhichtheCommitteeconsidersthatitisunabletoobtaintheinformationitrequiresonthebasisoftheabovementionedprocedures,itmaydecidetoadoptadifferentapproachinstead.Inparticular,theCommitteemay,ashasalreadybeendoneinconnectionwithtwoStatesparties,requestthattheStatepartyconcernedacceptamissionconsistingofoneortwomembersoftheCommittee.SuchadecisionwouldonlybetakenoncetheCommitteehadsatisfieditselfthattherewasnoadequatealternativeapproachavailabletoitandthattheinformationinitspossessionwarrantedsuchanapproach.Thepurposesofsuchanonsitevisitwouldbe:(a)tocollecttheinformationnecessaryfortheCommitteetocontinueitsconstructivedialoguewiththeStatepartyandtoenableittocarryoutitsfunctionsinrelationtotheCovenant;and(b)toprovideamorecomprehensivebasisuponwhichtheCommitteemightexerciseitsfunctionsinrelationtoarticles22and23oftheCovenantconcerningtechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservices.TheCommitteewouldstatespecificallytheissue(s)withrespecttowhichitsrepresentative(s)wouldseektogatherinformationfromallavailablesources.Therepresentative(s)wouldalsohavethetaskofconsideringwhethertheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesadministeredbytheCentreforHumanRightscouldbeofassistanceinconnectionwiththespecificissueathand.40.b..bAttheconclusionofthevisit,therepresentative(s)wouldreporttotheCommittee.Inthelightofthereportpresentedbyitsrepresentative(s),theCommitteewouldthenformulateitsownconclusions.ThoseconclusionswouldrelatetothefullrangeoffunctionscarriedoutbytheCommittee,includingthoserelatingtotechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservices.InacasewheretheStatepartyconcerneddidnotaccepttheproposedmission,theCommitteewouldconsidermakingwhateverrecommendationsmightbeappropriatetotheEconomicandSocialCouncil.@.. D.Procedureinresponsetononsubmittedand ( considerablyoverduereports41.b..bTheCommitteebelievesthatasituationofpersistentnon-reportingbyStatespartiesrisksbringingtheentiresupervisoryprocedureintodisrepute,therebyunderminingoneofthefoundationsoftheCovenant.42.b..bAccordingly,theCommitteeresolvedatitssixthsessiontobegininduecoursetoconsiderthesituationconcerningtheimplementationoftheCovenantinrespectofeachStatepartywhoseinitialorperiodicreportswereverysignificantlyoverdue.AtitsseventhsessionitresolvedtobeginschedulingconsiderationofsuchreportsatitsfuturesessionsandtonotifytheStatespartiesconcerned.Itbegantoapplythisprocedureatitsninthsession.43.b..bTheCommitteehasadoptedthefollowingprocedure:b..b(a) .. ToselectStatespartieswhosereportsareverymuchoverdueonthebasisofthelengthoftimeinvolved;b..b(b) .. TonotifyeachsuchStatepartythattheCommitteeintendstoconsiderthesituationwithrespecttothatcountryataspecifiedfuturesession;b..b(c) .. Tomove,intheabsenceofanyreport,toconsiderthestatusoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsinthelightofallavailableinformation;b..b(d) .. ToauthorizeitsChairperson,insituationswheretheStatepartyconcernedindicatesthatareportwillbeprovidedtotheCommitteeanduponarequestfromtheStateparty,todeferconsiderationofthesituationforonesessionbutnotlonger.&  @..E.Dayofgeneraldiscussion44.b..bAteachsession,theCommitteedevotesoneday,usuallytheMondayofthethirdweek,toageneraldiscussionofaparticularrightorofaparticularaspectoftheCovenant.Thepurposeistwofold:thedayassiststhe'  Committeeindevelopingingreaterdepthitsunderstandingoftherelevantissues;anditenablestheCommitteetoencourageinputsintoitsworkfromallinterestedparties.Thefollowingissueshavebeenthefocusofdiscussion:therighttoadequatefood(thirdsession);therighttohousing(fourthsession);economicandsocialindicators(sixthsession);therightto&  takepartinculturallife(seventhsession);therightsoftheageingandelderly(eighthsession);therighttohealth(ninthsession);theroleofsocialsafetynets(tenthsession);andhumanrightseducation(eleventhsession).'  @..F.Otherconsultations45.b..bTheCommitteehassoughttocoordinateitsactivitieswiththoseofotherbodiestothegreatestextentpossibleandtodrawaswidelyasitcanuponavailableexpertiseinthefieldsofitscompetence.Forthispurpose,ithasconsistentlyinvitedindividualssuchasspecialrapporteursoftheSub-CommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities,chairpersonsofCommissiononHumanRightsworkinggroupsandotherstoaddressitandengageindiscussions.46.b..bTheCommitteehasalsosoughttodrawupontheexpertiseoftherelevantspecializedagenciesandUnitedNationsorgans,bothinitsworkasawholeand,moreparticularly,inthecontextofitsgeneraldiscussions.47.b..bInaddition,theCommitteehasinvitedavarietyofexpertswhohaveaparticularinterestin,andknowledgeof,someoftheissuesunderreview,tocontributetoitsdiscussions.ThesecontributionshaveaddedconsiderablytoitsunderstandingofsomeaspectsofthequestionsarisingundertheCovenant.@..G.Generalcomments48.b..bInresponsetoaninvitationaddressedtoitbytheEconomicandSocialCouncil,theCommitteedecidedtobegin,asfromitsthirdsession,thepreparationofgeneralcommentsbasedonthevariousarticlesandprovisionsoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightswithaviewtoassistingtheStatespartiesinfulfillingtheirreportingobligations.49.b..bBytheendofitseleventhsession,theCommitteeandtheSessionalWorkingGroupofGovernmentalExpertswhichexistedpriortothecreationoftheCommitteehadexamined152initialreports,71secondperiodicreportsconcerningrightscoveredbyarticles6to9,10to12and13to15oftheCovenantand16globalreports.ThisexperiencecoveredasignificantnumberofStatespartiestotheCovenant,whichconsistedof126Statesattheendoftheninthsession.Theyrepresentedallregionsoftheworld,withdifferentpolitical,legal,socioeconomicandculturalsystems.TheirreportssubmittedsofarillustratedmanyoftheproblemswhichmightariseinimplementingtheCovenant,althoughtheyhadnotyetprovidedanycompletepictureoftheglobalsituationwithregardtotheenjoymentofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.50.b..bTheCommitteeendeavours,throughitsgeneralcomments,tomaketheexperiencegainedsofarthroughtheexaminationofthosereportsavailableforthebenefitofallStatespartiesinorder:toassistandpromotetheirfurtherimplementationoftheCovenant;todrawtheattentionoftheStatespartiestoinsufficienciesdisclosedbyalargenumberofreports;tosuggestimprovementsinthereportingproceduresandtostimulatetheactivitiesoftheStatesparties,theinternationalorganizationsandthespecializedagenciesconcernedinachievingprogressivelyandeffectivelythefullrealizationoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.Whenevernecessary,theCommitteemay,inthelightoftheexperienceofStatespartiesandoftheconclusionswhichithaddrawntherefrom,reviseandupdateitsgeneralcomments.51.b..bTheCommitteehassofaradoptedthefollowinggeneralcomments:GeneralCommentNo.1(1989)onreportingbyStatesparties;GeneralCommentNo.2(1990)oninternationaltechnicalassistancemeasures;GeneralCommentNo.3(1990)onthenatureofStatesparties'obligations;GeneralCommentNo.4(1991)ontherighttoadequatehousing;andGeneralCommentNo.5(1994)ontherightsofpersonswithdisabilities.@..ChapterIV@.. SUBMISSIONOFREPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDER@.. ARTICLES16AND17OFTHECOVENANT52.b..bInaccordancewithrule58ofitsrulesofprocedure,theCommitteeatits50thmeetingon6December1994,consideredthestatusofsubmissionofreportsunderarticles16and17oftheCovenant.53.b..bInthatconnection,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:b..b(a) .. NotebytheSecretaryGeneralontherevisedgeneralguidelinesregardingtheformandcontentsofreportstobesubmittedbyStatesparties(E/C.12/1991/1);b..b(b) .. NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonStatespartiestotheCovenantandthestatusofsubmissionofreportsasat1August1994(E/C.12/1994/11).54.b..bTheSecretaryGeneralinformedtheCommitteethatinadditiontothereportsscheduledforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatitseleventhsession(seepara.60below),hehadreceived,asat1December1994,thereportssubmittedunderarticles16and17oftheCovenantbythefollowingStatesparties:0b..bSecondperiodicreportonarticles1to15ofPortugal(E/1990/6/Add.6);initialreportonarticles10to12ofthePhilippines(E/1986/3/Add.17);thirdperiodicreportsonarticles1to15ofSweden(E/1994/104/Add.1),Colombia(E/1994/104/Add.2),Norway(E/1994/104/Add.3),Ukraine(E/1994/104/Add.4),Spain(E/1994/104/Add.5);initialreportsofMauritius(E/1990/5/Add.21),Algeria(E/1990/5/Add.22)andParaguay(E/1990/5/Add.23).55.b..bInaccordancewithrule57,paragraph1,oftheCommittee'srulesofprocedure,alistofStatespartiestogetherwithanindicationofthestatusofsubmissionoftheirreportsiscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.Inaccordancewithrule57,paragraph2,theCommitteemadeanumberofrecommendationstotheEconomicandSocialCouncilwhichareincludedinchaptersIandVIIofthepresentreport.@..ChapterV@..: CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES@.. UNDERARTICLES16AND17OFTHECOVENANTTenthsession56.b..bAtitstenthsession,theCommitteeexaminedsixreportssubmittedbysixStatespartiesunderarticles16and17oftheCovenantandreviewedtheimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheCovenantinMauritiusandtheGambiainaccordancewiththedecisiontakenatitsninthsession. _   ׀Itdevoted20meetingstotheconsiderationofthesereports(E/C.12/1994/SR.3to12,14to17,22to26and28).57.b..bThereportsbeforetheCommitteeatitstenthsessionwerethefollowing:b..bSecondperiodicreportsconcerningarticles13to15oftheCovenantb..bRomania .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/7/Add.14b..bIraq ..  .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/7/Add.15@.. Initialreportsconcerningarticles1to15oftheCovenantb..bUruguay .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/5/Add.7b..bMorocco .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/5/Add.13b..bBelgium .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/5/Add.15b..bKenya .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/5/Add.1758.b..bInaccordancewithrule62oftheCommittee'srulesofprocedure,representativesofallthereportingStateswereinvitedtoparticipateinthemeetingsoftheCommitteewhentheirreportswereexamined.AlltheStatespartieswhosereportswereconsideredbytheCommitteesentrepresentativestoparticipateintheexaminationoftheirrespectivereports.ThereviewoftheimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheCovenantinMauritiusandtheGambiawascarriedoutintheabsenceoftherepresentativesfromthoseStatesparties.Eleventhsession59.b..bAtitseleventhsession,theCommitteeexaminedsevenreportssubmittedbyfourStatespartiesunderarticles16and17oftheCovenant.Itdevoted16ofthe28meetingsitheldduringtheeleventhsessiontotheconsiderationofthesereports(E/C.12/1994/SR.31to37,39to41and50to55).60.b..bThefollowingreportswerebeforetheCommitteeatitseleventhsession:b..bSecondperiodicreportsconcerningarticles10to12oftheCovenant0b..bUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainb..bandNorthernIreland:Dependent......Q..QE/1986/4/Add.27b..bTerritories..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1986/4/Add.28̇b..bSecondperiodicreportsconcerningarticles13to15oftheCovenantb..bUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainb..bandNorthernIreland>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/7/Add.16@.. Initialreportsconcerningarticles1to15oftheCovenantb..bArgentina(arts.612)u..u......Q..QE/1990/5/Add.18b..bSuriname .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/5/Add.20@.. Secondperiodicreportsconcerningarticles6to9@..and13to15oftheCovenantb..bAustria .. ..>..>u..u......Q..QE/1990/6/Add.5@..AdditionalinformationsubmittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenant@..followingtheconsiderationoftheirreportsbytheCommitteeb..bUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainb..bandNorthernIreland>..>u..u......Q..QE/1989/5/Add.961.b..bAtits29thmeetingon21November1994,theCommitteeagreed,attherequestoftheGovernmentoftheRepublicofKorea,topostponetoitstwelfthsessiontheconsiderationoftheinitialreportofthatStateparty(E/1990/5/Add.19)concerningarticles1to15oftheCovenant.62.b..bInaccordancewithrule62oftheCommittee'srulesofprocedure,representativesofallthereportingStateswereinvitedtoparticipateinthemeetingsoftheCommitteewhentheirreportswereexamined.AlltheStatesparties,withtheexceptionofSuriname,whosereportswereconsideredbytheCommitteesentrepresentativestoparticipateintheexaminationoftheirrespectivereports.InaccordancewithadecisionadoptedbytheCommitteeatitssecondsession,thenamesandpositionsofthemembersofeachStateparty'sdelegationarelistedinannexVIItothepresentreport.63.b..bAtitseighthsessiontheCommitteehaddecidedtodiscontinueitspracticeofincludinginitsannualreportsummariesoftheconsiderationofcountryreports.Inaccordancewithmodifiedrule57oftheCommittee'srulesofprocedure,theannualreportshouldcontain,interalia,theconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteerelatingtoeachStateparty'sreport.Accordingly,thefollowingparagraphsarrangedonacountry-by-countrybasisaccordingtothesequencefollowedbytheCommitteeinitsconsiderationofthereportscontaintheconcludingobservationsadoptedbytheCommitteewithrespecttotheStatesparties'reportsconsideredatitstenthandeleventhsessions.Tenthsession@..6URUGUAY64.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofUruguay(E/1990/5/Add.7)atits3rd,4th,6thand13thmeetingson3,4and10Mayand,atits25thmeetingon19May1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.̇@..tA.Introduction65.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforsubmittingareportinSeptember1991andacoredocumentin1992.However,itregretsthedelaybetweenthesubmissionofthereportanditsconsiderationbytheCommittee,owingtotheStateparty'srequesttodeferthatconsiderationfortwosessions.TheCommitteealsoregretsthatcertainmatterswerenotfullyclarifiedduringtheinitialdialoguewiththeStateparty.TheCommitteethereforerequeststheStatepartytoprovideitwithwrittenrepliesontheproblemsidentifiedandtotransmitthatinformationtotheCentreforHumanRightsby30September1994.@..B.Positiveaspects66.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthatanumberofrightsguaranteedbytheCovenanthavebeenincorporatedinUruguay'slegislation,andinparticularitsConstitution.ItalsotakesnoteoftheconcretemeasurestakentocomplywiththeobligationslaiddownintheCovenant.Inthatconnection,itwelcomestheprogressmadebytheStatepartyinensuringfreeprimaryeducationforallandinmakingsecondaryandhighereducationfreeofchargeandmoreaccessibletoall.Inaddition,theCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthattheStatepartyhasadoptedsocialsecuritymeasuresaimedatoffsettingtheadverseconsequencesfortheenjoymentofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoftheeconomicrecessionandthestructuraladjustmentsentailedbyUruguay'saccessiontotheMERCOSUReconomicagreement.67.b..bTheCommitteealsoregardsthestepstakenbytheStatepartytoprovidefurthertrainingtounemployedpersonsasapositivedevelopment.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant68.b..bTheCommitteenotestheeconomicdifficultiesencounteredbytheStateparty,particularlythehighrateofinflation,whichimpedethefullimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern69.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheapparentlackofmeasurestoenableworkers'andemployers'organizationstoparticipateinthediscussionsonthedeterminationofminimumwagesforpublicsectoremployeesandagriculturalworkersfortheperiod19901994.70.b..bTheCommitteewouldwelcomeclarificationoftherestrictionsontherighttostrikeintroducedbyActNo.13,720ofDecember1968,asamendedbyDecreeLawNo.14,781of8June1978,andwouldappreciatereceivingfurtherdetailsoftheapplicationofthoseprovisionsbetweenthereturntodemocracyand1994.Itwouldalsowishtobeinformedofanybillregulatingtheexerciseoftherighttostrike,sinceparagraph104oftheStateparty'sreportindicatedthatsuchabillwouldbesubmittedshortly.71.b..bTheCommitteewouldappreciateadditionalinformationonthemeasurestakentoraisetheminimumworkingageandtopreventorcombatthe&  exploitationofchildlabour.Tothatend,itwouldwelcomeinformationontheactualsituationregardingthedistributionoffreeschoolmealsandtheconcretemeasurestakentoreducetruancy.'  72.b..bWithregardtotheimplementationofarticle11oftheCovenant,andmoreparticularlytherighttohousing,theCommitteeisconcernedabouttheshortageofhousinginrelationtodemandandthehighlevelofrents,particularlyaffectingthemostvulnerablegroupsofsociety.Itwouldappreciatehavingadditionalinformationonthesetwopoints.73.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthestandardoflivingofpersonsinruralareas,particularlythoseclosetoborderswithneighbouringcountries,andwouldwelcomefurtherinformationontheirfullaccesstoeconomic,socialandculturalrights.74.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheimpactofinflationontheenjoymentofanadequatestandardofliving.Itwouldappreciatereceivingspecificinformationontheevaluationofaveragewageratesinrelationtothecostoflivingsince1990.75.b..bTheCommitteeconsidersthatithasnotbeengivenenoughinformationonaccesstohealth,drinkingwater,careandeducationbyminoritygroupslivinginUruguay,aswellasaccessbysuchgroupstovarioustypesofemployment,interaliainthepublicservice.76.b..bTheCommitteeisgreatlyconcernedabouttheseriousdeteriorationofteachers'salariesintermsofpurchasingpower,bytheconflictualnatureofrelationsbetweenteachersandtheStateandbytheapparentineffectivenessofthemeasurestakentoremedythatsituation.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations77.b..bInthelightoftheinformationsubmittedbythedelegationandofotheravailablesources,theCommitteeconsidersthatUruguayismakingappreciableeffortstoobservetheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsprovidedforintheCovenant.However,thereportsubmittedbytheStatepartyisnotsufficientlypreciseorcompletetogiveacomprehensiveaccountofthoseefforts.Consequently,theCommitteewouldwishtoreceivesupplementaryrepliestothequestionsraisedinpartDabove.78.b..bInaddition,theCommitteeaskstheStatepartytoconsiderthepossibilityofratifyingtheProtocolofSanSalvadoradditionaltotheAmericanConventiononHumanRights.79.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheStatepartytotakemeasurestoeliminateallformsofdiscrimination.InthisconnectionitdrawstheGovernment'sattentiontoitsGeneralCommentNo.3(1990)dealingwiththenatureandscopeofStatesparties'obligationsundertheCovenant.80.b..bWithrespecttotheimplementationofarticle7oftheCovenant,andinthelightofthecommentsmadebytheILOoncompliancewiththerequirementsoftheMinimumWageFixingConvention,No.131,theCommitteecallsuponthe&  Statepartytotakestepswithaviewtoestablishingthenationalminimumwageforagriculturalworkersandpublicsectoremployeesinconsultationwithemployers'andworkers'representatives.'  81.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldadopturgentmeasurestoincreasethepurchasingpowerofteachers'salariesandtakethatrecommendationintoaccountinthenextbudgetofthenationalfive-yearplan.82.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheStatepartytotakestepstoimprovehealthcareforpeoplelivinginareasdistantfromthecapital,inparticularbyextendingitsprimaryhealthcareprogramme.@..6ROMANIA83.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofRomaniaonarticles1315oftheCovenant(E/1990/7/Add.14)atits5th,7thand13thmeetingson4,5and10Mayand,atits25thand26thmeetingson19May1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.π@..tA.Introduction84.b..bTheCommitteethankstheGovernmentofRomaniaforitsreport,whichwaspreparedinaccordancewithitsrevisedgeneralguidelines,andforsubmissionofthecoredocumentformingpartofthereportsofStatesparties(HRI/CORE/1/Add.13).Atthesametime,theCommitteenotesthatthewritteninformation,providedbytheGovernmentinreplytothequestionssetoutinthelistofissues(E/C.12/1994/WP.2)communicatedtoitinDecember1993,wasnotprovidedtotheCommitteesufficientlyinadvancetomakepossibleitstranslationintoalltheworkinglanguagesoftheCommittee,thusmakingmoredifficultaccessfortheCommittee'smemberstothewealthofadditionalinformationcontainedtherein.ThesupplementaryinformationprovidedbytherepresentativesoftheStatepartyandthestrongeffortsmadebythedelegationtorespondtothequestionsraisedbytheCommittee'smembersmadepossibleanopen,frankandconstructivedialoguebetweentheStatepartyandtheCommittee.@..B.Positiveaspects85.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithappreciationthatthecontentofthewrittenreportandofitsoralpresentationdifferconsiderably,forthebetter,fromtheconsiderationofRomania'sreportonarticles10to12in1988.ThenewapproachoftheGovernmentofRomaniatointernationalcooperationinthefieldofhumanrights,asmanifestedduringthepresentsession,opensnewavenuesforeffectivecooperationbetweentheCommitteeandtheStatepartywithintheframeworkoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights.86.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheeffortsmadebytheStatepartytocarryoutanumberofprogrammesandreformsdesignedtosolvetheseriouseconomic,socialandculturalproblemsbeingencounteredbythecountryinitstransitiontoamarketeconomyandtoapluralistdemocraticpoliticalsystembasedontheruleoflawandrespectforhumanrights.87.b..bTheCommitteeappreciatesthewillingnessandthereadinessoftheGovernmenttocooperatewithvariousregionalandglobalintergovernmentalandnongovernmentalinstitutionsinthefieldofhumanrights.Inthiscontext,ittakesparticularnoteofthecooperationbetweentheGovernmentofRomaniaandtheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRightsundertheCountryProgrammefortheperiod19921994.88.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatallformsofpubliceducationarefreeinRomaniaandtheparticularattentionpaidbytheGovernment,inadifficulteconomiccontext,totheprovisionofadequateeducationalfacilitiesforthemostdisadvantagedgroupsofchildren,includingthesettingupofspecialschoolsforchildrenwithdisabilities.89.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftherecognitionoftheprincipleofuniversityautonomy,providedforandguaranteedinaccordancewitharticle32,paragraph6oftheConstitution.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant90.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatthestructuraladjustmentprogramme,nowbeingimplementedinRomania,mayhaveadverseconsequencesfortheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsingeneralandoftherightsenshrinedinarticles13and15oftheCovenant,inparticular.91.b..bItnotesthatgreatpracticaldifficultiesexistintheteachingfield,especiallyintermsofashortageofqualifiedstaffandalackofadequatepremises.Classesareusuallyovercrowdedinspiteofashiftsystemused(withasmanyasthreeshiftsadayinthesameschool).Educationalmaterialsandnecessarytechnicalfacilitiesarealsoinshortsupply.Inaddition,theCommitteenotesdifficultiesflowingfromtheneedtodevelopcomprehensivenewcurricula.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern92.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithconcernthatthewholesystemofeducationinRomaniaisfunctioningonthebasisofgovernmentaldecreesandthatsincetheRevolutionof1989nospecificlawshavebeenadoptedinthisrespect.93.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheabsenceofalawonminoritiesinacountrysuchasRomania,giventheexistenceoflargegypsy,Hungarian,Germanandotherminoritygroups.94.b..bTheCommitteeisparticularlyconcernedabouttherealizationoftherighttoeducationandoftherighttotakepartinculturallifebyoneofthelargestminoritiesinRomania,namelythegypsyminority.Thatgroup,accordingtotheinformationattheCommittee'sdisposal,continuestosuffermanyformsofunofficialdiscriminationwhichtheGovernmentisoftenunabletopreventorisunwillingtoredress.Gypsiescontinuetofacediscriminationinworkplacesandschoolsandgreatereffortsshouldbemadetoaccommodatethespecificculturalandotherneedsofthosegroupsinrelationtothesematters.TheCommitteeisconcernedthat,sincetheRevolutionof&  1989,noappreciableimprovementhasoccurredintheirsituation,andthatdirectandindirectdiscriminationappearstocontinue,especiallyatthelocallevel.'  95.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedaboutthesilenceinthereportwithrespecttothedifficultiesencounteredbytheStatepartyinimplementingrightscontainedinarticles13to15andaboutthelackofinformationontheenjoymentoftherighttoeducationandtherighttotakepartinculturallifebythegypsyminority.96.b..bTheCommitteewishestodrawtheStateparty'sattentiontotheabsenceofanyreferenceinthecoredocumenttoeconomic,socialandculturalrightsandtoanyeffortsmadefortheirimplementation.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations97.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldtakevigorousstepstoensurethattherighttoeducationandtotakepartinculturallifeisguaranteedtothemembersofthegypsyminorityinfullaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticles2(2),13and15oftheCovenant.TheGovernmentshould:adoptanactivenondiscriminationpolicywithrespecttothisminority;encouragetheirparticipationinculturallife;andassureproperparticipationineducationalactivitiesbychildrenbelongingtothatgroup.98.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthatparticularattentionshouldbepaidbytheGovernmenttotheproblemofstreetandabandonedchildren,andthatfurthereffortsshouldbemadetofacilitatetheiraccesstoallformsofprimaryandsecondaryeducation.99.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheRomanianHumanRightsInstitute,establishedatthebeginningof1991inordertofosterabetterawarenessonthepartofRomanianpublicbodies,nongovernmentalorganizationsandprivatecitizensofhumanrightsproblems,should,inthefuture,devotegreaterattentiontoeconomic,socialandculturalrights.100.b..bTheCommittee,havingnotedthatajointhumanrightsprogrammehasbeenimplementedinRomaniabytheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRightssince1992,encouragestheGovernmentofRomaniatocontinueitscooperationwiththeUnitedNationsandrecommendsthatthisprogrammeshouldbecontinuedinthefuture.TheCommitteealsorecommendsthataneconomic,socialandculturalrightscomponent,whichisnowpracticallynonexistent,shouldbeadequatelyreflectedinthatprogramme.@..6MOROCCO101.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofMorocco(E/1990/5/Add.13)atits8th,9thand10thmeetingson5and6Mayand,atits26thand27thmeetingson19and20May1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.&  @..tA.Introduction102.b..bTheCommitteethankstheStatepartyforthesubmissionofitsreportandfortheadditionalinformationprovidedbythedelegationinresponsetotheCommittee'squestionsandcomments.'  @..B.Positiveaspects103.b..bTheCommitteetakesnotewithsatisfactionoftheinformationprovidedbytherepresentativeoftheStatepartywithregardtotheadoptionofarevisedConstitutioninSeptember1992andthevariousmeasuresintroducedinthisnewConstitution,includinginparticulartheestablishmentofaConstitutionalCouncilandanEconomicandSocialCouncil.104.b..bTheCommitteeappreciatesthemeasurestakentoreducetheeffectsofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonthemostvulnerablesectorsofsocietyandmeasurestakenbytheStatepartytoreducethelevelofpovertyinthecountry.Effortstoimprovetheenjoymentoftherighttoadequatehousingarealsoappreciated.105.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheeffortsmadebytheStatepartyinthefieldofhealthservicesresultinginthereductionofinfantandmaternalmortalityrates,aswellastheadoptionofaNationalPlanofActionfortheimplementationoftheWorldDeclarationontheSurvival,ProtectionandDevelopmentofChildren.106.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheincreaseinthelevelofschoolattendance,theeffortstoreduceilliteracyandthemeasurestoensurevocationaltrainingforschooldropouts.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant107.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatthedevelopmentprocesstowardsmodernizationhasnotequallyaffectedallsectorsandareasofsocietyandhasaggravatedeconomic,socialandculturaldisparitiesbetweentraditionalandmodernsectors,amongthevariousincomegroups,betweenruralandurbanareas,aswellasbetweenthemaleandfemalepopulations.108.b..bItobservesthateconomicdifficulties,includingthepersistenceofpoverty,highunemploymentandtheservicingoftheexternaldebthavehadaconstraininginfluenceontheapplicationoftheCovenant.109.b..bOtherdifficultiesnotedbytheCommitteerelatetothecontradictionbetweentheobligationssetforthundertheCovenantandvariousprovisionsrelatingtothecivillawstatusgovernedbytheCodeofPersonalStatuswhichispartlybasedonreligiouspreceptsandfallswithintheKing'scompetence.TheCommitteeconsidersthatwhenaStatehasratifiedtheCovenantwithoutmakinganyreservations,itisobligedtocomplywithalloftheprovisionsoftheCovenant.Itmaythereforenotinvokeanyreasonsorcircumstancestojustifythenon-applicationofoneormorearticlesoftheCovenant,exceptinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheCovenantandtheprinciplesofgeneralinternationallaw.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern110.b..bAsregardsWesternSahara,theCommitteeisconcernedthattherighttoself-determinationhasnotbeenexercisedandexpressesitshopethatitwillbeexercisedinfullcompliancewiththeprovisionsofarticle1oftheCovenant,inaccordancewithplansapprovedbytheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil.TheCommitteeexpressesitspreoccupationaboutthenegativeconsequencesoftheWesternSaharapolicyofMoroccoontheenjoymentoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoftherelevantpopulation,particularlythroughpopulationtransfer.111.b..bInviewoftheobligationsarisingoutofarticle2toguaranteetheexerciseoftherightsenunciatedintheCovenantwithoutdiscriminationofanykind,theCommitteeexpressesconcernaboutthepersistence,intheStateparty,ofa"dual"societycharacterizedbydisparitiesinthelevelofmodernizationandenjoymentofeconomic,socialandculturalrightswhichespeciallyaffectpersonslivinginruralareas.Thesedisparitiesareparticularlyevidentinthemarkeddifferencesinthelevelsofschoolattendance.AccordingtothereportsubmittedbytheStateparty,therateofprimaryschoolattendanceintheurbanareasisdoublethatoftheruralregions.112.b..bInthesamerespect,theCommitteeisconcernedabouttheextenttowhichwomenenjoytherightscontainedintheCovenant,inparticularasregardsmattersarisingunderarticles6,7,suchasequalremunerationforequalworkandemploymentopportunities,article10,particularlyrelatingtostatusofwomeninthefamily,andarticle13,particularlyinrelationtotherighttoeducation.Whilerecognizingthatsomeprogresshasbeenachievedinthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithparticularconcernthegenderdifferencesregulatingmarriageandfamilyrelations.113.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheinformationprovidedbytheStatespartiestotheeffectthataLabourCodeisunderpreparation.Itnotes,however,thataccordingtoinformationprovidedbytheILO,thisprocesshasbeenunderwaysince1969.TheCommitteeconsidersthatthisprojectshouldbebroughttofunctionintheshortestpossibletimeinordertoensurefullprotectionoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.114.