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ÐÌOverview€of€the€present€working€methods€of€the€Committeeó óÐ ` ° ÐÓÓÓÓÓÌ26.à  àThis€chapter€of€the€Committeeððs€report€aims€at€providing€a€concise€and€up-to-date€overviewÐ @  Ðand€explanation€of€the€ways€in€which€the€Committee€carries€out€its€various€functions.€€It€is€designedÐ 0 € Ðto€make€the€Committeeððs€current€practice€more€transparent€and€readily€accessible€so€as€to€assistÐ  p  ÐStates€parties€and€others€interested€in€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant€(seechap.€VI€below,€sect.Ð `  ÐA€and€B).Ð P  ÐÌ27.à  àSince€its€first€session,€in€1987,€the€Committee€has€made€a€concerted€effort€to€deviseÐ à0  Ðappropriate€working€methods€which€adequately€reflect€the€nature€of€the€tasks€with€which€it€has€beenÐ Ð  Ðentrusted.€€In€the€course€of€its€27€sessions€it€has€sought€to€modify€and€develop€these€methods€in€theÐ À Ðlight€of€its€experience.€€These€methods€will€continue€to€evolve.Ð ° ÐÌÓbÓÓ  Óò òA.€€General€guidelines€for€reportingó óÐ à ÐÓPÓÓÓÌ28.à  àThe€Committee€attaches€major€importance€to€the€need€to€structure€the€reporting€process€andÐ pÀ Ðthe€dialogue€with€each€State€partyððs€representatives€in€such€a€way€as€to€ensure€that€the€issues€ofÐ `° Ðprincipal€concern€to€it€are€dealt€with€in€a€methodical€and€informative€manner.€€For€this€purpose,€theÐ P  ÐCommittee€has€adopted€detailed€reporting€guidelinesòò2óó€with€a€view€to€assisting€States€in€the€reportingÐ @ Ðprocess€and€improving€the€effectiveness€of€the€monitoring€system€as€a€whole.€€The€CommitteeÐ 0€ Ðstrongly€urges€all€States€parties€to€report€to€it€in€accordance€with€the€guidelines€to€the€greatest€extentÐ  p Ðpossible.€€The€Committee€keeps€its€guidelines€under€review€and€they€are€updated€when€appropriate.Ð ` ÐÌÓ«ÓÓ  Óò òB.€€Examination€of€States€partiesðð€reportsó óÐ ð@ ÐÌ1.€€Work€of€the€pre-sessional€working€groupÐ Ð  ÐÓ$ ÓÓÓÌ29.à  àA€pre-sessional€working€group€meets,€for€five€days,€prior€to€each€of€the€CommitteeððsÐ °"  Ðsessions.€€It€is€composed€of€five€members€of€the€Committee€nominated€by€the€Chairperson,€takingÐ  #ð! Ðaccount€of€the€desirability€of€a€balanced€geographical€distribution€and€other€relevant€factors.Ð $à" ÐÌÑ  Ñ30.à  àThe€principal€purpose€of€the€working€group€is€to€identify€in€advance€the€questions€which€willÐ p&À!$ Ðconstitute€the€principal€focus€of€the€dialogue€with€the€representatives€of€the€reporting€States.€€The€Ð `'°"% ÐÌÌ____________________Ð 0*€%( Ðòò2óó€€€òòOfficial€Records€of€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€1991,€Supplement€No.€3óóÐ  +p&) Ð(E/1991/23-E/C.12/1990/8),€annex€IV.Ð  ,`'* ÐÌaim€is€to€improve€the€efficiency€of€the€system€and€to€ease€the€task€of€Statesðð€representatives€byÐ  ð Ðfacilitating€more€Ô_ÔfocusedÔ_Ô€preparations€for€the€discussion.òò3óó€Ð à ÐÌ31.à  àIt€is€generally€accepted€that€the€complex€nature€and€diverse€range€of€many€of€the€issuesraisedÐ pÀ Ðin€connection€with€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant€constitute€a€strong€argumentin€favour€ofÐ ` ° Ðproviding€States€parties€with€the€possibility€of€preparing€in€advance€to€answer€some€of€the€principalÐ P   Ðquestions€arising€out€of€their€reports.€€Such€an€arrangement€also€enhances€the€likelihood€that€theÐ @  ÐState€party€will€be€able€to€provide€precise€and€detailed€information.Ð 0 € ÐÌ32.à  àWith€regard€to€its€own€working€methods,€the€working€group,€in€the€interests€of€efficiency,Ð `  Ðallocates€to€each€of€its€members€initial€responsibility€for€undertaking€a€detailed€review€of€a€specificÐ P  Ðnumber€of€reports€and€for€putting€before€the€working€group€a€preliminary€list€of€issues.€€The€decisionÐ ð@  Ðas€to€how€the€reports€should€be€allocated€for€this€purpose€is€based€in€part€on€the€areas€of€expertiseÐ à0  Ðof€the€member€concerned.€€Each€draft€by€a€country€rapporteur€is€then€revised€and€supplemented€onÐ Ð  Ðthe€basis€of€observations€by€the€other€members€of€the€working€group€and€the€final€version€of€the€listÐ À Ðis€adopted€by€the€working€group€as€a€whole.€€This€procedure€applies€equally€to€both€initial€andÐ ° Ðperiodic€reports.Ð  ð ÐÌ33.à  àIn€preparation€for€the€pre-sessional€working€group,€the€Committee€has€asked€the€secretariatÐ €Ð Ðto€place€at€the€disposal€of€its€members€a€country€profile€as€well€as€all€pertinent€documents€containingÐ pÀ Ðinformation€relevant€to€each€of€the€reports€to€be€examined.€€For€this€purpose,€the€Committee€invitesÐ `° Ðall€concerned€individuals,€bodies€and€non-governmental€organizations€to€submit€relevant€andÐ P  Ðappropriate€documentation€to€the€secretariat.€€It€has€also€asked€the€secretariat€to€ensure€that€certainÐ @ Ðtypes€of€information€are€regularly€placed€in€the€country€files.Ð 0€ ÐÌ34.à  àThe€lists€of€issues€drawn€up€by€the€working€group€are€given€directly€to€a€representative€ofÐ ` Ðthe€States€concerned,€along€with€a€copy€of€the€Committeeððs€most€recent€report€and€with€a€noteÐ P Ðstating€the€following:Ð ð@ ÐÌà0  àThe€list€is€not€intended€to€be€exhaustive€and€it€should€not€be€interpreted€as€limiting€or€in€anyÐ Ð  Ðother€way€prejudging€the€type€and€range€of€questions€which€members€of€the€CommitteeÐ À! Ðmight€wish€to€ask.€€However,€the€Committee€believes€that€the€constructive€dialogue€whichÐ °"  Ðit€wishes€to€have€with€the€representatives€of€the€State€party€is€greatly€facilitated€by€makingÐ  #ð! Ðthe€list€available€in€advance€of€the€Committeeððs€session.€€In€order€to€improve€the€dialogueÐ $à" Ðthat€the€Committee€seeks,€it€strongly€urges€each€State€party€to€provide€in€writing€its€repliesÐ €%Ð # Ðto€the€list€of€issues€and€to€do€so€sufficiently€in€advance€of€the€session€at€which€its€report€willÐ p&À!$ Ðbe€considered€to€enable€the€replies€to€be€translated€and€made€available€to€all€members€of€theÐ `'°"% ÐCommittee.ÐP( #&(#(# ÐÌÌÌ____________________Ð ,`'* Ðòò3óó€€€Ibid.,€òò1988,€SupplementNo.4óó€(E/1988/14-E/C.12/1988/4),€chap.IV,€para.361.Ð  -P(+ ÐÌ35.à  àIn€addition€to€the€task€of€formulating€the€lists€of€issues,€the€pre-sessional€working€group€isÐ  ð Ðalso€entrusted€with€a€variety€of€other€tasks€designed€to€facilitate€the€work€of€the€Committee€as€aÐ à Ðwhole.€€These€have€included:€€discussing€the€most€appropriate€allocation€of€time€for€theÐ €Ð Ðconsideration€of€each€State€report;€considering€the€issue€of€how€best€to€respond€to€supplementaryÐ pÀ Ðreports€containing€additional€information;€examining€draft€general€comments;€considering€how€bestÐ ` ° Ðto€structure€the€day€of€general€discussion;€and€other€relevant€matters.Ð P   ÐÌÓÉ ÓÓ  Ó2.€€Consideration€of€the€reportÐ 0 € ÐÓ¼ÓÓ*ÓÌ36.à  àIn€accordance€with€the€established€practice€of€each€of€the€UnitedNations€human€rights€treatyÐ `  Ðmonitoring€bodies,€representatives€of€the€reporting€States€are€entitled€to€be€present,€and€indeed€theirÐ P  Ðpresence€and€participation€are€necessary€at€the€meetings€of€the€Committee€when€their€reports€areÐ ð@  Ðexamined€in€order€to€ensure€a€constructive€dialogue€with€the€Committee.€€The€following€procedureÐ à0  Ðis€generally€used:€€the€representative€of€the€State€party€is€invited€to€introduce€the€report€by€makingÐ Ð  Ðbrief€introductory€comments€and€introducing€any€written€replies€to€the€list€of€issues€drawn€up€by€theÐ À Ðpre-sessional€working€group.€€The€Committee€then€considers€the€report€by€clusters€of€articlesÐ ° Ð(usually€1„5,€6„9,€10„12,€13„15),€taking€particular€account€of€the€replies€furnished€in€response€to€theÐ  ð Ðlist€of€issues.€€The€Chairperson€will€normally€invite€questions€or€comments€from€CommitteeÐ à Ðmembers€in€relation€to€each€issue€and€then€invite€the€representatives€of€the€State€party€to€replyÐ €Ð Ðimmediately€to€questions€that€do€not€require€further€reflection€or€research.€€Other€questionsÐ pÀ Ðremaining€to€be€answered€are€taken€up€at€a€subsequent€meeting€or,€if€necessary,€may€be€the€subjectÐ `° Ðof€additional€information€provided€to€the€Committee€in€writing.€€Members€of€the€Committee€are€freeÐ P  Ðto€pursue€specific€issues€in€the€light€of€the€replies€thus€provided,€although€the€Committee€has€urgedÐ @ Ðthem€not€to€(òòaóó)€raise€issues€outside€the€scope€of€the€Covenant;€(òòbóó)€repeat€questions€already€posed€orÐ 0€ Ðanswered;€(òòcóó)€add€unduly€to€an€already€long€list€on€a€particular€issue;€or€(òòdóó)€speak€more€than€fiveÐ  p Ðminutes€in€any€one€intervention.