ÿWPCK XH–¶e qaMÖSaøPX279w÷Çf’I©Ö¸Äàõ ˆðˆèšÙHl][E6¸Ü«Ò"6¸'C¡Ï—•ç4*“‚B—ÕÔø¹¶XrÉ\Òxj¿Æ«C‡Ë&q^üVOüCP›fŒ)I¶0‚,ƒóüi[4p£ªÐÐáIÆç/AÝ7ô”³¤—̉¼@úv•6‚þv<9p¤ãÇÃDvDÀ¡{zчÀ8ç'¼GƒRÜÞ]LidÐ35^•TÈû\OçI‚C6Τi˜¤ Ç®Z³”oîуȚÞ8ƒ•RÔºæWˆd?Ô ’¨ëX*Ÿš<5Y¼\vÌLq©Pªˆäõß‚ÛÛûºÀž±¥óÄ''äž?§ÁéÊ+‚V™»ã ‡ï3–Cb:¬önÒ$LÛâ$¥g»û*û7 ÉMÉ‹oi'§»SrDƒ\6$¢A›¡ ÄŒ‘%ÄPaj&¢ë;œCú6ÉŽê‡ùüÕdyÇxa'…ÎZÈ>'Q;»œ)GÀyYÐÇœzš¦—«ÄÜä°)T Þ¹aT‘ÂæÔ¿Ìêßë'|IåèüùÆÝ-éD3'éIkÚQkû†k’QI>®#y»ô„úy»±IàÖ“Õ.³ #Á¨UNi %· 0:½^ ÷w4* m,C˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSÈÚØÚÚØÈÚ0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,ÔW‰&) ö‹) œk1`Ÿ3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÒû°ÒÔ€¼úD»XXÔò òÓ  ÓAFGHANISTANó óÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÌÔ€Xª¨X»¼úDÔò òÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€€E/1992/23ó óÐ Ö& Ð(arts.€€1„15)Ð Â ÐÌÌ55.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Afghanistan€concerning€the€rights€covered€byÐ † Ö Ðarticles€1€to€15€of€the€Covenant€(E/1990/5/Add.8)€at€its€2òòndóó,€4òòthóó€to€6òòthóó€and€8òòthóó€meetings,€held€from€25Ð r  Ðto€28€November€1991€(E/C.12/1991/SR.2,€4„6,€and€8).Ð ^ ® ÐÌ56.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party€introduced€the€report€and€explained€that€the€ConstitutionÐ 6†  Ðof€Afghanistan€reflected€his€countryððs€determination€to€apply€the€Covenant€and€to€ensure€theÐ "r  Ðprotection€of€the€citizen€and€his€property,€while€according€priority€to€the€rule€of€law.€€Laws€andÐ ^  Ðdecrees€enacted€in€accordance€with€the€Constitution€covered€the€right€to€recourse,€appeal€andÐ úJ  Ðcompensation,€freedom€of€expression€and€the€right€to€strike,€without€distinction€on€any€grounds.€Ð æ6  ÐThose€laws€also€provided€for€action€against€discrimination,€ill„treatment€and€violations€of€rights€byÐ Ò" Ðothers.€€The€Government€had€taken€steps€to€ensure€adequate€housing€and€living€standards€andÐ ¾ Ðpromoted€public€cultural€activities€and€facilities.€€Emphasis€was€placed€on€social€benefits,€the€rightÐ ªú Ðmotherhood€and€the€development€of€culturally€underprivileged€areas.Ð –æ Ðà S àà « àà  àà [ àà ³ àà  àà c àà » àà  àà k àÌ57.€€The€Government€also€had€taken€measures€aimed€at€eliminating€unemployment€and€securingÐ n¾ Ðworking€conditions€in€accordance€with€international€standards.€€Health€care€was€free€of€charge€forÐ Zª Ðall€citizens;€the€Government€had€introduced€a€free€health€programme€for€disease€prevention€andÐ F– Ðtreatment,€including€vaccination€in€vulnerable€and€remote€areas.€€Education€was€free€andÐ 2‚ Ðcompulsory€for€all€citizens.€€The€Governmentððs€programme€covered€all€levels€of€educationÐ n Ðincluding€literacy€courses,€adult€education,€vocational€training,€teacher€training€and€research.€€TheÐ  Z Ðrepresentative€stressed€that€his€country€had€been€torn€by€civil€strife€for€14€years,€which€had€takenÐ öF Ða€terrible€toll€in€human€lives€and€economic€resources€and€which€had€obviously€inhibited€the€fullÐ â2 Ðexercise€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.€€Furthermore,€the€Government€could€not€guaranteeÐ Î Ðthe€application€of€international€norms€and€conventions€in€areas€that€were€under€the€control€ofÐ º  Ðopposition€forces.Ð ¦ ö ÐÌòòGeneral€mattersÐ ~"Î  ÐÌóó58.€€As€regards€the€general€framework€in€which€the€Covenant€was€being€implemented,€membersÐ V$¦" Ðof€the€Committee€requested€information€on€the€social€and€economic€characteristics€of€the€country;Ð B%’ # Ðthe€demographic€composition€of€its€population;€the€main€types€of€economic€activity;€and€politicalÐ .&~!$ Ðand€cultural€aspects,€including€the€type€of€government€and€organization€of€the€executive,€legislativeÐ 'j"% Ðand€judicial€bodies.€€They€also€wished€to€receive€information€on€the€general€€legal€framework€withinÐ (V#& Ðwhich€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€were€protected;€the€process€of€preparation€of€the€reportÐ ò(B$' Ðunder€consideration;€the€extent€to€which€non„nationals€in€the€country€benefited€from€the€principlesÐ Þ).%( Ðembodied€in€articles€6€to€15€of€the€Covenant;€on€the€vulnerable€groups€in€the€population€and€theÐ Ê*&) Ðnumber€of€persons€living€below€the€poverty€line;€and€about€measures€adopted€and€resourcesÐ ¶+'* Ðintended€to€improve€their€situation.