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatlabourlawsandregulationsarelargelyignoredordisregardedintheinformalandtraditionalsectorsoftheeconomyandthattheabsenceorlimitedpresenceoflabourinspectorsinthesesectorshasimpededtheeffectiveimplementationofregulationsrelatingtojustandfavourableconditionsofwork,includinghealthandsafetyoftheworkplace.115.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthefullenjoymentoftradeunionrightsasprovidedforunderarticle8oftheCovenant.Inthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthat,althoughtheConstitutionguaranteestherightofassociationandtherighttoformandjointradeunions,aswellastherighttostrike,theserightshaveonseveraloccasionsreportedlybeenviolatedinpractice.TheCommitteehasreceivedfromvarioussourcesinformationonconcretecasesoflimitationstotherighttostrike,andlackofeffectiveprotectionofworkersagainstanti-uniondiscriminationincludingarbitrarydismissal,arrestorphysicalviolence.InthisregardtherepliesgivenbytheGovernmenttocertainquestionsposedbytheCommitteecannotbeconsideredsatisfactory.NoinformationwasprovidedabouttheincidentsattheMeknsenterprisesDimaplastandComanan.TheCommitteeisparticularlyconcerned,however,aboutthelackofanyresponseregardingthecaseofthetwotradeunionactivistsAbdelhaqRouissiandHoucineElManouzi,who,accordingtonon-governmentalsourcesdisappearedin1964and1972respectivelyandarereportedlystillalivebutdetainedinasecretprison.116.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthediscriminatorystatusofchildrenbornoutofwedlock.Italsoexpressesconcernattheincidenceofchildlabour,oftenevenundertheminimumlegalageof12,andthelackofimplementationofprotectivelabourlegislationwithregardtochildrenemployedasdomesticservants,inagricultureorintheinformalortraditionalsectors.TheCommitteealsonoteswithconcernthatmanyofthosechildrenarenotfullyenjoyingtheirrighttoeducation.117.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthateconomicconstraintshaveledtoadeclineinthestandardoflivingofcertainsegmentsofthepopulation.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations118.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsfurthermeasuresbytheStatepartytoreduceexistingdisparitiesbetweenthemodernandtraditionalsectorsofsocietyandinparticularbetweentheruralandurbanareas.IntheCommittee'sview,particulareffortsshouldbemadetotackletheproblemofdiscriminationagainstwomenandensuretheireffectiveenjoymentoftheirrightsundertheCovenant.Sucheffortsshouldincludebothlegislativemeasuresandeducationalactivitiesaimedatovercomingthenegativeinfluenceofcertaintraditionsandcustoms.119.b..bTheCommitteewishestobringtotheattentionoftheStatepartytheneedtoadoptfurthermeasurestoprovideadequatesafetynetsforthevulnerablesectorsofsocietyaffectedbystructuraladjustmentprogrammes.Suchmeasuresshouldincludeasystemoftaxationfavouringdirectandprogressivetaxesandtheextensionofthesocialsecuritysystemtothosecategorieswhichdonotyetbenefitfromit.120.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldenvisageadoptingfurthermeasurestoreducethehighrateofunemploymentamongyoungpeople.121.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldconsideradoptingrelevantmeasurestoensurethateffectivesanctionsareadoptedandimplementedinordertopenalizetheinfringementoflabourandtradeunionfreedomsandregulations.TheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyshouldgiveseriousconsiderationtocomplaintsaboutviolationsoflabourregulationsandtradeunionrightsandprovidejudicialremedytovictimsofsuchviolations.122.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthaturgentstepsshouldbetakeninordertoprotecttheworkers'rightstojointhetradeunionsoftheirchoice,andtoprovideprotectionagainstarrest,imprisonmentandarbitrarydismissaloftheirlabourleaders.Inthecontextoftradeunionfreedoms,theCommitteerequeststheGovernmenttorespondtotheconcreteissuesraisedin&  paragraph115above,inparticulartoprovideinformationaboutthefateofthetradeunionactivistsAbdelhaqRouissiandHoucineElManouzi,by30September1994.'  123.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatmeasuresshouldbetakentoeliminatediscriminationandensureeffectiveprotectionagainstdiscriminationwithregardtochildrenbornoutofwedlock,aswellasanydifferentiationresultingfromthestatusofparents.Similarly,theCommitteeencouragestheeffortscurrentlyunderwaytoraisetheminimumworkingageandsuggeststhatmeasuresshouldbetakentoensurethatworkingchildren,includingthoseintheinformalsectorandinagriculture,benefitfromrelevantprotectionatworkandeffectivelyenjoytheirrighttoaneducation.124.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatmoreeffortshouldbemadeintheareaofeducation,particularlyinthelessfavouredruralareas,andthataneffortshouldalsobemadeinthedirectionofreducingtheapparentdisparitiesbetweentheratesofschoolattendanceofboysandgirls.@..IRAQ125.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofIraqonarticles1315oftheCovenant(E/1990/7/Add.15)atits11thand14thmeetingson9and10Mayand,atits26thand27thmeetingson19and20May1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.@..tA.Introduction126.b..bTheCommitteetakesnotethatdespitetheserioussituationinthecountrytheGovernmenthasbeenabletopresentitsreportandsendadelegationtoengageinadialoguewiththeCommittee.AtthesametimetheCommitteeregretsthattheinformationprovidedinthereportwasinsufficientandthattherepresentativesoftheStatepartywereunabletoprovideanswerstoanumberofconcernsraised.TheCommitteetakesnoteofthedelegation'swillingnesstoprovideitwithwritteninformationonthoseissues.127.b..bTheCommitteealsorecognizesthatthesituationinIraqisbeingcloselyfollowedbyvariousUnitedNationsbodies,includingtheCommissiononHumanRights,theGeneralAssemblyandtheSecurityCouncilandtheCommitteetakesnoteofthereportsemanatingfromandresolutionsadoptedbysuchbodies.Inthisregard,itnotesthatalthoughtheLawfortheAutonomousRegion(intheNorth)exists,itsimplementationhasbeensuspendedsince1974.Similarly,theCommitteetakesduenoteoftherequestcontainedin,interalia,CommissiononHumanRightsresolution1993/74thatahumanrightsmonitoringteamshouldbeacceptedbytheStatepartyandsuggeststhatthemandateofsuchateamincludemonitoringtheimplementationoftherightsprovidedforunderthepresentCovenant,includingitsarticles13to15.@..B.Positiveaspects128.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheStateparty'spolicytoprovideeducationatalllevelsfreeofchargeandtoenhancetheprovisionofeducationinremoteareas,throughtheawardingofadditionalallowancestoteachersservinginthoseareas.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant129.b..bTheCommitteeisawarethatproblemscausedbylongperiodsofwarandtheiraftermathhavehamperedtheimplementationoftheCovenantintheStateparty.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern130.b..bTheCommitteeisdeeplyconcernedthatthemeasuresbeingtakenbytheStatepartyarenotsufficienttoavoidcontinuedsufferingandevengreaterdeprivationoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoftheIraqipeople.TheCommitteeisoftheopinionthatwhateverthedifficultiescausedbytheeconomicembargo,theStatepartyshouldnonethelessdoeverythingpossibletopromotetherealizationoftheCovenanttothemaximumofitsavailableresources.131.b..bInaddition,theCommitteeconsidersthatsufficientattentionhasnotbeengiventotheimplementationofarticle2oftheCovenant,asitrelatestonondiscrimination,inrespectofthepoliciesandmeasuresadoptedtopromoteandprotecttheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsprovidedforunderarticles13to15oftheCovenantofallpersonswithinthejurisdictionoftheState,including,inparticular,womenandpersonsbelongingtovariousculturalgroups.132.b..bTheCommitteenotesthelackofinformationontheimplementationoftheprovisionsofarticle13,paragraph1,specificallyinrespecttohumanrightseducation.133.b..bInconnectionwiththeimplementationofarticle13oftheCovenant,theCommitteewishestoemphasizethefundamentalimportanceofaccordingequalprioritytotheeducationofwomen,includingwithregardtotheeradicationofilliteracy.134.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsdissatisfactionatthelackofavailablestatisticalandotherdatawhichwouldassistindeterminingtheextentofequalityofeducationalopportunityexistingwithinthecountryforvarioussectorsoftheIraqipopulation.135.b..bTheCommitteeisseriouslyconcernedaboutreportsithasreceivedofinfringementsofacademicfreedomwithintheStateparty.136.b..bTheCommitteeisalarmedbyinformationbroughttoitsattentionaboutthedestructionoftheculturalheritageofreligiouscommunitiesandminorities.137.b..bEqually,theCommitteeisconcernedthatclarificationremainstobegivenbytheStatepartyastothecompatibilityofthestepstakenbytheGovernmentinitsexerciseofcontroloverthechoiceandbroadcastingofminoritylanguageradioprogrammeswiththeimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheCovenant,includingitsarticle15,paragraph2.&  138.b..bMoreover,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutthereportsbroughttoitsattentionoftheadverseimpactofrecentdrainageprogrammesinareasinhabitedby"MarshArabs"onthecommunity'sabilitytoconserveitscultureandtraditionallifestyleandtoexerciseitsrighttoeducation.'  @.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations139.b..bTheCommitteeisoftheviewthatfurthermeasuresarerequiredtoensuretheeffectivemonitoringandimplementationoftherightsprovidedforunderarticles13to15oftheCovenant.InthisregardattentionisdrawntothecontentsofGeneralCommentNo.3(1990)oftheCommitteeandtotheobligationofStatespartiestotakethenecessarystepstothemaximumextentofresourcesfortheimplementationoftherightsprovidedforundertheCovenant.140.b..bTheCommitteerequeststheStatepartytoprovidefullinformationinitsnextreportonthemeasurestakentoimplementarticle13,paragraph1oftheCovenant,inparticularinrelationtohumanrightseducation.141.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldadoptthenecessarymeasurestoaccordgreaterprioritytotheeducationofwomen,includingtheeradicationoffemaleilliteracy.142.b..bTheCommitteewouldappreciatereceivingstatisticaldataandotherinformationrelatingtotheadmissionandgraduationofstudents,particularlyofthosebelongingtoreligiousandethnicminoritiesandcommunities,indifferenthighereducationalestablishmentsoverthepastthreeyears.143.b..bTheCommitteewouldalsoappreciatereceivingwritteninformationregardingthesituationofthe"MarshArabs",theclosureofaShiahcollegeofjurisprudenceandotherconcernsraisedduringthedialoguewiththeStatepartywhichremainedunanswered.Inthisregard,theStatepartyshouldrefertothepresentconcludingobservationsandthesummaryrecordsofthedialoguewiththeCommittee. `   ׀Finally,theCommitteerequeststhatthisinformationshouldbesubmittedtoitby30September1994.@..6BELGIUM144.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofBelgiumonarticles1to15oftheCovenant(E/1990/5/Add.15)atits15th,16thand17thmeetingson11and13Mayand,atits27thmeetingon20May1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.@..tA.Introduction145.b..bTheCommitteethankstheStatepartyforthecomprehensivereportsubmittedandforthedetailedadditionalinformation,includingextensivestatisticaldata,providedbothorallyandinwritingbythedelegationinresponsetotheCommittee'squestionsandcomments.TheCommitteeregrets,however,thatthereportwassubmittednearly10yearslate.Inthisregard,ittakesnoteoftheexplanationsprovidedbytheBelgianGovernmentaccordingtowhichthedelaywasduetoanumberofconcomitantfactorsconnected,amongotherthings,withthecontinuousprocessofreformoftheState,whichisreflectedinchangesintheresponsibilitiesofitsinternaladministrativeauthorities,withthedensityandcomplexityofthesocialwelfaresystemcreatedinBelgium,andwithbudgetaryrestraintswhichhaveanegativeimpactonthelevelofstaffingofthecountry'spublicservices.Nevertheless,theCommitteewishestoemphasizethatthoseexplanationsshouldnotbeconsideredbytheBelgianGovernmentasajustification.StatespartiesmustcomplywiththereportingobligationstheyhavefreelyassumedundertheCovenant.TheCommitteehopesthatthefrankandexcellentdialoguewhichhasjustbegunbetweentheCommitteeandtheStatepartywillcontinueinthefutureonaregularbasis.@.. B.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant146.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthefactthatBelgianauthorities,referringtoarticle2,paragraph1oftheCovenant,relatingtoprogressivemeasurestobetakenbyStatespartiestoimplementtheCovenant,areoftheviewthattheprovisionsoftheCovenantdonothavedirecteffectandcannotbedirectlyinvokedbycomplainantsbeforeBelgiancourtsandtribunals.Ontheotherhand,theCommitteenotesthattheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsandotherconventions,suchastheEuropeanSocialCharter,towhichBelgiumisaparty,aredirectlyapplicableunderBelgianlaw.ThedifferentstatusoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsindomesticlawappearstobeconfirmedbyadecisionoftheCourtofCassationof1990.TheCommitteedoesnotsharetheviewoftheBelgianauthoritiesandrecallsthatinitsGeneralCommentNo.3(1990)onthenatureofStatespartiesobligationsunderarticle2oftheCovenant,itreferstoanumberofprovisionsintheCovenant,suchasthoseofarticle8ontherighttostrikeandthoseofarticle13ontherighttoeducation,whichseemtobecapableofimmediateapplicationbyjudicialandotherorgansinmanynationallegalsystems.TheCommitteeisoftheviewthatanysuggestionsthattheprovisionsindicatedareinherentlynonselfexecutingseemtobedifficulttosustain.@..C.Positiveaspects147.b..bTheCommitteecommendsBelgiumonthemeasuresithastakentogiveeffecttotheprovisionsoftheCovenantandespeciallyontheinclusionofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsinthenewtextoftheBelgianConstitutionofFebruary1994.148.b..bTheCommitteealsocommendstheStatepartyonitscomprehensivehealthinsurancesystemwhichcouldbeconsideredamodelforothercountries.Itnoteswithparticularsatisfactionthat,since1990,maternityinsurancehasconstitutedaspecificbranchofsocialsecurityinBelgiumandthatmaternityallowancenolongerconstitutesanobstacletothehiringofwomenworkers.149.b..bTheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfactionthemeasurestakeninBelgiumtoguaranteeincomeforelderlypersonsand,inparticular,tograntanallowancetoelderlypersonswhohaveverylimitedmeansoraminimumpension.150.b..bInaddition,theCommitteewelcomestheinformationthatthelegalprovisionsestablishingcriteriainthecalculationofpensions,whichappeartobediscriminatorybetweenmenandwomen,areintheprocessofbeingreviewedinordertoensureequaltreatmentandtoaddaninvalidityscheme.151.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthatwithregardtostrikesbypublicservants,inrecentyearsdisciplinarypunishmentshadnotbeenapplicableandthattheCouncilofStateinitsrulingontheapplicationofarticle44oftheRoyalDecreeof1991statedthatitimplicitlyguaranteedpublicservants'righttostrike.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern152.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackoflegislativemeasuresstillexistinginBelgiumwithregardtotheestablishmentofclearandobjectivecriteriatoregulatetheaccessofemployers'andworkers'organizationstotheNationalLabourCouncilandtovariouscommissionsofthepublicandprivatesectorswherecollectiveconventionsareelaborated.Itrecalls,inthisconnection,thattheenactmentofsuchlegislativemeasureshasbeenrepeatedlyrecommendedbytheILOCommitteeofExpertsonConventionsandRecommendations.153.b..bInaddition,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthatthemostvulnerablegroupsofsocietyinBelgiumarenotalwaysadequatelyprotected.Inthisregard,itisparticularlyconcernedaboutthereductionsmadein1993withregardtosubsidiesandcertainsocialbenefits,suchassomecategoriesofreimbursablemedicines.TheCommitteeregretsthatthisnegativetrendisdevelopinginBelgiumaswellasinotherEuropeancountries.154.b..bMoreovertheCommittee,whilenotingwithsatisfactionthattherighttohousinghasbeeninscribedintherecentlyrevisedConstitutionofBelgium,expressesconcernabouttheadequacyofthemeasurestakenactuallytoenforcethatconstitutionalprovision.InthatrespecttheattentionoftheGovernmentisdrawntosectionEbelow.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations155.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattherighttostrikeshouldbeexplicitlyinscribedinBelgianlaw.156.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatthelegislativemeasures,whichareunderelaboration,toregulatetheaccessofemployers'andworkers'organizationstotheNationalLabourCouncilandotherorgansshouldbespeedilyenacted.157.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheBelgianauthoritiesshouldtakeappropriatemeasurestopromoteinvestmentprogrammesandencourage,inparticular,theconstructionoflowcostrentalhousing.Inthisconnection,theCommitteereferstoitsGeneralCommentNo.4(1991)concerningtherighttoadequatehousingandpointsoutthatinsituationsindicatingacleardeteriorationintheenjoymentofthatright,urgentmeasuresshouldbetakenbytheauthoritiesconcerned.TheCommittee,inviewoftheproblemsinthehousingsector,whicharestillconsiderable,urgestheGovernmenttoestablishanofficial,nationwidecommissiononhousing,comprisingrepresentativesofGovernment,nongovernmentalorganizationsandotherrelevantgroups.Inviewofthenondiscriminationclausescontainedinarticle2(2)oftheCovenant,theCommitteestronglyurgestheGovernmentfullytoensurethatpersonsbelongingtoethnicminorities,refugeesandasylumseekersarefullyprotectedfromanyactsorlawswhichinanywayresultindiscriminatorytreatmentwithinthehousingsector.InviewofinformationreceivedbytheCommitteethatnotallsocialhousingunitsareoccupiedbylowerincomegroups,theCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoundertakeallnecessarymeasurestoensurethatlowerincomegroupshaveaccesstosocialhousingwhichisaffordable.TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmentmoreintensivelytoapplyexistinglawsallowingtheGovernmenttorequisitionpropertiesandhousingleftunoccupiedbyowners.158.b..bFinally,theCommitteerequeststheGovernmentofBelgiumtosubmititssecondperiodicreportby31May1997.@..KENYA159.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofKenya(E/1990/5/Add.17)atits12thmeetingon9Mayand,atits28thmeetingon20May1994,adoptedthefollowingdecision.160.b..bTheCommitteeappreciatesthewillingnessoftheGovernmentofKenyatopresentareporttotheCommitteeandtoengageinadialoguewithit.Havingconsideredtheinformationcontainedintheinitialreportandtheoralrepliestoquestionsraised,theCommitteedecidestorequesttheStatepartytoprepareanewcomprehensivereportwhichfollowstheCommittee'sguidelinesonreporting.161.b..bTheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthatthenewreportshouldtakeintoaccountthepointsraisedduringitsdialoguewiththeStatepartyatthetenthsession.162.b..bThereportshouldalsoaddressthepointsmadeintheconcludingobservationsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitseighthsessiononthestateofimplementationbyKenyaoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsprovidedforintheCovenantascontainedindocumentE/C.12/1993/6.163.b..bTheCommitteeconsidersthatthepreparationofthenewreportwouldpermitittoengageinamoreconstructiveandfruitfuldialoguewiththeStatepartyandrequeststhatthenewreportbesubmittedbytheendof1994.164.b..bInthecontextofthepreparationofthenewreport,theCommitteealsowelcomestherequestofthedelegationtoreceivetechnicalassistancefromtheCentreforHumanRightsforthispurpose.Inviewoftheforegoing,theCommitteerecommendsthattheCentreforHumanRightsshouldprovidethenecessaryassistancetotheStatepartyfromitstechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservicesprogramme.@..MAURITIUS165.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredthestateofimplementationbyMauritiusoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightscontainedintheCovenantatits22ndand23rdmeetingson17and18Mayand,atits24thmeetingon18May1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.̇@..A.ReviewoftheimplementationoftheCovenantinrelation m toStatespartieswhichhavefailedtoreport166.b..bAtitsseventhsession,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsdecidedtoproceedtoaconsiderationofthestateofimplementationoftheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinanumberofStatespartieswhich,despitemanyrequeststodoso,hadnotfulfilledtheirreportingobligationsunderarticles16and17oftheCovenant.167.b..bThepurposeofthereportingsystemestablishedbytheCovenantisfortheStatespartiestoreporttothecompetentmonitoringbody,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,andthroughit,totheEconomicandSocialCouncil,onthemeasureswhichtheyhaveadopted,theprogressmade,andthedifficultiesencounteredinachievingtheobservanceoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.Non-performancebyaStatepartyofitsreportingobligations,inadditiontoconstitutingabreachoftheCovenant,createsasevereobstacletothefulfilmentoftheCommittee'sfunctions.Nevertheless,theCommitteehastoperformitssupervisoryroleinsuchcases,andmustdosoonthebasisofallreliableinformationavailabletoit.168.b..bInsituationsinwhichaGovernmenthasnotsuppliedtheCommitteewithanyinformationastohowitevaluatesitsowncompliancewithitsobligationsundertheCovenant,theCommitteehastobaseitsobservationsonavarietyofmaterialsstemmingfrombothintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalsources.Whiletheformerprovidemainlystatisticalinformationandapplyimportanteconomicandsocialindicators,theinformationgatheredfromtherelevantacademicliterature,fromnon-governmentalorganizationsandfromthepresstendsbyitsverynaturetobemorecriticalofthepolitical,economicandsocialconditionsinthecountriesconcerned.Undernormalcircumstances,theconstructivedialoguebetweenaStatepartyreportingandtheCommitteewillprovideanopportunityfortheGovernmentconcernedtovoiceitsownview,andtoseektorefutesuchcriticismandconvincetheCommitteeoftheconformityofitspolicieswithwhatisrequiredbytheCovenant.Non-submissionofreportsandnon-appearancebeforetheCommitteedeprivesaGovernmentofthispossibilitytosettherecordstraight.@..tB.Introduction169.b..bMauritiushasbeenapartytotheCovenantsince3January1976,thedateofitsentryintoforce.Sincethen,ithasnotsubmittedasinglereport.TheCommitteestronglyurgestheGovernmentofMauritiustofulfilitsreportingobligationsassoonaspossible,sothattheCovenantcanbegivenfulleffectforthebenefitofthepeopleofMauritius.TheCommitteeconsidersthatnon-fulfilmentofaStateparty'sreportingobligationsconstitutesagraveimpedimenttoeffectiveandadequateimplementationoftheCovenant.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant170.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteofthefactthat,althoughMauritiushasinrecentyearssucceededindiversifyingitseconomyandreducingitsdependenceonsugarproduction,sugar-canestillaccountsformorethantwothirdsofthecontributionoftheagriculturalsectortoGDPandforaboutonethirdofexportearnings.ThiscircumstancemakestheeconomyofMauritiusvulnerabletofluctuationsinsugarexport.About75percentofthecountry'sfoodrequirementshavetobeimported.TheCommitteealsonotesthattherapideconomicgrowthofthemid-1980shassloweddownasaresultoflabourshortages.TheCommitteeisnotawareofanyfurtherdifficultieswhichmightimpedetheapplicationoftheCovenantbyMauritius.@..D.Positiveaspects171.b..bTheCommitteenotesthattheoveralleconomicperformanceofMauritiusinrecentdecadeshasbeenimpressive.Itshumandevelopmentindexhasincreasedfrom0.525in1970to0.793in1992.MauritiusthusstandsatthetopofthelistofAfricancountriesinthisregard.Percapitaincometrebledbetween1982and1992.Unemploymentisallbuteradicated.Thissuccesshascomeaboutthroughheavyinvestmentinhumandevelopment.Educationhasuntilrecentlybeenfreeatalllevels.Thecombinedprimaryandsecondaryenrolmentraterosefrom62percentin1970to77percentin1989.Theoverallliteracyrateismovingtowards90percentandhaspassed95percentfortheagegroupupto30years.Avigorousbirthcontrolcampaignhasbroughtdowntherateofpopulationgrowthfromover2percentayearinthe1960stolessthan1percenttoday.Theinfantmortalityrateaswellasotherhealthindicatorsareimprovingconstantly.Mauritiusprovidesanexampleofacountrywherestructuraladjustmentappearstohaveworkedtothebenefitoftheentirepopulation.Mauritiushasaptlybeencalleda"culturallaboratory"anda"rainbownation",inwhichavarietyofreligiousandculturalgroupsandcommunitieslivetogetherpeacefullyinaspiritofmutualrespectandtolerance.@.."E.Principalsubjectsofconcern172.b..bWithregardtothegeneralprovisionsoftheCovenant,inparticulararticle3,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthat,despitetheeffortsoftheGovernment,womenstilloccupyasubordinateroleinMauritiansociety.Discriminationandviolenceagainstwomencontinuetobesocialproblems,alsoaffectingtheenjoymentbywomenofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.Furtherobservationsontheprevalenceofgenderdiscriminationaretobefoundinparagraphs180and181below.173.b..bArticle6oftheCovenantenshrinestherightofeveryonetogainhislivingbyworkwhichhefreelychoosesoraccepts.Inthelightofthisprovision,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutcertainprovisionsoftheMerchantShippingAct,No.28of1986,accordingtowhichcertainbreachesofdisciplinebyseamenarepunishablebyimprisonment(involvinganobligationtoperformlabour),andforeignseamenmaybeforciblyconveyedonboardshipstoperformtheirduties.TheseprovisionsareasubjectofconcernalsototheILOCommitteeofExpertsontheApplicationofConventionsandRecommendations.174.b..bWithregardtoarticle7oftheCovenant,thereexistsnolegislationrequiringequalpayforequalwork.Inthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthatintheagriculturalsectoroftheMauritianeconomy,forworkofthesamevalue,womenarepaidlowerwagesonthestatedassumptionthattheirproductivityislowerinsuchlabour-intensivework.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedaboutexcessiveovertimeworkintheExportProcessingZones.InthesezonestheLabourActdoesnotapplyfully,whichleavesmorethan80,000workersunprotected.Further,concernisexpressedabouttheineffectiveenforcementofhealthandsafetystandards,asaconsequenceofwhichfatalindustrialaccidentshaveincreasedinrecentyears.Withregardtoaround10,000foreignworkers,mainlyinthetextileandconstructionindustries,theGovernmentappearstoshowlittlewillingnesstoensurethatthesepeoplearetreatedinaccordancewitharticle7oftheCovenantandwiththepertinentinternationallabourstandards.175.b..bMovingtoarticle8oftheCovenant,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernabouttherestrictionsoftherighttoformtradeunionsinforceundertheIndustrialRelationsAct,1973.Further,genuinecollectivebargainingisnotpractisedinMauritius.WagesandbenefitsareineffectdeterminedbytheGovernment.TheCommitteeisparticularlyconcerned,however,aboutthefactthattherighttostrike,althoughrecognizedintheory,cannotbeexercisedinpracticebecausetheIndustrialRelationsAct,1973requiresa21-daycooling-offperiodandempowerstheministertoreferanyindustrialdisputetocompulsoryarbitration,enforceablebypenaltiesinvolvingcompulsorylabour.Thishastheeffectofmakingmoststrikesillegal.Participationinastrikenotapprovedbyacourtisasufficientgroundfordismissal.Inthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthattherespectiverecommendationssubmittedinMay1992bytheSpecialLawReviewCommitteesetuptoreview,interalia,theIndustrialRelationsAct(GarriochCommittee)havenotyetbeenreleasedbytheGovernment.Instead,theproposedTradeUnionandLabourRelationsAct,whichistoreplacetheIndustrialRelationsAct,appearsinsomerespectstobeevenlessfavourabletotradeunions.TheCommitteestillsharesthehopeoftheILOCommitteeofExpertsthattheGovernmentwilllimitcompulsorylabourtoserviceswhoseinterruptionislikelytoendangerthelife,personalsafetyorhealthofthewholeorpartofthepopulation.However,itcannotbutstateacertaintendencyonthepartoftheGovernmentofMauritiustouselabourlegislationtoblocktradeunionrecognitionanddismissworkers.TheCommittee'sgeneralimpressionisthatMauritiusisreturningtoitsoriginaltradition,accordingtowhichGovernmentsupportsfirmcontrolbyemployersovertheirworkers.176.b..bRegardingarticle9,theCommitteenotesthat,accordingtoareportsubmittedbytheGovernmentofMauritiustotheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenin1992,noemploymentinsuranceexists.177.b..bConcerningarticle10,theCommitteenoteswithregretthatMauritianchildlabourlegislationisnotstrictlyenforced.ItfurthertakesnoteoftheGovernment'sownviewexpressedinitsreport,thatMauritiusdoesnothaveacomprehensivesystemoffamilybenefitsthroughwhichallfamiliesbenefitinauniversalmanner,andthatthesystemoffamilyallowancesshouldbereviewedbecausethepresentregulationspenalizetheveryfamiliesthatneedtheallowancemost.178.b..bRegardingtherighttofood,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutthefactthatinJune1993theMauritianGovernmentabolishedsubsidiesonriceandflourwithoutreplacingthembyasystemthatwouldguaranteefoodsecurityforthemostvulnerablegroupsofthepopulation.&  179.b..bRegardingtherighttohousing,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernaboutthediscontinuationoftheGovernment'sprogrammeforprovidinglowcosthousinginMauritius.Inthisregard,theHousingDevelopmentCompanyLtd.,establishedin1992,isinnopositiontoreplacetheformerCentralHousing'  Authority,aswassadlydemonstratedaftertherecentcycloneHollanda.Further,concernisexpressedwithregardtoGovernmentharassmentofhundredsofhomelesspeoplewhobuiltshackson"Stateland".180.b..bWithregardtoarticle12,theCommitteenotesthedeplorablestateofmentalhealthcareinMauritius.Itisalsoconcernedaboutinformationaccordingtowhichhalfthematernaldeathssince1982havebeenduetocomplicationsfollowingabortion,whichisprohibitedbylaw.181.b..bWithregardtoarticle13,theCommitteetakesnoteoftheflawsintheeducationalsystemofMauritiuspointedoutinitsreportandofthemeasuresforeseentoimprovethesituation.Inparticular,itnotesthattheMauritianschoolsystemisextremelycompetitive,whichleadstowidespread,Government-encouragedandcostlyprivatetuitionandthusrendersaccesstosecondaryandtertiaryeducationmoredifficultforthepoorersegmentsofthepopulation.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedaboutthereintroductionoffeesatthetertiarylevelofeducation,whichconstitutesadeliberateretrogressivestep.TheCommitteefurthernoteswithconcernthatKreolandBhojpuri,theonlylanguagesspokenbythelargemajorityofthepopulation,arenotusedintheMauritianeducationalsystem.182.b..bRegardingarticle15oftheCovenant,theCommitteeisconcernedthattheuseofthetwomainlanguagesspokenby92percentofthepopulation,namelyKreolandBhojpuri,isstillbannedintheMauritianNationalAssemblyandactivelydiscouragedinallGovernmentinstitutions.183.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatthepopulationoftheislandofRodriguesenjoystherighttohealthandtherighttoeducationtoamarkedlylesserdegreethanthepeopleontheislandofMauritiusitself.