€€Representatives€of€relevant€specialized€agencies€and€otherÐ ` Ðinternational€bodies€may€also€be€invited€to€contribute€at€any€stage€of€the€dialogue.Ð P ÐÑ  ÑÌ37.à  àThe€final€phase€of€the€Committeeððs€examination€of€the€report€consists€of€the€drafting€andÐ à0 Ðadoption€of€its€concluding€observations.€€For€this€purpose,€the€Committee€usually€sets€aside€a€briefÐ Ð  Ðperiod€in€closed€session,€the€day€after€the€conclusion€of€the€dialogue,€to€enable€its€members€toÐ À! Ðexpress€their€preliminary€views.€€The€country€rapporteur€then€prepares,€with€the€assistance€of€theÐ °"  Ðsecretariat,€a€draft€set€of€concluding€observations€for€consideration€by€the€Committee.€€The€agreedÐ  #ð! Ðstructure€of€the€concluding€observations€is€as€follows:€€introduction;€positive€aspects;€factors€andÐ $à" Ðdifficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant;€principal€subjects€of€concern;€andÐ €%Ð # Ðsuggestions€and€recommendations.€€At€a€later€stage,€the€Committee€then€discusses€the€draft,€againÐ p&À!$ Ðin€private€session,€with€a€view€to€adopting€it€by€consensus.Ð `'°"% ÐÌ38.à  àThe€concluding€observations€once€formally€adopted€are€usually€not€made€public€until€theÐ @)$' Ðfinal€day€of€the€session.€€As€soon€as€they€are€made€public€-€at€6€p.m.€of€the€closing€day€of€the€sessionÐ 0*€%( Ð-€they€are€available€to€all€interested€parties.€€They€are€forwarded€as€soon€as€possible€to€the€State€partyÐ  +p&) Ðconcerned€and€included€in€the€Committeeððs€report.€€If€it€so€wishes,€the€State€party€may€address€anyÐ ,`'* Ðof€the€Committeeððs€concluding€observations€in€the€context€of€any€additional€information€which€itÐ -P(+ Ðprovides€to€the€Committee.Ð ð-@), Ї39.à  àIn€general,€the€Committee€devotes€three€meetings€(of€three€hours€each)€to€its€publicÐ ° Ðexamination€of€initial€report€and€two€meetings€to€examination€of€periodic€reports.€€In€addition,€itÐ  ð Ðgenerally€devotes€between€two€and€three€hours€towards€the€end€of€the€session,€in€private,€to€itsÐ à Ðdiscussion€of€each€set€of€concluding€observations.Ð €Ð ÐÌÓ ÓÓ  Ó3.€€Deferrals€of€the€consideration€of€reportsÐ ` ° ÐÓý/ÓÓ•ÓÌ40.à  àLast-minute€requests€by€States€to€defer€the€consideration€of€a€report€which€has€beenÐ @  Ðscheduled€for€examination€at€a€particular€session€are€extremely€disruptive€for€all€concerned€and€haveÐ 0 € Ðcaused€major€problems€for€the€Committee€in€the€past.€€Accordingly,€the€Committeeððs€long-standingÐ  p  Ðpolicy€is€not€to€grant€such€requests€and€to€proceed€with€its€consideration€of€all€scheduled€reports,Ð `  Ðeven€in€the€absence€of€a€representative€of€the€State€party€concerned.Ð P  ÐÌÓ[0ÓÓ  Óò òC.€€Follow„up€procedure€in€relation€to€the€consideration€of€reportsó óÐ à0  ÐÓº2ÓÓíÓÌ41.à  àAt€its€twenty-first€session,òò4óó€the€Committee€decided€that:Ð À ÐÌà0  à(òòaóó)à ` àIn€all€concluding€observations,€the€Committee€will€request€the€State€party€to€informÐ  ð Ðthe€Committee,€in€its€next€periodic€report,€about€steps€taken€to€implement€theÐ à Ðrecommendations€in€the€concluding€observations;ЀÐ(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòbóó)à ` àWhere€appropriate,€the€Committee€may,€in€its€concluding€observations,€make€aÐ `° Ðspecific€request€to€a€State€party€to€provide€more€information€or€statistical€data€at€a€time€priorÐ P  Ðto€the€date€that€the€next€periodic€report€is€due€to€be€submitted;Ð@(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòcóó)à ` àWhere€appropriate,€the€Committee€may,€in€its€concluding€observations,€ask€the€StateÐ  p Ðparty€to€respond€to€any€pressing€specific€issue€identified€in€the€concluding€observations€priorÐ ` Ðto€the€date€that€the€next€report€is€due€to€be€submitted;ÐP(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòdóó)à ` àAny€information€provided€in€accordance€with€(òòbóó)€and€(òòcóó)€above€will€be€consideredÐ à0 Ðby€the€next€meeting€of€the€Committeeððs€pre„sessional€working€group;ÐÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòeóó)à ` àIn€general,€the€working€group€could€recommend€one€or€another€of€the€followingÐ °"  Ðresponses€to€the€Committee:Р#ð!(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)à ¸ àThat€it€take€note€of€such€information;Ѐ%Ð #` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà8` (#(#à(ii)à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð àThat€it€adopt€specific€additional€concluding€observations€in€responseÐ `'°"% Ðto€that€information;ÐP( #&¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð à(iii)à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð àThat€the€matter€be€pursued€through€a€request€for€further€information;Ð 0*€%( ÐorÐ +p&)¸ Ð ¸ Ð  Ð____________________Ð ,`'* Ðòò4óó€€€On€1€December€1999€(53rd€meeting).Ð -P(+ ÐÐ ð-@), Їà0  àà8` (#(#à(iv)à0¸ ` Ð ` Ð àThat€the€Committeeððs€Chairperson€be€authorized€to€inform€the€StateÐ ° Ðparty,€in€advance€of€the€next€session,€that€the€Committee€will€take€upÐ  ð Ðthe€issue€at€its€next€session€and€that,€for€that€purpose,€the€participationÐ à Ðof€a€representative€of€the€State€party€in€the€work€of€the€CommitteeÐ €Ð Ðwould€be€welcome;ÐpÀ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÌà0  à(òòfóó)à ` àIf€the€information€requested€in€accordance€with€(òòbóó)€and€(òòcóó)€is€not€provided€by€theÐ @  Ðspecified€date,€or€is€patently€unsatisfactory,€the€Chairperson,€in€consultation€with€theÐ 0 € Ðmembers€of€the€Bureau,€could€be€authorized€to€follow€up€the€matter€with€the€State€party.Ð p (#(# ÐÌ42.à  àIn€situations€in€which€the€Committee€considers€that€it€is€unable€to€obtain€the€information€itÐ P  Ðrequires€on€the€basis€of€the€above„mentioned€procedures,€it€may€decide€to€adopt€a€different€approachÐ ð@  Ðinstead.€€In€particular,€the€Committee€may€request€that€the€State€party€concerned€accept€a€missionÐ à0  Ðconsisting€of€one€or€two€members€of€the€Committee.€€Such€a€decision€would€be€taken€only€after€theÐ Ð  ÐCommittee€had€satisfied€itself€that€there€was€no€adequate€alternative€approach€available€to€it€and€thatÐ À Ðthe€information€in€its€possession€warranted€such€an€approach.€€The€purposes€of€such€an€on„site€visitÐ ° Ðwould€be:€€(òòaóó)€to€collect€the€information€necessary€for€the€Committee€to€continue€its€constructiveÐ  ð Ðdialogue€with€the€State€party€and€to€enable€it€to€carry€out€its€functions€in€relation€to€the€Covenant;Ð à Ð(òòbóó)€to€provide€a€more€comprehensive€basis€upon€which€the€Committee€might€exercise€its€functionsÐ €Ð Ðin€relation€to€articles€22€and€23€of€the€Covenant€concerning€technical€assistance€and€advisoryÐ pÀ Ðservices.€€The€Committee€would€state€specifically€the€issue(s)€with€respect€to€which€itsÐ `° Ðrepresentative(s)€would€seek€to€gather€information€from€all€available€sources.€€The€representative(s)Ð P  Ðwould€also€have€the€task€of€considering€whether€theprogramme€of€advisory€services€administeredÐ @ Ðby€the€Office€of€the€UnitedNations€HighCommissioner€for€Human€Rights€could€be€of€assistanceÐ 0€ Ðin€connection€with€the€specific€issue€athand.Ð  p ÐÌ43.à  àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€visit,€the€representative(s)€would€report€to€the€Committee.€€In€theÐ P Ðlight€of€the€report€presented€by€its€representative(s),€the€Committee€would€then€formulate€its€ownÐ ð@ Ðconclusions.€€Those€conclusions€would€relate€to€the€full€range€of€functions€carried€out€by€theÐ à0 ÐCommittee,€including€those€relating€to€technical€assistance€and€advisory€services.Ð Ð  ÐÌ44.à  àThis€procedure€has€already€been€applied€in€relation€to€two€States€parties€and€the€CommitteeÐ °"  Ðconsiders€the€experience€to€have€been€a€very€positive€one€in€both€instances.€€In€a€case€where€the€StateÐ  #ð! Ðparty€concerned€did€not€accept€the€proposed€mission,€the€Committee€would€consider€makingÐ $à" Ðwhatever€recommendations€might€be€appropriate€to€the€Economic€and€Social€Council.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌÓ43ÓÓ  Óò òD.€€Procedure€in€response€to€non„submittedÐ `'°"% Ðand€considerably€overdue€reportsÐ P( #& Ðó óÓ«IÓÓöÓÌ45.