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€howÐ ¢,ò'+ Ðthe€Covenant€and€other€international€treaties€were€incorporated€into€national€legislation;€whetherÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðany€provisions€had€been€enacted€which€required€significant€derogations€or€amendments;€what€wereÐ ° Ðthe€main€obstacles€currently€facing€the€Government€of€Afghanistan€in€its€attempts€to€improveÐ œì Ðfulfilment€of€its€obligations€under€the€Covenant;€and€the€degree€to€which€constitutional€freedomsÐ ˆØ Ðcould€be€limited.Ð tÄ ÐÌ59.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€what€the€relative€size€was€of€theÐ L œ Ðprivate€and€the€public€sectors;€the€extent€to€which€Ô_ÔtripartismÔ_Ô,€as€defined€by€the€ILO,€worked€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðpractice€in€Afghanistan;€what€the€situation€of€agriculture€was€in€Afghanistan,€particularly€in€theÐ $ t Ðlight€of€allegations€that€the€guerilla€movements€derived€much€of€their€financing€from€profits€fromÐ  ` Ðdrug€production€and€trafficking;€what€the€legal€situation€was€of€the€ex„King€of€Afghanistan;Ð ü L  Ðwhether€the€course€taken€by€the€war€had€led€to€greater€Ô_ÔIslamizationÔ_Ô€of€social€groups;€and€whetherÐ è 8  Ðthe€coexistence€of€Sunni€and€Shiite€Muslims€had€led€to€sectarian€conflict.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ60.€€Members€of€the€Committee€also€wished€to€know€what€the€view€of€the€Government€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðregarding€the€extent€to€which€the€presence€of€more€than€5€million€refugees€outside€the€countryÐ ˜è  Ðprevented€the€exercise€of€the€right€to€self„determination€and€indicated€that€they€could€not€enjoyÐ „Ô  Ðeconomic,€social,€and€cultural€rights€in€their€home€country;€what€the€level€of€effectiveness€and€theÐ pÀ Ðextent€of€implementation€had€been€of€the€decrees€and€resolutions€passed€to€secure€the€return€ofÐ \¬ Ðrefugees;€and€whether€the€Government€was€in€a€position€to€ensure€the€effective€application€of€theÐ H˜ Ðlaw€throughout€the€territory€of€Afghanistan.€€Finally,€they€asked€what€the€reasons€were€for€theÐ 4„ Ðabsence€of€petitions€or€claims€submitted€to€the€courts€in€accordance€with€article€51€of€theÐ  p ÐConstitution.€Ð  \ ÐÌ61.€€The€representative€of€the€ILO€referred€to€articles€6€and€9€of€the€Covenant€and€informed€theÐ ä4 ÐCommittee€of€the€ratification€and€implementation€by€Afghanistan€of€ILO€Conventions€and€theÐ Ð  Ðrelevant€conclusions€and€recommendations€of€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€of€the€Application€ofÐ ¼  ÐConventions€and€Recommendations.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ62.€€In€reply€to€the€questions€asked,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€provided€information€onÐ €Ð Ðthe€ethnic€composition€and€character€of€the€Afghan€people,€their€sense€of€equality,€their€history€andÐ l¼ Ðcultural€heritage€and€the€structure€and€independence€of€the€judiciary€and€the€tribal€assembly€orÐ X ¨ Ðð ðÔ_ÔJirgahÔ_Ôðð,€which€was€traditionally€called€upon€to€maintain€order€and€justice€in€the€event€of€failureÐ D!” Ðof€the€central€Government.€€International€treaties€to€which€Afghanistan€was€a€party€prevailed€overÐ 0"€  Ðdomestic€law€and€Afghan€legislation€guaranteed€the€rights€and€freedoms€of€foreign€citizens€as€wellÐ #l! Ðas€stateless€residents.€€The€representative€gave€as€an€example€of€a€threat€to€the€public€interest€anÐ $X" Ðaction€which€would€be€contrary€to€the€unity€of€the€country.€€Article€2€of€the€Constitution€stated€thatÐ ô$D # ÐIslam€was€the€religion€of€the€country€and€that€no€law€should€run€counter€to€it.€€Over€99€per€cent€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€population€were€followers€of€Islam,€with€Ô_ÔSunnisÔ_Ô€constituting€80€per€cent€of€the€population,Ð Ì&"% ÐShiites€18€per€cent€and€Ô_ÔIsmailiÔ_Ô€Muslims€and€other€sects€2€per€cent.€€Several€institutions€wereÐ ¸'#& Ðworking€to€develop€and€enrich€Islamic€culture€and€science.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ63.