@.. F.Suggestionsandrecommendations184.b..bTheCommitteereiteratesitsrequestthattheGovernmentofMauritiusshouldactivelyparticipateinaconstructivedialoguewiththeCommitteeabouthowtheobligationsarisingfromtheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscanbefulfilledinamoreadequatemanner.ItcallstotheGovernment'sattentionthefactthattheCovenantcreatesalegalobligationforallStatespartiestosubmitperiodicreportsandthatMauritiushasbeeninbreachofthisobligationformanyyears.185.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentofMauritiusshouldavailitselfoftheadvisoryservicesoftheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRightsinordertoenableittosubmitassoonaspossibleacomprehensivereportontheimplementationoftheCovenantinconformitywiththeRevisedGeneralGuidelinesadoptedbytheCommitteein1990(E/C.12/1991/1)andwithparticularemphasisontheissuesraisedandconcernsexpressedinthepresentconcludingobservations.&  @..THEGAMBIA186.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredthestateofimplementationbytheGambiaoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightscontainedintheCovenantatits23rdmeetingon18May1994and,atits24thmeetingonthesameday,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.'  @..A.ReviewoftheimplementationoftheCovenantinrelation m toStatespartieswhichhavefailedtoreport187.b..bAtitsseventhsession,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsdecidedtoproceedtoaconsiderationofthestateofimplementationoftheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinanumberofStatespartieswhich,despitemanyrequeststodoso,hadnotfulfilledtheirreportingobligationsunderarticles16and17oftheCovenant.188.b..bThepurposeofthereportingsystemestablishedbytheCovenantisfortheStatespartiestoreporttothecompetentmonitoringbody,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,andthroughit,totheEconomicandSocialCouncil,onthemeasureswhichtheyhaveadopted,theprogressmade,andthedifficultiesencounteredinachievingtheobservanceoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.NonperformancebyaStatepartyofitsreportingobligations,inadditiontoconstitutingabreachoftheCovenant,createsasevereobstacletothefulfilmentoftheCommittee'sfunctions.Nevertheless,theCommitteehastoperformitssupervisoryroleinsuchcases,andmustdosoonthebasisofallreliableinformationavailabletoit.189.b..bInsituationsinwhichaGovernmenthasnotsuppliedtheCommitteewithanyinformationastohowitevaluatesitsowncompliancewithitsobligationsundertheCovenant,theCommitteehastobaseitsobservationsonavarietyofmaterialsstemmingfrombothintergovernmentalandnongovernmentalsources.Whiletheformerprovidemainlystatisticalinformationandapplyimportanteconomicandsocialindicators,theinformationgatheredfromtherelevantacademicliterature,fromnongovernmentalorganizationsandfromthepresstendsbyitsverynaturetobemorecriticalofthepolitical,economicandsocialconditionsinthecountriesconcerned.Undernormalcircumstances,theconstructivedialoguebetweenaStatepartyreportingandtheCommitteewillprovideanopportunityfortheGovernmentconcernedtovoiceitsownview,andtoseektorefutesuchcriticismandconvincetheCommitteeoftheconformityofitspolicieswithwhatisrequiredbytheCovenant.NonsubmissionofreportsandnonappearancebeforetheCommitteedeprivesaGovernmentofthispossibilitytosettherecordstraight.@..tB.Introduction190.b..bTheGambiahasbeenapartytotheCovenantsince29March1979,thedateofitsentryintoforce.Sincethen,ithasnotsubmittedasinglereport.TheCommitteestronglyurgestheGovernmentoftheGambiatofulfilitsreportingobligationsassoonaspossible,sothattheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscanbegivenfulleffectforthebenefitofthepeopleoftheGambia.TheCommitteeconsidersthatnon-fulfilmentofaStateparty'sreportingobligationsconstitutesagraveimpedimenttoeffectiveandadequateimplementationoftheCovenant.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant191.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteofthefactthatthefulfilmentbytheGovernmentoftheGambiaoftheobligationsimposedbytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscannotbeevaluatedwithouttakingintoconsiderationthepolitical,economicandsocialconditionsprevailinginthecountryatthepresenttime.AlthoughtheGambiahasconsistentlyheldaprominentpositioninthepromotionofhumanrightsinAfrica,withintheframeworkofapoliticalsystemofmultipartydemocracy,sincetheproclamationofitsindependencein1965,itsacknowledgedpoliticalstabilitycameunderthreatintheperiodbeforethegeneralelectionsheldinApril1992.192.b..bTheCommitteenotesthattheGambiaisoneoftheleastdevelopedcountriesinAfricaandthatpovertyiswidespread,especiallyintheruralareaswhere,accordingtoUNDPfigures,200,000people(25percentofthepopulation)livebelowthepovertyline.Intermsofthehumandevelopmentindex,theGambiaranked167thoutof173in1993.193.b..bTheCommitteenotesinparticularthesocioeconomicsituationofwomen,whosedisadvantageappearstoberootedintraditionalpracticesandinlackofeducation,amongotherthings.194.b..bTheCommitteealsonotestheabsenceuntilrecentlyofanationalpopulationpolicy,thesuccessfulimplementationofwhichcouldbeacriticalfactorintranslatingoptimisticgrowthprojectionsintotheimprovementoflivingstandardsforallcitizensoftheGambia.195.b..bTheCommitteefurthernotesthat,inspiteofthewidelyacclaimedEconomicRecoveryProgrammesupportedbytheWorldBank,benefitsderivingfromeconomicgrowthhavenotbeenequitablysharedbyallcitizens.Theruralpopulationinparticularcontinuestosufferdeteriorationinlivingstandards.@..D.Positiveaspects196.b..bTheCommitteenotesthathumanrightsareconstitutionallyprotectedintheGambiaandthattheGovernmentexertseffortstopromoteobservanceofhumanrights.Inparticular,itnotestheestablishmentoftheAfricanCentreforDemocracyandHumanRightsStudies,whichaimsatpromotinggreaterrespectforhumanrightsinAfrica.TheCommitteealsonotesthattheGambiaisanactivecontributortotheworkoftheOrganizationofAfricanUnity'sCommissiononHumanandPeople'sRights.197.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheenactmentoftheLabourActof1990,whichensuresthefreedomtoformassociationsincludingtradeunions,protectstherighttoorganizeandbargaincollectively,andsetsminimumstandardsofcontractsintheareasofhiring,training,termsofemployment,wagesandterminationofemployment.&  @.."E.Principalsubjectsofconcern198.b..bInrelationtotherightscontainedinarticles6to9oftheCovenant,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthatincomelevelsoffemalesgenerally'  remainbelowthegovernmentminimumwagescale,particularlythoseofthefemalelabourforceworkingincontractfarmingproduction.TheCommitteetakesparticularnotethatonly20percentofthelabourforceareineffectcoveredbyminimumwagelegislationwhiletheremainderareinformallyemployed,chieflyinagriculture.199.b..bTheCommitteealsonoteswithconcernthat,asofJanuary1994,theGambiahadnotratifiedanyoftheILOConventions.200.b..bWithregardtoarticle10oftheCovenant,theCommitteeexpressesitsprofoundconcernaboutthesituationofthosewomenintheGambiawhosemarriagesarearrangedforthembyparentsorguardianswithouttheirfullandfreeconsentasprovidedforintheCovenant.TheCommitteenotesthatpolygamyisallowedintheGambia,andobservesthatinaccordancewitharticles2and3oftheCovenant,thelegalstatusofwomenshouldnotbeprejudiced.201.b..bWithregardtotherighttoanadequatestandardoflivingrecognizedinarticle11oftheCovenant,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutthereportedinadequacyofthefoodsupplyinthecountry.UNDPfiguresfor1992showthat68.8percentofurbanfamiliesdidnothaveenoughfoodandthatthedietof64percentofruralfamilieswasinsufficienttowithstandtherainyseason.Thereareindicationsthatchronicmalnutritionamongchildrencouldbeashighas40percent.TheCommitteeregretsthatithasnoinformationontherighttohousingintheGambia.202.b..bRegardingtherighttohealthinarticle12oftheCovenant,theCommitteeexpressesitsdeepconcernovertheextremelyhighmaternalmortalityrateof1,050per100,000livebirths.UNICEFidentifiesthemaincausestobehaemorrhageandinfectionrelatedtothelackofaccesstoandpoorservices.TheCommitteeisequallyconcernedoverthealarmingUNDPfiguresofinfantmortalityandfertilityratesoftheGambia,whichareamongthehighestinAfrica:145.1per1,000livebirthsin1986-1987anda6.5fertilityrateduringthesameperiod.TheCommitteedeploresthepracticeoffemalegenitalmutilationwhichisstillprevalentintheGambia.IndependentexpertsreportthatmorethanhalfthefemalepopulationintheGambiahaveundergonethisprocedure.203.b..bWithregardtotherighttoeducationinarticle13oftheCovenant,theCommitteedeeplyregretstheabsenceofcompulsoryeducationintheGambiaanddrawstheattentionoftheGovernmenttoitsobligationundertheCovenanttoensurethat"primaryeducationshallbecompulsoryandavailablefreeforall".TheCommitteealsodrawstheattentionoftheGovernmentoftheGambiatotheobligation,underarticle14oftheCovenant,incaseswherefreecompulsoryeducationhasnotbeenassured,to"workoutandadoptadetailedplanofactionfortheprogressiveimplementation,withinareasonablenumberofyears,"oftherelevantright.TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernnotonlyaboutthehighratesofilliteracybutalsothegenderdisparitiesapparentinthefigures.ThelatestUNICEFdatareportsthatover75percentofadultsbetweentheagesof15and54arefunctionallyilliterateandthat90percentofthetotalarewomen.Thesamedatasourcereportshowwomenaredisadvantagededucationally,femalescomprisingonlyonethirdofprimaryschoolstudentsandonlyonefourthofhighschoolstudents.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthat,asaresultoftheabsenceofcompulsoryeducationlegislationandbecauseofthepaucityofsecondaryschoolopportunities,mostchildrencompletetheirformaleducationbytheageof14andinformallyentertheworkforce.@.. F.Suggestionsandrecommendations204.b..bTheCommitteereiteratesitsrequestthattheGovernmentoftheGambiashouldactivelyparticipateinaconstructivedialoguewiththeCommitteeastohowtheobligationsarisingfromtheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscanbefulfilledinamoreadequatemanner.ItcallstheGovernment'sattentiontothefactthattheCovenantcreatesalegalobligationforallStatespartiestosubmitperiodicreportsandthattheGambiahasbeeninbreachofthisobligationformanyyears.205.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentoftheGambiashouldavailitselfoftheadvisoryservicesoftheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRightsinordertoenableittosubmitassoonaspossibleacomprehensivereportontheimplementationoftheCovenantinconformitywiththeRevisedGeneralGuidelinesadoptedbytheCommitteein1990(E/C.12/1991/1)andwithparticularemphasisontheissuesraisedandconcernsexpressedinthepresentconcludingobservations.@..DOMINICANREPUBLIC206.b..bAtits5thmeetingon4May1994,theCommitteeconsideredtherequestbytheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublictopostponetheconsiderationofthesituationinthatcountryuntilitsnextsessionand,atits7thmeetingon5May1994,adoptedthefollowingdecision.207.b..bInviewoftheexistenceofexceptionalcircumstancesinthecase,theCommitteeagreestoarequestfromtherepresentativeoftheDominicanRepublictopostponeuntilitseleventhsessionconsiderationofthemattersarisingoutoftheCommittee'srequesttotheGovernmentfortheprovisionofadditionalinformation.208.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatthisdecisionisbaseduponanassurancegivenbytherepresentativeoftheStatepartytotheCommittee'sChairpersonthatanexpertfromthecapitalwouldappearbeforetheCommitteeinrelationtothatmatteratthemeetingscheduledfor6December1994duringtheCommittee'seleventhsession.209.b..bTheCommitteedrawstheattentionoftheStatepartytotheinformationsubmittedtoitbyanongovernmentalorganizationduringthetenthsessionandmadeavailabletotheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublic,andinvitestheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublictoaddressthemattersidentifiedinthatdocumentinitspresentationtotheeleventhsessionoftheCommittee.210.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttotakeallappropriatemeasuresinthemeantimetoensurefullrespectforalleconomic,socialandculturalrights,inparticularinrelationtotherighttohousing.̇@..hPANAMA211.b..bAtits21stmeetingon17May1994,theCommitteeconsideredtheinformationsubmittedbytheGovernmentofPanamainresponsetotherequestsmadebytheCommitteeatitsseventh,eighthandninthsessionsand,atits28thmeetingon20May1994,adoptedthefollowingdecision.212.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheGovernmentofPanamaforthedetailedwrittenrepliestotheissuesidentifiedbytheCommitteeatitsseventhsession(E/1993/22,para.197)andforitsreadinessandwillingnesstocooperatewiththeCommittee.213.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthattheGovernmentofPanamahasundertaken:b..b(1)0 .. ToprovidetheCommitteewithmorecompleteinformationontheissuesidentifiedbytheCommitteewithrespecttotherighttohousing,tobesubmittedbeforetheeleventhsessionoftheCommittee(21November9December1994);b..b(2)0 .. ThattheinformationwillbepresentedtotheCommitteebyexpertsinthefieldofhousingrights;andb..b(3)0 .. Torespondinitswrittenrepliestotheissuesidentifiedinthereportoncasesofforcibleevictionsbetween1992andApril1994,submittedtotheCommitteeduringitstenthsessionbytheNationalCommissionforHumanRightsinPanama(CONADEHUPA)andbroughttotheattentionoftheGovernmentofPanamathroughthespecificcommentsandrequestsmadebymembersoftheCommitteeatthatsession.214.b..bTheCommitteenotestheextensivewritteninformationprovidedtoitbytheGovernmentofPanamaonthefinaldaysofthetenthsession.215.b..bTheCommitteedecidestocontinueitsdialoguewiththeStatepartywithrespecttoitsimplementationoftherighttohousinginthelightofallinformationavailabletoit.Forthispurpose,theCommitteedecidestoscheduleconsiderationofthesituationinPanamaatitseleventhsession,topermitittoadoptconcludingobservations.@..nPHILIPPINES216.b..bTheCommitteeconsidered,atits21stmeetingon17May,theinformationsubmittedbytheGovernmentofthePhilippinesinresponsetotherequestmadebytheCommitteeatitsninthsession,and,atits28thmeetingon20May1994,adoptedthefollowingdecision.217.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheGovernmentofthePhilippinesforthetimelyanddetailedwrittenrepliesithassubmittedandforitsreadinessandwillingnesstocooperatewiththeCommittee.218.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthattheGovernmentofthePhilippineshasundertakentoprovidetheCommitteewithmorecompleteinformationontheissuesidentifiedbytheCommitteewithrespecttotherighttohousinginitssecondperiodicreportontheimplementationofarticles10to12oftheCovenant,whichithaspledgedtosubmitbeforetheeleventhsessionoftheCommittee.219.b..bTheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfactionthedeclarationmadebytherepresentativeofthePhilippinestotheeffectthatthewrittenreportwouldbepresentedtotheCommitteebyexpertsinthefieldofhousingrights.220.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatthereportnowbeingpreparedbytheGovernmentofthePhilippinesshould,inaccordancewithrequestsmadebyCommitteemembers,addresstheissuesidentifiedinthewritteninformationsubmittedtotheCommitteebytheHabitatInternationalCoalitionandintheinformationprovidedtotheCommitteeon2May1994bytherepresentativesoftheUrbanPoorAssociates,alocalnongovernmentalorganization,withrespecttoarticle11(righttohousing)oftheCovenant.Eleventhsession@..ARGENTINA221.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportoftheRepublicofArgentinaonarticles6-12oftheCovenant(E/1990/5/Add.18)atits30th,31stand32ndmeetingson22and24Novemberand,atits54thmeetingon8December1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.@..tA.Introduction222.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsthankstotheGovernmentoftheRepublicofArgentinaforsubmittingitssecondperiodicreportin1993andwelcomestheadditionalinformationprovidedbytheGovernmentonarticles9-12oftheCovenant.223.b..bTheCommitteereiteratestheobligationofStatespartiestosubmitfullreportsrelatingtothearticlesunderconsiderationandspecificallytotheissuescommunicatedtothembeforetheconsiderationofeachreport.TheCommitteeemphasizesthattheobjectivemustbetopresentaclearpictureofthesituationwithregardtoeconomic,socialandculturalrightsinthecountry'sreport;eventhoughinformationsubmittedpreviouslytoanothertreatybodydoesnotneedtoberepeatedintheCommittee,itistheresponsibilityoftheStatetomakeappropriatereferencesinconformitywitharticle17(3).224.b..bTheCommitteehasconsideredwithinterestArgentina'swrittenreport,whichcontainsimportantlegalinformation,andhaslistenedtotheoralpresentation,whichplacedthewrittenreportinamacroeconomicperspective.Nevertheless,theCommitteenotestheabsenceofspecificinformationnecessaryinordertoascertainwhethereconomic,socialandculturalrightsarebeingrespectedinArgentina,bothcollectivelyandindividually.225.b..bTheCommitteeacknowledgesthereferencemadebytheGovernmenttoareportwhichithadsubmittedtotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild.SinceatpresenttheCommitteedoesnotlimittheconsiderationof&  articles10-12tothewell-beingofthechild,itwelcomestheindicationsbytheGovernmentthatitwillprovideitwithadditionalinformationontheremainingissuesdealtwithinthesearticles.'  @..B.Positiveaspects226.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheeconomicprogressachievedbyArgentinainrecentyears,especiallyineffortstocombatinflation,andintheareasofmonetarystabilityandrealeconomicgrowth.TheCommitteeconsidersthattheseconditionsareconducivetothepromotionofeconomic,socialandculturalrights,althoughtheirimplementationdoesnotnecessarilyderivefromthem.227.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheGovernment'sprogrammesandactivitiesrelatingtotherightsofthefamilyandthechild.Motherandchildcarehasbeenactivelypursuedanddocumented,andthe"schoolcanteenprogramme"appearstobereceivingappropriategovernmentsupport.228.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheGovernment'splantofacilitatehomeownershipbytenantsillegallyoccupyinggovernmentpropertybygivingthemtheopportunitytopurchasethelandtheyareoccupyingatpreferentialloanrates.Althoughmorefactualdataarerequiredtoascertainhowmanypeopleandfamilieshavefoundapermanentsolutionthroughthe"landplan",theCommitteewelcomestheconceptunderlyingtheplan.229.b..bInthiscontext,theCommitteenotestheGovernment'seffortstoincreasethepercentageofthebudgetdevotedtopublicwelfare,particularlyintheareaofworkers'pensions.ItalsonotestheexpressedintentionoftheGovernmenttoinitiateperiodicprogrammesforthetrainingofunemployedandunderemployedpersons.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheCovenant230.b..bTheCommitteeacknowledgesthedifficultiesencounteredbyArgentinasincedemocracywasrestoredin1983.Theeffortstodealwiththegrowingdemandforpublicserviceshavebeenparalysedbyasubstantialfiscaldeficit,theexternaldebtandthehyperinflationinheritedfromthepre-democraticyears.231.b..bAdjustmenttoamorerationaleconomicorderhasbeendifficultforArgentinesocietyasawholeandforArgentineworkersinparticular.TheGovernmenthassucceededinstabilizingthevalueofthecurrencybuttheimplementationofthestructuraladjustmentprogrammemayharmcertainsocialgroups.Inthelightofthispolicy,itisunclearwhethertheGovernmenthastakenmeasurestoresolvetheproblemofhousingandpensions.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern232.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithconcernthewayinwhichthe"temporary"workers,astheyareknowninArgentina,aretreated,sincethemeasurestakentoguaranteetheireconomic,socialandculturalrightsappearinadequate,particularlyintimesofgrowingunemployment.233.b..bTheCommitteealsonoteswithconcerntheextensionoftheGovernment'sprivatizationofthepensionprogramme.Thebasicpaymentsystem,towhichallareentitled,isgraduallybeingreplacedbyanewcapitalizationschemewhosereturndependsonthepensioner'scontributions.Thiscallsinquestiontheprospectsforthosewhoareunabletocapitalizeadequatepensions,includinglower-paidworkers,andunemployedandunderemployedpersons.234.b..bInconnectionwiththeGovernment'strainingprogramme,theCommitteehasbeenunabletoevaluatetheneedforitandtheimpactofsuchprogrammesowingtotheabsenceofstatisticsonthepopulationaffected.235.b..bTheCommitteeacknowledgestheinitiativestakenbytheGovernmenttoovercomethehousingshortageinArgentina.However,thereisnoindicationthatitspolicies,whetherthosecurrentlyunderwayorthoseplannedforthefuture,areadequatetomeetalltheneeds.236.b..bTheCommitteespecificallynoteswithconcernthelegalprovisionpermittingrentincreasesofabout12percent,approximatelydoublethepreviousyear'sinflationrate,whilewagesareapparentlyfrozen.237.b..bTheCommitteeisveryconcernedaboutthelargenumberofillegaloccupationsofbuildings,particularlyinBuenosAires,andtheconditionsinwhichexpulsionsarecarriedout.TheCommitteedrawstheattentionoftheGovernmenttothefulltextofitsGeneralCommentNo.4(1991)ontherighttoadequatehousingandurgestheGovernmenttoensurethatpolicy,legislationandpracticetakedueaccountofthatGeneralComment.238.b..bTheCommittee,whileconsciousoftheGovernment'seffortstoincreaseawarenessofhygieneandsafetyintheworkplacethroughpubliccampaigns,observesthatsuchcampaignshavenotprovedeffectiveandthathygieneandsafetyintheworkplacearefrequentlybelowestablishedstandards.239.b..bDespitethesuggestionmadebytherepresentativeoftheGovernmentthattheindigenouspopulationinArgentinaissmall,theCommitteeisneverthelesssurprisedattheabsenceofinformationaboutspecificprogrammesadoptedbytheGovernmenttoguaranteetheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoftheethnicminorities.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations240.b..bInthelightoftheinadequacyofthereportandtheadditionalinformationsubmittedbytheGovernmentofArgentina,theCommitteeinvitestheGovernmenttosubmitafurtherreportcontainingfulldetailsrelatingtoarticles9-11oftheCovenant.TheCommitteeemphasizesthatthenewreportandallsubsequentreportsshouldbedraftedinconformitywiththeCommittee'srevisedguidelinesof1990(E/C.12/1991/1)andthatthenewreportmustalsorefertotheissuesmentionedinthequestionnairecommunicatedtotheGovernmentbeforethecommencementofthedialogue.241.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoanalysethereasonsforthelackofeffectivenessofitsinitiativesintheareaofsafetyandhygieneintheworkplaceandtomakegreatereffortstoimproveallaspectsofenvironmentalandindustrialhygieneandsafety.242.b..bInrelationtothestabilizationprogrammes,theCommittee,whileacknowledgingthegreatsuccessachievedthroughprivatizationanddecentralizationatthemacroeconomiclevel,observesthatsuchmeasuresarenotbeingadequatelymonitoredandthusareleadingtotheviolationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.̀AUSTRIA243.b..bAtits39th,40thand41stmeetingson28and29November,theCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofAustriaconcerningtherightscoveredbyarticles6to9and13to15oftheCovenant(E/1990/6/Add.5),togetherwiththewrittenrepliestothesupplementaryquestionsraisedbythepre-sessionalWorkingGroup,and,atits52ndmeetingon7December1994,approvedthefollowingconcludingobservations.@..BA.Introduction244.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitssatisfactiontotheStatepartywiththedetailedreportsubmittedandthesupplementaryinformationprovidedinwriting,andalsowiththeconstructivedialogueconductedbetweenitsmembersandtheAustriandelegation.245.b..bTheCommitteegreatlyappreciatestheAustriandelegation'sfrank,detailedrepliestoallitsquestions,whichenabledittogainanoverallideaofthewayinwhichAustriaisdischargingitsobligationsundertheCovenant.@..zB.Positiveaspects246.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheeffortsmadebytheAustrianGovernmenttocreatetheconditionsnecessaryfortheexerciseoftherightsrecognizedundertheCovenant.Itnoteswithsatisfactiontheadoptionoflegislativemeasuresguaranteeingnon-discriminationagainstwomen,inparticularActNo.833/1992amendingtheEqualTreatmentActof1979,whichaddressestheproblemofsex-baseddiscriminationintheworkplace,andtheFederalActontheEqualTreatmentofWomenandMenandtheAdvancementofWomenintheFederalServiceof1993,asamendedin1994,whichguaranteesequaltreatmentforwomenandmenemployedbythefederalAdministration.TheCommitteenotestheestablishment,atthefederallevel,oftheEqualTreatmentCommissionandthecreationofthepostofEqualTreatmentAdvocate.247.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheeffortsmadebytheAustrianGovernment,notablyinthefieldofeducation,tointegrateforeignworkersandtheirfamilies.TheCommitteealsonotestheestablishmentofafundfortheintegrationofmigrants,andalsothemeasurestakentocombatxenophobiaandpromotetolerance.248.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteofinitiativesaimedatcombatingunemploymentandtheadverseeffectsoftherestructuringoflargecompanies,inparticulartheestablishmentoflabourfoundations.249.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitssatisfactionwiththerangeandqualityoftheservicesprovidedtothepopulationasawhole,andnotablysocialbenefitsforelderlypersonsandthedisabled.̇250.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithinteresttheeffortsmadeinthefieldofvocationaltrainingandthewidespectrumofeducationalopportunitiesavailableaftercompulsoryeducationhasbeencompleted.Ittakesnoteofthescopeofthecontinuingeducationsystem,whichenablesadultssteadilytoexpandtheirknowledge.251.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthemeasurestakenbytheStatepartytoensuretheprotectionofthevariousethnicminoritiesandtoguaranteethemtherightbothtobeeducatedintheirmothertongueandtopreserveandmaintaintheirculturalidentity.Inthisregard,theCommitteewelcomestherecognitionoftheRomminorityasanationalminority,andnoteswithsatisfactiontheallocationofsubsidiesforthepromotionoftheculturalactivitiesofminorities,andtheestablishmentwithintheFederalChancelleryofAdvisoryBoardsonEthnicMinorities.@.. C.Principalsubjectsofconcern252.b..bTheCommitteenotesthattheprovisionsoftheuniversalhumanrightsinstruments,theCovenantamongthem,cannotbedirectlyinvokedbeforetheAustriancourts,unliketheEuropeanConventionfortheProtectionofHumanRightsandFundamentalFreedoms,whichhasbeenincorporatedintodomesticlegislationandhastheforceofconstitutionallaw.AlthoughtheAustriandelegationhasstatedthatitsnationallegislationisconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheCovenant,theCommitteeneverthelessexpressesitsconcernthat,intheeventofaconflictbetweentheprovisionsoftheCovenantandthoseofdomesticlegislation,theinternationalobligationsenteredintoundertheCovenantmaynotbefulfilled.253.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthepossibleadverseconsequences,fortheimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheCovenantconcerningnon-discrimination,oftheregulationsrelatingtothenewlawonresidenceandresidencepermits,whosepurposeistolimitthenumberofforeignersauthorizedtoworkinAustria,andtheconditionslaiddown-particularlyintheareaofhousing-fortheacquisitionofanAustrianresidencepermit.254.b..bTheCommitteepointsoutthattheILOCommitteeofExpertsontheApplicationofConventionsandRecommendations,inits1994reporttotheInternationalLabourConference,expresseditsconcernatthepersistenceofinequalitiesintheremunerationofwomenascomparedwithmen,especiallyintheprivatesector.Inthiscontext,theCommitteenotesthat,despitetheconsiderablelegislativeeffortsmadebytheStatepartytoensureequalitybetweenthesexes,inequalitypersistsinpractice,particularlyinthematterofpromotion,andsometimesintheprovisionofsocialbenefits.255.b..bTheCommitteeobservesthatstandardsfortheprotectionofworkersconcerninglimitsonthedurationoftheworkingdayandweeklyrestarenotalwaysfullymetbecausesomeareasoftheprivatesectoraredilatoryinenforcingtherelevantlegislation.256.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatworkersinsmallbusinesses(withfiveorfeweremployees)seemnottoenjoyadequateprotectionagainstthethreatofdismissalorterminationonthegroundsoftradeunionactivities.Similarly,theCommitteeconsidersthattherepresentationofworkersonworkscouncilsisnotsufficienttoensureabalanceofinterests.̇@.. D.Suggestionsandrecommendations257.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldenvisagetakingthemeasuresnecessarytoplaceonanequalfootingtheinternationalhumanrightsinstruments,inparticulartheCovenant,andtheEuropeanConventionfortheProtectionofHumanRightsandFundamentalFreedomsasregardstheplacetheyoccupyinthedomesticlegalorder.258.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheAustrianauthoritiesshouldcontinuetheireffortstoensuredefactoequalitybetweenmenandwomen,especiallyintheareasofaccesstoemployment,remunerationforequalwork,workingconditions,therighttosocialsecurityandparticipationinhighereducation.259.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheAustrianGovernmentshouldtakethenecessarymeasurestoensurethattheimplementationofthenewimmigrationandresidencelawswillnotimpedetheexercise,bynon-nationals,oftherightssetoutintheCovenant.260.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheStatepartytomonitorcarefullythepossibleeffectsofunemploymentandreducedsocialwelfareservicesontherealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights,inparticularforthemostvulnerablegroupsinsociety,andtotakethenecessarymeasurestomitigatetheiradverserepercussions.261.b..bTakingaccountoftheobservationsmadebytheILOCommitteeofExpertsontheApplicationofConventionsandRecommendations,inits1994report,concerningworkdonebydetaineeswithinprisonsforprivatebusinesses,theCommitteeendorsestherecommendationsaddressedtotheGovernmentofAustriaencouragingittotakemeasurestoimprovethelevelofremunerationandsocialwelfareofsuchdetainees.262.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldcontinueitseffortstoensuretheexerciseofalltherightsrecognizedinarticle8oftheCovenant,inparticularforworkersemployedinsmallbusinesses.263.b..bTheCommitteedeemsitessentialthattheStatepartyshouldmaintainadialoguewithcivilsocietyinthepreparationofreportstotheCommitteeandshoulddisseminatethemaswidelyaspossible.@..l UNITEDKINGDOMOFGREATBRITAINANDNORTHERNIRELAND264.b..bTheCommitteeconsidered,atitseleventhsession,thesecondperiodicreportssubmittedbytheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland(DependentTerritories)onarticles10to12(E/1986/4/Add.27andE/1986/4/Add.28)andonarticles13to15(E/1990/7/Add.16)oftheCovenantaswellasadditionalinformation(E/1989/5/Add.9)submittedpursuanttotheconsiderationofthesecondperiodicreportoftheUnitedKingdomconcerningrightscoveredbyarticles10to12oftheCovenant.TheCommitteeconsideredthosereportsatits33rdand34thmeetingson23November,andpaidparticularattentiontothespecificsituationofHongKongatits34th,36thand37thmeetingson23,24and25November.Afterhavingconsideredthereports,theCommittee,atits53rdmeetingon7December1994,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.