à  àThe€Committee€believes€that€a€situation€of€persistent€non„reporting€by€States€parties€risksÐ 0*€%( Ðbringing€the€entire€supervisory€procedure€into€disrepute,€thereby€undermining€one€of€the€foundationsÐ  +p&) Ðof€the€Covenant.Ð ,`'* ÐÌ46.à  àAccordingly,€the€Committee€resolved€at€its€sixth€session€to€begin€in€due€course€to€considerÐ ð-@), Ðthe€situation€concerning€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant€in€respect€of€each€State€party€whoseÐ ° Ðreports€are€very€significantly€overdue.€€At€its€seventh€session€it€resolved€to€begin€schedulingÐ  ð Ðconsideration€of€such€reports€at€its€future€sessions€and€to€notify€the€States€parties€concerned.€€ItÐ à Ðbegan€to€apply€this€procedure€at€its€ninth€session.Ð €Ð ÐÌ47.à  àThe€Committee€has€adopted€the€following€procedure:Ð ` ° ÐÌà0  à(òòaóó)à ` àTo€select€States€parties€whose€reports€are€very€much€overdue€on€the€basis€of€theÐ @  Ðlength€of€time€involved;Ð0 €(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòbóó)à ` àTo€notify€each€such€State€party€that€the€Committee€intends€to€consider€the€situationÐ `  Ðwith€respect€to€that€country€at€a€specified€future€session;ÐP (#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòcóó)à ` àTo€move,€in€the€absence€of€any€report,€to€consider€the€status€of€economic,€social€andÐ à0  Ðcultural€rights€in€the€light€of€all€available€information;ÐÐ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòdóó)à ` àTo€authorize€its€Chairperson,€in€situations€where€the€State€party€concerned€indicatesÐ ° Ðthat€a€report€will€be€provided€to€the€Committee€and€upon€a€request€from€the€State€party,€toÐ  ð Ðdefer€consideration€of€the€situation€for€one€session.Ðà(#(# ÐÌÓAJÓÓ  Óò òE.€€Day€of€general€discussionó óÐ pÀ ÐÓÙQÓÓ^ÓÌ48.à  àAt€each€session,€the€Committee€devotes€one€day,€usually€the€Monday€of€the€third€week,€toÐ P  Ða€general€discussion€of€a€particular€right€or€of€a€particular€aspect€of€the€Covenant.€€The€purpose€isÐ @ Ðtwofold:€€the€day€assists€the€Committee€in€developing€in€greater€depth€its€understanding€of€theÐ 0€ Ðrelevant€issues;€and€it€enables€the€Committee€to€encourage€inputs€into€its€work€from€all€interestedÐ  p Ðparties.€€The€issues€which€have€been€the€focus€of€discussions€held€to€date€by€the€Committee€may€beÐ ` Ðfound€in€annex€XVI€to€the€present€report.€Ð P ÐÌÓ-RÓÓ  Óò òF.€€Other€consultationsó óÐ à0 ÐÓçTÓÓÓÌ49.à  àThe€Committee€has€sought€to€coordinate€its€activities€with€those€of€other€bodies€to€theÐ À! Ðgreatest€extent€possible€and€to€draw€as€widely€as€it€can€on€available€expertise€in€the€fields€of€itsÐ °"  Ðcompetence.€€For€this€purpose,€it€has€consistently€invited€individuals€such€as€special€rapporteurs€ofÐ  #ð! Ðthe€Sub„Commission€on€the€Promotion€and€Protection€of€Human€Rights,€chairpersons€ofÐ $à" ÐCommission€on€Human€Rights€working€groups€and€others€to€address€it€and€engage€in€discussions.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌ50.à  àThe€Committee€has€also€sought€to€draw€on€the€expertise€of€the€relevant€specialized€agenciesÐ `'°"% Ðand€UnitedNations€organs,€both€in€its€work€as€a€whole€and,€more€particularly,€in€the€context€of€itsÐ P( #& Ðgeneral€discussions.Ð @)$' ÐÌ51.à  àIn€addition,€the€Committee€has€invited€a€variety€of€experts€who€have€a€particular€interest€in,Ð  +p&) Ðand€knowledge€of,€some€of€the€issues€under€review€to€contribute€to€its€discussions.€€TheseÐ ,`'* Ðcontributions€have€added€considerably€to€its€understanding€of€some€aspects€of€the€questions€arisingÐ -P(+ Ðunder€the€Covenant.Ð ð-@), ЇÓ5UÓÓ  Óò òG.€€Participation€of€non„governmental€organizationsÐ ° Ðin€the€activities€of€the€Committeeó óÐ  ð ÐÓSZÓÓ†ÓÌ52.à  àIn€order€to€ensure€that€the€Committee€is€as€well€informed€as€possible,€it€providesÐ €Ð Ðopportunities€for€non-governmental€organizations€to€submit€relevant€information€to€it.òò5óó€€€€TheyÐ pÀ Ðmaydo€this€in€writing€at€any€time.€€The€Committeeððs€pre-sessional€working€group€is€also€open€toÐ ` ° Ðthe€submission€of€information€in€person€or€in€writing€from€any€non-governmental€organizations,Ð P   Ðprovided€that€it€relates€to€matters€on€the€agenda€of€the€working€group.€€In€addition,€the€CommitteeÐ @  Ðsets€aside€part€of€the€first€afternoon€at€each€of€its€sessions€to€enable€representativesÐ 0 € Ðofnon-governmental€organizations€to€provide€oral€information.€€Such€information€should:€€(òòaóó)focusÐ  p  Ðspecifically€on€the€provisions€of€the€International€Covenant€on€Economic,€Social€and€CulturalÐ `  ÐRights;€(òòbóó)€be€of€direct€relevance€to€matters€under€consideration€by€the€Committee;€(òòcóó)be€reliable;Ð P  Ð(òòdóó)€not€be€abusive.€€The€relevant€meeting€is€open€and€provided€with€interpretation€and€press€services,Ð ð@  Ðbut€is€not€covered€by€summary€records.Ð à0  ÐÌ53.à  àThe€Committee€has€requested€the€secretariat€to€ensure€that€any€written€information€formallyÐ À Ðsubmitted€to€it€by€individuals€or€non-governmental€organizations€in€relation€to€the€consideration€ofÐ ° Ða€specific€State€party€report€is€made€available€as€soon€as€possible€to€the€representative€of€the€StateÐ  ð Ðconcerned.€€The€Committee€therefore€assumes€that€if€any€of€this€information€is€referred€to€duringÐ à Ðthe€dialogue€with€the€State€party,€the€latter€will€already€be€aware€of€the€information.Ð €Ð ÐÌÓôZÓÓ  Óò òH.€€General€comments*ó óÐ `° ÐÓ]bÓÓZÓÌ54.à  àIn€response€to€an€invitation€addressed€to€it€by€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€theÐ @ ÐCommittee€decided€to€begin,€as€from€its€third€session,€the€preparation€of€general€comments€basedÐ 0€ Ðon€the€various€articles€and€provisions€of€the€International€Covenant€on€Economic,€Social€andÐ  p ÐCultural€Rights€with€a€view€to€assisting€the€States€parties€in€fulfilling€their€reporting€obligations.Ð ` ÐÌ55.à  àBy€the€end€of€its€twenty„seventh€session,€the€Committee€and€the€Sessional€Working€GroupofÐ ð@ ÐGovernmental€Experts,€which€existed€prior€to€the€creation€of€the€Committee€had€examined153Ð à0 Ðinitial€reports,€71€second€periodic€reports€concerning€rights€covered€by€articles6to€9,€10to12€andÐ Ð  Ð13€to€15€of€the€Covenant,€and€95€comprehensive€reports.€€This€work€covered€asignificant€numberÐ À! Ðof€the€States€parties€to€the€Covenant,€which€totalled€145€at€the€end€of€the€twenty„seventh€session.€Ð °"  ÐThey€represented€all€regions€of€the€world,€with€different€political,€legal,€Ô_ÔsocioÔ_Ô„economic€and€culturalÐ  #ð! Ðsystems.€€Their€reports€submitted€so€far€have€illustrated€many€of€the€problems€which€might€arise€inÐ $à" Ðimplementing€the€Covenant,€although€they€had€not€yet€provided€any€complete€picture€of€the€globalÐ €%Ð # Ðsituation€with€regard€to€the€enjoyment€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.Ð p&À!$ ÐÑ  ÑÌ____________________Ð P( #& Ð*€€€For€the€list€of€general€comments€adopted€to€date€by€the€Committee,€see€annex€XIV€below.Ð @)$' ÐÌÔ‡.XȪXXXÔòò5óó€Ô_Ô€€SeeÔ_Ô€òòOfficial€Records€of€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€Supplement€No.€2óóÐ  +p&) Ð(E/2001/22-E/C.12/2000/21),€annex€V:€€ð ðNon„governmental€organizations€participation€in€theÐ ,`'* Ðactivities€of€the€Committee€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€Rightsðð.Ô#†XȪXX.XȪ~i#ÔÐ  -P(+ ÐÌ56.à  àThe€Committee€endeavours,€through€its€general€comments,€to€make€the€experience€gainedÐ  ð Ðso€far€through€the€examination€of€Statesðð€reports€available€for€the€benefit€of€all€States€parties€in€orderÐ à Ðto€assist€and€promote€their€further€implementation€of€the€Covenant;€to€draw€the€attention€of€theÐ €Ð ÐStates€parties€to€insufficiencies€disclosed€by€a€large€number€of€reports;€to€suggest€improvements€inÐ pÀ Ðthe€reporting€procedures;€and€to€stimulate€the€activities€of€the€States€parties,€internationalÐ ` ° Ðorganizations€and€the€specialized€agencies€concerned€in€achieving€progressively€and€effectively€theÐ P   Ðfull€realization€of€the€rights€recognized€in€the€Covenant.€€Whenever€necessary,€the€Committee€may,Ð @  Ðin€the€light€of€the€experience€of€States€parties€and€of€the€conclusions€drawn€therefrom,€revise€andÐ 0 € Ðupdate€its€general€comments.Ð  p  ÐÌ57.à  àAt€its€twenty„first€session,€the€Committee€adopted€the€outline€for€drafting€general€commentsÐ P  Ðon€specific€rights€of€the€Covenant.