€€Turning€to€the€question€of€refugees,€the€representative€explained€that€this€was€a€very€complexÐ |*Ì%) Ðissue€which€could€not€be€discussed€in€simple€terms.€€The€Government€had€established€receptionÐ h+¸&* Ðcentres€in€the€towns€near€the€borders€of€Pakistan€and€Iran€and€had€issued€decrees€guaranteeingÐ T,¤'+ Ðreturnees€all€their€rights.€€However,€every€time€there€was€an€influx€of€refugees,€the€AfghanÐ @-(, Ðopposition€made€difficulties€and€rockets€were€aimed€at€the€towns€where€the€centres€for€returneesÐ ° Ðwere€located.€€The€King€would€always€be€welcomed€back€to€help€in€the€peace€process.Ð œì ÐÌòòArticles€1€to€5óóÐ tÄ ÐÌ64.€€Members€of€the€Committee€requested€information€on€the€situation€of€women€in€Afghan€societyÐ L œ Ðand,€in€particular,€their€participation€in€political,€social€and€trade€union€activity,€and€their€positionÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€the€field€of€work€and€professional€activities,€both€in€the€private€economy€and€in€public€service,Ð $ t Ðparticularly€at€the€senior€level.€€They€asked€whether€full€equality€of€rights€under€the€law€had€beenÐ  ` Ðachieved€and,€if€not,€what€discrepancies€remained€and€what€measures€were€being€planned€toÐ ü L  Ðeliminate€them.Ð è 8  ÐÌ65.€€Members€of€the€Committee€also€wished€to€know€with€reference€to€article€64€of€theÐ À  ÐConstitution,€under€which€no€person€had€the€rights€and€liberties€enshrined€in€the€law€against€theÐ ¬ü  Ðpublic€interest,€which€€authority€decided€what€was€the€ð ðPublic€interestðð,€what€effective€remediesÐ ˜è  Ðthere€were€in€cases€of€alleged€abuses,€and€what€the€impact€of€Islamic€law€had€been€on€the€practicalÐ „Ô  Ðapplication€of€written€laws€relating€to€the€status€of€women.Ð pÀ ÐÌ66.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€stressed€that€Afghan€tradition€treated€marriage€as€a€sacramentÐ H˜ Ðfor€life.€€The€wife€was€the€mistress€of€the€household€and€wielded€a€great€influence€over€her€husbandÐ 4„ Ðand€children.€€Under€Islamic€law€women€had€the€right€to€own,€acquire€and€inherit€property€of€theirÐ  p Ðown.€€Article€38€of€the€Constitution€stated€that€men€and€women€had€equal€rights€and€duties€in€theÐ  \ Ðlight€of€the€law,€irrespective€of€their€national,€racial,€linguistic,€tribal,€educational€or€social€status,Ð øH Ðreligious€belief,€political€conviction,€occupation,€kinship,€wealth€or€residence.€€There€were€twoÐ ä4 Ðwomen€cabinet€ministers,€several€women€deputies,€and€a€majority€of€women€judges€in€the€familyÐ Ð  Ðcourts€and€childrenððs€courts.Ð ¼  ÐÌòòArticle€6:€Right€to€workóóÐ ”ä ÐÌÌ67.€€Members€of€the€Committee€asked€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€give€effect€to€the€provisionsÐ X ¨ Ðof€the€Labour€Code€which€was€adopted€in€June€1987;€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€or€theÐ D!” ÐCommittee€on€the€Elimination€of€Racial€Discrimination€had€made€any€observation€in€response€toÐ 0"€  Ðthe€report€submitted€by€the€Government€of€Afghanistan€and,€if€so,€what€were€those€observations;Ð #l! Ðand€what€the€most€serious€obstacles€and€difficulties€were€to€achieving€the€realization€of€the€rightÐ $X" Ðto€work.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ68.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€whether€the€commissions€on€theÐ Ì&"% Ðsettlement€of€disputes€mentioned€in€paragraph€14€of€the€report€had€actually€been€established;€whatÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€procedure€was€for€submitting€complaints€to€those€bodies€or€to€the€courts;€and€whether€recourseÐ ¤(ô#' Ðto€a€commission€could€be€followed€by€recourse€to€a€court€if€the€claimant€was€not€satisfied€with€theÐ )à$( Ðcommissionððs€verdict.€€They€also€asked€whether€activities€in€agriculture€and€animal€husbandry€wereÐ |*Ì%) Ðbased€on€an€employer/employee€relationship€or€on€the€family€unit;€what€the€ratio€was€of€wage„Ð h+¸&* Ðearners€to€non„wage€earners€within€that€sector€and€also€to€wage„earners€in€other€sectors€of€society;Ð T,¤'+ Ðand€how€valid€actually€were€the€constitutional€safeguards€against€discrimination€in€employment€onÐ @-(, Ðgrounds€of€political€affiliation€or€opinion,€in€the€light€of€allegations€that€people€had€been€detainedÐ ° Ðon€political€grounds.Ð œì ÐÌ69.