̇@..<Introduction265.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatthereportssubmittedbytheStatepartyhavebeenpreparedinaccordancewiththeCommittee'sguidelines.ItwelcomesthepresenceofahighleveldelegationcomposedofrepresentativesfromtheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandandfromHongKong.ItnoteswithsatisfactionthattheinformationsubmittedinthereportsandthatprovidedbythedelegationinreplytobothwrittenandoralquestionsenabledtheCommitteetoobtainacomprehensiveviewoftheextentoftheStateparty'scompliancewithitsobligationsundertheCovenant.TheCommitteealsoappreciatesthesubmissionofwrittenrepliestoitslistofissues.ItconsidersthatthecontentandformofthedialogueestablishedbetweenthedelegationandtheCommitteewas,inmanyrespects,highlysatisfactory.266.b..bTheCommitteewasespeciallyappreciativeoftheconstructivemannerinwhichthedelegationreferredtoandrespondedtothecontributionsofnon-governmentalorganizationstotheCommittee'sreviewoftheimplementationoftheCovenantinHongKong.@..PARTONE   ~ Implementationofarticles10to12and13to15oftheCovenantin ~ theUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandandits@.. DependentTerritories(withtheexceptionofHongKong)@..A.Positiveaspects267.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheenactmentinrecentyearsofanumberoflawswhichaimtopromotethesafeguardingandenjoymentoftherightsguaranteedbytheCovenant.Itappreciates,inparticular,theadoptionoftheEducationAct1993andoftheCodeofPracticeontheIdentificationandAssessmentofSpecialEducationalNeedsandnotesthatthelatterwasissuedinMay1994toidentifyandassesschildrenwithspecialeducationalneedsandprovidefortheireducationwheneverpossibleinmainstreamschools.ItalsowelcomestheLocalGovernmentandHousingAct1989andtheHomelessnessCodeofGuidanceforLocalAuthoritieswhichaimatovercomingcertaindifficultiesintheimplementationoftherighttohousingasspecifiedinarticle11oftheCovenant.268.b..bTheCommitteetakesnotewithinterestoftheeffortsoftheGovernmenttopromoteselfruleinthevariousDependentTerritoriesandtoenhancepublicawarenessofandabilitytoexerciseeconomic,socialandculturalrights.@..` B.Factorsanddifficultiesaffectingthe  implementationoftheCovenant269.b..bTheStatepartyreportednospecificfactorordifficultyaffectingtheimplementationoftheCovenant.TheCommittee,however,notesthatnotwithstandingtheabsenceofsuchinformationinthereportsitisclearthatcertaineconomicandsocialdifficultiescontinuetobefacedbythemostvulnerablesegmentsofsociety,partlyasaresultofbudgetaryconstraints.270.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatwhilethesmallsizeandthereforelimitedhumanandmaterialresourcesofmostoftheDependentTerritoriesmightresultincertaindifficulties,thefactremainsthattherightsrecognizedintheCovenantmustbefullyimplementedevenifthisrequiresadditionaleffortsandresourcesfromtheUnitedKingdomGovernment.@..C.Mainsubjectsofconcern271.b..bTheCommitteeregretsthatithasnotbeenfeltpossibletoincludeinthereportssubmittedtotheCommitteeconcernsandviewsexpressedbythepublicandnongovernmentalorganizations,includingintherelevantterritories.Inthatregard,theCommitteerecallsthatthemeaningofthereportingprocedureispreciselytofocusattentionanddebateontheimplementationoftherightsguaranteedbytheCovenant.Similarly,judgesandothermembersofthelegalprofessionhavenotgivensufficientconsiderationtotheimportanceofthisCovenantwithindomesticlaw.TheCommitteeconsidersthatavailabilityofthereportsinthelibraryoftheHouseofCommonsisinsufficienttosatisfytheinterestofthepublicatlarge.272.b..bTheCommitteenotestheconcernexpressedtoitaboutthesituationofGibraltarinrelationtotherighttoselfdeterminationrecognizedinarticle1oftheCovenantandcallsuponallpartiestotheexistingsituationtoensurefullrespectforalltherightsrecognizedintheCovenantinrelationtofuturedevelopmentsconcerningGibraltar.273.b..bTheCommitteetakesnotewithconcernthatinsufficientmeasureshavebeentakentoaddresstheapparentdisparitiesinemploymentpatternsandopportunitiesofcertainminoritygroupsandbetweenmenandwomen.Inthelatterregard,itisregrettedthatwomenarestillemployeddisproportionatelyinlowerpaidoccupations.274.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutdifficultiesfacedintheimplementationofarticle11oftheCovenant.Inthiscontext,itregretsthatalargenumberofhouseholdshaveexperiencedharassmentorillegalevictionandnotesthatthenationalhousingpolicyisnotadequatetoaddressthisproblemwhichparticularlyaffectsprivatetenantswhoaresingleparents,havelowincomesor,ingeneral,areamongthemostvulnerablegroupsofsociety.TheCommitteealsonoteswithconcernthatseriousdifficultiescontinuetobefacedregardingtheenforcementofimprovementstounsafehousinginEnglandandWalesaswellasinthehandlingbytheauthoritiesofthegrowingproblemofhomelessness.275.b..bTheCommitteeconsidersthesituationofdisadvantagedgroupsintheeducationsystemtobeofparticularconcern.Itspecificallynotesthegravedisparitieswhichappeartoprevailinthelevelofeducationdependingonthesocialoriginofthepupil.Regionaldifferencesinthequalityoftheeducationprovidedtochildrenisalsoamatterofconcern.276.b..bTheCommitteeregretsthatinsufficientmeasureshavebeentakentowardsthedevelopmentofauniversalpreschooleducationscheme.Itisconcernedabouttherelativelylowproportionof16to18-year-oldswhocontinueinfull-timeeducation,thelargenumberofchildrenwhodonotcompletetheirschoolingandthegrowingrelianceinthecontextoftheeducationsystemreformuponvoluntarycontributionsbyparents.TheCommitteealsoregretsthelackofsufficientopportunitiesavailabletopersonswithdisabilitiestopursuetheirrighttoeducationwithinthemainstream.@.. D.Suggestionsandrecommendations277.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatappropriatemeasuresshouldbetakentodisseminateinformationontherightsguaranteedundertheCovenanttoallsectorsofsociety,particularlytojudges,civilservants,socialworkersandmembersofotherprofessionsconcernedbyitsimplementation.TheCommitteeencouragestheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandtotakeintoaccountGeneralCommentNo.1(1989)oftheCommitteeinthepreparationofitsnextperiodicreport,inordertoenhancethetransparencyofgovernmentpolicymakingwithrespecttoeconomic,socialandculturalsectors.278.b..bTheCommitteeunderlinesthateffortsshouldbemadetoidentifytheneedsofdisadvantagedgroupsinthefieldofeducationandtodrawontheresultsofanystudiesorreviewsinthedevelopmentofpolicyinitiativestorespondtotheneedsofsuchgroups.TheCommitteealsorecommendsthatpriorityshouldbegiventoexpandaccesstopreschooleducationandtodevelopbasicskillprogrammesinreading,writingandnumeracy,particularlytothebenefitofchildrenuptotheageofseven.Appropriateschooltrainingshouldalsobemadeavailabletolongtermunemployedpersons.279.b..bInviewoftheexistingsituationofolderpersonsandofpersonswithdisabilities,theCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttomakeanenhancedefforttoassesstheneedsofthesegroupsinrelationtotheirrightsunderarticles13to15oftheCovenant.280.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheStatepartytoimproveitsmonitoringoftheproblemofinadequatehousingandtodevelopmoreactiveandfocusedmeasurestoimprovethesituation.Inthisconnection,itdrawstheattentionoftheStatepartytotheprovisionsofitsGeneralCommentNo.4(1991).@..PARTTWO@.. Implementationofarticles10to12and13to15ofthe@..zCovenantinHongKong@..A.Positiveaspects281.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithinterestthatHongKonghasprosperedeconomicallytoadegreethatplacesconsiderablematerialresourcesatthedisposaloftheGovernmenttoenhancetheenjoymentofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsinHongKong.TheCommitteeacknowledgesthesignificantnumberofmeasuresthattheGovernmenthasundertakeninrelationtotherightsenshrinedintheCovenant.282.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheeffortsmadebytheHongKongGovernmenttomakeavailabletotheHongKongcommunitythetextoftheCovenantandthereportsubmittedtotheCommittee.Itwelcomesthecommitmentmadethatinfuture,thedraftreportwillbecirculatedforpubliccomment.̇283.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesthetermsintheSinoBritishJointDeclarationandtheBasicLawwhichaffirmthattheprovisionsoftheCovenantwillremaininforceandcontinuetoapplytoHongKongafter1997.TheCommitteealsowelcomestheincorporationoftheCovenantasajusticiableconstitutionalguaranteeinarticle39oftheBasicLaw.WhiletheCommitteerealizesthatthecontinuationofreportinginrespectofHongKongafter1997mayposesomelegalandtechnicalproblems,itemphasizestheveryimportantroleplayedbyreportinginrelationtotheprotectionofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.TheCommitteeisawarethattherearevariousoptionsbywhichtheseproblemsmaybeovercome.OnthisbasistheCommitteeaffirmsitswillingnessandindeeditsstrongwishtoreceivereportsonHongKongfromthePeople'sRepublicofChinaor,iftheauthoritiessodecide,directlyfromtheHongKongSpecialAdministrativeRegion.Inthemeantime,especiallyinviewofthecommitmentsenteredintointheJointDeclaration,theCommitteehopesthatthePeople'sRepublicofChinawillaccedetotheCovenant.@..` B.Factorsanddifficultiesaffectingthe  implementationoftheCovenant284.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatuncertaintiesarisingfromtheanticipatedtransferofsovereigntytoChinain1997haveapparentlyresultedinthereluctanceonthepartoftheHongKongGovernmenttoseektoitsmaximumcapacitytheprotectionandpromotionoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsofitsconstituents.@.."C.Principalsubjectsofconcern285.b..bTheCommitteeregretsthattheprovisionsoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsarenotincorporatedintoHongKongdomesticlawunliketheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights.TheCommitteefindsunacceptabletheviewexpressedbytheGovernmentthattherightsenshrinedintheformerare"differentinnature"fromcivilandpoliticalrightsandthereforenotcapableofbeingthesubjectofanenforcementprocedureunderdomesticlaw.286.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthattherelativelylowlevelofawarenessof,andinterestin,internationalhumanrightslawonthepartofthejudiciaryresultsintheinadequateconsiderationoftheprovisionsoftheCovenantinjudicialdecisionmakingtotheextentthatispermittedbythecommonlawsystem.̀287.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernthat,inspiteofrecentGovernmentinitiativestointroducelegislationconcerningnondiscriminationinrelationtosexanddisability,thereisanabsenceofcomprehensivelegislationprovidingprotectionagainstdiscriminationonthegroundsreferredtoinarticle2oftheCovenant.TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthattheGovernment'sproposedlegislationonsexdiscriminationincludesanumberofexclusionsandexemptionsinparticularthesocalledsmallhousepolicywhichdiscriminateagainstwomen.288.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheGovernment'sclearobjectiontotheestablishmentofahumanrightscommission.289.b..bTheCommitteeisparticularlydisturbedbytheproblemofsplitfamiliesinHongKong,especiallywhereitconcernsspouseswhoareforcedtoliveapartfromeachotherandchildrenwhoareseparatedfromparentsandsiblings.TheCommitteeisoftheviewthatthissituationistheresultofHongKong'spresentimmigrationlaw,andconsidersthattheseparationoffamiliesisinconsistentwiththeobligationsunderarticle10oftheCovenant.290.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatinthecaseofHaiHoTakithasreceivedconflictingexplanationsofthereasonsfortheseparationofthechildfromhisparentsandastowhichauthoritiesareinapositiontoresolvetheproblem.TheCommitteefindstheseexplanationsunconvincingandmaintainsitsconcernthatundulybroadbureaucraticreasonshavebeenusedasajustificationforameasurewhichisnotcompatiblewiththerightsrecognizedinarticle10.Thesuggestionthatthechild'sparentsshouldapplyforaonewaypermitwouldnotappeartobeanadequatesolution,giventheverylengthydelaythatwouldresult.TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoreconsideritsresponsetothiscase.ItalsonotesthatnocompellingreasonhasbeenofferedbytheGovernmentforitsrefusaltoprovideastatutoryrightofappealinimmigrationcaseswhichinvolveexceptionalcircumstancesofahumanitariannatureandurgesthatthisprincipleshouldalsobereconsidered.291.b..bTheCommitteeisdeeplyconcernedbytheinformationithasreceivedaboutthetreatmentofVietnameseasylumseekersinHongKong.ItisparticularlyconcernedaboutthesituationofthechildrenandisalarmedbythestatementsmadebytheGovernmentthatthesechildrenhavenoentitlementtotheenjoymentoftherighttoeducationortootherrightsinviewoftheirstatusas"illegalimmigrants".TheCommitteeconsidersthesituationinconsistentwithobligationssetforthintheCovenant.292.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernaboutthelegalandsocialpositionofforeignemployeesknownasdomestichelpersinHongKong.Itconsidersthattheseworkers'economic,socialandculturalrightsareseriouslyimpairedbythesocalledtwoweekrulewhichprovidesthataworkermayneitherseekemploymentnorstaymorethantwoweeksinHongKongaftertheexpirationoforiginalemployment;bythefactthatmaximumworkinghoursarenotset;andbythediscriminatorypracticeofnotbeingallowedtobringtheirfamiliestoHongKong,whileprofessionalmigrantworkersfromdevelopedcountriesareallowedtodoso.293.b..bTheCommitteedeplorestheplightofpersonsmostofwhomareelderlylivinginsubhumanconditionsin"cagehomes",andconsidersunacceptabletheinactionoftheHongKongGovernmentdespiteabundantfinancialresourcesatitsdisposal.294.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithconcernthatthepresentlevelofsocialsecuritypaymentsavailabletotheelderlyappearstobeinsufficienttopermitthemtoenjoyfullytheirrightsundertheCovenant.ItisparticularlyconcernedaboutthehealthandsocialproblemsfacingelderlypeoplewhoaretotallydependentonComprehensiveSocialSecurityAssistancepayments.&  @.. D.Suggestionsandrecommendations295.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheGovernmentoftheUnitedKingdomtoinformtheCommitteeassoonaspossibleofthemodalitiesarrivedatinagreementwiththeGovernmentofChinabywhichthereportingobligationsundertheCovenantwillcontinueafter1997.'  296.b..bTheCommitteeenjoinstheGovernmentofHongKongtoestablishprocedurestoallowanappropriatebodytoadjudicateoncomplaintsofinfringementoftherightsundertheCovenant,andtoallowtheHongKonglegislaturetoconsiderthedesirabilityofestablishingahumanrightscommission.297.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatcompetentauthoritiesresponsibleforcontinuinglegaleducationforthejudiciaryshouldtakeactivestepstoensurethatHongKongjudgesareappropriatelyupdatedonacontinuingbasisondevelopmentsininternationalhumanrightslaw.298.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentshouldtakeimmediatestepstointroduceacomprehensiveantidiscriminationlegislationespeciallyinrelationtoallformsofdiscriminationagainstwomen.299.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsareviewoftheexistingimmigrationpolicyofHongKongwithaviewtoamendingtheprovisionswhichresultinsplitfamilies.300.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheHongKongGovernmenttotakeimmediatestepstoensurethatchildreninrefugeecampsandthosereleasedfromthemareaccordedfullenjoymentoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsguaranteedtothemundertheCovenant.TheCommitteealsorecommendsaclosercooperationwithvolunteerorganizationsandtheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees.301.b..bTheCommitteerecommendstherepealofthetwoweekruleandareviewoftheemploymentconditionsofforeigndomestichelperstoprovidethefullenjoymentoftheirrightsundertheCovenant.302.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttotakeimmediatesteps,asamatterofhighpriority,toeradicatethephenomenonof"cagehomes",andtoensurethatthosecurrentlylivinginsuchaccommodationareprovidedwithadequateandaffordablerehousing.TheCommitteealsourgestheGovernmentseriouslytoconsidertheembodimentintodomesticlawoftherighttohousing.303.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsareviewoftheexistingsocialsecuritysystemassoonaspossible,withaviewtoaddressingtheinadequaciesofbenefitsforolderpersons.304.b..bTheCommitteeconsidersthatHongKongisinthefortunatepositionofhavingsufficientresourcestoaddressitspresentinadequaciesinrelationtoitsobligationsundertheCovenant,andurgesittodosoassoonaspossible.&  @..SURINAME305.b..bAtits54thand55thmeetingson8December1994,theCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofSurinameonarticles1to15oftheCovenant(E/1990/5/Add.20)and,atits55thmeeting,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.'  306.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesthereportsubmittedbytheGovernmentofSurinamein1993.ItregretsthattheGovernmentwasnotpresenttointroduceitsreportbeforetheCommitteeanddidnotsubmitanswerstothewrittenlistofissues,whichnecessitatedconsiderationofthereportwithouttheGovernment'spresence.TheCommitteepointsoutthatfailurebyStatespartiestoappearatCommitteemeetingsasscheduled,withnoticeprovidedinthecaseofSurinameonlyonedaypriortothescheduledmeeting,isdisruptivetothedialoguebetweentheCommitteeandtheStatepartyandhinderstheCommitteeinarrivingatanaccurateassessmentoftheStateparty'scompliancewiththeCovenant.307.b..bTheCommitteerequeststheGovernmentinthestrongestpossibletermstosubmitrepliesinwritingtothelistofissuesassoonaspossible.308.b..bTheCommitteewilladoptitsfinalconcludingobservationsinrelationtoSurinameatitstwelfthsessionandforthispurposewilltakefullaccountoftheinformationavailabletoitfromallsources.@..DOMINICANREPUBLIC@..tA.Introduction309.b..bAtits43rdand44thmeetingson30November1994,theCommitteeexaminedmattersarisingoutoftherequeststotheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublicfortheprovisionofadditionalinformation,inparticularrelatingtotherighttoadequatehousing.TheCommitteehasdevotedongoingattentiontotheseissuessinceitsfifthsession(1990),withparticularconcernaboutallegedinstancesoflargescaleforcedevictions.AtitstenthsessiontheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttotakeallappropriatemeasuresinthemeantimetoensurefullrespectforalleconomic,socialandculturalrights,inparticularinrelationtotherighttohousing.Atits55thmeetingon8December1994,theCommitteeadoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.310.b..bTheCommitteeappreciatestheappearancebeforeitoftworepresentatives,includinganexpertfromthecapital,andtheopportunitytoengageinaconstructivedialoguewiththeGovernmentontherighttoadequatehousing.@..B.Positiveaspects311.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesthefrankandopenmannerinwhichtheGovernmentrespondedtoquestionsputtoitanditswillingnesstoacknowledgemanyofthedifficultieswhichhaveimpededtheimplementationoftheCovenant.Inparticular,theCommitteewelcomestheinformationreceivedontheextentof&  thepracticeofforcedevictions,theimpactoffraudandotherunfairpracticesintheallocationofpublichousingunitsandinformationconcerningpositivechangesinGovernmentpolicy.'  312.b..bTheCommitteenotesthehousingrightsprovisionsinarticle8(15)(b)oftheConstitutionandseveralrecentamendmentstotherelevantprovisionsoftheConstitution.Itnotesthattheseprovisionscould,ifreflectedfullyinlawandpractice,assistinpromotingenhancedaccountabilityandthedevelopmentofjudicialprocedureswhichwouldprovideaneffectivemeansofrecourseforthosewhoserighttohousingisthreatened.313.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesthoseaspectsofdecrees7694of29March1994and15594of11May1994whichcommittheStatetoprovidingthebroadestpossibleprotectiontothestabilityoftheDominicanfamilyandtogivingpropertytitlestoallfamilieswho,upto11May1994,havebuilthomesonlandsdeclaredtobepublicproperty.TheCommitteealsowelcomesthedecisionbytheGovernmenttocreateagreenbeltaroundthecityofSantoDomingo,anditscommitmenttoconstruct12,500newhousingunitsforlowincomecommunities.314.b..bTheCommitteealsowelcomestheGovernment'sstatementofitsintentiontoamenditslegislationandpolicytobringthemintolinewiththeobligationsarisingoutoftheCovenant,totakemeasureswithregardtoforcedevictionsandtoadaptrelocationpoliciestoensurethatsuchmeasuresarecarriedoutonlyasalastresortandthatwhentheydooccurtheprincipleofa"houseforahouse"willberespected.TheindicationbytheGovernmentthaturgentconsiderationwillbegiventosuspendingdecrees358-91and35991isparticularlywelcomedbytheCommittee.315.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheundertakingbytheGovernmenttosubmitadditionalinformationonallquestionswhichwereunansweredandtogivepositiveconsiderationtotheCommittee'srequesttosendoneortwoofitsmemberstothecountrywithaviewtoassistingtheGovernmentinimplementingtherightsfoundintheCovenant.@.."C.Principalsubjectsofconcern316.b..bTheCommitteereiteratestheimportanceitattachestotherighttohousingandreaffirmsitslongstandingviewthatforcedevictionsareprimafacieincompatiblewiththerequirementsoftheCovenantandcanonlybejustifiedintrulyexceptionalcircumstances.ThesituationregardingforcedevictionswithinthecountrycontinuestobeviewedwithconcernbytheCommittee.317.b..bTheCommitteehasreceived,overthecourseofseveralyears,detailedandpreciseinformationrelatingtothehousingsituationintheDominicanRepublic.ThisinformationhassystematicallybeenprovidedtotheGovernmentwitharequestforcommentsastoitsaccuracy.Thatinformationhasindicated,interalia,that:b..b(a) .. ThirtythousandormorefamiliesresidingintheNorthernZone(ZonaNorte)ofthecapitalarethreatenedwithforcedevictionunderdecrees35891,35991and7694.AreasparticularlyaffectedareLaCienaga-losGuandules,Gualey,BarrancadeGuachupita,SimonBolivar,LaCanadadeSimonBolivar,Barrio27deFebrero,LaZurza,Capotillo,LasCanitas,EnsEspaillat,Maquiteria,Simonico,CristoRey,Guaricano,Borojol,24deAbrilandpartsoftheColonialZone;b..b(b) .. Thousandsoffamilieshavebeenevictedfromthesiteofthe"FaroaColon"inthecitywithoutregardtotheirrights;b..b(c) .. ForcedevictionshavealsooccurredincitiessuchasSantiago,SanJuandelaMaguana,BocaChicaandElSeybo,aswellasinruralareassuchasLosHaiticesandJigueyAguacate;b..b(d) .. OfthemanyfamiliesrelocatedtositesontheperipheryofSantoDomingoonlyasmallproportionreceivedrelocationallowanceswhilesome3,000familiesreceivedneitherrelocationallowancesnoradequatecompensationfortheireviction;b..b(e) .. ThecurrentlivingconditionsfacedbythoserelocatedasaresultofHurricaneDavidin1979,inparticularthe106familiesresidingundertheDuarteBridge(PuenteDuarte)andthe658familiesresidinginlosBarranconesdeAlcarrizo,aregrosslyinadequate.318.b..bWhiletheGovernmentpresentedtheCommitteewithinformationastotheachievementsandshortcomingsofitsvariouspoliciesinrelationtohousing,theCommitteedidnotreceiveanyinformationwhichwouldleadittoconcludethattheseproblemsdonotexistorhavebeenadequatelyaddressed.319.b..bItthereforeexpressesitsseriousconcernaboutthenatureandmagnitudeoftheproblemsrelatingtoforcedevictionsandcallsupontheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublictotakeurgentmeasurestopromotefullrespectfortherighttoadequatehousing.Inthisregard,theCommitteenotesthatwheneveraninhabiteddwellingiseitherdemolishedoritsinhabitantsevicted,theGovernmentisunderanobligationtoensurethatadequatealternativehousingisprovided.Inthiscontext"adequacy"requiresrelocationwithinareasonabledistancefromtheoriginalsite,andinasettingwhichhasaccesstoessentialservicessuchaswater,electricity,drainageandgarbageremoval.Similarly,personswhoarehousedinconditionswhichthreatentheirlifeandhealthshould,tothemaximumofavailableresources,beadequatelyrehoused.320.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheeasewithwhichtheGovernmentispreparedtoauthorizeorundertakethedemolitionofhomes,evenwhensuchdwellingsarecapableofbeingrepairedorrenovated.Itappearsthatinsufficientattentionispaidinthiscontexttoextensivealternativecommunitydevelopmentandurbanimprovementplansdevelopedbypopularorganizations.321.b..bTheCommitteewasinformedthatthenationalhousingunitdeficitcurrentlystandsatsome500,000units.Ifcorrect,thislevelwouldbeexceptionallyhighgiventherelativelysmallpopulationofthecountry.WhiletheCommitteecommendstheGovernmentfortheconstructionofroughly4,500housingunitsannually,thisquantityisclearlyinsufficient.Moreover,theCommitteewasalsoinformedthatlessthan17percentofGovernmentbuilthousingunitsareprovidedtothepoorestsectorsofsociety.322.b..bOnthebasisofthedetailedinformationavailabletoit,theCommitteealsowishestoemphasizeitsconcernaboutthe"militarization"ofLaCienaga-LosGuandules,thelongstandingprohibitiononimprovingorupgradingexistingdwellingsforthemorethan60,000residentsofthearea,andtheinadequateandheavilypollutedlivingconditions.Thesituationisespeciallyproblematicgiventhatthesecommunitieswereoriginallyestablishedasrelocationareasforevictedpersonsinthe1950s.SincethattimetheGovernmenthasfailedtoconferlegalsecurityoftenureonresidentsortoprovidebasiccivicservices.323.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthat,basedonavailableinformation,thesituationofthe200,000personsresidinginroominghousesinSantoDomingowouldoftenappeartobebelowanyacceptablestandards.324.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheeffectsPresidentialdecreescananddohaveupontheenjoymentoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.Itwishestoemphasizeinthisregardtheimportanceofestablishingjudicialremedieswhichcanbeinvoked,includinginrelationtoPresidentialdecrees,inordertoseekredressforhousingrightsviolations.TheCommitteeisnotawareofanyhousingrightsmattersthathavebeenconsideredbytheSupremeCourtinrelationtoarticle8(15)(b)oftheConstitution.Insofarasthismightbetakentoindicatethattheprovisionhasnotsofarbeensubjecttojudicialreview,theCommitteeexpressesthehopethatgreaterreliancewillbeplaceduponitinfutureasameansbywhichtodefendtherighttoadequatehousing.@.. D.Suggestionsandrecommendations325.b..bTheCommitteedrawstheattentionoftheGovernmenttothefulltextofitsGeneralCommentNo.4(1991)ontherighttoadequatehousingandurgestheGovernmenttoensurethatpolicy,legislationandpracticetakedueaccountofthatGeneralComment.326.b..bTheGovernmentshouldensurethatforcedevictionsarenotcarriedoutexceptintrulyexceptionalcircumstances,followingconsiderationofallpossiblealternativesandinfullrespectfortherightsofallpersonsaffected.Onthebasisoftheinformationavailabletoit,theCommitteehasnoreasontoconcludethatexistingplansforforcedevictioninSantoDomingo,towhichitsattentionhasbeendrawn,arenecessitatedbyanysuchexceptionalcircumstances.327.b..bAllpersonsresidinginextremelyprecariousconditions,suchasthoseresidingunderbridges,oncliffsides,inhomesdangerouslyclosetorivers,ravinedwellers,residentsofBarranconesandPuenteDuarte,andthemorethan3,000familiesevictedbetween19861994whohaveyettoreceiverelocationsites(fromVillaJuana,VillaConsuelo,LosFrailes,SanCarlos,Guachupita,LaFuente,ZonaColonial,Maquiteria,CristoRey,LaCuarenta,LosRosandLaZurza),shouldallbeensured,inarapidmanner,theprovisionofadequatehousinginfullconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheCovenant.328.b..bTheGovernmentshouldconfersecurityoftenureonalldwellerslackingsuchprotectionatpresent,withparticularreferencetoareasthreatenedwithforcedeviction.329.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatPresidentialdecrees35891and35991areformulatedinamannerinconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheCovenantandurgestheGovernmenttoconsidertherepealofbothofthesedecreeswithintheshortestpossibletime.TheGovernmentshouldseektoremovethemilitarypresenceinLaCienagaLosGuandulesandallowresidentstherighttoimprovetheirhomesandthecommunityatlarge.TheGovernmentshouldalsogivecarefulconsiderationtoimplementingalternativedevelopmentplansforthearea,takingfullaccountofplansdevelopedbynongovernmentalandcommunitybasedorganizations.330.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatinordertopromotetheobjectivesreferredtointheseobservationstheGovernmentmightconsidertheestablishmentofcommissions,composedofrepresentativesofallrelevantsectorsofsociety,inparticularcivilsociety,tooverseetheimplementationofdecrees7694and15594.331.b..bTheCommitteerequeststheGovernmenttoapplyexistinghousingrightsprovisionsintheConstitutionandforthatpurposetotakemeasurestofacilitateandpromotetheirapplication.Suchmeasurescouldinclude:(a)adoptionofcomprehensivehousingrightslegislation;(b)legalrecognitionoftherightofaffectedcommunitiestoinformationconcerninganygovernmentalplansactuallyorpotentiallyaffectingtheirrights;(c)adoptionofurbanreformlegislationwhichrecognizesthecontributionofcivilsocietyinimplementingtheCovenantandaddressesquestionsofsecurityoftenure,regularizationoflandownershiparrangements,etc.332.b..bInordertoachieveprogressivelytherighttohousing,theGovernmentisrequestedtoundertake,tothemaximumofavailableresources,theprovisionofbasicservices(water,electricity,drainage,sanitation,refusedisposal,etc.)todwellingsandtoensurethatpublichousingisprovidedtothosegroupsofsocietywiththegreatestneed.Itshouldalsoseektoensurethatsuchmeasuresareundertakenwithfullrespectforthelaw.333.b..bInordertoovercometheexistingproblemsrecognizedbytheGovernmentinitsdialoguewiththeCommittee,theGovernmentisurgedtogiveconsiderationtoinitiativesdesignedtopromotetheparticipationofthoseaffectedinthedesignandimplementationofhousingpolicies.Suchinitiativescouldinclude:(a)aformalcommitmenttofacilitatingpopularparticipationintheurbandevelopmentprocess;(b)legalrecognitionofcommunitybasedorganizations;(c)theestablishmentofasystemofcommunityhousingfinancedesignedtoopenmorelinesofcreditforpoorersocialsectors;(d)enhancingtheroleofmunicipalauthoritiesinthehousingsector;(e)improvingcoordinationbetweenthevariousgovernmentalinstitutionsresponsibleforhousingandconsideringthecreationofasinglegovernmentalhousingagency.334.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttorevisethe1994MasterPlanofSantoDomingotobringitintolinewiththeobligationsarisingundertheCovenantandtoinvolvecivilsocietyintherevisionandimplementationofthePlan.Forcedevictionsshouldnotbeenvisagedexceptinfullcompliancewiththeconditionsnotedabove.335.b..bSubsequenttotheappearancebeforetheCommitteeoftworepresentativesoftheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublic,theCommitteereceivedinformationthat,basedonarecommendationbytheSpecialCommitteeonUrbanAffairs,decree37194waspromulgatedon1December1994,orderingtheimmediateevictionoftwosectorssituatedonthebanksoftheIsabelaRiver.IntheimplementationofthisdecreetheCommitteerequeststheGovernmenttoensureitscompliancewiththetermsoftheCovenantandtotakefullaccountoftherecommendationscontainedintheseconcludingobservations.TheCommitteehasalsolearntthattheproblemofevictionsisattractingattentioninthecountry'spressandisawareofthepolarizationwhichtheissueiscurrentlycausinginDominicansociety.TheCommitteefeelsthatitcouldmakeamorecomprehensiveassessmentoftheproblemofevictionsiftheGovernmentoftheDominicanRepublicweretoinviteoneortwoCommitteememberstomakeaninsituvisit.TheCommitteethereforerenewsitsrequesttotheGovernmenttosendatwopersonmissiontothecountryandrecallsthatthisrequesthasalreadybeenendorsedclearlyontwooccasionsbytheEconomicandSocialCouncil.