òò6óó€€The€Committee€agreed€that€the€subject€matter€of€a€particularÐ ð@  Ðgeneral€comment€would€influence€the€overall€structure€of€that€comment€and€observed€that€the€outlineÐ à0  Ðwas€not€intended€to€be€strictly€adhered€to.€€However,€the€outline€provided€useful€signposts,€aÐ Ð  Ðchecklist€of€issues,€to€be€considered€in€the€process€of€drafting€a€general€comment.€€Inthis€respect,Ð À Ðthe€outline€would€assist€in€ensuring€consistency€in€the€content,€format€and€ambit€of€generalÐ ° Ðcomments€to€be€adopted€by€the€Committee.€€The€Committee€emphasized€the€importance€of€ensuringÐ  ð Ðthat€general€comments€are€reader„friendly€and€readily€understandable€to€a€broad€range€of€readers,Ð à Ðprimarily€States€parties€to€the€Covenant.€€The€outline€will€assist€in€ensuring€consistency€and€clarityÐ €Ð Ðin€the€structure€of€the€general€comments,€thus€promoting€their€accessibility,€and€strengthening€theÐ pÀ Ðauthoritative€interpretation€of€the€Covenant€provided€by€the€Committee€through€its€generalÐ `° Ðcomments.Ð P  ÐÌÓ©bÓò òÓ  ÓI.€€Statements€adopted€by€the€CommitteeÐ 0€ Ðó óÓbtÓÓbÓÌ58.à  àWith€a€view€to€assisting€States€parties€to€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€adopts€statements€toÐ ` Ðclarify€and€confirm€its€position€with€respect€to€major€international€developments€and€issues€that€bearÐ P Ðupon€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant.€€As€at€30€November€2001,€the€Committee€had€adoptedÐ ð@ Ð13€statements,€a€list€of€which€appears€in€annex€XV€to€the€present€report.€€Ð à0 ÐÌÌ____________________Ð °"  Ðòò6óó€€€òòOfficial€Records€of€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€2000,€Supplement€No.€2Ð  #ð! Ðóó(E/2000/22-E/C.12/1999/11€and€Corr.1),€annex€IX.Ð $à" ÐÌÌÓ½tÓÓ  Ó*****Ð  `'°"% ÐÓŠwÓÓuÓÌÓÀwÓÓ  Óò òCHAPTER€VIÐ  ð ÐÌDecisions€adopted€and€matters€discussed€by€the€Committee€atÐ €Ð Ðits€twenty„fifth,€twenty„sixth€and€twenty„seventh€sessionsó óÐ pÀ ÐÓáwÓÓxÓÌ1016.à  àSections€A€and€B€of€this€chapter€describe€the€revised€methods€of€work€of€the€Committee€asÐ P   Ðthey€had€been€agreed€upon,€on€a€provisional€basis,€at€its€twenty„fifth€session€and€submitted€forÐ @  Ðconsideration€by€the€Economic€and€Social€Council€in€May€2001.€€At€its€twenty„seventh€session,€theÐ 0 € ÐCommittee€decided€to€continuously€evaluate€revised€procedures€in€the€light€of€the€experienceÐ  p  Ðacquired€and€to€make€any€adjustments€it€may€consider€necessary.Ð `  ÐÌÓÂxÓÓ  Óò òA.€€Follow„up€to€Economic€and€Social€Council€decision€1999/287ó óÐ ð@  ÐÓ{ÓÓxÓÌ1017.à  àBy€its€decision€1999/287€of€30€July€1999,€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€concerned€thatÐ Ð  Ðexisting€meeting€arrangements€for€the€Committee€no€longer€permitted€the€Committee€tofullyÐ À Ðdischarge€its€responsibilities€under€the€Covenant€and€Council€resolution€1985/17€of28May1985Ð ° Ðin€an€efficient€and€timely€manner,€approved€the€holding€of€two€additional€three-week€extraordinaryÐ  ð Ðsessions€of€the€Committee,€as€well€as€two€additional€meetings€of€the€pre„sessional€working€groupsÐ à Ðof€one€weekððs€duration€during€2000€and€2001,€provided€that€additional€funding€was€made€available.€Ð €Ð ÐThe€Council€requested€that€those€sessions€be€entirely€used€for€the€consideration€of€reports€of€theÐ pÀ ÐStates€parties€in€order€to€reduce€the€backlog€of€reports;€and€that€the€Committee€consider€ways€andÐ `° Ðmeans€to€improve€the€efficiency€of€its€working€methods.€€The€Council€requested€the€Committee€toÐ P  Ðreport€to€it€in€2001€on€action€taken€in€this€regard.Ð @ ÐÌ1018.à  àThe€General€Assembly,€in€its€resolution€54/251€(sect.€IV)€of€23€December€1999,€endorsedÐ  p Ðthe€Economic€and€Social€Council€decision.Ð ` ÐÌ1019.à  àAccordingly,€the€Committee€held€its€twenty„third€(extraordinary)€session€heldÐ ð@ Ðfrom14August€to€1€September2000.€€Seven€States€parties€had€been€invited€to€present€their€reportsÐ à0 Ðat€this€session,€but€only€fourwere€able€to€send€delegates.€€One€report€was€considered€by€theÐ Ð  ÐCommittee€in€absence€of€the€State€partyððs€delegation,€thus€bringing€to€five€the€number€of€reportsÐ À! Ðactually€considered€at€the€twenty„third€session.€€The€extraordinary€session€thus€helped€to€reduce€theÐ °"  Ðaccumulated€backlog€of€reports€received€and€pending€consideration€by€the€Committee.€€TheÐ  #ð! Ðtwenty-sixth€(extraordinary)€session€was€scheduled€to€take€place€from€13€to31August€2001.€€TheÐ $à" ÐCommittee€had€scheduled€seven€reports€for€consideration€and€has€decided€that€no€request€forÐ €%Ð # Ðpostponement€from€the€States€parties€concerned€will€be€accepted.€€Should€a€State€party€be€unableÐ p&À!$ Ðto€comply€with€the€Committeeððs€programme€of€work€for€the€session,€the€Committee€will€proceedÐ `'°"% Ðwith€its€consideration€of€the€State€partyððs€report€in€the€absence€of€its€delegation.Ð P( #& Ð1020.à  àIn€response€to€the€request€by€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€the€Committee,€at€itsÐ @)$' Ðtwenty-fifth€session,€discussed€a€number€of€improvements€in€its€working€methods€with€a€view€toÐ 0*€%( Ðdealing€more€effectively€with€the€consideration€of€State€partyððs€reports€at€its€future€sessions.€€As€aÐ  +p&) Ðresult,€the€Committee€has€adopted€revised€methods€of€work€(see€sect.€B€below)€on€a€provisionalÐ ,`'* Ðbasis,€pending€evaluation€of€the€new€procedures€scheduled€for€later€in€2001,€in€time€for€the€annualÐ -P(+ Ðreport€to€be€submitted€in€December.€€Ð ð-@), Ї1021.à  àAs€a€result€of€the€review€of€its€methods€of€work,€the€Committee€is€of€the€opinion€that,€foranÐ ° Ðexperimental€period€of€two€years,€the€Committee€should,€as€in€the€past,€hold€only€twosessions€perÐ  ð Ðyear,€one€in€April„May€and€one€in€November„December.€€Under€the€revised€working€methods,€theÐ à ÐCommittee€and€its€pre„sessional€working€group€will€try€to€consider€up€to€seven€instead€of€five€StateÐ €Ð Ðparty€reports,€of€which€one€will€be€on€a€non„reporting€State,€or€on€a€State€party€whose€report€is€longÐ pÀ Ðoverdue.€€The€increase€in€the€number€of€reports€considered€will€only€be€possible€provided€that€threeÐ ` ° Ðpublic€meetings€for€initial€reports€and€only€two€meetings€for€periodic€reports€are€allocated,€in€lineÐ P   Ðwith€the€practice€of€some€other€treaty€bodies.Ð @  ÐÌ1022.à  àThe€Committee€is€conscious€of€the€very€wide€scope€of€the€Covenant,€the€complexity€of€theÐ  p  Ðissues€raised,€the€long€intervals€between€the€consideration€of€many€reports€and€the€limited€secretariatÐ `  Ðassistance€available€to€prepare€for€and€to€deepen€the€constructive€dialogue€with€Stateparties.€Ð P  ÐNevertheless,€for€an€experimental€period€of€two€years,€the€Committee€is€prepared€to€reduce€the€timeÐ ð@  Ðallocated€for€considering€the€periodic€reports€of€States€parties€to€two€meetings€while€maintaining€theÐ à0  Ðthree„meeting€approach€for€initial€reports.€€Should€it€find,€at€the€end€of€that€period,€that€the€qualityÐ Ð  Ðof€report€analysis€suffers€unduly€from€the€shortened€dialogue€with€States€parties,€it€may€revert€to€theÐ À Ðprevious€practice€of€three€meetings€and€the€Committee€may€also€request€the€Economic€and€SocialÐ ° ÐCouncil€to€authorize€three€regular€sessions€per€year.Ð  ð ÐÌÓˆ{ÓÓ  Óò òB.€€Revised€methods€of€workó óÐ €Ð ÐÓÓÓ|ÓÌÓdÓÓ  Ó1.€€Periodicity€of€reportingÐ `° ÐÓ…ÓÓ’ÓÌ1023.à  àThe€present€reporting€cycle€was€introduced€in€1988€(see€Economic€and€Social€CouncilÐ @ Ðresolution€1988/4€of€24€May€1988),€on€the€basis€of€which€States€parties€are€to€submit€an€initialÐ 0€ Ðreport,€dealing€with€provisions€of€the€entire€Covenant,€within€two€years€of€the€Covenantððs€entry€intoÐ  p Ðforce€for€the€State€concerned.€€Every€five€years€thereafter,€a€single,€comprehensive€periodic€reportÐ ` Ðis€required.€€Only€a€minority€of€States€parties€observe€the€reporting€cycle.€€Often€reports€are€eitherÐ P Ðsubmitted€considerably€late€or€not€at€all,€or€only€submitted€after€pressure€is€exerted€by€theÐ ð@ ÐCommittee.Ð à0 ÐÌ1024.à  àAt€its€twenty„fourth€session,€on€30€November€2000,€the€Committee€resolved€that,€as€aÐ À! Ðgeneral€rule,€a€State€partyððs€next€periodic€report€should€be€submitted€five€years€after€the€CommitteeððsÐ °"  Ðconsideration€of€the€Stateððs€preceding€report,€but€that€the€Committee€may€reduce€this€five„yearÐ  #ð! Ðperiod€on€the€basis€of€the€following€criteria,€taking€into€account€all€relevant€circumstances:Ð $à" ÐÌà0  à(òòaóó)à ` àThe€timeliness€of€the€State€partyððs€submission€of€its€reports€in€relation€to€theÐ p&À!