€€The€representative€replied€that€in€Afghanistan€work€was€both€a€right€and€a€duty€toward€theÐ tÄ ÐState.€€The€Labour€Code€provided€that€the€right€to€work€for€citizens€was€guaranteed€without€anyÐ `° Ðdiscrimination€as€to€race,€colour,€sex,€language,€religion,€or€political€or€other€opinions.€€Women€hadÐ L œ Ðthe€same€status€as€men€in€that€respect€and€the€rule€of€equal€pay€for€equal€work€had€been€established.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐUnemployment€was€a€concern€of€the€Ministry€of€Labour€and€Social€Affairs;€according€toÐ $ t Ðextrapolations€from€the€1979€census,€there€were€about€206,000€job€seekers€out€of€a€work€€force€ofÐ  ` Ð6.1€million€in€1990.Ð ü L  ÐÌòòArticle€7:€Right€to€just€and€favourable€conditions€of€workóóÐ Ô$  ÐÌ70.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€had€madeÐ ¬ü  Ðany€observations€in€response€to€the€reports€submitted€under€the€ILO€Weekly€Rest€(Industry)Ð ˜è  ÐConvention,€1921€(Convention€No.€14)€and€the€Weekly€Rest€(Commerce€and€Offices)€Convention,Ð „Ô  Ð1957€(Convention€No.€106).€€Members€requested€more€information€on€the€system€adopted€forÐ pÀ Ðsetting€wage€levels,€particularly€with€regard€to€the€participation€of€workers€and€on€measures€andÐ \¬ Ðprocedures€(Including€inspection€of€work€places)€to€ensure€the€occupational€health€of€workers€inÐ H˜ Ðall€sectors€of€economic€activity.€€They€wished€to€be€provided€with€statistics€on€the€number,€natureÐ 4„ Ðand€frequency€of€work„related€accidents,€by€branch€of€activity,€and€information€on€the€factors€andÐ  p Ðdifficulties€which€affected€the€extent€to€which€these€rights€had€been€realized€as€well€as€on€progressÐ  \ Ðmade.Ð øH ÐÌ71.€€They€also€wished€to€know€whether€a€minimum€working€age€had€been€established,€inÐ Ð  Ðaccordance€with€ILO€Conventions€and€whether€the€fixing€of€wages€was€determined€by€a€legalÐ ¼  Ðregime€or€also€a€measure€of€collective€bargaining.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ72.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€stated€that€the€provisions€of€international€labour€conventionsÐ €Ð Ðwere€applied€in€Afghanistan€to€the€fullest€extent€possible.€€The€Labour€Code€provided€that€wagesÐ l¼ Ðand€salaries€must€be€paid€according€to€the€quantity€and€quality€of€the€work€performed,€taking€intoÐ X ¨ Ðaccount€degree,€rank,€post,€profession€and€other€factors;€that€there€could€be€no€discrimination€onÐ D!” Ðthe€basis€of€ethnic€or€national€origin,€language,€property,€sex€or€religion;€and€that€salaries€and€wagesÐ 0"€  Ðpaid€must€never€be€less€than€the€minimum€amounts€specified€by€law€and€covering€the€basic€needsÐ #l! Ðof€the€family.€€The€salaries€of€the€public€and€semi„public€sector€were€fixed€according€to€a€scaleÐ $X" Ðwhich€had€either€been€elaborated€in€cooperation€with€the€Central€Federation€of€Afghan€Unions,€or,Ð ô$D # Ðfor€social€organizations,€had€been€agreed€upon€internally.€€Salaries€in€the€private€sector€were€basedÐ à%0!$ Ðon€a€scale€agreed€upon€by€the€Consultative€Council€for€Economic€Affairs,€the€Federation€of€AfghanÐ Ì&"% ÐUnions€and€the€National€Commission€for€Labour€and€Social€Security.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ73.€€With€regard€to€the€issue€of€safety€at€work,€the€representative€said€that€the€shortage€of€safetyÐ )à$( Ðequipment€and€trained€personnel€constituted€a€drawback.€€The€National€Commission€for€Labour€andÐ |*Ì%) ÐSocial€Security€as€well€as€the€Central€Federation€of€Afghan€Unions€exercised€permanent€controlÐ h+¸&* Ðover€the€conditions€of€work€in€enterprises€and€public€organs€and€watched€over€the€application€ofÐ T,¤'+ Ðthe€relevant€legislation.€€Women€were€entitled€to€90€days€maternity€leave.€€The€employment€ofÐ @-(, Ðwomen€in€physically€heavy€and€unhealthy€labour€and€the€assignment€of€pregnant€women€andÐ ° Ðmothers€with€children€of€up€to€one€year€to€work€overtime€was€not€permissible.€€Adolescents€underÐ œì Ðthe€age€of€18€also€enjoyed€certain€work€privileges.€€The€Ministry€of€Labour€and€Social€Affairs€hadÐ ˆØ Ðtaken€additional€measures€to€guarantee€adequate€working€conditions€for€women,€especially€warÐ tÄ Ðwidows,€and€young€people.