@..MALI336.b..bTheCommitteereviewedtheimplementationbyMalioftheCovenantatits44thmeetingon30November1994and,atthesamemeeting,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.@..A.ReviewoftheimplementationoftheCovenantinrelation m toStatespartieswhichhavefailedtoreport337.b..bAtitsseventhsession,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsdecidedtoproceedtoaconsiderationofthestateofimplementationoftheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinanumberofStatespartieswhich,despitemanyrequeststodoso,hadnotfulfilledtheirreportingobligationsunderarticles16and17oftheCovenant.338.b..bThepurposeofthereportingsystemestablishedbytheCovenantisfortheStatespartiestoreporttothecompetentmonitoringbody,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,andthroughit,totheEconomicandSocialCouncil,onmeasureswhichtheyhaveadopted,theprogressmade,andthedifficultiesencounteredinachievingtheobservanceoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.NonperformancebyaStatepartyofitsreportingobligations,inadditiontoconstitutingabreachoftheCovenant,createsasevereobstacleforthefulfilmentoftheCommittee'sfunctions.Nevertheless,theCommitteehastoperformitssupervisoryroleinsuchcases,andmustdosoonthebasisofallreliableinformationavailabletoit.339.b..bInsituationsinwhichaGovernmenthasnotsuppliedtheCommitteewithanyinformationastohowitevaluatesitsowncompliancewithitsobligationsundertheCovenant,theCommitteehastobaseitsobservationsonavarietyofmaterialsstemmingfrombothintergovernmentalandnongovernmentalsources.Whiletheformerprovidemainlystatisticalinformationandapplyimportanteconomicandsocialindicators,theinformationgatheredfromtherelevantacademicliterature,fromnongovernmentalorganizationsandfromthepresstendsbyitsverynaturetobemorecriticalofthepolitical,economicandsocialconditionsinthecountriesconcerned.Undernormalcircumstances,theconstructivedialoguebetweenaStatepartyreportingandtheCommitteewillprovideanopportunityfortheGovernmentconcernedtovoiceitsownview,andtoseektorefutesuchcriticismandconvincetheCommitteeoftheconformityofitspolicieswithwhatisrequiredbytheCovenant.NonsubmissionofreportsandnonappearancebeforetheCommitteedeprivesaGovernmentofthispossibilitytosettherecordstraight.@..tB.Introduction340.b..bMalihasbeenapartytotheCovenantsince3January1976,thedateofitsentryintoforce.Sincethen,ithasnotsubmittedasinglereport.TheCommitteestronglyurgestheGovernmentofMalitoliveuptoitsreportingobligationsassoonaspossiblesothattheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscanbegivenfulleffect,forthebenefitofthepeopleofMali.TheCommitteeemphasizesthatitconsidersthenonperformancebyMaliofitsreportingobligationsnotonlyaviolationoftheCovenantbutalsoagraveimpedimenttoanadequateapplicationoftheCovenant.@..C.FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheapplicationoftheCovenant341.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteofthefactthatthefulfilmentbytheGovernmentofMalioftheobligationsimposedbytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightscannotbeevaluatedwithouttakingintoconsiderationthepolitical,economicandsocialconditionsprevailinginthecountryatthepresenttime.Inthisregard,theCommitteeisawarethatasalandlockedcountry,ratherpoorinmineralresources,lackinginorganizedmanufacturingindustries,andsubjecttofrequentdroughts,MalihasoneofthelowestpercapitaincomesinAfricaandintheworld.ThenegativeeffectsofthispovertyonthecapacityofMalieffectivelytoimplementthearticlesoftheCovenantarefurthercomplicatedbythefactthat:b..b(a) .. Aboutonethirdofitspopulationstilllivesanomadicorsemi-nomadiclife;b..b(b) .. Thereareethnicconflictsanddisturbances;andb..b(c) .. About2millionofitspopulationofworkingageliveabroadintemporaryorprolongedmigration,mainlyinEuropeandtheneighbouringcountries.342.b..bItshouldbenoted,however,thatinmidMayanagreementwasreachedbetweentheGovernmentandtheTuaregrebels.Nonethelessthereisconsiderableconcernregardingthefutureoftheagreement,followinganescalationofviolence.>..>@..D.Positiveaspects343.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatMali,despitethedirecircumstancesdescribedabove,hassucceededinreturningtoademocraticformofgovernmentandnowpossessesamultipartiteNationalAssemblyandanindependentjudiciary.VirtuallyallofMali'sethnicandlanguagegroupsarerepresentedatalllevelsofgovernmentandsociety.TheCommitteefurthernotesthattheoverallhumanrightssituationinMalicontinuestoimprove.ItisawareoftheeffortsmadebytheGovernmenttoliberalizethecountry'seconomy,anditwelcomesthestepswhichtheGovernmentistakingtointegratewomenintothe&  formalprocessesofdevelopment.Finally,theCommitteenotestheexistenceofanactivetradeunionmovementinMali.Therighttostrikeisrecognizedinpractice.'  @.."E.Principalsubjectsofconcern344.b..bTheCommitteenotesthat,althoughthenewConstitutionofMalireaffirmsthatthereshallbenodiscrimination,economicandeducationalopportunitiesforwomenarestilldisproportionatelylimited.Thus,accordingtoarecentUnitedNationsreport,femalesinMalireceiveonly29percentasmuchschoolingasmales.Theadultliteracyrateamongwomenishalfthatofmen.TheCommitteealsonotesthattraditionalpracticesaswellasexistinglawsplacewomenatadisadvantagewithregardtofamilyandpropertyrights.345.b..bWithregardtoArticle6oftheCovenant,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthat,despitetheprohibitionofforcedlabourinthenewConstitution,debtbondagestillexistsinthesaltminingcommunitiesnorthofTimbuktu.Ithastobestated,however,thatthenumberofpeopletreatedinthiswayhasdecreasedandthattheGovernmenthasassistedintherehabilitationofformervictims.346.b..bRegardingArticle7,theCommitteenotesthat,althoughMalihasadetailedlabourcode,mostpeoplegaintheirlivingintheinformalsectorandthus,infact,remainunprotectedbysuchlegislation.Owingtoalackofinspectors,legalprovisionsonoccupationalsafetyremaininsufficientlyenforced.347.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthattheofficialminimumwageisoneofthelowestinAfrica.ThiscircumstancehasbeenfurtheraggravatedbythedevaluationoftheCFAfrancinJanuary1994.348.b..bWithregardtoArticle10oftheCovenant,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernaboutthefactthat,despitelegislationtothecontrary,childlabouriswidespread,aboveallintheinformalsectoroftheMalianeconomy.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedabouttheprevalentmistreatmentofwomenandtheinsufficientwayinwhichtheGovernmenthasaddressedthisphenomenon.349.b..bWithregardtotherightsrecognizedinArticle11oftheCovenant,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernaboutthefurtherdegradationofthestandardoflivingofthepopulationofMaliasaconsequenceofthedevaluationoftheCFAfranc.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedabouttheprecarioussituationofthefoodsupplyinMali,causedpartlybytheirregularitiesofrainfallbutalsobymalfunctioningofthemarketinagriculturalproducts.AccordingtoUNICEFstatisticsofthelate1980s,themalnutritionraterangedbetween6and25to30percentdependingontheyearandtheregion.350.b..bRegardingtherighttohealthenshrinedinArticle12oftheCovenant,theCommitteeisconcernedthatchild,infantandmaternalmortalityratesinMaliarestillamongthehighestintheworld.Thus,almostoneinfivechildrenundertheageoffivedieseachyear.Approximately1,000deliveriesper100,000birthsresultinthedeathofthemother.Diarrhoea,malariaandacuterespiratoryinfections,aggravatedbymalnutrition,aloneaccountformorethan40percentofdeaths.Acquiredimmunedeficiencysyndrome(AIDS)isspreadingrapidly.Withregardtowaterandsanitation,theaveragerateofaccesstowatercountrywideisabout50percent,butaslowas4percentinthedifficultterrainofthenorthofthecountry.Theoverallrateofaccesstosanitationfacilitiesisestimatedatapproximately15percent.Thegeographicaldistributionofhealthservicesandpersonnelcontinuestoshowaheavyurbanbias.351.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsprofoundconcernabouttheprevalenceoftraditionalpracticesoffemalegenitalmutilation,towhich,accordingtooneexpert,asmanyas75percentofgirlsandwomeninMaliarebeingsubjected.EventhoughtheGovernmentattempts,bymeansofradioandtelevisionbroadcasts,todiscouragefemalecircumcision,legislationineffectfor30yearsprohibitingsuchpracticeshasneverbeenenforced.352.b..bWithregardtotherighttoeducationrecognizedinArticle13oftheCovenant,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutthehighrateofilliteracy(adultilliteracyaveraged68percent:males59percent,females76.1percent)inMali.TheCommitteeisfurtherconcernedaboutthefactthatMalihasshownonlymodestprogressintermsofeducationalstandardsoverthepast20yearsandhasactuallybeenregressingoverthepast10years.FormalprimaryschoolingstilldoesnotappeartomeettheneedsofthepopulationdespiteeffortsbytheGovernment.TherateofschoolenrolmentinMaliisamongthelowestintheworld.Enrolmentinprimaryschoolsincludedonly15percentofchildrenintherelevantagegroup(males17percent,females14percent);secondaryenrolmentisequivalenttoonly7percentofchildrenintheappropriateagegroup(males10percent,females5percent).Manystudentsreceivehighereducationabroad,mainlyinFranceandSenegal.Repeatanddropoutratesareveryhigh;only7percentofpupilscompletetheprimaryeducationcycleeachyear.Mostoftherecurrenteducationbudgetgoestoteachers'salaries.Yet20percentoftheteachersarenotinschoolbutareassignedtootherduties.@.. F.Suggestionsandrecommendations353.b..bTheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoundertakeeveryefforttoensurethatmeasuresofeconomicliberalizationandstructuraladjustmentwillnotadverselyaffectthemostvulnerablegroupswithinMaliansociety.354.b..bTheCommitteereiteratesitsrequestthattheGovernmentofMalishouldactivelyparticipateinaconstructivedialoguewiththeCommitteeastohowtheobligationsarisingfromtheCovenantcanbefulfilledinamoreadequatemanner.ItcallstotheGovernment'sattentionthefactthattheCovenantcreatesalegalobligationforallStatespartiestosubmitperiodicreportsandthatMalihasbeeninbreachofthisobligationformanyyears.355.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentofMalishouldavailitselfoftheadvisoryservicesoftheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRightsinordertoenableittosubmitassoonaspossibleacomprehensivereportontheimplementationoftheCovenantinconformitywiththeRevisedGeneralGuidelinesadoptedbytheCommitteein1990(E/C.12/1991/1)andwithparticularemphasisontheissuesraisedandconcernsexpressedinthepresentconcludingobservations.&  @..hPANAMA356.b..bAtits50thmeetingon6December1994,theCommitteeheardastatementbythePermanentRepresentativeofPanamatotheUnitedNationsOfficeat'  GenevainwhichheindicatedthattheGovernmentofPanamaacceptedtheofferoftheCommitteetosendtwoofitsmemberstopursueitsdialoguewiththeGovernmentinrelationtothemattersidentifiedbytheCommitteeatitssixthtoeleventhsessions.357.b..bTheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationtotheGovernmentofPanamaforitsreadinessandwillingnesstocooperatewithit.358.b..bTheCommitteeheldadiscussiononvariousmattersrelatingtotheorganizationofthemissiontoPanamaandagreedthat:b..b0 .. TheCommitteeshouldberepresentedbytwoofitsmembers-Mr.PhilippeTexierandMr.JavierWimerZambrano-andassistedonthemissionbyonestaffmemberoftheCentreforHumanRights;b..b0 .. ThemissionshouldtakeplacepreferablybeforetheCommittee'stwelfthsession,ideallyinMarchorthebeginningofApril1995;b..b0 .. TheprecisetermsofreferenceofthemissionwouldbefurtherdiscussedbytheCommittee,keepinginmindthattheclearfocusshouldbeontheimplementationoftherighttohousing(Article11(1)oftheCovenant);thiswouldnotpreventmembersoftheCommitteefromacceptinginformationonothermatterswhichmightberelevanttotheCommittee'seventualconsiderationofPanama'snextperiodicreportbutthememberswouldnotbeinapositiontorespondto,orpursuefurther,anysuchinformation;b..b0 .. ThemembersofthemissionshouldconsulttheChairpersonoftheCommittee,andifnecessarythroughhimthemembersoftheBureau,onanymatterwhich,intheirview,mightwarrantsuchconsultation;b..b0 .. Themembersofthemissionwouldagreeinadvanceongeneralguidelinesgoverningtheirrelationshipwiththemedia.Thesewouldbedesignedtoprotectthedignityandeffectivenessofthemissionwhileacknowledgingtheinevitableandlegitimateinterestofthemedia;b..b0 .. Onememberofthemission,Mr.Texier,wouldberesponsibleforthepreparation,onthebasisofagreementwithMr.WimerZambrano,ofawrittenreportanditssubmissiontotheCommitteeatitstwelfthsessiontobeheldfrom1to19May1995;b..b0 .. TheconfidentialreportshouldbeconsideredbytheCommitteeinprivateandsubsequentlyadoptedforpublicrelease;b..b0 .. Significantassistancewouldberequiredfromthesecretariatinthepreparationofthemission,particularlyinobtainingandanalysingrelevantinformation.ItwasagreedthatthesecretariatshouldseekinputsfromallrelevantsourcesandshouldspecificallyrequestanypertinentreportsorotherinformationfromUNDP,theWorldBank,Habitat,ILOandothersuchagencies,aswellasfromnon-governmentalorganizations.359.b..bThemissionwillhavetomeetthegovernmentauthoritiesresponsibleforhousingquestions.Itwillalsohavetoseektheviewsofinstitutionsliabletobecomeinvolvedinhousingproblemsinonecapacityoranother:judicialauthorities,national,regionalorlocaladministrations,representativesofcivilsociety(nongovernmentalorganizations,churches,universities,etc.)andotherqualifiedindividualsorinstitutions.360.b..bItisalsoimportantthatthemissionshouldbeabletomakeon-the-spotvisits,particularlytoareaswhereurbandevelopmentschemesareplanned,whereevictionshavetakenplaceorwherehousingconditionsareinadequate.361.b..bAsthemission'stwoobjectivesaretogainamorepreciseideaofthehousingsituationinPanamaandtopursueadialoguewiththeGovernmentandcivilsocietywithaviewtosecuringthebestpossibleapplicationoftheCovenantintheareaofhousing,itwillneedtoholdseparatemeetingswiththeGovernment,representativesofcivilsocietyandindividualspersonallyaffectedbyhousingmeasures,soastoallowforafreeandopendialogue.362.b..bApreciseagendawillhavetobepreparedbeforethestartofthemission,inconsultationwiththeGovernmentofPanama,theCentreforHumanRights,thetwoexpertsandpossiblytheChairpersonoftheCommittee,aswellaswithbodiesrepresentativeofcivilsociety.@..ChapterVI@..DAYOFGENERALDISCUSSION@..TenthSession,16May1994@.. Theroleofsocialsafetynetsasameansofprotecting  economic,socialandculturalrights,withparticular  referencetosituationsinvolvingmajorstructural  adjustmentand/ortransitiontoafreemarketeconomyIntroduction363.b..bDuringthepastfouryearstherehadbeenarisingnumberofStatespartiestotheCovenantthatwereintransitionfromaplannedtoafree-marketeconomyandStatespartiesthathadembarkedonastructuraladjustmentprogramme(SAP).ThoseStatespartiesoftenpointedoutwhentheypresentedtheirreportsontheimplementationoftherightscoveredbytheCovenantthatthefullprotectionofeconomic,socialandculturalrightswashamperedbytheeffectsoftheseSAPsorbythetransitionprocessitself.364.b..bThequestionposedwaswhethermajorstructuralchangesinacountrycouldbeusedasanexcuseforthenonfulfilmentoftheobligationscontainedintheCovenantandwhetherthereshouldnotbesomekindofminimumstandardofsocialprotection,asocialsafetynet(SN),belowwhichaStatecouldnotfall.Openingremarks365.b..bInhisopeningremarks,Mr.PhilipAlston,ChairpersonoftheCommittee,explainedthedifficultiesfacedbyasupervisoryorganchargedwiththeobservanceofhumanrights,inestablishingthedegreeofflexibilitythatwasappropriateinregardtothefulfilmentofinternationalhumanrightsobligationsbyStatesparties.Hestatedthattheprocessoftransition,asaresultoftheprogressingglobalizationoftheeconomy,appliednotonlytotheStatesofEasternEuropebuttomostStates.Inordertocopewiththenewchallengesandwithalackofalternatives,manyGovernmentsintroducedSAPs.366.b..bThoseprogrammeshadastrongimpactonhumanrightsingeneralandoneconomic,socialandculturalrightsinparticular.Mr.Alstonunderlinedthattherecouldnotbeatradeoffoffundamentalhumanrightsasaresultofthetransitionprocess.367.b..bConcerningtheinternationalrecognitionofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsashumanrights,hestatedthatmostoftheinternationalinstitutionsnevermadeuseofthetermeconomic,socialandculturalrightsandthattheycontinuedtoresistitsuse.EvenathumanrightsforumssuchastheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,heldinViennainJune1993,andinthePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopmenttobeheldinCopenhagenin1995,thefundamentalconceptofeconomic,socialandculturalrightswasneglected.&  Mainissuescoveredbyspeakers368.b..bThefirstspeakerwasMr.R.vanderHoeven(ILO).Hestatedthattechnicalrevolution,changesinworldproductionandlabourglobalizationresultedin,amongstotherthings,ahighrateofunemploymentinmanycountries.SAPswereinstalledinordertocopewiththesechanges.Mr.vanderHoevenpointedoutthattheseprogrammeswereonlysuccessfulincountriesinwhich(a)abroadconsensusonthemeasuresexistedand(b)thepossiblesocialeffectshadbeentakenintoconsideration.'  369.b..bSocialsafetynets,asMr.vanderHoevenpointedout,hadturnedouttobenecessarytomitigatetheadverseeffectsoftheadjustmentmeasures.Theirpurposewastoreachthepoorandtheyhadbeeninstalledinaninformaladhocmanner.Theywerenotmeanttohaveastrongimpactonpovertyalleviationingeneral.InansweringaquestionfromMr.WimerZambranoonstatisticalmaterialconcerningtheeffectsofSAPs,Mr.vanderHoevensaidthatstatisticscouldbemadeavailabletotheCommitteebutthatitwasdifficulttoseparatetheconsequencesofSAPsfromthegeneraleconomicdevelopment,sothatthequestioncouldnotbeclearlyanswered.370.b..bWithreferencetotheprecedingspeaker,Mr.ArielFran ais(UNDP)underlinedthefocusonemploymentasbeingthemostimportanttopicindealingwiththe"fallout"ofSAPsandsaidthattheseprogrammeswerenecessarytomitigateeconomicdistortions.Inhisview,theproblemsofadjustmentcouldbesolvedbyeconomicgrowth.However,hemadeitclearthattherewasnofixedorderofprioritieswhetherrightsshouldbeimplementedirrespectiveofeconomicdevelopmentorasaproductofthelatter.InresponsetoaquestionfromMs.Tayaastowhetherstructuraladjustmentshouldbeneglectedbecauseofitsnegativesideeffects,Mr.Fran aisemphasizedthatadjustmentmeasureswereameansofachievinghumandevelopment.Socialfundsindevelopingcountries371.b..bMs.JessicaVivian(UNRISD)enumeratedthreegoalsofsocialfunds,asoneexampleofasafetynet,indevelopingcountries.Thesewere(a)toalleviatepovertyinthecontextofadjustment,(b)toimprovetheacceptanceofSAPsinsocietyand(c)toreconstitutesocialservices.Theoutcomeofherresearchsofarwasthefollowing:Socialfundsweremostlyexternallyfinanced;theywereadhocfunds;theyhada"savingtheface"component;theyweremalebiased;theyreachedonlyaverysmallproportionofthepoor;theyweredemandbased;theysufferedfromalackofimpactevaluationonthesideofthedonor;theytendedtobecomeinstitutionalized;andtheyrevivedtheperceptionofdevelopmentasa"gift"ratherthanasa"right".372.b..bInaddressingthefirstthreespeakers,Mr.TexierwantedtoknowwhethertheSAPsturnedouttobenegativeonlyintheshortoralsointhelongrun.Ifso,whatwasthetruepurposeofSAPs?Mrs.Bonoan-Dandan,addressingtherepresentativeofUNRISD,askedifthefundswouldalwaysbemalebiasedandcontinuetoaddresswomen'sissuesonlyresidually.Mr.SimmainquiredwhetherthespeakershadevercomeacrosstheCovenantintheirworkandwhethertheyfounditobsoleteorsocialistic.&  Sustainablegrowth373.b..bMr.GrantB.Taplin(IMF),statedthattheFund'smaingoalwastopromotesustainable,highqualitygrowthwhichprovidedthebasisfortherealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.AsoneofthefourmajorcomponentsofgrowthhementionedappropriatesocialpoliciesandinparticularSNs,i.e.temporarymechanismstomitigatetheadverseimpactofstructuraladjustmentonthepoorandothervulnerablegroups.FromtheFund'spointofview,SNsshouldbeformulatedwithintheoverallresourceconstraints,betemporaryandbeassimplystructuredaspossible.'  374.b..bReferringtopreviousquestionsputbymembersoftheCommittee,Mr.Taplinpointedoutthatsomecountrieswithambitiousstructuraladjustmentpolicieshadshowngoodprogress.HestatedthattheIMFguidelinestooknoexplicitaccountoftheCovenantbutthattheFunddevotedmoreandmoreattentiontosocialfactorsandpovertyalleviation.375.b..bThediscussionthenhingedmainlyonMr.Taplin'sstatements.Thechiefissuerevolvedaroundtheadequacyofstructuraladjustmentassuch,withregardtothepossiblenegativeconsequencesforsocietyconcerningemployment,foodallocation,healthservices,etc.ThequestionwasraisedbyMrs.AhodikpeastowhetherthecostsofSAPsweretoohighandMr.Texierwonderedwhetherpeoplewerebetterorworseoffafteraperiodofstructuraladjustment.376.b..bConcerningthenegativeeffectsofSAPs,Mr.GrissarequestedtheothermembersoftheCommitteetoattacknotthefinancialinstitutionsbuttheGovernmentsthatimplementedthoseprogrammes.377.b..bMr.TaplinrepliedthattheFund'sapproachtodevelopmentpromotionwasclearlyeconomicandfinancialratherthanoneofhumanrights.EvenifSAPsmighthavesevereconsequencesintheshortrun,therewasnoreasonforradicallyreshapingtheFund'smandate.ReferringtoMs.Ahodikpe'squestion,hewasoftheopinionthecostsofSAPswerenottoohighbecausewithoutthemthesituationwouldbeevenworse.Aslongaseconomicfactorswereconsidered,SAPsturnedouttobepositiveinthelongrun.WithregardtowhatMr.Grissahadsaid,heconfirmedthattheFunddidnotimposeSAPsonGovernmentsbutonlygaveadvice.Labourrightsandstructuraladjustmentprogrammes378.b..bDr.VirginiaLeary(ProfessorofLaw,StateUniversityofNewYork,Buffalo),speakingonbehalfoftheInternationalLaborRightsEducationandResearchFund,concentratedonthesecondtopicofthegeneraldiscussion,theimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsintimesofstructuraladjustment.Shesaidthattheconceptofrightswascharacterized,first,byaninternationalconsensusonthematterand,secondly,byaprecedenceovereconomiccircumstances.Shereferredindirectlytodoubtsmentionedbefore,whetherrightsshouldbeimplementedirrespectiveoftheeconomicsituationorasaproductofthelatter.379.b..bDr.LearystatedthatthepeoplewhosufferedmostfromSAPswereunabletotakepartinthedecisionmakingandthatthustheirfundamentalrightofparticipationwasviolated.ShestressedthefactthattherehadalwaysbeenapotentialconflictbetweenSAPsandlabourrightsinthattherighttostrike,tobargainortoassemblewasofteninfringedupon.HerfinalcommentontheaimofSAPswasthattheyshouldbedesignedtopromotenotentrepreneursbutworkers.Socialsafetynetsrelatingtoparticularrisksonly380.b..bMr.RolandSigg(InternationalSocialSecurityAssociation)underlinedtheneedtocushiontheeffectsofSAPsbutnotbyimportingthesocialsecuritymodelsoftheindustrializedcountries.SNsshouldfunctionasameansofmitigatingtheworstconsequencesofstructuraladjustmentmeasuresbutpeopleconsideredSNstobeaninappropriateinstrumentforalleviatingtheiroverallsituation.Thenationalsecurityinstitutionsinthemajorityofcountrieshadproblemswithfunding.Hethereforeraisedthequestionwhethertheexistingsystemscouldfunctionbetterwithmorefundingorwhetheranewinstrumentofsocialprotectionwhichwasmorelocaland,forinstance,morewomenbasedshouldbeinstalled.Mr.SiggfinallystatedthatSNscouldfulfiltheirobjectiveswhentheyrelatedtoparticularrisksbutnottogeneralproblemslikeretirementandunemployment.Socialsafetynetsaspartofwidersocialprotectionpolicies381.b..bMs.JuliaHausermann(RightsandHumanity)puttheemphasisonthefactthatdevelopingcountriessufferednotonlyfromstructuraladjustmentmeasuresbutjustasmuchfromthedebtburdenandthefallincommodityprices.ConcerningtheroleofSNsintherealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights,Ms.Hausermannstatedthat,first,theterm"socialsafetynets"wasnotclearlydefinedandthereforeusedinvariousways.WithreferencetotheCovenant,shepointedoutthatitwasdifficulttointerpretarticle9ontherighttosocialsecurity:WasitlimitedtoSNsintimesofextremeneedordiditcallforuniversalsocialinsurance?Ofcourse,universalbenefitswouldbetheideal,butwithregardtotheeconomicconstraintsofStates,SNscouldonlybeapartofawiderrangeofsocialprotectionpolicies.FinallyshemadethreerecommendationstotheCommittee.Itshould(a)holdthefinancialinstitutionsaccountablefortheprotectionofhumanrights;(b)makeitspositionclearattheWorldSocialSummittobeheldin1995;and(c)encouragebilateralandmultilateraldonorstoincreasetheirsupportforSNsandsocialprotection.Refusaloftheconceptofstructuraladjustmentprogrammes382.b..bMr.AlexanderTeitelbaum(AmericanAssociationofJurists)stressedthepermanentadverseeffectsofSAPs.Hestronglyrejectedtheconceptofstructuraladjustmentassuchbecauseitresultedintherichbecomingricherandthepoorevenpoorer.SNshadturnedouttobeinappropriateineasingthenegativeeffectsofSAPs.ThelatterviolatedtherightscoveredbytheCovenant.Mr.TeitelbaumunderlinedtheobligationoftheIMF,asamemberoftheUnitedNationssystem,toprotecteconomic,socialandculturalrights.Theneedforaconceptualreformofstructuraladjustmentprogrammes383.b..bInthesameveinasthepreviousspeaker,Ms.SigrinScogly(InternationalHumanRightsOrganizationfortheRighttoFeedOneself(FIAN)andHabitatInternationalCoalition(HIC))confirmedthatthefinancialinstitutionshadtheobligationtofollowtheobservanceofhumanrightsintheStatestowhichtheylentthemoney.TheyshouldnotinduceGovernmentstoinfringeuponeconomicrights.Asamatteroffact,Ms.Scoglystated,foodandhousingconditionswereoftenatacriticalpointincountriesthathadembarkedonSAPs,whichresultedintheabolitionoffoodsubsidies,healthservices,etc.SNswere,inheropinion,aninadequatemeanstoalleviatepovertyinthecontextofstructuraladjustment.Instead,afar-reachingconceptualreformofSAPsshouldbeintroducedinaccordancewithanewsustainableworldeconomicorderbasedonhumanrights.Socialsafetynetsnoadequateanswertostructuraladjustmentprogrammes384.b..bIntheviewofMs.J.Brun(Ligueinternationaldesfemmespourlapaixetlalibert),theprimaryobjectiveofSAPswastorepaythedebt.ThefocusonSNsasameansofalleviatingadverseeffectsofSAPswasdisplacedandwouldevenpromotethefalseimpressionthattheycouldbeasubstituteforfar-reachingsocialpolicies.Ms.Brunobservedthat,whilethe"painful"impactofSAPswaswellknown,theprogrammescontinuedtobeapplied.SherequestedthemembersoftheCommitteetomonitorcarefullythepoliticsofthenewWorldTradeOrganizationthatwouldbeestablishedsoon.Needforamonitoringorgan385.b..bMr.M.Kothari(InternationalHumanRightsOrganizationfortheRighttoFeedOneself(FIAN)andHabitatInternationalCoalition(HIC))stressedtheneedforamonitoringbodytoobservetheactivitiesoftheinternationalfinancialinstitutionswithregardtotheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.Doublestandardoffinancialinstitutions386.b..bMs.KarenParker(SierraClubLegalDefenceFund)confirmedthepreviousspeakers'statementsrelatingtotheinadequacyofSNsasameansofmitigatingstructuraladjustmenteffects.Likewise,sheunderlinedthatthemainconsequenceofstructuraladjustmentwasthedeteriorationoftheenvironmentandtheviolationofhumanrights.InordertoillustratethedoublestandardthefinancialinstitutionsappliedwhenrecommendingSAPs,shestatedthatinindustrializedcountriestheshareofthenationalbudgetforsocialserviceswasabout60percentincomparisonwithanaverageof10-20percentindevelopingcountries.Asaconsequence,thecuttingbackofmoneyforsocialserviceshadafarmoreseriousimpactonlivingconditionsindevelopingcountriesthaninindustrializedcountries.387.b..bMr.Taplin(IMF),inresponsetoallthepreviousspeakers,simplydrewtheconclusionthatsomebodyhadtopayfortheminimumsecuritymeasuresandheaskedwhoshoulddoso.388.b..bMr.GrissarecommendedtothemembersoftheCommitteethat,whendiscussingStatereports,theyshouldratherconcentrateonlongtermdevelopmentandnotfocusontheshorttermeffectsofSAPs.&  389.b..bFinally,Mr.Alston,ChairpersonoftheCommittee,concludedthatithadnotbeentheaimofthegeneraldiscussiontofindanswerstoallthequestionsthathadbeenraised.Theobjectivehadbeentoexchangeviewsandinthisregardheconfirmedthatithadbeenafruitfulandenrichingdebate.'  Conclusions390.b..bIncontrasttotherepresentativesoftheintergovernmentalinstitutions(ILO,UNDPandIMF),thoseofthenongovernmentalorganizationsemphasizedthefactthatSNsdidnotsufficeasameansofmitigatingtheadverseeffectsofSAPs.Theywereconsideredthelastresorttoavoidtheworstconsequencesandnotasubstituteforbroadsocialpolicies.TheCommitteewasurgedtoholdtheinternationalfinancialinstitutionsaccountablefortheprotectionofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsandtostrengthenitsownroleasasupervisorybody.@..nChapterVII@..` REVIEWOFMETHODSOFWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE@.. A.DecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitstenthsessionFactSheet391.b..bTheCommitteerecalleditsrequestmadetwoyearsearlierthattheFactSheetpublishedbytheCentreforHumanRightsdealingwiththeCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsshouldbesubstantiallyrevisedandreissuedonanurgentbasis.Thisrequesthadbeenagreedtoatthetimebutnoactionhadyetbeentaken.InviewofthedireneedfortheCommitteetohaveageneralexplanatorytextavailableforthoseinterestedinlearningabouttheCovenantandtheworkoftheCommittee,theCentreforHumanRightswasrequestedtoaccordthehighestpossibleprioritytotheprojectsothatadraftwouldbeavailablebytheCommittee'seleventhsession,inNovember1994.SocialSummit392.b..bTheCommitteeaffirmedthatitattachedgreatimportancetothepreparationsfor,andtheoutcomeof,theWorldSummitforSocialDevelopmenttobeheldinCopenhageninMarch1995.Atitsninthsession,theCommitteeheldveryusefuldiscussionswiththeCoordinatoroftheSummit,Mr.JacquesBaudot,and,inthecourseofitstenthsession,theCommittee'sChairpersonwasinvitedtoaddressaninteragencymeetingconvenedatGenevatoreviewthefirstdraftoftheDeclarationandProgrammeofActiontobeadoptedbytheSummit.393.b..bGiventheextremelycloselinksbetweentheagendafortheSummitandtheresponsibilitiesoftheCommittee,itdecidedtosenditsRapporteur,Mrs.BonoanDandan,torepresentitatthesecondPreparatoryCommitteemeeting,tobeheldinNewYorkinAugust1994.ItrequesteditsRapporteurtobringtheimportanceoftheCovenantandtherolesthatmightbeplayedbytheCommitteeinthefollowuptotheSummittotheattentionofthoseparticipatinginthePreparatoryCommitteesession.TheCommitteealsodecidedtosendoneofitsmembers,tobenominatedatitseleventhsession,toparticipateintheSocialSummit.FourthWorldConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace394.b..bTheCommitteenotedthattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenwouldbeheldinBeijinginSeptember1995.Giventhefundamentalimportanceofthepromotionofeconomic,socialandculturalrightstotheeffectiveadvancementofthestatusofwomen,theCommitteedecidedtofollowthepreparationsfortheConferenceverycarefully.ForthisreasonitrequestedtheSecretariattoprovideit,atitseleventhsession,withabriefingpaperoncurrentdevelopmentsinrelationtopreparationsfortheConference,withparticularemphasisontheroleofeconomic,socialandculturalrights.ItdecidedtoadoptapositionpaperinrelationtotheConferenceatthatsessionandtoberepresentedattheConferenceitselfbyamembertobenominatedatitseleventhsession.PublicationofthereportsoftheCommittee395.b..bTheCommitteenotedwithregretthatthereportonitseighthsession,heldinMay1993,anditsninthsession,heldinNovemberDecember1993,hadnotbeenavailabletoituntil20May1994.ItunderstoodthatthedelayresultedfromtheassumptionthatthereportdidnotneedtobepublisheduntilitwasrequiredbytheEconomicandSocialCouncil.ThisdelaywasextremelyinconvenientforGovernments,internationalagencies,non-governmentalorganizationsandothers,especiallyatthenationallevel,forwhomthereportwastheonlypracticalwayofobtainingaccesstotheworkoftheCommittee.ItthereforeaskedthateveryeffortshouldbemadetopublishtheCommittee'sannualreportassoonaspossibleaftertherelevantsessionandnottodelaypublicationforsixmonthsbecauseofthetimingoftheCouncil'sannualsession.Honoraria396.b..bTheCommitteenotedthatdecision1993/297adoptedbytheEconomicandSocialCouncilon28July1993totheeffectthatmembersoftheCommitteeshould,liketheircounterpartsinothertreatybodies,receiveanhonorariumfortheirworkhadnotbeenacteduponbytheGeneralAssembly.WhileithadbeeninformedthatthismightbedueinparttoanoverallreviewbytheSecretariatofthepaymentofhonoraria,itwishedtopointoutthatitsrequestforactiononthematteralreadydatedbackseveralyearsandurgedthatattentionshouldbepaidtothisquestionassoonaspossible.CoordinationwiththeCouncilofEuropeandtheILOCommitteeofExpertsontheApplicationofConventionsandRecommendations397.b..bTheCommitteehadaveryusefuldiscussionatitstenthsessionwitharepresentativeoftheCommitteeofIndependentExpertsestablishedpursuanttotheCouncilofEurope'sEuropeanSocialCharter.TheCommitteenotedthat,toaverysignificantextent,theproblemsandchallengeswhichitfacedweresimilartothosefacedbytheCommitteeofIndependentExperts,aswellasbytheILO'sCommitteeofExpertsontheApplicationofConventionsandRecommendations.Itbelievedthatitwouldbeextremelyvaluable,notonlyforpurposesofmutualenlightenmentbutalsotoimprovecoordinationandgainabetteroverviewofthedemandsplaceduponStatesandothersconcerned,ifameetingcouldbeconvenedofrepresentativesofthethreebodies.ItrequestedtheILOtoconsiderhostingsuchameetingatamutuallyconvenienttime,preferablybeforeorafterameetingoftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,ontheassumptionthatthetravelcostsandexpensesoftheparticipatingexpertswouldbemetbytheirrespectiveorganizations.Advisoryservices398.b..bTheCommitteeexpresseditsthankstotheSecretariatforprovidingit,asrequested,withapaperontherelationshipbetweeneconomic,socialandculturalrightsandtheprovisionofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalcooperationtoStates.Becauseofthelatereceiptofthispaperandtheimportanceofitsavailabilityintherelevantlanguages,theCommitteedecidedtodeferconsiderationofthemattertoitseleventhsession.Itwouldtakeupthequestionagainatthattimewithaviewtoadoptingaformalpositionontheissuesarisingfromthepaperandperhapsprovidinganindicativelistofthetypesofprojectwhichitconsideredmightmostusefullybeundertakeninordertopromoteeconomic,socialandculturalrights.Optionalprotocol399.b..bTheCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceitattachedtothepreparationandadoptionofanoptionalprotocoltotheCovenantanddecidedtocontinueitsworkonthatissueatitseleventhsessiononthebasisofarevisedpapertobesubmittedbeforethatsessionbyMr.PhilipAlston.Dayofgeneraldiscussion400.b..bTheCommitteedecidedtoholdadayofgeneraldiscussionatitstwelfthsession(ontheMondayofthethirdweek)ongeneralquestionsrelatingtotheinterpretationandapplicationoftheobligationsofStatespartiesasrecognizedbytheCovenant.Secretariatservicing401.b..bTheCommitteerecalledthatithad,foranumberofyears,requestedtheSecretary-GeneraltoincreasetheextentoftheservicingprovidedtoitbytheCentreforHumanRights.Thoserequestshadsofargoneunheeded.TheCommitteecontinuedtooperatewiththeassistanceofonlyasingleprofessionaltheCommitteeSecretarywhoperformeddutiesforothertreatybodiesaswell.Nospecificexpertiseinrelationtoeconomic,socialandculturalrightswasprovidedtotheCommittee.402.b..bInviewoftheuniqueresponsibilitybornebytheCommitteeinrelationtoeconomic,socialandculturalrights,oftheparticularcomplexityandscopeofthoseissues,andoftheCommittee'sheavyworkloadintheexaminationofreports,thedraftingofgeneralcomments,thepreparationofdaysofgeneraldiscussion,andawiderangeofothermattersreferredtoitbytheCommissiononHumanRightsandotherUnitedNationsorgans,iturgentlyrequestedtheSecretary-Generaltoprovideitwiththeservicesofafull-timeexpertinthefield,inadditiontoitsSecretary.Generalcomments403.b..bTheCommitteedecidedtoaccordthehighestpriorityatitseleventhsessiontotheconsiderationandadoptionofthedraftgeneralcommentsonpersonswithdisabilitiesandontheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoftheelderly.ItrequestedMrs.JimnezButragueo,onthebasisoftheconsultationsheldatitstenthsession,toprovideitwithareviseddraftgeneralcommentontheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoftheelderlyforconsiderationattheeleventhsession.@..xB.DecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitseleventhsessionFacilitiesfortreatybodymembers404.b..bTheCommitteenotedthatwhenthe90ormoremembersofthe6humanrightstreatybodieswereatGenevaforasessionoftheirrespectivecommittees,nofacilitieswhatsoeverwereprovidedforthembytheCentreforHumanRights.TheresultwasthatanyCommitteerelatedworkdoneduringtheworkingdaymustbedoneintheUnitedNationsLibrary,thecafeteriaorthepublicConferenceRoom.405.b..bTherewasnowhereotherthanapublicboothfromwhichatelephonecallcouldbemade;therewasnowherethatbags,papersorcoatscouldsafelybeleft;andtherewasnowherethataccesscouldbeobtainedtoacomputerorotherrelevantofficefacilities.InviewofthedemandsonthetimeoftheCommitteemembersandoftheneedtoprovideanefficientworkingenvironment,theCommitteecalledupontheCentreforHumanRightstosetasidearoomtobeusedforthatpurposewheneversessionsofthedifferenttreatybodiesweremeetingatGeneva.ItnotedthatthatwouldatleastputindependentexpertmembersofthetreatybodiesonthesamelevelasinternsintheCentreforHumanRights.Resourceanddocumentationcentre406.b..bTheCommitteerecalledthatsincethelate1980sithadbeencallingupontheCentreforHumanRightstodeveloparesourceanddocumentationcentrewhichwouldprovideabasisfromwhichtheresearchandanalysisthatwereindispensabletoeffectiveandaccuratemonitoringcouldbeconducted.Itnotedwithregretthat,despitetheendorsementofthisrequestbysuccessivemeetingsofthechairpersonsofthevarioushumanrightstreatybodies,anddespiterepeatedassurancesbysuccessiveheadsoftheCentreforHumanRightsthatsomethingwouldbedone,thesituationremainedexactlyasithadbeenfiveyearsearlier.TheCommitteethereforecalledupontheCentretoinitiateurgentactiondesignedtofillthislacuna.ItrequestedtheAssistantSecretary-Generaltoprovideit,atitstwelfthsession,withaclearandunequivocalstatementofthemeasuresthathadbeentakeninthatregardandofanytimetablethathadbeenestablished.Computerization407.b..bTheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationforthebriefingthatithadbeengivenbyarepresentativeoftheCentrewhohadprovideddetailsofprogresstodateintermsofestablishingacomputernetworkwithintheCentre,linkswiththeoutsideworldandthedevelopmentofdatabases.TheCommitteenotedwithdeepdisappointmentthatithadsofartakentheCentrefiveyearstobeginthecreationofevenanelementarydatabasecontainingthebasicmaterialsrequiredbythetreatybodies.Itexpressedthehopethatmeasureswouldbetakentoachievefarmorerapidprogressoverthecoming12monthsandlookedforwardtoreceivingregularupdatesonprogressachieved.PreparationofavideoontheworkoftheCommittee408.b..bTheCommitteerecognizedthevitalimportanceofhumanrightseducation,includingthepromotionofknowledgeandabetterunderstandingoftheroleandmethodsofworkofthevarioushumanrightstreatybodies.ItnotedwithregretthatthestatementprovidedtoitatitseleventhsessionbyarepresentativeoftheDepartmentofPublicInformationhadnotidentifiedasingleactivityfocusingspecificallyandexclusivelyoneithertheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsorontheworkoftheCommittee.̇409.b..bInviewofthepressingneedtodevelopabetterunderstandingoftheroleoftheCommitteeandoftherelevantrights,theCommitteecalledupontheCentreforHumanRightsincollaborationwiththeDepartmentofPublicInformationtoundertakethepreparationofavideowhichwouldexplainandillustratethoseissuestothegeneralpublic.TheCommitteewouldbepleasedtocooperateinsuchanendeavourandrequestedtheSecretariattorespondtothatrequestattheCommittee'stwelfthsession.Dayofgeneraldiscussion410.b..bTheCommitteedecidedthatthedayofgeneraldiscussiontobeheldatitstwelfthsession,onMonday15May1995,wouldfocusontheinterpretationandpracticalapplicationoftheobligationsincumbentuponStatespartiestotheCovenant.ThatfocuswaspartlydesignedtoassistthenewmembersoftheCommitteeandpartlytoprovideanopportunityfortheCommitteeasawholetodiscussthemostappropriateandeffectivewaysofpromotingcompliancebyStatespartieswiththeirobligations.Generalcomments411.b..bTheCommitteedecidedthatatitstwelfthsessionitwouldgiveprioritytoensuringthecompletionandadoptionofitsdraftgeneralcommentontherightsofolderpersons.CountryspecificinformationfromUnitedNationssources412.b..bTheCommitteeattachedmajorimportancetoobtainingfullandregularaccesstoallinformationofdirectrelevancetoitsmandateandwhichmightbeavailablefromtheprincipalUnitedNationsbodiesandagencies.ItthereforerequesteditsChairpersontocorrespondwiththerelevantbodies,andparticularlyUNDP,UNICEFandtheWorldBank,withaviewtorequestingthemtomakeavailabletoitonaregularbasistheirreportsonthesituationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsrelatingtoeachcountrywhosereportwasbeingconsideredbytheCommitteeateachofitssessions.TimelypublicationoftheCommittee'sannualreport413.b..bTheCommitteenotedthatinthepastitsreport,althoughadoptedandcompletedinDecember,hadnotbeenpublisheduntilMayorJuneofthefollowingyear.ItappearedthatthisdelaywascausedbyanassumptiononthepartoftheSecretariatinNewYorkthatthereportwasnotrequireduntilthesessionoftheEconomicandSocialCouncilatwhichitwastobeconsidered.TheCommitteeregrettedthatdelaywhichinconveniencedStatesparties,membersoftheCommittee,otherUnitedNationshumanrightsbodies,non-governmentalorganizationsandthegeneralpublic.Accordingly,itcalledupontherelevantauthoritiestodotheirutmosttoensurerapidpublicationofthereportassoonasitwasreceivedfromGeneva.Advisoryservices414.b..bTheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationtotheCentreforHumanRightsforthepaperwhichithadpreparedattheCommittee'srequestdetailing"ActivitiesundertakensofarwithintheAdvisoryServicesProgrammeandproposalsforthetypeofassistancethatcanbeenvisagedfortherealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights"(E/C.12/1994/WP.9).ItalsogreatlyappreciatedthefrankandconstructivediscussionithadbeenabletohavewitharepresentativeoftheCentre.415.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredthatwhileeconomic,socialandculturalrightshadbeenincludedinanumberoftheactivitiesundertakenwithintheAdvisoryServicesProgramme,itwasnotpossibletoidentifyanysingleinitiativewhichhadfocusedexclusivelyorinanysignificantdepthonthoserights.Itwishedtoemphasizethattheconsiderationofissuesrelatingtoeconomic,socialandculturalrightswithinagenuinehumanrightsframeworkrequiredmuchmorethanatraditionalanalysisofthefactualsituationrelating,forexample,tonutrition,literacyorhealthcare.WhatwasrequiredwasaclearemphasisupontheobligationscontainedintheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,theidentificationofappropriatebenchmarksintheStateconcernedfortherealizationofthoserights,andtheidentificationofappropriatemeansofmonitoringandvindicationoftherightsinquestion.Intheabsenceofthoseelements,ananalysisofwhatpurportedtobetheeconomicandsocialrightssituationofacountrywashighlyunlikelytoaddanythingtotheworkcarriedoutbydevelopmentagenciessuchasUNDPandtheWorldBank,whoseworkwasnotbaseduponahumanrightsframework,astheAdvisoryServicesProgrammemustbe.416.b..bTheCommitteethereforecalledupontheCentreforHumanRightstoidentifyspecificactivitieswhichitmightundertakeinanendeavourtogiveappropriateattentiontoeconomic,socialandculturalrightsintheAdvisoryServicesProgrammeinthefuture.Oncethishadbeendone,theCentrewasrequestedtoinformStatesspecificallyastothespecialistserviceswhichshouldbeprovidedinthisfield.TheCommitteenotedthat,inthecontinuingabsenceofanyexpertinthisareawithintheCentre,thelikelihoodofeffectivespecialistprogrammesbeingdevelopedwasnotgreat.417.b..bIntermsoftrainingandrelatedactivities,theCommitteereiterateditsviewthatthosewereusuallybestundertakenatthenationalorsubregionallevelratherthanonaregionalorglobalbasis.TheCommitteealsoemphasizedtheimportanceofensuringtheparticipationofindividualswhowerebestplacedtomakeeffectiveuseofthetrainingprovided.@..<ChapterVIII@..HADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT418.b..bAtits53rd,55thand56thmeetings,on7,8and9December1994,theCommitteeconsidereditsdraftreporttotheEconomicandSocialCouncilontheworkofitstenthandeleventhsessions(E/C.12/1994/CRP.1andAdd.17andE/C.12/1994/CRP.2andAdd.15).TheCommitteeadoptedthereportasamendedinthecourseofthediscussion.    \R&6\       a + } *hi d,atd ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%td ,%tt +  &x&@..3AnnexI@..STATESPARTIESTOTHECOVENANTANDSTATUSOFSUBMISSIONOFREPORTS@..a(asof9December1994) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjO'1.Afghanistan jj 24April1983 jjE/1990/5/Add.8(E/C.12/1991/SR.2,46and8) jj  j  jj  'jjO'2.Albania jj Ѐ4January1992 jj@L..dOverdue jj  j  jj  'jjO'3.Algeria jj 12December1989 jjE/1990/5/Add.22(Pendingconsideration) jj  j  jj  'jjO'4.Angola jj 10April1992 jj@L..dOverdue jj  j  jj  'jj'5.Argentina jj Ѐ8November1986 jjE/1990/5/Add.18(Pendingconsideration)(E/C.12/1994/SR.31,32,35,36,37) jj E/1988/5/Add.4E/1988/5/Add.8(E/C.12/1990/SR.1820) jj  j  jj  'jjO'6.Armenia jj 13December1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 "jjj" 'jj'7.Australia* jj 10March1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.15(E/1980/WG.1/SR.1213) jj E/1980/6/Add.22(E/1981/WG.1/SR.18) jj E/1982/3/Add.9(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1314) jj E/1984/7/Add.22(E/1985/WG.1/SR.17,18and21) jj E/1986/4/Add.7(E/1986/WG.1/SR.10,11,13and14) jjj E/1990/7/Add.13(E/C.12/1993/SR.13,15and20) 'jjk'8.Austria jj 10December1978 jj E/1984/6/Add.17(E/C.12/1988/SR.34) jj E/1980/6/Add.19(E/1981/WG.1/SR.8) jj E/1982/3/Add.37(E/C.12/1988/SR.3) jj E/1990/6/Add.5(Pendingconsideration)(E/C.12/1994/SR.39-41) jj E/1986/4/Add.8andCorr.1(E/1986/WG.1/SR.4and7) jjj E/1990/6/Add.5(Pendingconsideration)(E/C.12/1994/SR.39-41) )jjj_)9.Azerbaijan jjj 13November1992 jjj @L..dOverdue "jjjj"п*kl d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,tt ,tt ,tt +  &/&AnnexI(continued) 'jj?'ЀStateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'j?' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'j?' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jj?'10.Barbados jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.33(E/1982/WG.1/SR.3) jj E/1980/6/Add.27(E/1982/WG.1/SR.67) jj E/1982/3/Add.24(E/1983/WG.1/SR.1415) "jjj"Overdue 'jj?'11.Belarus* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.19(E/1980/WG.1/SR.16) jj E/1980/6/Add.18(E/1981/WG.1/SR.16) jj E/1982/3/Add.3(E/1982/WG.1/SR.910) jjj E/1984/7/Add.8(E/1984/WG.1/SR.1315) jj E/1986/4/Add.19(E/C.12/1988/SR.1012) jj E/1990/7/Add.5(E/C.12/1992/SR.2,3and12) 'jj?'12.Belgium jj 21July1983 jjE/1990/5/Add.15(E/C.12/1994/SR.1517) jj  j  jj  'jj?'13.Benin jj 12June1992 jj@..Overdue jj  j  jj  'jj?'14.Bolivia jj 12November1982 jjOverdue jj  j  jj  'jj?'15.Bosniaand̀  Herzegovina jj Ѐ6March1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 "jjj" 'jj?'16.Brazil jj 24April1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jj?'17.Bulgaria* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.24(E/1980/WG.1/SR.12) jj E/1980/6/Add.29(E/1982/WG.1/SR.8) jj E/1982/3/Add.23(E/1983/WG.1/SR.1113) jj E/1984/7/Add.18(E/1985/WG.1/SR.9and11) jj E/1986/4/Add.20(E/C.12/1988/SR.1719) jjj Overdue 'jj?'18.Burundi jj Ѐ9August1990 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj?'19.Cambodia jj 26August1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jj?'20.Cameroon jj 27September1984 jj Overdue jj E/1986/3/Add.8(E/C.12/1989/SR.67) jj Overdue "jjj" )jjj?)21.Canada jjj 19August1976 jjj E/1978/8/Add.32(E/1982/WG.1/SR.12) jjj E/1980/6/Add.32(E/1984/WG.1/SR.4and6) jjj E/1982/3/Add.34(E/1986/WG.1/SR.13,15and16) jjj E/1984/7/Add.28(E/C.12/1989/SR.8and11) "jjjj"E/1990/6/Add.3(E/C.12/1993/SR.6,7and18)*mn d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,tt ,tt ,%tt +  &?x&AnnexI(continued) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjO'22.CapeVerde jj Ѐ6November1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 jj  j  jj  'jj'23.CentralAfrican  Republic jj Ѐ8August1981 jjOverdue jj  j  jj  'jj'24.Chile* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.10and28(E/1980/WG.1/SR.89) jj E/1980/6/Add.4(E/1981/WG.1/SR.7) jj E/1982/3/Add.40(E/C.12/1988/SR.1213and16) jjj E/1984/7/Add.1(E/1984/WG.1/SR.1112) jj E/1986/4/Add.18(E/C.12/1988/SR.1213and16) jj Overdue 'jj'25.Colombia** jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.17(E/1980/WG.1/SR.15) jj E/1986/3/Add.3(E/1986/WG.1/SR.6and9) jj E/1982/3/Add.36(E/1986/WG.1/SR.15,21and22) jjj E/1984/7/Add.21/Rev.1(E/1986/WG.1/SR.22and25) jj E/1986/4/Add.25(E/C.12/1990/SR.1214and17) jj E/1990/7/Add.4(E/C.12/1991/SR.17,18and25) 'jjO'26.Congo jj Ѐ5January1984 jjOverdue jj  j  jj  'jjO'27.CostaRica jj Ѐ3January1976 jjE/1990/5/Add.3(E/C.12/1990/SR.38,40,41and43) "jjj"Overdue 'jjO'28.C=ted'Ivoire jj 26June1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jjO'29.Croatia jj Ѐ8October1991 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj'30.Cyprus* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.21(E/1980/WG.1/SR.17) jj E/1980/6/Add.3(E/1981/WG.1/SR.6) jj E/1982/3/Add.19(E/1983/WG.1/SR.78) jj E/1984/7/Add.13(E/1984/WG.1/SR.18and22) jj E/1986/4/Add.2and26(E/C.12/1990/SR.2,3and5) jjj Overdue 'jjO'31.CzechRepublic jj Ѐ1January1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 "jjj" )jjj)32.Democratic  People'sRepublic  ofKorea jjj 14December1981 jjj E/1984/6/Add.7(E/C.12/1987/SR.2122) jjj E/1986/3/Add.5(E/C.12/1987/SR.2122) jjj E/1988/5/Add.6(E/C.12/1991/SR.6,8and10) "jjjj"Overdue*op d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,tt ,tt ,%tt +  &/&AnnexI(continued) 'jj?'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'j?' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'j?' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jj[?'33.Denmark* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.13(E/1980/WG.1/SR.10) jj E/1980/6/Add.15(E/1981/WG.1/SR.12) jj E/1982/3/Add.20(E/1983/WG.1/SR.89) jjj E/1984/7/Add.11(E/1984/WG.1/SR.17and21) jj E/1986/4/Add.16(E/C.12/1988/SR.89) jj Overdue 'jj?'34.Dominica jj 17September1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 "jjj" 'jj?'35.Dominican  Republic jj Ѐ4April1978 jjE/1990/5/Add.4(E/C.12/1990/SR.4345and47) "jjj"@)..(Overdue -jjJ?-36.Ecuador jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.1(E/1980/WG.1/SR.45) jj E/1986/3/Add.14 j E/1988/5/Add.7 jj E/1984/7/Add.12(E/1984/WG.1/SR.20and22) "jjj"Overdue J/   j(E/C.12/1990/SR.3739and42)   'jj?'37.Egypt jj 14April1982 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj?'38.ElSalvador jj 29February1980 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj?'39.Equatorial  Guinea jj 25December1987 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj?'40.Estonia jj 21January1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jj?'41.Ethiopia jj 11September1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 jj  jj  jjj  'jj?'42.Finland* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.14(E/1980/WG.1/SR.6) jj E/1980/6/Add.11(E/1981/WG.1/SR.10) jj E/1982/3/Add.28(E/1984/WG.1/SR.78) jj E/1984/7/Add.14(E/1984/WG.1/SR.1718) jj E/1986/4/Add.4(E/1986/WG.1SR.89and11) jjj E/1990/7/Add.1(E/C.12/1991/SR.11,12and16) 'jj[?'43.France jj Ѐ4February1981 jj E/1984/6/Add.11(E/1986/WG.1/SR.1819and21) jj E/1986/3/Add.10(E/C.12/1989/SR.1213) jj E/1982/3/Add.30andCorr.1(E/1985/WG.1/SR.5and7) "jjj"Overdue )jjj?)44.Gabon jjj 21April1983 jjj Overdue "jjjj"п*qr d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,tt +  &G&AnnexI(continued) 'jjW'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jW' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jW' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjW'45.Gambia jj 29March1979 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjW'46.Georgia jj Ѐ3August1994 jjDueon30June1996 jj  j  jj  'jjW'47.Germany jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.8andCorr.1(E/1980/WG.1/SR.8)E/1978/8/Add.11(E/1980/WG.1/SR.10) jj E/1980/6/Add.6(E/1981/WG.1/SR.8)E/1980/6/Add.10(E/1981/WG.1/SR.10) jj E/1982/3/Add.15andCorr.1(E/1983/WG.1/SR.56)E/1982/3/Add.14(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1718) jj E/1984/7/Add.3and23(E/1985/WG.1/SR.12and16)E/1984/7/Add.24andCorr.1(E/1986/WG.1/SR.2223and25) jj E/1986/4/Add.11(E/C.12/1987/SR.11,12and14)E/1986/4/Add.10(E/C.12/1987/SR.1920) jjj E/1990/7/Add.12(E/C.12/1993/SR.35,36and46) 'jjW'48.Greece jj 16August1985 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjW'49.Grenada jj Ѐ6December1991 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjW'50.Guatemala jj 19August1988 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjW'51.Guinea jj 24April1978 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjW'52.GuineaBissau jj Ѐ2October1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jjW'53.Guyana jj 15May1977 jj Overdue jj Overdue jj E/1982/3/Add.5,29and32(E/1984/WG.1/SR.20and22andE/1985/WG.1/SR.6) "jjj" 'jjW'54.Honduras jj 17May1981 jjOverdue "jjj" )jjjW)55.Hungary* jjj 3January1976 jjj E/1978/8/Add.7(E/1980/WG.1/SR.7) jjj E/1980/6/Add.37(E/1986/WG.1/SR.67and9) jjj E/1982/3/Add.10(E/1982/WG.1/SR.14) jjj E/1984/7/Add.15(E/1984/WG.1/SR.19and21) jjj E/1986/4/Add.1(E/1986/WG.1/SR.67and9) jjjj E/1990/7/Add.10(E/C.12/1992/SR.9,12and21)*st d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &?x&AnnexI(continued) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jj'56.Iceland jj 22November1979 jjE/1990/5/Add.6,(E/C.12/1993/SR.30,31and46)E/1990/5/Add.14 "jjj" 'jj'57.India jj 10July1979 jj E/1984/6/Add.13(E/1986/WG.1/SR.20and24) jj E/1980/6/Add.34(E/1984/WG.1/SR.6and8) jj E/1988/5/Add.5(E/C.12/1990/SR.1617and19) "jjj"Overdue 'jj'58.Iran(Islamic  Republicof) jj Ѐ3January1976 jjE/1990/5/Add.9(E/C.12/1993/SR.79and20) jj E/1982/3/Add.43(E/C.12/1990/SR.42,43and45) "jjj" 'jj'59.Iraq jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1984/6/Add.3and8(E/1985/WG.1/SR.8and11) jj E/1980/6/Add.14(E/1981/WG.1/SR.12) jj E/1982/3/Add.26(E/1985/WG.1/SR.34) jj Overdue jj E/1986/4/Add.3(E/1986/WG.1/SR.8and11) jjj E/1990/7/Add.15(E/C.12/1994/SR.11and14) 'jjO'60.Ireland jj Ѐ8March1990 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjO'61.Israel jj Ѐ3January1982 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jj'62.Italy jj 15December1978 jj E/1978/8/Add.34(E/1982/WG.1/SR.34) jj E/1980/6/Add.31and36(E/1984/WG.1/SR.3and5) jj  "jjj"E/1990/6/Add.2(E/C.12/1992/SR.13,14and21) )jjj)63.Jamaica jjj Ѐ3January1976 jjj E/1978/8/Add.27(E/1980/WG.1/SR.20) jjj E/1986/3/Add.12(E/C.12/1990/SR.1012and15) jjj E/1988/5/Add.3(E/C.12/1990/SR.1012and15) jjj E/1984/7/Add.30(E/C.12/1990/SR.1012and15) "jjjj"Overdue*uv d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &?x&AnnexI(continued) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jj'64.Japan jj 21September1979 jj E/1984/6/Add.6andCorr.1(E/1984/WG.1/SR.910) jj E/1986/3/Add.4andCorr.1(E/1986/WG.1/SR.2021and23) jj E/1982/3/Add.7(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1213) "jjj"Overdue 'jj'65.Jordan jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1984/6/Add.15(E/C.12/1987/SR.68) jj E/1986/3/Add.6(E/C.12/1987/SR.8) jj E/1982/3/Add.38/Rev.1(E/C.12/1991/SR.3032) "jjj"Overdue 'jjO'66.Kenya jj Ѐ3January1976 jjE/1990/5/Add.17(Pendingconsideration) "jjj" 'jjO'67.Latvia jj 14July1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jjO'68.Lebanon jj Ѐ3January1976 jjE/1990/5/Add.16(E/C.12/1993/SR.14,16and21) "jjj" 'jjO'69.Lesotho jj Ѐ9December1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jj'70.LibyanArab  Jamahiriya jj Ѐ3January1976 jj Overdue jj Overdue jj E/1982/3/Add.6and25(E/1983/WG.1/SR.1617) "jjj" 'jjO'71.Lithuania jj 20February1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" )jjj_)72.Luxembourg jjj 18November1983 jjj E/1990/5/Add.1(E/C.12/1990/SR.3336) "jjjj"Overdue*wx d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &?x&AnnexI(continued) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jj'73.Madagascar jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.29(E/1981/WG.1/SR.2) jj E/1980/6/Add.39(E/1986/WG.1/SR.23and5) jj Overdue jj E/1984/7/Add.19(E/1985/WG.1/SR.14and18) jj Overdue jjj Overdue 'jjO'74.Malawi jj 22March1994 jjDueon30June1996 "jjj" 'jjO'75.Mali jj Ѐ3January1976 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjO'76.Malta jj 13December1990 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjO'77.Mauritius jj Ѐ3January1976 jjE/1990/5/Add.21(Pendingconsideration) "jjj" 'jj'78.Mexico jj 23June1981 jj E/1984/6/Add.2and10(E/1986/WG.1/SR.24,26and28) jj E/1986/3/Add.13(E/C.12/1990/SR.6,7and9) jj E/1982/3/Add.8(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1415) "jjj"E/1990/6/Add.4(E/C.12/1993/SR.3235and49) 'jj'79.Mongolia* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.6(E/1980/WG.1/SR.7) jj E/1980/6/Add.7(E/1981/WG.1/SR.89) jj E/1982/3/Add.11(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1516) jj E/1984/7/Add.6(E/1984/WG.1/SR.16and18) jj E/1986/4/Add.9(E/C.12/1988/SR.5and7) jjj Overdue 'jjO'80.Morocco jj Ѐ3August1979 jjE/1990/5/Add.13(E/C.12/1994/SR.810) "jjj" )jjj`)81.Nepal jjj 14August1991 jjj Overdue "jjjj" )jj2x)82.Netherlands jj 11March1979 jj E/1984/6/Add.14and20(E/C.12/1987/SR.56)(E/C.12/1989/SR.1415) jj E/1980/6/Add.33(E/1984/WG.1/SR.46and8) jj E/1982/3/Add.35and44(E/1986/WG.1/SR.14and18)(E/C.12/1989/SR.1415) jj Overdue jj E/1986/4/Add.24(E/C.12/1989/SR.1415) jjj Overdue*yz d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &%^&AnnexI(continued) 'jjn'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'j5n' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'j5n' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjn'83.NewZealand jj 28March1979 jjE/1990/5/Add.5,E/1990/5/Add.11andE/1990/5/Add.12(E/C.12/1993/SR.24,25,26and40) "jjj" 'jjn'84.Nicaragua jj 12June1980 jj E/1984/6/Add.9(E/1986/WG.1/SR.1617and19) jj E/1986/3/Add.15(E/C.12/1993/SR.27,28and46) jj E/1982/3/Add.31andCorr.1(E/1985/WG.1/SR.15) "jjj" 'jj5n'85.Niger jj Ѐ7June1986 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj5n'86.Nigeria jj Ѐ29October1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 jj  jj  jjj  'jjn'87.Norway** jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.12(E/1980/WG.1/SR.5) jj E/1980/6/Add.5(E/1981/WG.1/SR.14) jj E/1982/3/Add.12(E/1982/WG.1/SR.16) jj E/1984/7/Add.16(E/1984/WG.1/SR.19and22) jj E/1986/4/Add.21(E/C.12/1988/SR.1415) jjj E/1990/7/Add.7(E/C.12/1992/SR.4,5and12) 'jjn'88.Panama jj Ѐ8June1977 jj E/1984/6/Add.19(E/C.12/1991/SR.3,5and8) jj E/1980/6/Add.20and23(E/1982/WG.1/SR.5) jj E/1988/5/Add.9(E/C.12/1991/SR.3,5and8) jj Overdue jj E/1986/4/Add.22(E/C.12/1991/SR.3,5and8) jjj Overdue 'jj5n'89.Paraguay jj 10September1992 jjE/1990/5/Add.23(Pendingconsideration) "jjj" )jjjn)90.Peru jjj 28July1978 jjj E/1984/6/Add.5(E/1984/WG.1/SR.11and18) jjj Overdue jjj Overdue "jjjj" )jj^)91.Philippines jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.4(E/1980/WG.1/SR.11) jj E/1986/3/Add.17(Pendingconsideration) jj E/1988/5/Add.2(E/C.12/1990/SR.89and11) jj E/1984/7/Add.4(E/1984/WG.1/SR.15and20) j  jj *{| d,atd ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &?x&AnnexI(continued) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jj'92.Poland* jj 18June1977 jj E/1978/8/Add.23(E/1980/WG.1/SR.1819) jj E/1980/6/Add.12(E/1981/WG.1/SR.11) jj E/1982/3/Add.21(E/1983/WG.1/SR.910) jj E/1984/7/Add.26and27(E/1986/WG.1/SR.2527) jj E/1986/4/Add.12(E/C.12/1989/SR.56) jjj E/1990/7/Add.9(E/C.12/1992/SR.6,7and15) 'jj'93.Portugal jj 31October1978 jj  jj E/1980/6/Add.35/Rev.1(E/1985/WG.1/SR.2and4) jj E/1982/3/Add.27/Rev.1(E/1985/WG.1/SR.6and9) "jjj"E/1990/6/Add.6(Pendingconsideration) 'jjO'94.RepublicofKorea jj 10July1990 jjE/1990/5/Add.19(Pendingconsideration) "jjj" 'jj'95.Republicof  Moldova jj 26March1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 "jjj" 'jj'96.Romania* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.20(E/1980/WG.1/SR.1617) jj E/1980/6/Add.1(E/1981/WG.1/SR.5) jj E/1982/3/Add.13(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1718) jj E/1984/7/Add.17(E/1985/WG.1/SR.10and13) jj E/1986/4/Add.17(E/C.12/1988/SR.6) jjj E/1990/7/Add.14(E/C.12/1994/SR.5,7and13) 'jj'97.RussianFederation* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.16(E/1980/WG.1/SR.14) jj E/1980/6/Add.17(E/1981/WG.1/SR.1415) jj E/1982/3/Add.1(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1112) jj E/1984/7/Add.7(E/1984/WG.1/SR.910) jj E/1986/4/Add.14(E/C.12/1987/SR.1618) jjj E/1990/7/Add.8(withdrawn) 'jj'98.Rwanda jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1984/6/Add.4(E/1984/WG.1/SR.10and12) jj E/1986/3/Add.1(E/1986/WG.1/SR.16and19) jj E/1982/3/Add.42(E/C.12/1989/SR.1012) jj E/1984/7/Add.29(E/C.12/1989/SR.1012) jj Overdue jjj Overdue 'jj'99.SaintVincentand  theGrenadines jj Ѐ9February1982 jjOverdue "jjj" )jjj_)100.SanMarino jjj 18January1986 jjj Overdue "jjjj"п*}~ d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &9&AnnexI(continued) 'jjI'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jI' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jI' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjeI'101.Senegal jj 13May1978 jj E/1984/6/Add.22(E/C.12/1993/SR.37,38and49) jj E/1980/6/Add.13/Rev.1(E/1981/WG.1/SR.11) jj E/1982/3/Add.17(E/1983/WG.1/SR.1416) jj  j  jj  'jjI'102.Seychelles jj Ѐ5August1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jjI'103.Slovakia jj 28May1993 jjArts.115,dueon30June1995 "jjj" 'jjI'104.Slovenia jj Ѐ6July1992 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jjI'105.SolomonIslands jj 17March1982 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjI'106.Somalia jj 24April1990 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjeI'107.Spain** jj 27July1977 jj E/1978/8/Add.26(E/1980/WG.1/SR.20) jj E/1980/6/Add.28(E/1982/WG.1/SR.7) jj E/1982/3/Add.22(E/1983/WG.1/SR.1011) jj E/1984/7/Add.2(E/1984/WG.1/SR.12and14) jj E/1986/4/Add.6(E/1986/WG.1/SR.10and13) jjj E/1990/7/Add.3(E/C.12/1991/SR.13,14,16and22) 'jjI'108.SriLanka jj 11September1980 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjI'109.Sudan jj 18June1986 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjI'110.Suriname jj 28March1977 jjE/1990/5/Add.20(Pendingconsideration) "jjj" 'jjI'111.Sweden** jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.5(E/1980/WG.1/SR.15) jj E/1980/6/Add.8(E/1981/WG.1/SR.9) jj E/1982/3/Add.2(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1920) jj E/1984/7/Add.5(E/1984/WG.1/SR.14and16) jj E/1986/4/Add.13(E/C.12/1988/SR.1011) jjj E/1990/7/Add.2(E/C.12/1991/SR.1113and18) )jjj I)112.Switzerland jjj 18September1992 jjj @..Overdue "jjjj" )jje9)113.SyrianArab > Republic* jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.25and31(E/1983/WG.1/SR.2) jj E/1980/6/Add.9(E/1981/WG.1/SR.4) jj  "jjj"E/1990/6/Add.1(E/C.12/1991/SR.7,9and11)* d,td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,%tt +  &9&AnnexI(continued) 'jjI'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jI' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jI' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjeI'114.Theformer > Yugoslav̀ > Republicof > Macedonia jj 17September1991 jj@..Overdue "jjj" 'jjI'115.Togo jj 24August1984 jjOverdue "jjj" -jjI-116.Trinidadand > Tobago jj Ѐ8March1979 jj E/1984/6/Add.21 j E/1986/3/Add.11 j E/1988/5/Add.1 "jjj"Overdue 9  j(E/C.12/1989/SR.1719)  'jjI'117.Tunisia jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.3(E/1980/WG.1/SR.56) jj E/1986/3/Add.9(E/C.12/1989/SR.9) jj Overdue "jjj" 'jjI'118.Uganda jj 21April1987 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jjI'119.Ukraine** jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.22(E/1980/WG.1/SR.18) jj E/1980/6/Add.24(E/1982/WG.1/SR.56) jj E/1982/3/Add.4(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1112) jj E/1984/7/Add.9(E/1984/WG.1/SR.1315) jj E/1986/4/Add.5(E/C.12/1987/SR.911) jjj E/1990/7/Add.11(withdrawn) 'jjHI'120.UnitedKingdom > ofGreatBritain > andNorthern > Ireland* jj 20August1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.9and30(E/1980/WG.1/SR.19andE/1982/WG.1/SR.1) jj E/1980/6/Add.16andCorr.1,Add.25andCorr.1andAdd.26(E/1981/WG.1/SR.1617) jj E/1982/3/Add.16(E/1982/WG.1/SR.1921) jj E/1984/7/Add.20(E/1985/WG.1/SR.14and17) jj E/1986/4/Add.23(E/C.12/1989/SR.1617)E/1986/4/Add.27(Pendingconsideration)(E/C.12/1994/SR.33,34,36and37) jjj E/1990/7/Add.16(Pendingconsideration)(E/C.12/1994/SR.33,34,36and37) )jjjI)121.UnitedRepublic > ofTanzania jjj 11September1976 jjj Overdue jjj E/1980/6/Add.2(E/1980/WG.1/SR.5) jjj Overdue "jjjj"п* d,%td ,%td ,td ,td ,td ,td ,8td ,tt +  &x&AnnexI(continued) 'jj'Stateparty jj Dateofentryintoforce jjINITIALREPORTS "jjj"SECONDPERIODICREPORTS 'jO' j  jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jj Articles1315 jj Articles69 jj Articles1012 jjj Articles1315 'jO' j  "jjj"(Summaryrecordsofconsiderationofreports) 'jjO'122.Uruguay jj Ѐ3January1976 jjE/1990/5/Add.7(E/C.12/1994/SR.3,4,6and13) "jjj" 'jj'123.Venezuela jj 10August1978 jj E/1984/6/Add.1(E/1984/WG.1/SR.78and10) jj E/1980/6/Add.38(E/1986/WG.1/SR.2and5) jj E/1982/3/Add.33(E/1986/WG.1/SR.12,17and18) "jjj"Overdue 'jjO'124.VietNam jj 24December1982 jjE/1990/5/Add.10(E/C.12/1993/SR.911and19) "jjj" 'jjO'125.Yemen jj Ѐ9May1987 jjOverdue "jjj" 'jj'126.Federal > Republicof > Yugoslavia jj Ѐ3January1976 jj E/1978/8/Add.35(E/1982/WG.1/SR.45) jj E/1980/6/Add.30(E/1983/WG.1/SR.3) jj E/1982/3/Add.39(E/C.12/1988/SR.1415) jj E/1984/7/Add.10(E/1984/WG.1/SR.16and18) jj Overdue jjj Overdue -jjO-127.Zaire jj 1February1977 jj E/1984/6/Add.18 j E/1986/3/Add.7 j E/1982/3/Add.41 "jjj"Overdue ?x  j(E/C.12/1988/SR.1619)  'jj'128.Zambia jj 10July1984 jj Overdue jj E/1986/3/Add.2(E/1986/WG.1/SR.45and7) jj Overdue "jjj" )jjj_)129.Zimbabwe jjj 13August1991 jjj Overdue "jjjj" &"x&򀀀̀  *Thirdperiodicreportwhichwasdueon30June1994,hasnotyetbeenreceived.