$ Ðimplementation€of€the€Covenant;Ð`'°"%(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòbóó)à ` àThe€quality€of€all€the€information,€such€as€reports€and€replies€to€lists€of€issuesÐ @)$' Ðsubmitted€by€the€State€party;Ð0*€%((#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòcóó)à ` àThe€quality€of€the€constructive€dialogue€between€the€Committee€and€the€State€party;Ð,`'*(#(# Ðâ âÐ -P(+ Ðà0  à(òòdóó)à ` àThe€adequacy€of€the€State€partyððs€response€to€the€Committeeððs€concludingÐ ° Ðâ âobservations;Рð(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòeóó)à ` àThe€State€partyððs€actual€record,€in€practice,€regarding€implementation€of€the€CovenantÐ €Ð Ðin€relation€to€all€individuals€and€groups€within€its€jurisdiction.ÐpÀ(#(# ÐÑ  ÑÌÓÒÓÓ  Ó2.€€Guidelines€for€preparing€State€party€reportsÐ P   ÐÓ™ÓÓ’ÓÌòòPresent€practiceóóÐ 0 € ÐÌ1025.à  àThe€Committee€requests€that€State€party€reports,€both€initial€and€periodic,€conform€to€theÐ `  Ðrevised€general€guidelinesòò2óó€regarding€the€form€and€contents€of€reports€to€be€submitted€by€StateÐ P  Ðparties.€€The€guidelines€contain€specific€questions€that€refer€both€to€the€general€provisions€(arts.1„5)Ð ð@  Ðand€to€the€substantive€articles€(arts.€6„15)€of€the€Covenant.€€The€Committee€is€currently€reviewingÐ à0  Ðthese€guidelines.€€One€main€proposal€on€which€work€has€begun€involves€separate€sets€of€guidelines,Ð Ð  Ðone€for€initial€and€one€for€periodic€reports.€€This€should€streamline€and€focus€the€work€of€theÐ À ÐCommittee€and€of€States€parties€in€the€preparation€of€their€reports.Ð ° ÐÌòòProblems€with€the€present€practiceóóÐ à ÐÌ1026.à  àWhereas€it€is€important€that€initial€reports€be€comprehensive,€providing€a€detailed€accountÐ pÀ Ðof€the€national€legal,€administrative€and€practical€system€of€implementation€of€the€Covenant€asÐ `° Ðrequested€in€the€guidelines,€it€is€questionable€whether€it€is€useful€for€the€Committee€to€ask€StatesÐ P  Ðparties€to€repeat€such€information€in€their€periodic€reports.€€Such€non„differentiation€between€initialÐ @ Ðand€periodic€reports€results€in€State€parties€submitting€bulky€reports€that€not€only€prolong€theÐ 0€ Ðprocessing€of€the€document€(editing€and€translation),€but€also€burden€the€State€party€and€theÐ  p ÐCommittee€with€unnecessarily€long€reports€to€produce€and€to€study.€€Further,€a€global€detailedÐ ` Ðperiodic€report€risks€diverting€the€Committeeððs€focus€from€issues€of€prime€importance,€such€asÐ P Ðfollow„up€to€previous€concluding€observations.Ð ð@ ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ Ð  ÐÌÓ#šÓÓ  Ó1027.à  àThe€Committee€requests€that€periodic€reports€be€limited€to€significant€new€legislative,Ð °"  Ðjudicial,€administrative€and€policy€developments,€subject€matters€raised€in€the€Committeeððs€previousÐ  #ð! Ðconcluding€observations€and€issues€raised€in€the€list€of€issues.€€The€new€approach€will€oblige€StateÐ $à" Ðparties€to€focus€on€the€measures€taken€to€implement€the€Committeeððs€previous€recommendations€andÐ €%Ð # Ðhelp€the€Committee€to€focus€the€dialogue€and€to€draft€focused€concluding€observations€that€willÐ p&À!$ Ðassist€States,€as€well€as€national€non„governmental€organizations€and€other€partners€in€terms€ofÐ `'°"% Ðfollow„up€at€the€national€level.€€Potentially,€a€focused€approach€to€periodic€reports€may€decreaseÐ P( #& Ðduplication€of€information€in€reports€submitted€to€other€treaty€bodies,€as€the€information€will€beÐ @)$' Ðmore€closely€tailored€to€the€particular€concerns€of€the€Committee.€€Moreover,€shorter€periodic€Ð 0*€%( ÐÓ¢ÓÓšÓ__________________Ð  +p&) Ðòò2óó€€€òòOfficial€Records€of€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€1991,€Supplement€No.€3óóÐ ,`'* Ð(E/1991/23-E/C.12/1990/8),€annex€IV.Ð -P(+ ÐÐ ð-@), Їreports€by€State€parties€are€likely€to€facilitate€their€processing,€which€takes€up€to€one€year.€€ShorterÐ ° Ðreports€also€require€less€time€for€editing€and€translating.€€Importantly,€the€Committee€will€retain€itsÐ  ð Ðfreedom€to€request€States€parties€to€submit€a€comprehensive€periodic€report€if€it€is€deemed€necessary.Ð à ÐÌ1028.à  àIn€order€to€better€assist€State€parties€in€discharging€their€obligations,€the€Committee€willÐ pÀ Ðendeavour€to€bring€a€closer€focus€on€the€selection€of€priority€issues€for€concluding€observations.Ð ` ° ÐÌÓm¦ÓÑ  ÑÓ  Ó3.€€Pre„sessional€working€groupÐ @  ÐÓî©ÓÓ¨ÓÌòòPresent€practiceóóÐ  p  ÐÌ1029.à  àA€pre„sessional€working€group€meets€for€five€days€to€discuss€a€number€of€State€party€reportsÐ P  Ðand€to€adopt€lists€of€issues€prior€to€the€session€at€which€these€reports€are€to€be€considered.€€TheÐ ð@  Ðworking€group€is€composed€of€five€members€of€the€Committee€nominated€by€the€Chairperson,€takingÐ à0  Ðaccount€of€the€desirability€of€a€balanced€geographical€distribution€and€other€relevant€factors.Ð Ð  ÐÑ  ÑÌ1030.à  àThe€working€group€allocates€to€each€of€its€members€(the€ð ðcountry€rapporteursðð)€theÐ ° Ðinitialresponsibility€for€undertaking€a€detailed€review€of€a€specific€report,€as€well€as€the€relevantÐ  ð Ðinformation€provided€by€the€secretariat,€and€for€putting€before€the€working€group€a€preliminary€listÐ à Ðof€issues.€€Each€draft€by€a€country€rapporteur€is€then€revised€and€supplemented€on€the€basis€ofÐ €Ð Ðobservations€by€the€other€members€of€the€working€group€and€the€final€version€of€the€list€isÐ pÀ Ðadoptedby€the€group€as€a€whole.€€This€procedure€applies€equally€to€both€initial€and€periodic€reports.€Ð `° ÐIn€1999,€the€Committee€decided€that€its€pre„sessional€working€group€should€draft€and€approve€listsÐ P  Ðof€issues€with€respect€to€initial€reports€not€exceeding€60€questions,€while€for€periodic€reports€listsÐ @ Ðof€issues€should€be€limited€where€possible€to€30€questions.Ð 0€ ÐÌ1031.à  àImmediately€after€their€adoption€by€the€pre„sessional€working€group,€the€secretariatÐ ` Ðtransmitsthe€lists€of€issues€to€the€State€party€in€question€for€a€written€response.€€This€takes€placeÐ P Ðsome€6€to€12€months€before€the€session€at€which€the€report€of€the€State€party€is€considered.Ð ð@ ÐÌ1032.à  àIn€preparation€for€the€pre„sessional€working€group,€the€Committee€asks€the€secretariat€toÐ Ð  Ðplace€country€profiles€at€the€disposal€of€its€members,€as€well€as€all€pertinent€documents€containingÐ À! Ðinformation€relevant€to€each€report€to€be€examined.€€The€country€profile€is€made€available€to€theÐ °"  Ðcountry€rapporteur€six€months€prior€to€the€meeting€of€the€pre„sessional€working€group€at€which€theÐ  #ð! Ðrapporteurððs€draft€list€of€issues€is€discussed.Ð $à" ÐÌòòProblems€with€the€present€practiceóóÐ p&À!$ ÐÌ1033.à  àIf€States€parties€submit€written€replies€to€the€list€of€issues,€which€happens€a€littleÐ P( #& Ðover50percent€of€the€time,€such€replies€often€arrive€after€the€deadline,€set€at€three€monthsÐ @)$' Ðbeforethe€session€at€which€the€report€is€to€be€considered.€€The€deadline€marks€the€time€needed€forÐ 0*€%( Ðthe€editing€and€translation€of€the€replies€into€the€working€languages€of€the€Committee.€€As€a€result,Ð  +p&) Ðthe€Committee€often€has€the€replies€only€in€one€language,€usually€English.€€In€such€cases,€theÐ ,`'* Ðdelegation€is€asked€to€summarize€the€text€of€the€replies€to€be€interpreted€simultaneously€for€non„Ð -P(+ ÐÔ_ÔanglophoneÔ_Ô€Committee€members.€€This€procedure€takes€up€an€inordinate€amount€of€time€during€theÐ ð-@), Ðconstructive€dialogue.Ð ° ÐÌÔ_6Ô1034.à  àThe€second€problem€with€the€present€procedure€is€that€the€lists€of€issues€are€often€long€forÐ à Ðboth€initial€and€periodic€reports,€containing€40€or€more€detailed€questions.€€While€this€practice€mayÐ €Ð Ðbe€justified€when€the€Committee€is€considering€a€seriously€unsatisfactory€initial€(or€periodic)€report,Ð pÀ Ðthe€number€of€questions€should€be€reduced€considerably€in€an€effort€to€focus€on€the€ensuingÐ ` ° Ðconstructive€dialogue,€especially€in€the€case€of€periodic€reports.Ð P   ÐÌÔ_66ÔòòFutureÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔprocedureóóÔ_66ÔÐ 0 € ÐÌ1035.