€€With€regard€to€work€in€prisons,€the€representative€stated€that€politicalÐ `° Ðprisoners€were€exempt€from€work;€and€that€common€law€prisoners€were€offered€the€possibility€ofÐ L œ Ðengaging€in€activities€and€work€aimed€at€their€re„integration€into€society.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌòòArticle€8:€Trade€union€rightsóóÐ  ` ÐÌ74.€€Members€of€the€Committee€asked€whether€workers€could€set€up€and€join€trade€unions€otherÐ è 8  Ðthan€the€national€union€of€Afghan€workers;€whether€Afghan€trade€unions€could€maintain€relationsÐ Ô$  Ðwith€international€trade€union€organizations€and,€if€so,€to€which€international€organization€theyÐ À  Ðbelonged€and€whether€within€the€current€political€and€Ô_ÔsocioÔ_Ô„economic€structure€of€Afghanistan€theÐ ¬ü  Ðright€to€strike€is€applied€and,€if€so,€whether€there€were€any€restrictions€on€the€exercise€of€that€right.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ75.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€what€the€legal€framework€was€for€theÐ pÀ Ðright€to€freedom€of€association;€what€the€rate€of€unionization€of€workers€was€and€what€the€role€andÐ \¬ Ðfunction€of€unions€were,€particularly€in€the€situation€currently€obtaining€in€Afghanistan.€€They€alsoÐ H˜ Ðasked€whether€any€strikes€had€occurred€recently€and,€if€so,€for€what€reasons.Ð 4„ ÐÌ76.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€stated€that€the€Constitution€guaranteed€the€freedom€for€workersÐ  \ Ðand€employees€to€form€trade€unions;€and€that€such€unions€had€been€formed€in€the€sectors€of€tradeÐ øH Ðand€transport,€mines,€building,€industry,€public€health€and€public€services.€€Afghan€trade€unions€hadÐ ä4 Ðthe€right€to€affiliate€with€the€international€and€regional€federations€and€had€thus€far€establishedÐ Ð  Ðrelations€with€15€international€organizations€„€including€the€World€Federation€of€Trade€Unions€„Ð ¼  Ðand€165€national€and€regional€organizations.€€Citizens€had€the€right€of€assembly€and€peacefulÐ ¨ø Ðdemonstration€as€well€as€the€right€to€strike,€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€the€law.€€The€lastÐ ”ä Ðstrike€was€held€in€September€1991,€by€doctors,€in€Kabul,Ð €Ð ÐÌòòArticle€9:€Right€to€social€securityóóÐ X ¨ ÐÌ77.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€be€provided€with€detailed€information€on€the€progressÐ 0"€  Ðachieved€in€the€field€of€social€security€and€health€care.€€They€also€wished€to€know€what€percentageÐ #l! Ðof€the€general€State€budget€was€allocated€to€social€expenditure€and€whether€there€were€in€fact€someÐ $X" Ðbasic€contributory€schemes€to€provide€for€unemployment,€for€old€age€and€for€disabilities.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ78.€€In€reply,€the€representative€explained€that€social€security€was€financed€jointly€by€the€State,€theÐ Ì&"% Ðenterprises€and€the€workers.€€The€system€provided€for€benefits€in€case€of€retirement,€industrialÐ ¸'#& Ðdisablement,€maternity€leave€and€in€case€of€the€workerððs€death.€€The€age€of€retirement€normallyÐ ¤(ô#' Ðstood€at€60€years€for€men€and€55€for€women.€€The€State€endeavoured€to€achieve€the€greatest€welfareÐ )à$( Ðof€all€citizens€by€organizing,€promoting€and€distributing€wealth€appropriately,€by€fixing€a€minimumÐ |*Ì%) Ðwage,€and€by€providing€technical€and€cultural€education.€€Other€social€security€measures€includedÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€distribution€of€staple€items€free€of€charge€through€a€coupon€system€and€provision€of€StateÐ T,¤'+ Ðsubsidies€and€fuel€to€all€State€employees.Ð @-(, ЇòòArticle€10:€Protection€of€the€family,€mothers€and€childrenóóÐ ° ÐÌ79.€€Members€of€the€Committee€asked€to€be€provided€with€information€on€the€family€structure€andÐ ˆØ Ðon€laws€and€regulations€governing€the€family,€in€particular€the€main€laws,€administrative€regulationsÐ tÄ Ðand€collective€agreements€to€promote€the€protection€of€the€family;€court€decisions,€if€any;Ð `° Ðguarantees€of€the€right€of€men€and€women€to€enter€into€marriage€with€their€full€and€free€consent€andÐ L œ Ðto€establish€a€family;€measure€taken€to€abolish€obsolete€customs,€laws€and€practices€that€mayÐ 8 ˆ Ðadversely€affect€the€freedom€of€choice€of€the€spouses;€and€the€economic€organization€of€marriage.