̀**ThirdperiodicreportofColombiawasreceivedon20July1994(E/1994/104/Add.2);thirdperiodicreportofSwedenwasreceivedon22June1994(E/1994/104/Add.1);thirdperiodicreportofNorwaywasreceivedon3August1994(E/1994/104/Add.3);thirdperiodicreportofUkrainewasreceivedon19September1994(E/1994/104/Add.4);thirdperiodicreportofSpainwasreceivedon18November1994(E/1994/104/Add.5).    \R6&\  33 +     } PF++b >uQ!-$d&(* -@/w13P@..AnnexII@..~MEMBERSHIPOFTHECOMMITTEEONECONOMIC,SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTS ++cNameofmember..Countryofc..cTermexpireson..nationalityc..c31December ++wMrs.MadoeVirginieAHODIKEPE..Togow..w1996Mr.PhilipALSTON..Australiaw..w1994Mr.JuanALVAREZVITA..Peruw..w1996Mr.AbdelHalimBADAWI..Egyptw..w1994Mrs.VirginiaBONOANDANDAN..Philippinesw..w1994Mr.DumitruCEAUSU..Romaniaw..w1996Mr.AbdessatarGRISSA..Tunisiaw..w1996Mrs.LuvsandanzangiinIDER..Mongoliaw..w1994Mrs.MaradelosAngeles̀JIMENEZBUTRAGUEO..Spainw..w1996Mr.ValeriKOUZNETSOV..RussianFederationw..w1994Mr.JaimeMARCHANROMERO..Ecuadorw..w1994Mr.AlexandreMUTERAHEJURU..Rwandaw..w1994Mr.KennethOsborneRATTRAY..Jamaicaw..w1996Mr.BrunoSIMMA..Germanyw..w1994Ms.ChikakoTAYA..Japanw..w1996Mr.PhilippeTEXIER..Francew..w1996Mrs.MargeritaVYSOKAJOVA..CzechRepublicw..w1996Mr.JavierWIMERZAMBRANO..Mexicow..w19948.++b >uQ!8@..AnnexIII@..A.AGENDAOFTHETENTHSESSIONOFTHECOMMITTEEONECONOMIC, 9 SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTS(220May1994)1.b..bAdoptionoftheagenda.2.0b..bOrganizationofwork.3.0b..bSubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticles16and17oftheCovenant.4.0b..bConsiderationofreports:b..b(a)0 .. ReportssubmittedbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticles16and17oftheCovenant;0b..b(b)0 .. Reportssubmittedbyspecializedagenciesinaccordancewitharticle18oftheCovenant.5.0b..bGeneraldiscussionontheroleofsocialsafetynetsasameansofprotectingeconomic,socialandculturalrightswithparticularreferencetosituationsinvolvingmajorstructuraladjustmentand/orthetransitiontoafreemarketeconomy.6.0b..bRelationswithUnitedNationsorgansandothertreatybodies.7.0b..bFormulationofsuggestionsandrecommendationsofageneralnaturebasedontheconsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenantandbythespecializedagencies.@..B.AGENDAOFTHEELEVENTHSESSIONOFTHECOMMITTEEONECONOMIC,  SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTS(21November9December1994)1.b..bAdoptionoftheagenda.2.0b..bOrganizationofwork.3.0b..bSubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticles16and17oftheCovenant.4.0b..bConsiderationofreports:0b..b(a)0 .. ReportssubmittedbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticles16and17oftheCovenant;b..b(b)0 .. Reportssubmittedbyspecializedagenciesinaccordancewitharticle18oftheCovenant.5.0b..bGeneraldiscussiononhumanrightseducationandpublicinformationactivitiesrelatingtotheCovenant.6.0b..bRelationswithUnitedNationsorgansandothertreatybodies.7.0b..bFormulationofsuggestionsandrecommendationsofageneralnaturebasedontheconsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenantandbythespecializedagencies.8.b..bReportoftheCommitteetotheEconomicandSocialCouncil.@..AnnexIV  @..GENERALCOMMENTNo.5(1994)    *    ׈@..Personswithdisabilities1.b..bThecentralimportanceoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinrelationtothehumanrightsofpersonswithdisabilitieshasfrequentlybeenunderlinedbytheinternationalcommunity.      ׀Thusa1992reviewbytheSecretary-GeneraloftheimplementationoftheWorldProgrammeofActionconcerningDisabledPersonsandtheUnitedNationsDecadeofDisabledPersonsconcludedthat"disabilityiscloselylinkedtoeconomicandsocialfactors"andthat"conditionsoflivinginlargepartsoftheworldaresodesperatethattheprovisionofbasicneedsforall-food,water,shelter,healthprotectionandeducation-mustformthecornerstoneofnationalprogrammes".    ׀Evenincountrieswhichhavearelativelyhighstandardofliving,personswithdisabilitiesareveryoftendeniedtheopportunitytoenjoythefullrangeofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsrecognizedintheCovenant.2.b..bTheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,andtheworking  groupwhichprecededit,havebeenexplicitlycalleduponbyboththeGeneralAssembly    ׀andtheCommissiononHumanRights    ׀tomonitorthecomplianceofStatespartiestotheCovenantwiththeirobligationtoensurethefullenjoymentoftherelevantrightsbypersonswithdisabilities.TheCommittee'sexperiencetodate,however,indicatesthatStatespartieshavedevotedverylittleattentiontothisissueintheirreports.ThisappearstobeconsistentwiththeSecretary-General'sconclusionthat"mostGovernmentsstilllackdecisiveconcertedmeasuresthatwouldeffectivelyimprovethesituation"ofpersonswithdisabilities.    ׀Itisthereforeappropriatetoreview,andemphasize,someofthewaysinwhichissuesconcerningpersonswithdisabilitiesariseinconnectionwiththeobligationscontainedintheCovenant.3.b..bThereisstillnointernationallyaccepteddefinitionoftheterm"disability".Forpresentpurposes,however,itissufficienttorelyontheapproachadoptedintheStandardRulesof1993,whichstate:0b..b .. "Theterm'disability'summarizesagreatnumberofdifferentfunctionallimitationsoccurringinanypopulation...Peoplemaybedisabledbyphysical,intellectualorsensoryimpairment,medicalconditionsormentalillness.Suchimpairments,conditionsorillnessesmaybepermanentortransitoryinnature."    4.b..bInaccordancewiththeapproachadoptedintheStandardRules,thisGeneralCommentusestheterm"personswithdisabilities"ratherthantheolderterm"disabledpersons".Ithasbeensuggestedthatthelattertermmightbemisinterpretedtoimplythattheabilityoftheindividualtofunctionasapersonhasbeendisabled.5.b..bTheCovenantdoesnotreferexplicitlytopersonswithdisabilities.Nevertheless,theUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsrecognizesthatallhumanbeingsarebornfreeandequalindignityandrightsand,sincetheCovenant'sprovisionsapplyfullytoallmembersofsociety,personswithdisabilitiesareclearlyentitledtothefullrangeofrightsrecognizedintheCovenant.Inaddition,insofarasspecialtreatmentisnecessary,Statespartiesarerequiredtotakeappropriatemeasures,tothemaximumextentoftheiravailableresources,toenablesuchpersonstoseektoovercomeanydisadvantages,intermsoftheenjoymentoftherightsspecifiedintheCovenant,flowingfromtheirdisability.Moreover,therequirementcontainedinarticle2(2)oftheCovenantthattherights"enunciated...willbeexercisedwithoutdiscriminationofanykind"basedoncertainspecifiedgrounds"orotherstatus"clearlyappliestodiscriminationonthegroundsofdisability.6.b..bTheabsenceofanexplicit,disability-relatedprovisionintheCovenantcanbeattributedtothelackofawarenessoftheimportanceofaddressingthisissueexplicitly,ratherthanonlybyimplication,atthetimeofthedraftingoftheCovenantoveraquarterofacenturyago.Morerecentinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentshave,however,addressedtheissuespecifically.TheyincludetheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(art.23);theAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rights(art.18(4));andtheAdditionalProtocoltotheAmericanConventiononHumanRightsintheAreaofEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(art.18).Thusitisnowverywidelyacceptedthatthehumanrightsofpersonswithdisabilitiesmustbeprotectedandpromotedthroughgeneral,aswellasspeciallydesigned,laws,policiesandprogrammes.7.b..bInaccordancewiththisapproach,theinternationalcommunityhasaffirmeditscommitmenttoensuringthefullrangeofhumanrightsforpersonswithdisabilitiesinthefollowinginstruments:(a)theWorldProgrammeofActionconcerningDisabledPersons,whichprovidesapolicyframeworkaimedatpromoting"effectivemeasuresforpreventionofdisability,rehabilitationandtherealizationofthegoalsof'fullparticipation'of[personswithdisabilities]insociallifeanddevelopment,andof'equality'";    ׀(b)theGuidelinesfortheEstablishmentandDevelopmentofNationalCoordinatingCommitteesonDisabilityorSimilarBodies,adoptedin1990;    ׀(c)thePrinciplesfortheProtectionofPersonswithMentalIllnessandfortheImprovementofMentalHealthCare,adoptedin1991;    ׀(d)theStandardRulesontheEqualizationofOpportunitiesforPersonswithDisabilities(hereinafterreferredtoasthe"StandardRules"),adoptedin1993,thepurposeofwhichistoensurethatallpersonswithdisabilities"mayexercisethesamerightsandobligationsasothers".    ׀TheStandardRulesareofmajorimportanceandconstituteaparticularlyvaluablereferenceguideinidentifyingmorepreciselytherelevantobligationsofStatespartiesundertheCovenant.@.. I.GENERALOBLIGATIONSOFSTATESPARTIES8.b..bTheUnitedNationshasestimatedthattherearemorethan500millionpersonswithdisabilitiesintheworldtoday.Ofthatnumber,80percentliveinruralareasindevelopingcountries.Seventypercentofthetotalareestimatedtohaveeitherlimitedornoaccesstotheservicestheyneed.ThechallengeofimprovingthesituationofpersonswithdisabilitiesisthusofdirectrelevancetoeveryStatepartytotheCovenant.Whilethemeanschosentopromotethefullrealizationoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsofthisgroupwillinevitablydiffersignificantlyfromonecountrytoanother,thereisnocountryinwhichamajorpolicyandprogrammeeffortisnotrequired.    9.b..bTheobligationofStatespartiestotheCovenanttopromoteprogressiverealizationoftherelevantrightstothemaximumoftheiravailableresourcesclearlyrequiresGovernmentstodomuchmorethanmerelyabstainfromtakingmeasureswhichmighthaveanegativeimpactonpersonswithdisabilities.Theobligationinthecaseofsuchavulnerableanddisadvantagedgroupistotakepositiveactiontoreducestructuraldisadvantagesandtogiveappropriatepreferentialtreatmenttopeoplewithdisabilitiesinordertoachievetheobjectivesoffullparticipationandequalitywithinsocietyforallpersonswithdisabilities.Thisalmostinvariablymeansthatadditionalresourceswillneedtobemadeavailableforthispurposeandthatawiderangeofspeciallytailoredmeasureswillberequired.10.b..bAccordingtoareportbytheSecretary-General,developmentsoverthepastdecadeinbothdevelopedanddevelopingcountrieshavebeenespeciallyunfavourablefromtheperspectiveofpersonswithdisabilities:0b..b"...currenteconomicandsocialdeterioration,markedbylow-growthrates,highunemployment,reducedpublicexpenditure,currentstructuraladjustmentprogrammesandprivatization,havenegativelyaffectedprogrammesandservices...Ifthepresentnegativetrendscontinue,thereistheriskthat[personswithdisabilities]mayincreasinglyberelegatedtothemarginsofsociety,dependentonadhocsupport."    AstheCommitteehaspreviouslyobserved(GeneralCommentNo.3(Fifthsession,1990),para.12),thedutyofStatespartiestoprotectthevulnerablemembersoftheirsocietiesassumesgreaterratherthanlessimportanceintimesofsevereresourceconstraints.11.GiventheincreasingcommitmentofGovernmentsaroundtheworldtomarket-basedpolicies,itisappropriateinthatcontexttoemphasizecertainaspectsofStatesparties'obligations.Oneistheneedtoensurethatnotonlythepublicsphere,butalsotheprivatesphere,are,withinappropriatelimits,subjecttoregulationtoensuretheequitabletreatmentofpersonswithdisabilities.Inacontextinwhicharrangementsfortheprovisionofpublicservicesareincreasinglybeingprivatizedandinwhichthefreemarketisbeingreliedontoanevergreaterextent,itisessentialthatprivateemployers,privatesuppliersofgoodsandservices,andothernon-publicentitiesshouldbesubjecttobothnon-discriminationandequalitynormsinrelationtopersonswithdisabilities.Incircumstanceswheresuchprotectiondoesnotextendbeyondthepublicdomain,theabilityofpersonswithdisabilitiestoparticipateinthemainstreamofcommunityactivitiesandtorealizetheirfullpotentialasactivemembersofsocietywillbeseverelyandoftenarbitrarilyconstrained.Thisisnottoimplythatlegislativemeasureswillalwaysbethemosteffectivemeansofseekingtoeliminatediscriminationwithintheprivatesphere.Thus,forexample,theStandardRulesplaceparticularemphasisontheneedforStatesto"takeactiontoraiseawarenessinsocietyaboutpersonswithdisabilities,theirrights,theirneeds,theirpotentialandtheircontribution".    ̇12.b..bIntheabsenceofgovernmentinterventiontherewillalwaysbeinstancesinwhichtheoperationofthefreemarketwillproduceunsatisfactoryresultsforpersonswithdisabilities,eitherindividuallyorasagroup,andinsuchcircumstancesitisincumbentonGovernmentstostepinandtakeappropriatemeasurestotemper,complement,compensatefor,oroverridetheresultsproducedbymarketforces.Similarly,whileitisappropriateforGovernmentstorelyonprivatevoluntarygroupstoassistpersonswithdisabilitiesinvariousways,sucharrangementscanneverabsolveGovernmentsfromtheirdutytoensurefullcompliancewiththeirobligationsundertheCovenant.AstheWorldProgrammeofActionconcerningDisabledPersonsstates,"theultimateresponsibilityforremedyingtheconditionsthatleadtoimpairmentandfordealingwiththeconsequencesofdisabilityrestswithGovernments".    @..II.MEANSOFIMPLEMENTATION13.b..bThemethodstobeusedbyStatespartiesinseekingtoimplementtheirobligationsundertheCovenanttowardspersonswithdisabilitiesareessentiallythesameasthoseavailableinrelationtootherobligations(seeGeneralCommentNo.1(Thirdsession,1989)).Theyincludetheneedtoascertain,throughregularmonitoring,thenatureandscopeoftheproblemsexistingwithintheState;theneedtoadoptappropriatelytailoredpoliciesandprogrammestorespondtotherequirementsthusidentified;theneedtolegislatewherenecessaryandtoeliminateanyexistingdiscriminatorylegislation;andtheneedtomakeappropriatebudgetaryprovisionsor,wherenecessary,seekinternationalcooperationandassistance.Inthelatterrespect,internationalcooperationinaccordancewitharticles22and23oftheCovenantislikelytobeaparticularlyimportantelementinenablingsomedevelopingcountriestofulfiltheirobligationsundertheCovenant.14.b..bInaddition,ithasbeenconsistentlyacknowledgedbytheinternationalcommunitythatpolicy-makingandprogrammeimplementationinthisareashouldbeundertakenonthebasisofcloseconsultationwith,andinvolvementof,representativegroupsofthepersonsconcerned.Forthisreason,theStandardRulesrecommendthateverythingpossiblebedonetofacilitatetheestablishmentofnationalcoordinatingcommittees,orsimilarbodies,toserveasanationalfocalpointondisabilitymatters.Indoingso,Governmentsshouldtakeaccountofthe1990GuidelinesfortheEstablishmentandDevelopmentofNationalCoordinatingCommitteesonDisabilityorSimilarBodies.8/@.. III.THEOBLIGATIONTOELIMINATEDISCRIMINATIONONTHE . GROUNDSOFDISABILITY15.b..bBothdejureanddefactodiscriminationagainstpersonswithdisabilitieshavealonghistoryandtakevariousforms.Theyrangefrominvidiousdiscrimination,suchasthedenialofeducationalopportunities,tomore"subtle"formsofdiscriminationsuchassegregationandisolationachievedthroughtheimpositionofphysicalandsocialbarriers.ForthepurposesoftheCovenant,"disability-baseddiscrimination"maybedefinedasincludinganydistinction,exclusion,restrictionorpreference,ordenialofreasonableaccommodationbasedondisabilitywhichhastheeffectofnullifyingorimpairingtherecognition,enjoymentorexerciseofeconomic,socialorculturalrights.Throughneglect,ignorance,prejudiceandfalseassumptions,aswellasthroughexclusion,distinctionorseparation,personswithdisabilitieshaveveryoftenbeenpreventedfromexercisingtheireconomic,socialorculturalrightsonanequalbasiswithpersonswithoutdisabilities.Theeffectsofdisability-baseddiscriminationhavebeenparticularlysevereinthefieldsofeducation,employment,housing,transport,culturallife,andaccesstopublicplacesandservices.̀16.b..bDespitesomeprogressintermsoflegislationoverthepastdecade,    thelegalsituationofpersonswithdisabilitiesremainsprecarious.Inordertoremedypastandpresentdiscrimination,andtodeterfuturediscrimination,comprehensiveanti-discriminationlegislationinrelationtodisabilitywouldseemtobeindispensableinvirtuallyallStatesparties.Suchlegislationshouldnotonlyprovidepersonswithdisabilitieswithjudicialremediesasfaraspossibleandappropriate,butalsoprovideforsocial-policyprogrammeswhichenablepersonswithdisabilitiestoliveanintegrated,self-determinedandindependentlife.17.b..bAnti-discriminationmeasuresshouldbebasedontheprincipleofequalrightsforpersonswithdisabilitiesandthenon-disabled,which,inthewordsoftheWorldProgrammeofActionconcerningDisabledPersons,"impliesthattheneedsofeachandeveryindividualareofequalimportance,thattheseneedsmustbemadethebasisfortheplanningofsocieties,andthatallresourcesmustbeemployedinsuchawayastoensure,foreveryindividual,equalopportunityforparticipation.Disabilitypoliciesshouldensuretheaccessof[personswithdisabilities]toallcommunityservices".    18.b..bBecauseappropriatemeasuresneedtobetakentoundoexistingdiscriminationandtoestablishequitableopportunitiesforpersonswithdisabilities,suchactionsshouldnotbeconsidereddiscriminatoryinthesenseofarticle2(2)oftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsaslongastheyarebasedontheprincipleofequalityandareemployedonlytotheextentnecessarytoachievethatobjective.@.. IV.SPECIFICPROVISIONSOFTHECOVENANT@.. A.Article3-Equalrightsformenandwomen19.b..bPersonswithdisabilitiesaresometimestreatedasgenderlesshumanbeings.Asaresult,thedoublediscriminationsufferedbywomenwithdisabilitiesisoftenneglected.    ׀Despitefrequentcallsbytheinternationalcommunityforparticularemphasistobeplacedupontheirsituation,veryfeweffortshavebeenundertakenduringtheDecade.TheneglectofwomenwithdisabilitiesismentionedseveraltimesinthereportoftheSecretary-GeneralontheimplementationoftheWorldProgrammeofAction.    ׀TheCommitteethereforeurgesStatespartiestoaddressthesituationofwomenwithdisabilities,withhighprioritybeinggiveninfuturetotheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights-relatedprogrammes.@..` B.Articles6-8-Rightsrelatingtowork20.b..bThefieldofemploymentisoneinwhichdisability-baseddiscriminationhasbeenprominentandpersistent.Inmostcountriestheunemploymentrateamongpersonswithdisabilitiesistwotothreetimeshigherthantheunemploymentrateforpersonswithoutdisabilities.Wherepersonswithdisabilitiesareemployed,theyaremostlyengagedinlow-paidjobswithlittlesocialandlegalsecurityandareoftensegregatedfromthemainstreamofthelabourmarket.TheintegrationofpersonswithdisabilitiesintotheregularlabourmarketshouldbeactivelysupportedbyStates.21.b..bThe"rightofeveryonetotheopportunitytogainhislivingbyworkwhichhefreelychoosesoraccepts"(art.6(1))isnotrealizedwheretheonlyrealopportunityopentodisabledworkersistoworkinso-called"sheltered"facilitiesundersubstandardconditions.Arrangementswherebypersonswithacertaincategoryofdisabilityareeffectivelyconfinedtocertainoccupationsortotheproductionofcertaingoodsmayviolatethisright.Similarly,inthelightofprinciple13(3)ofthePrinciplesfortheProtectionofPersonswithMentalIllnessandfortheImprovementofMentalHealthCare,9/"therapeuticaltreatment"ininstitutionswhichamountstoforcedlabourisalsoincompatiblewiththeCovenant.Inthisregard,theprohibitiononforcedlabourcontainedintheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsisalsoofpotentialrelevance.22.b..bAccordingtotheStandardRules,personswithdisabilities,whetherinruralorurbanareas,musthaveequalopportunitiesforproductiveandgainfulemploymentinthelabourmarket.    ׀Forthistohappenitisparticularlyimportantthatartificialbarrierstointegrationingeneral,andtoemploymentinparticular,shouldberemoved.AstheInternationalLabourOrganizationhasnoted,itisveryoftenthephysicalbarriersthatsocietyhaserectedinareassuchastransport,housingandtheworkplacewhicharethencitedasthereasonwhypersonswithdisabilitiescannotbeemployed.    ׀Forexample,aslongasworkplacesaredesignedandbuiltinwaysthatmaketheminaccessibletowheelchairs,employerswillbeableto"justify"theirfailuretoemploywheelchairusers.Governmentsshouldalsodeveloppolicieswhichpromoteandregulateflexibleandalternativeworkarrangementsthatreasonablyaccommodatetheneedsofdisabledworkers.23.b..bSimilarly,thefailureofGovernmentstoensurethatmodesoftransportationareaccessibletopersonswithdisabilitiesgreatlyreducesthechancesofsuchpersonsfindingsuitable,integratedjobs,takingadvantageofeducationalandvocationaltraining,orcommutingtofacilitiesofalltypes.Indeed,theprovisionofaccesstoappropriateand,wherenecessary,speciallytailoredformsoftransportationiscrucialtotherealizationbypersonswithdisabilitiesofvirtuallyalltherightsrecognizedintheCovenant.24.b..bThe"technicalandvocationalguidanceandtrainingprogrammes"requiredunderarticle6(2)oftheCovenantshouldreflecttheneedsofallpersonswithdisabilities,takeplaceinintegratedsettings,andbeplannedandimplementedwiththefullinvolvementofrepresentativesofpersonswithdisabilities.25.b..bTherightto"theenjoymentofjustandfavourableconditionsofwork"(art.7)appliestoalldisabledworkers,whethertheyworkinshelteredfacilitiesorintheopenlabourmarket.Disabledworkersmaynotbediscriminatedagainstwithrespecttowagesorotherconditionsiftheirworkisequaltothatofnon-disabledworkers.Statespartieshavearesponsibilitytoensurethatdisabilityisnotusedasanexcuseforcreatinglowstandardsoflabourprotectionorforpayingbelowminimumwages.26.Tradeunion-relatedrights(art.8)applyequallytoworkerswithdisabilitiesandregardlessofwhethertheyworkinspecialworkfacilitiesorintheopenlabourmarket.Inaddition,article8,readinconjunctionwithotherrightssuchastherighttofreedomofassociation,servestoemphasizetheimportanceoftherightofpersonswithdisabilitiestoformtheirownorganizations.Iftheseorganizationsaretobeeffectivein"thepromotionandprotectionof[the]economicandsocialinterests"(art.8(1)(a))ofsuchpersons,theyshouldbeconsultedregularlybygovernmentbodiesandothersinrelationtoallmattersaffectingthem;itmayalsobenecessarythattheybesupportedfinanciallyandotherwisesoastoensuretheirviability.27.b..bTheInternationalLabourOrganizationhasdevelopedvaluableandcomprehensiveinstrumentswithrespecttothework-relatedrightsofpersonswithdisabilities,includinginparticularConventionNo.159(1983)concerningvocationalrehabilitationandemploymentofpersonswithdisabilities.    ׀TheCommitteeencouragesStatespartiestotheCovenanttoconsiderratifyingthatConvention.@..C.Article9-Socialsecurity28.b..bSocialsecurityandincome-maintenanceschemesareofparticularimportanceforpersonswithdisabilities.AsstatedintheStandardRules,"Statesshouldensuretheprovisionofadequateincomesupporttopersonswithdisabilitieswho,owingtodisabilityordisability-relatedfactors,havetemporarilylostorreceivedareductionintheirincomeorhavebeendeniedemploymentopportunities".    ׀Suchsupportshouldreflectthespecialneedsforassistanceandotherexpensesoftenassociatedwithdisability.Inaddition,asfaraspossible,thesupportprovidedshouldalsocoverindividuals(whoareoverwhelminglyfemale)whoundertakethecareofapersonwithdisabilities.Suchpersons,includingmembersofthefamiliesofpersonswithdisabilities,areofteninurgentneedoffinancialsupportbecauseoftheirassistancerole.    29.b..bInstitutionalizationofpersonswithdisabilities,unlessrenderednecessaryforotherreasons,cannotberegardedasanadequatesubstituteforthesocialsecurityandincome-supportrightsofsuchpersons.@..&  D.Article10-Protectionofthefamilyandofmothersandchildren30.b..bInthecaseofpersonswithdisabilities,theCovenant'srequirementthat"protectionandassistance"shouldberenderedtothefamilymeansthat'  everythingpossibleshouldbedonetoenablesuchpersons,whentheysowish,tolivewiththeirfamilies.Article10alsoimplies,subjecttothegeneralprinciplesofinternationalhumanrightslaw,therightofpersonswithdisabilitiestomarryandhavetheirownfamily.Theserightsarefrequentlyignoredordenied,especiallyinthecaseofpersonswithmentaldisabilities.    ׀Inthisandothercontexts,theterm"family"shouldbeinterpretedbroadlyandinaccordancewithappropriatelocalusage.Statespartiesshouldensurethatlawsandsocialpoliciesandpracticesdonotimpedetherealizationoftheserights.Personswithdisabilitiesshouldhaveaccesstonecessarycounsellingservicesinordertofulfiltheirrightsanddutieswithinthefamily.    31.b..bWomenwithdisabilitiesalsohavetherighttoprotectionandsupportinrelationtomotherhoodandpregnancy.AstheStandardRulesstate,"personswithdisabilitiesmustnotbedeniedtheopportunitytoexperiencetheirsexuality,havesexualrelationshipsandexperienceparenthood".    ׀Theneedsanddesiresinquestionshouldberecognizedandaddressedinboththerecreationalandtheprocreationalcontexts.Theserightsarecommonlydeniedtobothmenandwomenwithdisabilitiesworldwide.    ׀Boththesterilizationof,andtheperformanceofanabortionon,awomanwithdisabilitieswithoutherpriorinformedconsentareseriousviolationsofarticle10(2).32.b..bChildrenwithdisabilitiesareespeciallyvulnerabletoexploitation,abuseandneglectandare,inaccordancewitharticle10(3)oftheCovenant(reinforcedbythecorrespondingprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild),entitledtospecialprotection.@..E.Article11-Therighttoanadequatestandardofliving33.b..bInadditiontotheneedtoensurethatpersonswithdisabilitieshaveaccesstoadequatefood,accessiblehousingandotherbasicmaterialneeds,itisalsonecessarytoensurethat"supportservices,includingassistivedevices"areavailable"forpersonswithdisabilities,toassistthemtoincreasetheirlevelofindependenceintheirdailylivingandtoexercisetheirrights".    ׀Therighttoadequateclothingalsoassumesaspecialsignificanceinthecontextofpersonswithdisabilitieswhohaveparticularclothingneeds,soastoenablethemtofunctionfullyandeffectivelyinsociety.Whereverpossible,appropriatepersonalassistanceshouldalsobeprovidedinthisconnection.Suchassistanceshouldbeundertakeninamannerandspiritwhichfullyrespectthehumanrightsoftheperson(s)concerned.Similarly,asalreadynotedbytheCommitteeinparagraph8ofGeneralCommentNo.4(Sixthsession,1991),therighttoadequatehousingincludestherighttoaccessiblehousingforpersonswithdisabilities.&  @.. F.Article12-Therighttophysicalandmentalhealth34.b..bAccordingtotheStandardRules,"Statesshouldensurethatpersonswithdisabilities,particularlyinfantsandchildren,areprovidedwiththesame'  levelofmedicalcarewithinthesamesystemasothermembersofsociety".    ׀Therighttophysicalandmentalhealthalsoimpliestherighttohaveaccessto,andtobenefitfrom,thosemedicalandsocialservices-includingorthopaedicdevices-whichenablepersonswithdisabilitiestobecomeindependent,preventfurtherdisabilitiesandsupporttheirsocialintegration.    ׀Similarly,suchpersonsshouldbeprovidedwithrehabilitationserviceswhichwouldenablethem"toreachandsustaintheiroptimumlevelofindependenceandfunctioning".    ׀Allsuchservicesshouldbeprovidedinsuchawaythatthepersonsconcernedareabletomaintainfullrespectfortheirrightsanddignity.@..f G.Articles13and14-Therighttoeducation35.b..bSchoolprogrammesinmanycountriestodayrecognizethatpersonswithdisabilitiescanbestbeeducatedwithinthegeneraleducationsystem.    ׀ThustheStandardRulesprovidethat"Statesshouldrecognizetheprincipleofequalprimary,secondaryandtertiaryeducationalopportunitiesforchildren,youthandadultswithdisabilities,inintegratedsettings".    ׀Inordertoimplementsuchanapproach,Statesshouldensurethatteachersaretrainedtoeducatechildrenwithdisabilitieswithinregularschoolsandthatthenecessaryequipmentandsupportareavailabletobringpersonswithdisabilitiesuptothesamelevelofeducationastheirnon-disabledpeers.Inthecaseofdeafchildren,forexample,signlanguageshouldberecognizedasaseparatelanguagetowhichthechildrenshouldhaveaccessandwhoseimportanceshouldbeacknowledgedintheiroverallsocialenvironment.@.. H.Article15-Therighttotakepartinculturallife 4 andenjoythebenefitsofscientificprogress36.b..bTheStandardRulesprovidethat"Statesshouldensurethatpersonswithdisabilitieshavetheopportunitytoutilizetheircreative,artisticandintellectualpotential,notonlyfortheirownbenefit,butalsofortheenrichmentoftheircommunity,betheyinurbanorruralareas....Statesshouldpromotetheaccessibilitytoandavailabilityofplacesforculturalperformancesandservices...".    ׀Thesameappliestoplacesforrecreation,sportsandtourism.37.b..bTherighttofullparticipationinculturalandrecreationallifeforpersonswithdisabilitiesfurtherrequiresthatcommunicationbarriersbeeliminatedtothegreatestextentpossible.Usefulmeasuresinthisregardmightinclude"theuseoftalkingbooks,paperswritteninsimplelanguageandwithclearformatandcoloursforpersonswithmentaldisability,[and]adaptedtelevisionandtheatrefordeafpersons".    ׀38.b..bInordertofacilitatetheequalparticipationinculturallifeofpersonswithdisabilities,Governmentsshouldinformandeducatethegeneralpublicaboutdisability.Inparticular,measuresmustbetakentodispelprejudicesorsuperstitiousbeliefsagainstpersonswithdisabilities,forexamplethosethatviewepilepsyasaformofspiritpossessionorachildwithdisabilitiesasaformofpunishmentvisiteduponthefamily.Similarly,thegeneralpublicshouldbeeducatedtoacceptthatpersonswithdisabilitieshaveasmuchrightasanyotherpersontomakeuseofrestaurants,hotels,recreationcentresandculturalvenues.@..Notes    @..6AnnexV@..THEWORLDSUMMITFORSOCIALDEVELOPMENTANDTHEINTERNATIONAL@..4 COVENANTONECONOMIC,SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTS@.. StatementoftheCommitteeonEconomic,Social@.. andCulturalRights(tenthsession)1.b..bInMarch1995theWorldSummitforSocialDevelopmentwillbeheldinCopenhagen.ThiswillfollowboththeWorldConferenceonHumanRightsinViennainJune1993andtheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentinCairoinSeptember1994.ItwillprecedethefourthInternationalConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace,tobeheldinBeijinginSeptember1995,andthesecondHabitatConferenceonHumanSettlementstobeheldinIstanbulin1996.Inallthesecontextsthequestionofeconomicandsocialhumanrightsisofmajorimportance,butitisinrelationtotheSocialSummitthatthelinkisofthemostfundamentalimportance.2.b..bAlargeproportionoftheissuesontheSocialSummit'sagendafallssquarelywithinthedomainofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsrecognizedingeneraltermsintheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsin1948andmorespecificallyintheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,of1966.ThechallengesfacingtheSummitareofbothanormativeandproceduralcharacter.Thenormativedimensioninvolvestheidentificationandarticulationofthe"principles,goals,policyorientationsandcommonchallenges"ofsocialdevelopmentpolicyatalllevels.Theproceduraldimensioninvolvesissuesof"implementationandfollow-up".3.b..bInrelationtoeachofthesedimensionstherelevanceoftheCovenantisimmediateanddirect.Itsneglectwillhavesignificantadverseconsequencesbothfromtheviewpointoftheinternationalhumanrightsregimeandofthatoftheevolvingapproachtosocialdevelopment.TheexclusionormarginalizationoftheCovenantwillsignalthecontinuingseparationofhumanrightsandsocialdevelopmentissues,incompletecontradictiontotheoft-recognizedneedforanintegratedapproach.Similarly,neglectoftheimplementationandmonitoringmechanismestablishedundertheCovenantwillriskafutileproliferationofineffectualapproachestoimplementationattheexpenseofworkingtowardsensuringtheeffectivenessofthosethatalreadyexist.4.b..bThefirstsessionofthePreparatoryCommitteefortheSummitdiscussedvariousapproachesto,andthepossiblecontentof,adraftdeclarationandadraftprogrammeofaction.Inthelistof"elementsmentionedforadraftDeclaration",whichisannexedtothereportofthefirstsession,referenceismadetovirtuallyeveryobjectiverecognizedintheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights.However,theCovenantitselfisneverreferredtoandmostoftherelevantobjectivesarecharacterizednotas"humanrights"butasmeregoalsorprinciples.Onepertinentexample,amongmanythatcouldbegiven,isthereferenceinthelisttothe"newconceptof'humansecurity'",accordingtowhich"thepersonalsecurityofindividualsandcommunities,basedonsufficientincome,education,healthandhousingshouldbegivenpriority".Thesameparagraphurgesthat"socialdevelopmentmustbeconsideredaright...".Butthereisnomentionofthefactthatdevelopmentisalreadyrecognizedasahumanrightorofthefactthateachandeveryoneofthecomponentpartsofthis"newconcept"haslongbeenrecognizedintheCovenantasahumanright.5.b..bFactorssuchasthereducedrolebeingplayedbytheStateinagreatmanysocieties,anincreasingemphasisonpoliciesofderegulationandprivatization,amarkedlygreaterrelianceonfreemarketmechanisms,andtheglobalizationofaneverlargerpartofallnationaleconomies,haveallcombinedtochallengemanyoftheassumptionsonwhichsocialpolicymakershavepreviouslyoperated.Indeed,itisincreasinglyclearthat,asaresultofthesechanges,manyofthespecificpolicyapproachesendorsedbytheinternationalcommunityinthepast30yearsorsohavebeencalledintoquestionandinsomecasesevenrenderedobsoleteorinvalid.Butitispreciselyatatimeofsuchrapidandunpredictablechangeinatrulyglobaleconomythatitisessentialtoreaffirmthefundamentalvaluesofsocialjusticewhichmustguidepolicy-makingatalllevels.ThisisclearlyrecognizedinthemandategiventotheSummitandinthecontributionsmadebytheprincipalparticipants.6.b..bThus,thefirstquestionbeforetheSummitiswhatthosevaluesareandhowtheycanmosteffectivelybereaffirmed.Thisinvolvestwoaspects:therecognitionoffundamentalnormsandtheidentificationofspecificprinciplesandpolicyapproachesdesignedtogivecontentandeffecttothosenorms.Inrelationtothefirstaspect,itisimperativethatthestartingpointshouldbetheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandeachofthespecificrightsrecognizedtherein.Thereareseveralcompellingreasonswhichsupportthisapproach:b..b0 .. TheCovenanthasnowbeenratifiedoraccededtobysome130States;b..b0 .. Thegreatmajorityoftheworld'sGovernmentshavethusvoluntarilyacceptedarangeofbindinglegalobligationsinrelationtothepromotionofeconomic,socialandculturalrights;b..b0 .. ThoseGovernmentsarealsolegallyrequiredtoreportregularlytoaninternationalmonitoringbodywhoseresponsibilityistomonitortheircompliancewiththeobligationstheyhaveundertaken;andb..b0 .. TheobligationsthemselvesarestatedinbroadnormativetermsanditisfortheinternationalcommunityandStatesthemselvestodevelopfurtherthedetailsofthespecificobligationswhichflowfromeachoftherights(justasconceptssuchasa"fairtrial","dueprocess","arbitrariness"and"inhumantreatment"havebeengivenreasonablypreciseandwidelyacceptedcontentinotherhumanrightscontexts).7.b..bBeforeconsideringthequestionofimplementationandfollow-up,itisappropriatetoaskwhytheCovenanthasbeenlargelyneglectedtodateinthesocialdevelopmentcontextandwhythisneglectshouldnowbereversed.Thefirstreasonrelatestotheelementofpoliticalcontroversythatsurroundedearlyefforts,especiallyofabilateralnature,topromoterespectforhumanrights.Theseeffortsoftenplacedlittlerelianceuponinternationallyacceptedstandardsandappropriateinternationalproceduresandtendedtodisplayagreatlyexaggeratedfaithintheeffectivenessofsanctions.Thesecondreasonisthatinternationalhumanrightstreatyobligationshad,upuntilonlyadecadeorsoago,beenacceptedonlybyaminorityofStatesMembersoftheUnitedNations.Today,150StatesarepartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildaloneandmorethan170Stateshaveratifiedoraccededtooneormoreofthebasiccoreinternationalhumanrightstreaties.ThethirdreasonrelatestotheinfluenceoftheColdWarwhichsituatedmuchofthegeneralhumanrightsdebateinacontextofideologicalcontroversy.Thisaffectedeconomic,socialandculturalrightsinparticular,sincethesewereoftenportrayedfalselyasbeingsolelytheconcernofeithertheCommunistcountriesorahandfulofdevelopingcountries.8.b..bThus,thereasonswhichledtoanoverwhelmingreluctancetoreferspecificallytohumanrightsobligationsinthevariousdevelopmentdecadestrategies,aswellasinvariousothercontextsrelatingtosocialdevelopment,arenolongervalid.Instead,thecommitmentscontainedintheDeclarationandProgrammeofActionoftheViennaWorldConferenceonHumanRightsandinarangeofotherrecentinternationalpolicystatements(includingtheDeclarationontheRighttoDevelopment)servetounderlinetheimportanceofintegratinghumanrightsanddevelopmentobjectives.9.b..bMoreover,whilethefundamentalnormstobereflectedintheoutcomeoftheSocialSummitprocesscanbeexpressedinrelationtoconceptssuchas"basicneeds","extremepoverty",or"humansecurity",itissurelycounter-productivetocontinuetheproliferationofsuchtermsintheforlornhopethatyetanothernewlabelwillcreateanewreality.Instead,itistimetoreturntobasics,toreaffirmthesefundamentalvaluesinalanguagewhichhasclearlybeenacceptedbythegreatmajorityoftheworld'sGovernmentsandwhichhasanempoweringpotentialwhichisfargreaterthananyofthe"new"termsthatseem(temporarily)socompellingtomanydevelopmentspecialistsbutwhich,fromtheperspectiveofthosewhosebasiceconomic,socialandculturalrightsarebeingignoredorviolated,arelittlemorethanfancybutunfamiliarsloganswhicharedevoidofanypowerofmobilizationortransformation.10.b..bItisthereforeproposedthattheobjectiveofachievinguniversalratificationoftheCovenantbytheyear2000shouldbeendorsedintheSummitDeclarationandthatthespecificeconomic,socialandculturalrightsrecognizedintheCovenantshouldbeusedastheframeworkfortherelevantpartoftheProgrammeofActiondealingwithgoalsandobjectives.11.b..bMoreover,giventherelativelygeneraltermsinwhichtherightsareformulated,itwouldbeextremelyvaluablefortheSummitProgrammetoidentifyspecificsubgoalsandbenchmarks,aswellasothermeans,bywhichthesubstanceofthesubstantiveobligationsflowingfromtherightscanbefurtherdeveloped.12.b..bBeyondthisnormativedimension,themostimportantchallengefacingtheSocialSummitliesnotinthereiterationofbroadcommitmentsalreadyundertakenmanytimesoverindocumentssuchastheDeclarationonSocialProgressandDevelopment,thefourInternationalDevelopmentDecadeStrategies,theWorldEmploymentConferenceDeclaration,theChildren'sSummit,andtheDeclarationsofAlmaAta,Jomtien,Viennaandelsewhere.Rather,itistodevisemeansofimplementationandfollowupwhichsucceedingivingsubstancetowhatcanotherwisebecomeyetanothersetofgrandrhetoricalstatementswhichincreasethecynicismofobserversandparticipantsalike.13.b..bThePreparatoryCommitteewillinevitably,andappropriately,endorsetheexistingresponsibilitiesofdifferentagenciesandbodieswithintheUnitedNationsfamilyforthemonitoringofcommitmentsundertakeninrelationtospecificsectoralandotheraspectsoftheDeclaration.ItwillalsobecalledupontocreateanenhancedrolefortheCommissiononSocialDevelopmentandperhapsalsofortheEconomicandSocialCouncil.NoneoftheseactionsisincompatiblewithaccordingacentralroletotheUnitedNationsCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsforthemonitoringoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsrelatedcommitmentsreflectedintheProgrammeofAction.Thereareseveralreasonsfavouringsuchanapproach:0b..b0 .. Some130StatesarealreadyobligatedtoreportonaregularbasistotheCommitteeontheextenttowhichtheyhavesucceeded,orotherwise,ingivingeffecttoeachoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant,includingtherightstoreasonablelabourconditions,socialsecurity,food,housing,health,educationandculture;0b..b0 .. TheCommitteeitself,althoughchargedwithresponsibilityforthismonitoringtask,isacreationoftheEconomicandSocialCouncilandreportstoit;itsmandatecanaccordinglybeexpandedandadaptedtotakeaccountofnewtasksemanatingfromtheSocialSummit;and0b..b0 .. Thisisanidealsettinginwhichsocialdevelopmentandhumanrightsconcernscaneffectivelybeintegratedandinwhichthecooperativeeffortsofdifferentagenciesandbodiescanbebroughttogetherinanon-politicalcontextinwhichgenuineaccountabilitycanbedemonstratedbyGovernmentsinrelationtosocialdevelopmentobjectives.14.b..bAnadditionalbutsomewhatnegativeargumentmayalsobeadduced.ItisthatnootherexpertbodyiseverlikelytohavethelegallybindingprerogativethatisvestedintheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightstoholdStatesaccountableinthisarea.Moreover,thecreationofaseparateadditionalmechanismwhichignoresthepreexistingresponsibilitiesoftheCommitteewillinevitablyresultintheduplicationoffunctionswhichthesystemhascommitteditselftoavoidaswellasincreasingtheexistingburdenuponGovernmentswhicharealreadyrequiredtoreporttoaplethoraofinternationalforums.TheCommitteetakesfullaccountofthecontributionsofallUnitedNationsagencies,aswellasnon-governmentalorganizationsandotherexpertsinitswork.15.b..bItisthereforerecommendedthattheSocialSummitshouldvestprincipalresponsibilityforthemonitoringofthecommitmentsundertakenbyStatesasaresultoftheCopenhagenmeetingintheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandthattheCommittee'smandateandmethodsofworkshouldbeadjustedaccordinglytoaccommodatesuchresponsibilities.@..AnnexVI@.. ECONOMIC,SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTSINTHECONTEXT@..` OFTHEWORLDSUMMITFORSOCIALDEVELOPMENT@.. StatementoftheCommitteeonEconomic,Socialand@.. CulturalRights(eleventhsession)1.b..bTheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,establishedtomonitorcompliancebyStateswiththeirobligationsundertheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(whichcurrentlyhassome130Statesparties),callsattentiontoitsstatementofMay1994ontherelationshipbetweentheCovenantandtheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment.2.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithdeepregret,however,thataftertwoPreparatoryCommitteesessionsandtheinformalinter-sessionalconsultationsofOctober1994,thedraftDeclaration(A/CONF.166/PC/L.21of28October1994)containsnomentionwhatsoevereitherofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsoroftheCovenantperse.Whilethereareseveralpassingreferencesto"universallyrecognizedhumanrights",andwhilecertaincivilandpoliticalrightsareexplicitlymentionedindifferentpartsofthedraft,thereisnotasinglereferencetoanyeconomic,socialorculturalright.Instead,theserightsaresystematicallydowngradedtobecoveredbytermswhichhavenospecificnormativecontent,suchas"basicneeds","humanneeds","equalityofopportunity","theeradicationofpoverty","workers'rights"etc.3.b..bMoreover,itwouldappearthattheseopen-endedtermsareusedprimarilybecausetheydonotrecallanylegalobligationsforStateswhetherarisingoutoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,theInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsorthevariousotherinternationalinstrumentswhichaffirmobligationsrelatingtoeconomic,socialandculturalrights.ThelatterincludetheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,ratifiedbycloseto170States,aswellastheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacialDiscrimination.4.b..bThefailureeventorefertotheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,letalonetocallspecificallyforitsratification,issurelysurprisinggivenitsdirectandfundamentalrelevancetotheentiresubject-matteroftheSocialSummit.TheCommitteenotesthatthedraftdoescontainaspecificreferenceto"relevantILOconventions"(para.3(k))andtotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen(para.5(h)).Beyondthat,thereisonlyonegeneralcallto"encouragetheratificationandfullimplementationofallinternationalinstrumentsrelevantto...theprotectionofhumanrights"(para.4(j)).5.b..bInviewoftherepeatedaffirmationsbyallStatesinmanydifferentcontextsoftheequalimportanceofthetwosetsofrights,theCommitteeconsidersthattheapproachreflectedinthepresentdraftisentirelyunacceptable.Itamountstoarepudiationnotofonlytheimportance,butevenoftherelevance,oftheserightsintheverycontextinwhichtheyaremostrelevant.&  6.b..bTheCommitteethereforecallsuponthefinalPreparatoryCommitteemeetingandtheSocialSummititselfspecificallytourgeallStatestoratifytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandtosetagoaloftheyear2000fortheachievementofuniversalratification.'  7.b..bInaddition,theCommitteeurgestheSocialSummittorecognizethecontributionthatshouldbemadebytheCommitteeinrelationtothefollow-uptotheCopenhagenDeclaration.Inthisregard,theSocialSummitshould:b..b(a) .. CalluponeachStatetocommititselftotheachievementofspecificminimumbenchmarksinrelationtoeachoftherightsrecognizedintheCovenant,includingthoserelatingtoemployment,workingconditions,freedomofassociation,socialsecurity,protectionofmotherhood,protectionofchildren,therighttoanadequatestandardoflivingincludingadequatefood,clothingandhousing,therighttomentalandphysicalhealth,therighttoeducationandtherighttotakepartinculturallife;b..b(b) .. ExplicitlyrecognizethattheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightshasanimportantroletoplayinthefollow-uptotheSummit;b..b(c) .. RequesttheCommitteetoreviewthereportsofallthe130StatespartiestotheCovenantinaccordancewiththebenchmarksandothergoalscontainedintheProgrammeofAction,andtoreportindetailtotheEconomicandSocialCouncil;andb..b(d) .. RequesttheEconomicandSocialCounciltogivespecificconsiderationonanannualbasistomeasureswhichtheCommitteerecommendstoitbywayoffollow-up.@..AnnexVII@..@ A.LISTOFSTATESPARTIES'DELEGATIONSWHICHPARTICIPATED  INTHECONSIDERATIONOFTHEIRRESPECTIVEREPORTSBY  THECOMMITTEEONECONOMIC,SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTS  ATITSTENTHSESSION ++J @URUGUAYJ ..J Representative:0@..@Ms.SusanaRivero,J ..J @..@Minister,J ..J @..@DeputyPermanentRepresentativeJ ..J @..@ofUruguaytotheUnitedNationsJ ..J @..@OfficeatGenevaJ ..J Adviser:0@..@Mr.NelsonChaben,J ..J @..@FirstSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofUruguay....totheJ ..J @..@UnitedNationsOffice....atGenevaROMANIAJ ..J Representative:0@..@S.E.M.RomulusNeagu,J ..J @..@Ambassadeur,J ..J @..@ReprsentantpermanentdelaJ ..J @..@Roumanieauprsdel'OfficeJ ..J @..@desNationsUniesGenveJ ..J Advisers:0@..@M.AlexandruFarcas,J ..J @..@DirecteurdelaDivisiondesJ ..J @..@droitsdel'hommeauMinistreJ ..J @..@desAffairestrangresJ ..J @..@M.NicholausKleininger,J ..J @..@DirecteurdelaDirectiondeJ ..J @..@l'enseignementdansleslanguesJ ..J @..@desminoritsnationalesauJ ..J @..@Ministredel'enseignementJ ..J @..@M.SergiuMargineanu,J ..J @..@Premiersecrtaire,J ..J @..@MissionpermanentedelaJ ..J @..@Roumanieauprsdel'OfficeJ ..J @..@desNationsUniesGenveMOROCCOJ ..J Representative:0@..@S.E.M.ElGhaliBenhima,J ..J @..@Ambassadeur,J ..J @..@ReprsentantpermanentduJ ..J @..@Marocauprsdel'OfficeJ ..J @..@desNationsUniesGenveJ ..J Advisers:@..@M.MohamedLaghmari,J ..J @..@Conseiller,J ..J @..@MissionduMarocauprsdeJ ..J @..@l'Office....desNationsUniesGenve&  0J ..J 0@..@M.MoulayLahcenAboutahir,J ..J @..@Premiersecrtaire,J ..J @..@MissionduMarocauprsdeJ ..J @..@l'OfficedesNationsUniesGenve'  J ..J @..@M.NajibAhmedJ ..J @..@Chargd'tudesauprsduJ ..J @..@Ministredel'emploietdesJ ..J @..@affairessocialesJ ..J @..@M.AhmedBadry,J ..J @..@Directeur,J ..J @..@Chargdel'inspectiongnraleJ ..J @..@desaffairesculturelles,J ..J @..@MinistredesaffairesculturellesJ ..J @..@M.MohamedElHachtouki,J ..J @..@ChefdelaDivisiondelaplanification,J ..J @..@Ministredel'HabitatJ ..J @..@M.AmineBenjelloun,J ..J @..@ChefduServicedessecteurssociaux,J ..J @..@MinistredesFinancesIRAQJ ..J Representative:0@..@Dr.KhalilHamash,J ..J @..@DirectorGeneralofCulturalRelations,J ..J @..@MinistryofEducationJ ..J Advisers:@..@Mr.MohammedHussein,J ..J @..@Counsellor,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofIraqtoJ ..J @..@theUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaJ ..J @..@Mr.MohammedSalman,J ..J @..@FirstSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofIraqtoJ ..J @..@theUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaBELGIUMJ ..J Representative:0@..@S.E.M.AlexisReyn,J ..J @..@Ambassadeur,J ..J @..@ReprsentantpermanentdelaJ ..J @..@Belgiqueauprsdel'OfficeJ ..J @..@desNationsUniesGenveJ ..J Advisers:0@..@M.DeNeve,J ..J @..@Directeurgnral,J ..J @..@Ministredel'emploietdutravailJ ..J @..@M.MarcVanCraen,J ..J @..@ReprsentantpermanentadjointJ ..J @..@delaBelgiqueauprsdel'OfficeJ ..J @..@desNationsUniesGenve&  J ..J @..@M.Vandamme,J ..J @..@Directeurd'administration,J ..J @..@Sectiondesrelationsinternationales,'  J ..J @..@Ministredel'emploietdutravailKENYAJ ..J Representative:0@..@H.E.Mr.DanielD.C.DonNanjira,J ..J @..@Ambassador,J ..J @..@PermanentRepresentativeofKenyaJ ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaJ ..J Advisers:@..@Mr.AlexKiptanuiChepsiror,J ..J @..@SecondSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofKenyatoJ ..J @..@theUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaJ ..J @..@Mr.ChristopherKarumbaMburu,J ..J @..@SecondSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofKenyatoJ ..J @..@theUnitedNationsOfficeatGeneva@..@ B.LISTOFSTATESPARTIES'DELEGATIONSWHICHPARTICIPATED  INTHECONSIDERATIONOFTHEIRRESPECTIVEREPORTSBY  THECOMMITTEEONECONOMIC,SOCIALANDCULTURALRIGHTS  ATITSELEVENTHSESSIONARGENTINAJ ..J Representative:@..@H.E.Mr.JuanCarlosSanchezArnau,J ..J @..@Ambassador,J ..J @..@PermanentRepresentativeofArgentinaJ ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaJ ..J Advisers:0@..@Mr.ManuelBenitez,J ..J @..@Minister,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofArgentinaJ ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaJ ..J @..@Mr.ErnestoPaz,J ..J @..@Minister,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofArgentinaJ ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGeneva&  J ..J @..@Ms.MaraCristinaTosonotti,J ..J @..@SecondSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofArgentina'  J ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaAUSTRIAJ ..J Representative:0@..@H.E.Mr.WinfriedLang,J ..J @..@Ambassador,J ..J @..@PermanentRepresentativeofAustriaJ ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGeneva&  J ..J Advisers:@..@Mr.AndreasHerdina,J ..J @..@MinisterCounsellor,J ..J @..@DeputyPermanentRepresentativeJ ..J @..@ofAustriatotheUnitedNations'  J ..J @..@OfficeatGenevaJ ..J @..@Mr.StefanRosenmayr,J ..J @..@ConstitutionalServices,J ..J @..@FederalChancelleryJ ..J @..@(PrimeMinister'sOffice)J ..J @..@Mr.HerbertLanghammer,J ..J @..@FederalMinistryofLabourJ ..J @..@andSocialAffairsJ ..J @..@Mr.ReinhartRonovsky,J ..J @..@FederalMinistryofEducationJ ..J @..@andtheArtsJ ..J @..@Mr.MichaelDesser,J ..J @..@FirstSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionofAustriaJ ..J @..@totheUnitedNationsOffice....atGenevaUNITEDKINGDOMOFJ ..J Representative:@..@Mr.H.SteelC.M.G.,GREATBRITAINANDJ ..J @..@SeniorConsultanttotheNORTHERNIRELANDJ ..J @..@ForeignandCommonwealthOffice,J ..J @..@LondonJ ..J Alternates:0@..@Mr.PhillipAstley,J ..J @..@HeadofHumanRightsPolicyDepartment,J ..J @..@ForeignandCommonwealthOffice,J ..J @..@LondonJ ..J @..@Mr.MichaelPhipps,J ..J @..@HeadofPupilWelfareDivision,J ..J @..@DepartmentofEducation,J ..J @..@London&  J ..J @..@Mr.DanielFung,J ..J @..@SolicitorGeneral,J ..J @..@HongKongGovernment'  J ..J @..@Mr.DuncanPescod,J ..J @..@PrincipalAssistant,J ..J @..@SecretaryforHomeAffairs,J ..J @..@HongKongJ ..J @..@Mr.Y.C.Cheng,J ..J @..@PrincipalAssistantSecretaryJ ..J @..@forHealthandWelfare,J ..J @..@HongKong&  J ..J @..@Mr.PeterWong,J ..J @..@CrownCounsel,J ..J @..@LegalDepartment,J ..J @..@HongKong'  J ..J @..@Mr.R.Fan,J ..J @..@PrincipalAssistantSecretaryJ ..J @..@forEducationandManpower,J ..J @..@HongKongJ ..J Advisers:@..@Mr.HuwLlewellyn,J ..J @..@FirstSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionoftheJ ..J @..@UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainJ ..J @..@andNorthernIrelandtotheJ ..J @..@UnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaJ ..J @..@Ms.EmerDoherty,J ..J @..@ThirdSecretary,J ..J @..@PermanentMissionoftheJ ..J @..@UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainJ ..J @..@andNorthernIrelandtotheJ ..J @..@UnitedNationsOfficeatGenevaDOMINICANREPUBLIC0J ..J Representative:0@..@S.E.Sra.RadysPolanco,J ..J @..@Embajadora,J ..J @..@DivisiondelosDerechos0J ..J 0@..@HumanosdelaCancillera0J ..J 0@..@delaRepblicaDominicanaJ ..J Alternate:0@..@Sra.AngelinaBonettiHerrera,J ..J @..@MinistroConsejeroEncargadade0J ..J 0@..@Negocios,J ..J 0@..@Misi;nPermanentedelaRepblicaDominicanaantelaOficinadelosNacionesUnidasenGinebraPANAMAJ ..J Representative:0@..@Mr.LeonardoKam,J ..J @..@Ambassador,0J ..J 0@..@PermanentRepresentativeofPanama0J ..J 0@..@totheUnitedNationsOfficeatGeneva@..AnnexVIII@.. A.LISTOFDOCUMENTSOFTHECOMMITTEEATITSTENTHSESSION ++E/1990/5/Add.70..0..InitialreportssubmittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenantconcerningrightscoveredby........articles1to15:UruguayE/1990/5/Add.13....Idem:MoroccoE/1990/5/Add.15....Idem:BelgiumE/1990/5/Add.17....Idem:KenyaE/1990/7/Add.140..0..SecondperiodicreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesto..theCovenantconcerningrightscoveredbyarticles13to15:RomaniaE/1990/7/Add.15....Idem:IraqE/1994/230..0..0..ReportoftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsonitseighthandninthsessionsE/1994/63..SeventeenthreportoftheInternationalLabour..OrganizationE/C.12/1990/4/Rev.1..RulesofprocedureoftheCommitteeE/C.12/1990/50..0..ArevisedscheduleforthesubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticles16and17oftheCovenantapprovedbytheCommitteeatitsfourthsessionE/C.12/1991/10..0..RevisedGeneralGuidelinesregardingtheformandcontentsofreportstobesubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticles16and17oftheCovenantE/C.12/1993/30..0..StatusoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandReservations,Withdrawals,DeclarationsandObjectionsundertheCovenantE/C.12/1994/10..0..Provisionalagendaandannotations:notebytheSecretary-GeneralE/C.12/1994/20..0..StatespartiestotheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandstatusofsubmissionofreports:notebytheSecretary-GeneralE/C.12/1994/L.1/Rev.10..Programmeofwork:notebytheSecretary-GeneralE/C.12/1993/WP.130..DiscussionnotepreparedbyMrs.MaradelosAngelesJimnezButragueoE/C.12/1994/WP.6..WorkingpaperpreparedbyDefenseforChildren..InternationalMovementE/C.12/1994/WP.7..WorkingpaperpreparedbythesecretariatofUNCTADE/C.12/1994/WP.8..WorkingpaperpreparedbyFIANInternationalE/C.12/1994/WP.9..Workingpaperpreparedbythesecretariatofthe..CentreforHumanRightsE/C.12/1994/NGO/10..WrittenstatementsubmittedbyFIANInternationalE/C.12/1994/SR.1-280..Summaryrecordsofthetenthsession(1sttoandE/C.12/1994/....28thmeetings)oftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialSR.128/Corrigendum..andCulturalRights@..xB.LISTOFDOCUMENTSOFTHECOMMITTEEATITSELEVENTHSESSIONE/1986/4/Add.27....SecondperiodicreportssubmittedbyStatesE/1986/4/Add.280..partiestotheCovenantconcerningrightscoveredbyarticles10to12:UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandE/1989/5/Add.9..AdditionalinformationsubmittedbyStatesparties:..UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthern ..  .. IrelandE/1990/5/Add.18..InitialreportssubmittedbyStatesparties..totheCovenantconcerningrightscoveredby..articles1to15:ArgentinaE/1990/5/Add.200..0..Idem:SurinameE/1990/6/Add.50..0..SecondperiodicreportssubmittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenantconcerningrightscoveredbyarticles1to15:AustriaE/1990/7/Add.160..0..SecondperiodicreportssubmittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenantconcerningrightscoveredbyarticles13to15:UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandE/1994/230..0..ReportoftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsonitseighthandninthsessionsE/1994/L.230..0..ExtractfromthereportoftheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsonitstenthsessionE/C.12/1990/4/Rev.10..RulesofprocedureoftheCommitteeE/C.12/1990/50..0..RevisedscheduleforthesubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticles16and17oftheCovenantapprovedbytheCommitteeatitsfourthsessionE/C.12/1991/10..0..RevisedGeneralGuidelinesregardingtheformandcontentsofreportstobesubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticles16and17oftheCovenantE/C.12/1993/30..0..StatusoftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandReservations,Withdrawals,DeclarationsandObjectionsundertheCovenantE/C.12/1994/100..0..Provisionalagendaandannotations:notebytheSecretaryGeneralE/C.12/1994/110..0..StatespartiestotheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandstatusofsubmissionofreports:notebytheSecretary-GeneralE/C.12/1994/12..ReportbyMr.PhilipAlstononDraftOptionalProtocolE/C.12/1994/L.2/Rev.1..Programmeofwork:notebytheSecretaryGeneral!..!E/C.12/1993/WP.260..DraftgeneralcommentpreparedbyMr.PhilipAlstonE/C.12/1994/WP.150..WorkingpaperpreparedbytheInternationalOrganizationfortheDevelopmentofFreedomofEducationE/C.12/1994/WP.160..DraftgeneralcommentpreparedbyMrs.MaradelosAngelesJimnezButragueoE/C.12/1994/WP.200..WorkingpaperpreparedbyPromotionofGrassrootsEnlightenmentandSocialSecurity(nongovernmentalorganization,India)E/C.12/1994/WP.220..WorkingpaperpreparedbyAmericanAssociationofJuristsE/C.12/1994/WP.230..WorkingpaperpreparedbyMrs.VirginiaBonoanDandan,CoordinatorforthedayofgeneraldiscussiononhumanrightseducationandpublicinformationactivitiesrelativetotheCovenantE/C.12/1994/WP.240..WorkingpaperpreparedbyMrs.AudreyChapman,Director,ScienceandHumanRightsProgram,AmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScienceE/C.12/1994/WP.250..WorkingpaperpreparedbytheUnitedNationsDepartmentofPublicInformationE/C.12/1994/WP.280..StatementbyMr.IvanGarvalov,Chairperson,CommitteeontheEliminationofRacialDiscriminationE/C.12/1994/NGO/20..WrittenstatementsubmittedbyServicePeaceandJusticeinLatinAmerica(nongovernmentalorganization,Argentina)E/C.12/1994/SR.29560..Summaryrecordsoftheeleventhsession(29thtoandE/C.12/1994/..56thmeetings)oftheCommitteeonEconomic,SR.2956/Corrigendum..SocialandCulturalRights@..̀