à  àIn€an€effort€to€better€focus€the€constructive€dialogue,€the€Committee€has€decided€to€formalizeÐ `  Ðthe€existing€practice€of€limiting€the€number€of€questions€in€the€list€of€issues.€€In€future,€the€maximumÐ P  Ðnumber€of€questions€will€be€set€at€40€for€initial€reports€and€at€25€for€periodic€reports.€€However,€ifÐ ð@  Ða€report€proves€to€be€grossly€inadequate,€additional€necessary€questions€will€be€Ô_66ÔaskedÔ_66Ô.Ð à0  ÐÌ1036.à  àThe€Committee€has€also€decided€to€change€the€structure€of€the€lists€of€issues.€€In€future,€itÐ À Ðwill€limit€requests€for€written€information€to€statistical€data,€information€requested€in€the€guidelinesÐ ° Ðbut€missing€in€the€report,€points€of€clarification€regarding€the€report,€and€information€on€key€legal,Ð  ð Ðstructural,€policy€and€institutional€issues€(for€the€initial€report)€or€new€developments€(with€regardÐ à Ðto€periodic€reports).€€This€approach€serves€to€indicate€to€the€State€party€the€issues€that€the€CommitteeÐ €Ð Ðwill€take€up€during€the€dialogue,€as€well€as€providing€the€State€party€with€an€idea€about€the€expertsÐ pÀ Ðneeded€by€the€delegation.Ð `° ÐÌÓ>ªÓÓ  Ó4.€€Constructive€dialogueÐ @ ÐÓÌ¿ÓÓªÓÌòòPresent€practiceóóÐ  p ÐÌ1037.à  àÔ_66ÔInÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔgeneralÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔCommitteeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdevotesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔthreeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔmeetingsÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔthreeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔhoursÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔeachÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔpublicÔ_66ÔÐ P ÐÔ_66ÔexaminationÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔeachÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔreportÔ_66Ô.€€Ô_66ÔInÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔadditionÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔitÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔgenerallyÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdevotesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔthreeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔhoursÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔduringÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔthirdÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔweekÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66ÔÐ ð@ ÐÔ_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔsessionÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔinÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔprivateÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdiscussionÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔandÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔadoptionÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔeachÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔsetÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔconcludingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔobservationsÔ_66Ô.Ð à0 ÐÌ1038.à  àÔ_66ÔAtÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbeginningÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdialogueÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔrepresentativesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔreportingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔStateÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔareÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinvitedÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔmakeÔ_66ÔÐ À! ÐÔ_66ÔaÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbriefÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔintroductoryÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔstatementÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔandÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔsummarizeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔwrittenÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔrepliesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔlistÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔissuesÔ_66Ô.€€Ô_66ÔTheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔCommitteeÔ_66ÔÐ °"  ÐÔ_66ÔthenÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔconsidersÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔreportÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔonÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔanÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔarticleÔ_66Ô„Ô_66ÔbyÔ_66Ô„Ô_66ÔarticleÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbasisÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔtakingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔparticularÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔaccountÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔrepliesÔ_66ÔÐ  #ð! ÐÔ_66ÔfurnishedÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔresponseÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔlistÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔissuesÔ_66Ô.€€Ô_66ÔTheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔChairpersonÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔwillÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔnormallyÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinviteÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔquestionsÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔorÔ_66ÔÐ $à" ÐÔ_66ÔcommentsÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔfromÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔCommitteeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔmembersÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔrelationÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔeachÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔissueÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔfirstÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔgivingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔfloorÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔcountryÔ_66ÔÐ €%Ð # ÐÔ_66ÔrapporteurÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔifÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔheÔ_66Ô/Ô_66ÔsheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔsoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔwishesÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔandÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔthenÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinviteÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔrepresentativesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔStateÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔpartyÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔreplyÔ_66ÔÐ p&À!$ ÐÔ_66ÔimmediatelyÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔquestionsÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔthatÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔnotÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔrequireÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔfurtherÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔreflectionÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔorÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔresearchÔ_66Ô.