Ð $ t ÐÌ80.€€Furthermore,€members€of€the€Committee€inquired€whether€equality€of€the€sexes€was€guaranteedÐ ü L  Ðfrom€birth,€in€particular€with€regard€to€the€rights€of€inheritance;€whether€children€born€out€ofÐ è 8  Ðwedlock€had€the€same€rights€as€other€children;€what€provisions€existed€to€assist€handicappedÐ Ô$  Ðchildren;€and€how€society€faced€the€problem€of€juvenile€delinquency€and€what€practical€solutionsÐ À  Ðwere€applied.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ81.€€Regarding€the€extended€family€system,€the€representative€explained€that€married€sons€livedÐ „Ô  Ðunder€parental€authority,€with€the€patriarch€in€control€of€the€finances€of€the€group€while€theÐ pÀ Ðmatriarch€was€the€autocrat€of€the€home€to€whom€daughters„in„law€and€grandchildren€owedÐ \¬ Ðobedience.€€This€system€provided€economic€security€to€all€family€members.€€Property€was€held€inÐ H˜ Ðcommon€by€the€members€of€the€family,€the€head€of€which€decided€on€the€distribution€of€goods€andÐ 4„ Ðincome.€€The€State€ensured€the€necessary€opportunities€for€the€education,€employment,€recreation,Ð  p Ðrest€and€spiritual€and€physical€development€of€all€family€members.€€The€representative€providedÐ  \ Ðinformation€on€the€relevant€articles€of€the€Civil€Code,€particularly€with€regard€to€marriage.€€On€theÐ øH Ðmatter€of€inheritance,€he€explained€that€under€Islamic€law€the€estate€of€a€deceased€person€wasÐ ä4 Ðshared€by€the€sons€and€daughters,€the€share€of€each€daughter€being€equal€to€half€the€share€inheritedÐ Ð  Ðby€each€son.Ð ¼  ÐÌòòArticle€11:€Right€to€an€adequate€standard€of€livingóóÐ ”ä ÐÌ82.€€Members€of€the€Committee€asked€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€ensure€an€adequateÐ l¼ Ðstandard€of€living€and€to€gradually€improve€the€living€conditions€of€the€population,€in€particularÐ X ¨ Ðwith€regard€to€food€and€housing.€€They€also€wished€to€know€what€difficulties€and€problems€facedÐ D!” Ðthe€Government€of€Afghanistan€in€the€fulfilment€of€the€rights€embodied€in€article€11€of€theÐ 0"€  ÐCovenant;€whether€there€had€been€any€achievements€in€this€regard;€and€what€the€role€ofÐ #l! Ðinternational€cooperation€was€in€this€regard.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€asked€whetherÐ $X" Ðthe€extent€of€homelessness€was€due€to€the€absence€of€accommodations€rather€than€the€ravages€ofÐ ô$D # Ðwar;€whether€there€were€schemes€to€provide€affordable€accommodations€for€low€income€groups;Ð à%0!$ Ðand€whether€there€were€provisions€for€rent€control.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ83.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€stated€that€the€Government€operated€a€housing€programmeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthrough€the€Ministry€of€Housing.€€Every€Ministry€had€a€commission€to€allocate€blocks€of€housingÐ )à$( Ðto€their€employees.€€The€law€protected€the€rights€of€tenants.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌòòArticle€12:€Right€to€physical€and€mental€healthÐ T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ðóó84.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€information€on€the€main€laws,€administrativeÐ ° Ðregulations,€collective€agreements€and€other€measures€to€promote€and€protect€the€right€of€everyoneÐ œì Ðto€the€highest€attainable€standard€of€physical€and€mental€health,€in€particular€to€reduce€the€infantÐ ˆØ Ðmortality€rate€and€to€ensure€the€healthy€development€of€the€child.€€They€also€wished€to€know€whatÐ tÄ Ðmeasures€had€been€taken€to€protect€the€occupational€health€of€workers;€what€vaccinationÐ `° Ðprogrammes€had€been€put€into€operation€to€control€endemic€diseases;€and€what€the€features€wereÐ L œ Ðof€existing€health€care€programmes€for€the€population€in€both€rural€and€urban€areas.€€They€alsoÐ 8 ˆ Ðwished€to€be€informed€about€difficulties€and€achievements€in€the€fulfilment€of€the€right€to€healthÐ $ t Ðand€about€the€role€of€international€cooperation€in€this€regard.Ð  ` ÐÌ85.