€€Ô_66ÔOtherÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔquestionsÔ_66ÔÐ `'°"% ÐÔ_66ÔremainingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔansweredÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔareÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtakenÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔupÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔatÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔaÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔsubsequentÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔmeetingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔorÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔifÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔnecessaryÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔmayÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔsubjectÔ_66ÔÐ P( #& ÐÔ_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔadditionalÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinformationÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔprovidedÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔCommitteeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔwritingÔ_66Ô.€€Ô_66ÔTheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔchairpersonÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔandÔ_66Ô/Ô_66ÔorÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔindividualÔ_66ÔÐ @)$' ÐÔ_66ÔmembersÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔmayÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔifÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔnecessaryÔ_66Ô,€Ô_66ÔinterveneÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔwheneverÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdialogueÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔseemsÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔgoingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔoffÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔonÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔaÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtangentÔ_66Ô,Ð 0*€%( ÐÔ_66ÔwhenÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔresponsesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔseemÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtakingÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔanÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔundulyÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔlongÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtimeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔorÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔwhenÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔanswersÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔlackÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔnecessaryÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔfocusÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔandÔ_66ÔÐ  +p&) ÐÔ_66ÔprecisionÔ_66Ô.€€Ô_66ÔRepresentativesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔrelevantÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔspecializedÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔagenciesÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔmayÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔalsoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔbeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔinvitedÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtoÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔcontributeÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔatÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔanyÔ_66ÔÐ ,`'* ÐÔ_66ÔstageÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔofÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔtheÔ_66Ô€Ô_66ÔdialogueÔ_66Ô.Ð -P(+ ÐÐ ð-@), Ð1039.à  àThe€final€phase€of€the€Committeeððs€examination€of€the€report€consists€of€the€drafting€andÐ ° Ðadoption€of€its€concluding€observations.€€For€this€purpose,€the€Committee€usually€sets€aside€a€briefÐ  ð Ðperiod€(40€minutes€to€an€hour)€in€closed€session€after€the€conclusion€of€the€dialogue€to€enable€itsÐ à Ðmembers€to€express€their€preliminary€views.€€The€country€rapporteur€then€prepares,€with€theÐ €Ð Ðassistance€of€the€secretariat,€a€draft€set€of€concluding€observations€for€consideration€by€theÐ pÀ ÐCommittee.€€At€a€later€stage,€the€Committee€then€discusses€the€draft,€again€in€private€session,€withÐ ` ° Ða€view€to€adopting€it€by€consensus.Ð P   ÐÌòòProblems€with€the€present€practiceóóÐ 0 € ÐÌ1040.à  àAt€its€twentieth€session,€held€in€1999,€the€Committee€considered€how€to€improve€theÐ `  Ðquestioning€and€dialogue€with€government€delegations.€€In€order€to€avoid€repetitious€questions€andÐ P  Ðdwelling€unnecessarily€long€on€opening€questions€that€refer€to€very€general€matters,€it€wasÐ ð@  Ðconsidered€expedient€to€adopt€a€different€approach:€€Committee€members€would€be€invited,€beforeÐ à0  Ðthe€beginning€of€the€dialogue,€to€indicate€which€article(s)€they€wish€to€comment€on.€€If€severalÐ Ð  ÐCommittee€members€put€down€their€names€for€one€article,€the€Chairperson€will€try€to€arrange€whoÐ À Ðshould€be€the€main€questioner.€€This€does€not,€of€course,€affect€the€right€of€any€member€to€raiseÐ ° Ðquestions€additionally€or€spontaneously,€but€it€helps€to€ensure€that€more€equal€weight€is€placed€onÐ  ð Ðall€articles€of€the€Covenant€and€that€the€unnecessary€repetition€of€questions€is€avoided.Ð à ÐÌòòFuture€practiceóóÐ pÀ ÐÌ1041.à  àIn€an€effort€to€save€time€and€to€allow€for€the€consideration€of€more€reports€during€eachÐ P  Ðsession,€the€Committee,€following€the€practice€adopted€by€the€Human€Rights€Committee€and€theÐ @ ÐCommittee€on€the€Elimination€of€Discrimination€against€Women,€has€decided€to€schedule€threeÐ 0€ Ðmeetings€for€initial€reports€and€two€for€periodic€reports.Ð  p ÐÌ1042.à  àIn€order€to€ensure€that€the€State€party€delegation€is€well€aware€of€the€procedure€of€theÐ P Ðconstructive€dialogue,€the€Committee€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€Rights€requests€theÐ ð@ Ðsecretariat€to€brief€the€mission€of€a€State€party€on€the€procedure€as€it€notifies€it€of€the€scheduling€ofÐ à0 Ðthe€consideration€of€its€report.€€The€secretariat€will€also€be€requested€to€advise€the€mission€on€theÐ Ð  Ðcomposition€of€the€delegation.Ð À! ÐÌ1043.à  àTo€avoid€repetition€of€questions€and€emphasis€on€general€opening€questions,€the€CommitteeÐ  #ð! Ðhas€decided€to€formalize€the€approach€considered€at€its€twentieth€session.€€The€Committee€will€setÐ $à" Ðhalf€an€hour€before€the€beginning€of€the€dialogue€to€go€over,€in€a€private€meeting,€the€main€issuesÐ €%Ð # Ðconcerning€the€State€party,€in€order€to€confer€about€how€to€approach€cross„cutting€issues.€€ExpertsÐ p&À!$ Ðfrom€the€secretariat€may€be€invited€to€inform€the€Committee€about€issues€pertaining€to€theÐ `'°"% Ðimplementation€of€the€Covenant€by€the€respective€State€party.€€For€initial€reports€this€coordinationÐ P( #& Ðmeeting€will€take€place€within€the€nine€hours€allocated€for€the€dialogue;€for€periodic€reports€it€willÐ @)$' Ðhave€to€be€held€before€the€six„hour€dialogue€with€the€State€party€and,€consequently,€can€only€beÐ 0*€%( Ðconducted€in€two€of€the€Committeeððs€working€languages€(English€and€French).€€The€meeting€cannotÐ  +p&) Ðtake€place€during€the€six„hour€dialogue,€as€time€is€too€short€to€spend€half€an€hour€considering€howÐ ,`'* Ðto€proceed.Ð -P(+ ÐÐ ð-@), Ð1044.à  àDuring€the€30€minutes€before€the€beginning€of€the€dialogue,€the€Committee€will€name€a€mainÐ ° Ðcommentator€on€each€question,€article€or€issue.€€Other€commentators€will€take€up€matters€notÐ  ð Ðaddressed€by€the€main€commentator€and€limit€their€interventions€to€three€minutes€or€less.€€ThisÐ à Ðmethod€will€not€prejudice€the€country€rapporteur,€€who€will€be€free€to€intervene€at€any€time.Ð €Ð Ð1045.à  àIn€order€to€enhance€the€quality€of€the€dialogue€between€the€State€party€and€the€CommitteeÐ pÀ Ðin€future,€the€head€of€the€State€party€delegation€will€be€requested€to€confine€the€opening€statementÐ ` ° Ðto€a€maximum€of€10€minutes.€€Remarks€by€Committee€members€should€be€much€shorter€than€in€theÐ P   Ðpast€and,€in€any€event,€must€not€exceed€three€minutes€per€speaker.€€The€delegationððs€answers€shouldÐ @  Ðalso€be€very€brief€and€to€the€point,€avoiding€generalities€and€detailed€explanations€of€existingÐ 0 € Ðlegislation.€€The€Committee,€although€interested€in€such€information,€is€primarily€interested€in€theÐ  p  Ðoperation€of€such€legislation,€plans€of€action€and€other€administrative€or€judicial€measures€taken,€inÐ `  Ðorder€to€be€able€to€ascertain€whether€the€State€party€has€met€its€obligations€under€the€Covenant€andÐ P  Ðto€make€meaningful€suggestions€and€recommendations€in€its€concluding€observations.Ð ð@  ÐÌ1046.à  àIn€an€effort€to€focus€the€dialogue,€the€Chairperson€will€indicate€at€the€beginning€of€theÐ Ð  Ðdialogue€which€of€the€Committee€members€will€be€leading€the€questions€on€particular€articles€orÐ À Ðissues.€€Additional€questions€on€individual€articles€will€be€raised€sparingly,€avoiding€repetition€atÐ ° Ðall€costs,€and€should€be€coordinated€in€the€structure€meeting€prior€to€the€beginning€of€the€dialogue.Ð  ð ÐÌÓÀÓÑ  ÑÓ  Ó5.€€Follow„upÐ €Ð ÐÓhýÓÓ¿ÓÌòòPresent€practiceóóÐ `° ÐÌ1047.à  àProcedures€in€relation€to€follow„up€action:Ð @ ÐÌà0  à(òòaóó)à ` àIn€all€concluding€observations,€the€Committee€will€request€the€State€party€to€informÐ  p Ðthe€Committee,€in€its€next€periodic€report,€about€steps€taken€to€implement€theÐ ` Ðrecommendations€in€the€concluding€observations;ÐP(#(# ÐÑ  ÑÌà0  à(òòbóó)à ` àWhere€appropriate,€the€Committee,€in€its€concluding€observations,€may€make€aÐ à0 Ðspecific€request€to€a€State€party€to€provide€more€information€or€statistical€data€at€a€time€priorÐ Ð  Ðto€the€date€that€the€next€periodic€report€is€due€to€be€submitted;ÐÀ!(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòcóó)à ` àWhere€appropriate,€the€Committee€may,€in€its€concluding€observations,€ask€the€StateÐ  #ð! Ðparty€to€respond,€prior€to€the€date€that€the€next€report€is€due€to€be€submitted,€to€any€pressingÐ $à" Ðspecific€issue€identified€by€the€concluding€observations;Ѐ%Ð #(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòdóó)à ` àAny€information€provided€in€accordance€with€(òòbóó)€and€(òòcóó)€above€will€be€consideredÐ `'°"% Ðby€the€next€meeting€of€the€Committeeððs€pre„sessional€working€group;ÐP( #&(#(# ÐÌÑ  Ñà0  à(òòeóó)à ` àThereafter,€the€Committeeððs€Chairperson€will€inform€the€State€party,€in€advance€ofÐ 0*€%( Ðthe€next€session,€that€the€Committee€will€take€up€the€issue€at€its€next€session€and€that,€for€thatÐ  +p&) Ðpurpose,€the€participation€of€a€representative€of€the€State€party€in€the€work€of€the€CommitteeÐ ,`'* Ðwould€be€welcome;Ð-P(+(#(# ÐÑ  ÑÐ ð-@), ÐÑ  Ñà0  à(òòfóó)à ` àIf€the€information€requested€in€accordance€with€(òòbóó)€and€(òòcóó)€above€is€not€provided€byÐ ° Ðthe€specified€date,€or€is€patently€unsatisfactory,€the€Chairperson,€in€consultation€with€theÐ  ð Ðmembers€of€the€Bureau,€is€authorized€to€follow€up€the€matter€with€the€State€party.Ðà(#(# ÐÌòòFuture€practiceóóÐ pÀ ÐÌ1048.à  àIn€its€revision€of€reporting€guidelines,€the€Committee€will€consider€emphasizing€theÐ P   Ðimportance€of€addressing€the€previous€concluding€observations€of€the€Committee€in€subsequentÐ @  Ðperiodic€reports€(see€para.€1027€above).Ð 0 € ÐÑ  ÑÌ1049.à  àTo€ensure€more€efficient€follow„up€to€the€consideration€of€reports,€the€Committee€requestsÐ `  Ðthe€secretariat€to€strengthen€in„house€cooperation€with€the€national€human€rights€institutions€teamÐ P  Ðand€country€desk€officers.Ð ð@  ÐÌ1050.à  àWith€regard€to€follow„up,€the€Committee€will€also€look€into€ways€of€further€strengtheningÐ Ð  Ðits€cooperation€with€the€relevant€special€rapporteurs€of€the€Commission€on€Human€Rights€(includingÐ À Ðthe€special€rapporteurs€on€adequate€housing,€on€the€right€to€education,€on€the€right€to€food,€onÐ ° Ðviolence€against€women,€its€causes€and€consequences,€on€the€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€andÐ  ð Ðchild€pornography€and€on€the€human€rights€of€migrants)€and€with€its€independent€experts€(on€theÐ à Ðright€to€development,€on€the€question€of€human€rights€and€extreme€poverty€and€on€structuralÐ €Ð Ðadjustment€and€foreign€debt),€and€with€United€Nations€specialized€agencies€and€programmes,€in€lineÐ pÀ Ðwith€Commission€resolution€2001/30€of€20€April€2001.Ð `° ÐÌÑ  Ñ1051.à  àThe€Committee€will€closely€address€the€problem€of€consistent€implementation€of€the€follow„Ð @ Ðup€procedure.Ð 0€ ÐÌÓ¦ýÓÓ  Ó6.€€Overdue€reports€and€non„reportingÐ ` ÐÓL Óò òó óÓýÓÌ1052.à  àThe€Committee€resolved€at€its€sixth€session€to€begin€to€consider€the€situation€concerning€theÐ ð@ Ðimplementation€of€the€Covenant€in€respect€of€each€State€party€whose€reports€are€significantlyÐ à0 Ðoverdue.Ð Ð  ÐÌ1053.à  àThe€Committee€has€adopted€the€following€procedure:Ð °"  ÐÌà0  à(òòaóó)à ` àTo€select€States€parties€whose€reports€are€very€much€overdue€on€the€basis€of€theÐ $à" Ðlength€of€time€involved;Ѐ%Ð #(#(# ÐÌà0  à(òòbóó)à ` àTo€notify€each€such€State€party€that€the€Committee€intends€to€consider€the€situationÐ `'°"% Ðwith€respect€to€that€country€at€a€specified€future€session;ÐP( #&(#(# ÐÔ_66ÔÔ_66ÔÌÔ_66Ôà0  à(òòcóó)Ô_66Ôà ` àTo€move,€in€the€absence€of€any€report,€to€consider€the€status€of€economic,€social€andÐ 0*€%( Ðcultural€rights€in€the€light€of€all€available€information;Ð +p&)(#(# Ðâ âÐ ,`'* Ðà0  à(òòdóó)à ` àTo€authorize€its€chairperson,€in€situations€where€the€State€party€concerned€indicatesÐ ° Ðthat€a€report€will€be€provided€to€the€Committee€and€upon€a€request€from€the€State€party,€toÐ  ð Ðdefer€consideration€of€the€situation€for€one€session.Ðà(#(# Ðâ âÑ  ÑÌ1054.à  àThe€present€practice€only€applies€to€non„reporting€States,€that€is,€to€those€States€that€have€notÐ pÀ Ðsubmitted€an€initial€report.€€No€procedure€exists€with€regard€to€States€with€overdue€periodic€reports.Ð ` ° ÐÌ1055.à  àThe€Committee€has€decided€to€develop€a€similar€procedure€concerning€State€parties,€whoseÐ @  Ðperiodic€reports€are€significantly€overdue,€similar€to€the€one€applied€to€States€with€overdue€initialÐ 0 € Ðreports.€€In€such€cases,€States€will€be€informed€by€the€chairperson€that€a€non-reporting€procedure€willÐ  p  Ðbe€set€in€motion,€if€a€periodic€report€is€not€submitted€at€the€next€session.€€That€reporting€deadlineÐ `  Ðmay€be€extended€for€one€further€session,€upon€satisfactory€explanation€by€the€State€party€as€to€whyÐ P  Ðit€cannot€comply€with€the€reporting€requirements€within€that€period€of€time.€€States€parties€areÐ ð@  Ðreminded€that€they€can€avail€themselves€of€the€advisory€and€technical€services€of€the€Office€of€theÐ à0  ÐUnited€Nations€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights€in€this€respect.€€Thereafter,€the€CommitteeÐ Ð  Ðwill€proceed€with€an€analysis€of€the€situation€in€the€State€party,€based€on€information€available€toÐ À Ðit€from€other€sources.Ð ° ÐÌÓ¨ ÓÓ  Ó7.€€General€commentsÐ à ÐÓîÓÓ ÓÌ1056.à  àThe€Committee€prepares€general€comments€based€on€various€articles,€provisions€and€themesÐ pÀ Ðof€the€Covenant€to€assist€the€States€parties€in€fulfilling€their€obligations€under€the€Covenant€and€toÐ `° Ðstimulate€the€international€organizations€and€specialized€agencies€concerned€in€achievingÐ P  Ðprogressively€and€effectively€the€full€realization€of€the€rights€recognized€therein.€€Members€mayÐ @ Ðpropose€at€any€time€that€a€general€comment€relating€to€a€specific€article€or€provision€of€an€article€beÐ 0€ Ðprepared.€€Usually,€individual€members€of€the€Committee€are€charged€with€producing€the€initial,Ð  p Ðinformal€draft€general€comment.€€Generally,€the€Committee€devotes€one€day,€usually€the€MondayÐ ` Ðof€the€third€week€of€the€session,€to€a€discussion€on€the€aspect€of€the€Covenant€addressed€in€the€draftÐ P Ðgeneral€comment.€€The€purpose€is€twofold:€€to€assist€the€Committee€in€developing€in€greater€depthÐ ð@ Ðits€understanding€of€the€relevant€issues;€and€to€enable€the€Committee€to€encourage€input€to€its€workÐ à0 Ðfrom€all€interested€parties.Ð Ð  ÐÌ1057.à  àThe€practice€works€well,€but€in€order€to€ensure€better€coordination€with€other€treatyÐ °"  Ðmonitoring€bodies,€the€Committee€will€continue€to€try€to€issue€joint€general€comments€onÐ  #ð! Ðoverlapping€provisions€and€will€continue€to€consult€with€the€other€treaty€monitoring€bodies€on€anyÐ $à" Ðdraft€general€comment€it€is€preparing.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌ1058.à  àThe€Committee€will€continue€the€efforts€it€successfully€instituted€during€the€drafting€stageÐ `'°"% Ðof€the€most€recent€general€comments€to€ensure€the€widest€possible€consultation€with€those€interestedÐ P( #& Ðin€contributing€to€them.Ð @)$' ÐÌÔ_66Ô...Ô_66ÔÔ_66ÔÔ_66ÔÐ  +p&) ÐÓ3Ó