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€more€information€on€the€obstacles€to€theÐ è 8  Ðenjoyment€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€of€women;€the€protection€of€their€physical€andÐ Ô$  Ðmental€health€and,€particularly,€if€the€practice€of€genital€mutilation€of€women€still€existed€inÐ À  ÐAfghanistan€and,€if€so,€what€were€the€measures€being€taken€by€the€Government€towards€theÐ ¬ü  Ðelimination€of€that€practice.€€€They€also€asked€what€the€incidence€of€AIDS€was€and€if€anyÐ ˜è  Ðprogrammes€existed€to€combat€that€disease.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ86.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€said€that€measures€to€ensure€the€healthy€growth€of€childrenÐ \¬ Ðincluded€vaccination€against€the€six€fatal€childhood€diseases,€day„care€facilities€in€the€workplace,Ð H˜ Ðthe€distribution€of€food€to€children€and€periodic€medical€checkups.€€However,€the€present€situationÐ 4„ Ðprevented€medical€assistance€and€equipment€from€reaching€some€areas,€where€the€mortality€rateÐ  p Ðmight€be€high.€€No€cases€of€AIDS€had€been€reported€in€Afghanistan,€but€a€group€of€experts€wasÐ  \ Ðlooking€into€the€problem..Ð øH ÐÌòòArticles€13€and€14:€Right€to€educationóóÐ Ð  ÐÌ87.€€Members€of€the€Committee€requested€detailed€information€on€the€educational€system€and€onÐ ¨ø Ðany€difficulties€encountered€by€the€Government€of€Afghanistan€regarding€the€fulfilment€of€the€rightÐ ”ä Ðto€education,€as€well€as€on€any€achievements€in€this€regard.€€They€also€wished€to€know€what€the€roleÐ €Ð Ðwas€of€international€cooperation€in€the€realization€of€the€right€to€education;€and€what€were€the€pastÐ l¼ Ðand€present€rates€of€literacy€broken€down€according€to€gender.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ88.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€asked€what€the€size€was€of€public€spending€in€theÐ 0"€  Ðeducation€sector€in€comparison€with€private€spending;€what€the€number€was€of€public€sector€andÐ #l! Ðprivate€sector€schools;€what€the€reasons€were€for€the€differences€between€rural€and€urban€schoolsÐ $X" Ðand€between€girlsðð€and€boysðð€schools€and€what€steps€were€being€taken€to€eliminate€thoseÐ ô$D # Ðdifferences.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ89.€€In€his€answer,€the€representative€said€that€primary€education€was€compulsory€and€that€thereÐ ¸'#& Ðwere€14,380€Ô_ÔcentresÔ_Ô€of€alphabetization€open€to€adults.€€The€Government€planned€to€achieve€literacyÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfor€all€school„age€children€and€compulsory€primary€education€by€the€year€2000.€€The€presentÐ )à$( Ðprimary€school€enrolment€rate€stood€at€40€per€cent€but€15€per€cent€of€pupils€dropped€out€beforeÐ |*Ì%) Ðcompleting€their€basic€education.€€Sixty„five€per€cent€of€the€Afghan€people€were€still€deprived€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðeducation.€€Educational€policy€was€based€on€the€principles€of€Islam,€on€the€peopleððs€approvedÐ T,¤'+ Ðtraditions€and€national€reconciliation,€and€on€granting€equal€educational€rights€to€all€citizens€withoutÐ @-(, Ðdistinction€as€to€nationality,€race,€sex,€religion€and€social€and€economic€status.€€Private€schoolsÐ ° Ðexisted€side€by€side€with€the€public€education€system€and€religious€mullahs€were€engaged€inÐ œì Ðeducating€the€people€and€in€setting€up€centres€where€people€could€learn€to€read€and€write.€Ð ˆØ ÐRegarding€higher€education,€the€basic€problem€was€the€lack€of€funds.€€International€organizationsÐ tÄ Ðcould€provide€vitally€needed€help€and€assistance€for€the€improvement€of€research€laboratories€andÐ `° Ðreconstruction€of€institutions€destroyed€in€the€war.€€Afghanistanððs€educational€needs€in€general€hadÐ L œ Ðbeen€exacerbated€by€the€damage€inflicted€by€the€war:€2,100€schools€and€their€equipment€had€beenÐ 8 ˆ Ðdestroyed€,€over€2,000€schoolteachers€had€been€killed,€over€15,000€had€abandoned€their€jobs€andÐ $ t Ðover€70€per€cent€of€school„age€children€and€young€people€were€denied€literacy€and€education.€€TheÐ  ` Ðreturn€of€refugees€made€the€situation€even€more€acute.€€Most€schools€were€co„educational.€€In€someÐ ü L  Ðremote€areas€there€were€separate€schools€for€boys€and€girls€but€there€was€no€difference€in€theÐ è 8  Ðcurriculum.Ð Ô$  ÐÌòòArticle€15:€Right€to€take€part€in€cultural€life€and€to€enjoy€the€benefits€of€scientific€progress€and€toÐ ¬ü  Ðbenefit€from€the€protection€of€the€interests€of€authorsóóÐ ˜è  ÐÌ90.€€Members€of€the€Committee€asked€for€additional€information€concerning€relevant€laws€andÐ pÀ Ðadministrative€regulations;€the€most€serious€obstacles€encountered€and€achievements€attained;€andÐ \¬ Ðthe€role€of€international€cooperation€in€this€regard.Ð H˜ ÐÌ91.€€In€replying€to€the€questions€posed,€the€representative€stated€that€all€citizens€had€the€right€to€takeÐ  p Ðpart€in€cultural€life.€€Article€14€of€the€Constitution€required€the€State€to€adopt€the€necessaryÐ  \ Ðmeasures€for€the€development€of€culture,€language€and€literature€and€to€preserve€the€cultural€legacyÐ øH Ðof€all€nationalities,€clans€and€tribes.€€Scientific,€technical€and€artistic€activities€were€also€encouragedÐ ä4 Ðand€protected€under€the€Constitution.€€Every€author,€inventor€and€producer€enjoyed€exclusiveÐ Ð  Ðownership€of€his€work€in€accordance€with€the€relevant€statutory€provisions.€€Authors€receivedÐ ¼  Ðfinancial€and€moral€support€from€the€State,€provided€their€works€were€not€contrary€to€the€laws€andÐ ¨ø Ðinterests€of€the€country.€€Problems€in€the€cultural€sphere€included€the€diversion€of€budgetÐ ”ä Ðexpenditures€from€culture€to€defense;€illegal€excavations€by€foreigners€in€Ô_ÔBamyanÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔNangarharÔ_ÔÐ €Ð ÐProvinces;€and€the€obsolescence€of€radio€and€television€equipment€and€printing€facilities.€€TheÐ l¼ Ðrepresentative€called€upon€international€organizations€to€provide€multilateral€financial€and€technicalÐ X ¨ Ðassistance€to€help€the€country€solve€its€cultural€and€scientific€problems.Ð D!” ÐÌòòConcluding€observationsóóÐ #l! ÐÌ92.€€The€Committee€expressed€its€satisfaction€at€the€initiation€of€a€dialogue€with€the€State€party.€Ð ô$D # ÐHowever,€the€report€was€considered€to€be€unduly€legalistic€since€it€did€not€provide€data€on€theÐ à%0!$ Ðpractical€implementation€of€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant€or€on€the€true€situation€of€AfghanistanÐ Ì&"% Ðwith€regard€to€the€enjoyment€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.€€Furthermore,€the€CommitteeÐ ¸'#& Ðexpressed€its€concern€at€the€situation€regarding€guarantees€of€respect€for€fundamental€freedoms€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðat€the€treatment€of€political€prisoners.€€The€Committee€had€been€especially€concerned€about€theÐ )à$( Ðproblem€of€the€5€million€Afghan€refugees,€accounting€for€one€third€of€all€refugees€in€the€world,€and,Ð |*Ì%) Ðin€particular,€at€the€state€of€implementation€of€the€decrees€to€facilitate€their€return.€€The€CommitteeÐ h+¸&* Ðalso€expressed€concern€regarding€the€victims€of€the€war,€especially€children.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð93.€€The€Committee€gave€special€consideration€to€the€situation€of€women.€€Article€3€of€theÐ ° ÐCovenant€was€fully€applicable€in€the€absence€of€a€reservation€at€the€time€of€ratification.€€TheÐ œì ÐCommittee€noted€that€the€interpretation€of€the€Islamic€law€made€by€the€representative€ofÐ ˆØ ÐAfghanistan€in€relation€to€inheritance€might€impede€full€application€of€that€article€and€prevent€fullÐ tÄ Ðrespect€for€the€principle€of€equality€of€treatment€between€the€sexes.€€The€Committee€also€noted€withÐ `° Ðconcern€the€situation€regarding€the€principles€of€freedom€to€form€and€join€trade€unions,€Ô_ÔtripartismÔ_Ô,Ð L œ Ðcollective€bargaining€and€the€right€to€strike,€set€forth€in€article€8€of€the€Covenant.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ94.€€In€the€light€of€the€foregoing,€the€Committee€requested€the€Government€of€Afghanistan€toÐ  ` Ðsubmit€additional€information€in€writing€before€its€next€session€on€the€various€issues€of€concern,Ð ü L  Ðand,€particularly€with€regard€to€the€situation€of€women€in€Afghan€society€and€the€equality€ofÐ è 8  Ðtreatment€between€men€and€women€in€all€areas€of€law,€with€an€indication€of€any€discrepancies€thatÐ Ô$  Ðstill€existed€and€of€the€measures€planned€to€eliminate€them.€€Ð À  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ€Ìà S àà « àà  àà [ àÌòòóó