ÿWPC; •â-àavQ‚&1§³í!˜¡ÆÖ¶óq$EPòâ7˜Óx:û Ž²…w&‹v±“fá*Yó{Uç«Ã¹{f‡(½D˜½|컈¡~Õíð~{ð;é×/©Íú€Ð …°¬‘’7L&Húta‘àÔ2aÆ«Ñš‹;yDȱ4ÝD3ŠZA€›mæè‚ðgݱëãROóeœAÞÈÑ©±ú„ÂbÖ}8üzCÐÀp< Mê§ïÜFÅÙ]HYñ Ž¢TÚsÍl­cº0?‹¥á®7ð_½$׉[úë5^y´ó©Mÿ& /‡¸;c,ìSð#ÜîHÂ'b2ZôÅi˜Yå?Lf†ìÉ£ÑÞŠ)øäwaè™îþûG}íïéCÍ‘5¨ˆ.Ñþ_l@ÊŠÔ«ƒïÿöš ð,I]ÏöAÀž&,èšœ©b}/`Üa''ž¦6»ìZب¿¹ä:²ßÅЗ´ÎÒ“’3¾Ž[x{W»d’˥ȘÉüùü~nUëÊüYŸx@Z²½ª…›ºEâOO­þ†§õuïBÌéø5§šš-êʇÎﱎ8…Œžþïâ§V”Œ‘ÍZ²X ²ië"(f:ªö›{C¬ì×ù<­}»‘/#Á’UNS %¡ 0:§^ áwí4ñ m-U>5ULsU@¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ 0<ÿ˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSÈÙØÙÙØÈÙ0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô€‰ô* 5Oð*¤(’€Corel3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ô\  `‹&Times New Roman—V{rA`‹4WP MultinationalARoman&Öd9 Z‹(Times New Roman < ÿÿ:Footnote TexÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡¼|Ø»XXÔCAMEROONÔ#†X"VX»¼|ØL#Ôó óÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÌò òÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€€E/1989/22ó óÐ ªú ÐÓ  ÓÌÌ(arts.€10„12)Ð f ¶ ÐÌ53.€€The€initial€report€of€Cameroon€on€the€rights€covered€in€articles€10€to€12€of€the€CovenantÐ 8 ˆ Ð(E/1986/3/Add.8)€was€considered€by€the€Committee€at€€its€6òòthóó€and€7òòthóó€meetings,€held€on€9€FebruaryÐ ! q Ð1989€(E/C.12/1989/SR.6€and€7).Ð  Z  ÐÌ54.€€The€report€was€introduced€by€the€representative€of€the€State€party,€who,€as€part€of€hisÐ Ü,  Ðintroduction,€€provided€Ô€X"VXXX"VÔinformation€and€answered€to€the€list€of€issues€raised€by€the€pre„sessionalÐ Å  Ðworking€group.Ð ®þ  ÐÌòòGeneral€mattersóó€€€€Ð €Ð  ÐÌ55.€€The€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€the€impact€of€the€austerity€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_ÔÐ R¢ Ðimplemented€since€1988€on€the€realization€of€rights€covered€by€articles€10€to€12€of€the€Covenant.Ð ;‹ ÐInformation€was€also€sought€as€to€the€extent€of€participation€of€the€people€of€Cameroon€in€theÐ $t Ðadaptation€of€the€program€of€structural€adjustment.Ð  ] ÐÌ56.€€The€Committee€sought€additional€information€on€the€ethnic€and€religious€composition€of€theÐ ß/ Ðsociety€and€what€impact€it€had€on€the€enjoyment€of€the€rights€covered€by€articles€10€to€12.Ð È ÐÌ57.€€With€regard€to€assistance€to€underprivileged€groups,€it€was€asked€by€a€member€whetherÐ šê Ðtraditional€forms€of€social€security€based€on€the€extended€family€and€village€community€were€stillÐ ƒÓ Ðprevalent.Ð l¼ ÐÌ58.€€As€regards€the€austerity€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€adopted€by€his€Government€in€1988,€the€representativeÐ >Ž Ðstated€that€Cameroon,€like€all€other€African€Governments,€believed€in€the€need€for€a€structuralÐ ' w Ðadjustment€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô,€but€the€Government€was€trying€to€make€the€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€a€humanitarian€one.€Ð !` ÐHe€explained€that€the€program€was€now€being€evaluated€and€further€information€on€it€would€beÐ ù!I  Ðprovided€in€the€next€report.€€Before€its€adaptation,€the€austerity€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€had€been€explained€toÐ â"2! Ðthe€people€in€each€department€and€in€provinces,€and€the€members€of€parliament€had€explained€theÐ Ë#" ÐÔ_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€to€their€constituencies.€€€€Ð ´$ # ÐÌ59.€€With€regard€to€the€effect€of€the€tribal€and€religious€composition€of€the€country€on€the€enjoymentÐ †&Ö!% Ðof€the€rights€in€the€Covenant,€he€said€that€this€had€no€effect€on€the€enjoyment€of€these€rights,€sinceÐ o'¿"& ÐCameroon€was€a€secular€State.Ð X(¨#' ÐÌòòArticle€10:óó€òòProtection€of€the€family,€mothers€and€childrenóóÐ **z%) ÐÌ60.€€The€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€whether€previous€authorization€of€publicÐ ü+L'+ Ðauthorities€was€needed€for€contracting€a€religious€marriage€whether€unmarried€couples€had€the€sameÐ å,5(, Ðlegal€status€as€married€ones,€whether€divorce€existed,€and€if€so,€whether€it€could€be€initiated€by€theÐ Î-)- Ðwife.€€Information€was€also€sought€as€to€the€proportion€of€customary€and€civil€marriages.Ð ° ÐÌ61.€€The€Committee€also€wanted€to€know€whether€abortion€was€legally€permitted,€and€in€this€regardÐ ‚Ò Ðit€was€asked€what€the€position€was€if€the€life€of€the€woman€was€in€danger€as€a€result€of€theÐ k» Ðpregnancy.Ð T¤ ÐÌ62.€€The€members€of€the€Committee€requested€statistical€information€related€to€ð ðthe€pre„natalÐ & v Ðallowances,€maternity€allowances,€allowances€to€cover€medical€fees€for€pregnancy€and€if€necessaryÐ  _ Ðbenefits€in€kindðð€referred€to€in€paragraph€16€of€the€report.€€It€was€asked€in€this€regard€whether€aÐ ø H Ðlarge€number€of€families€eligible€for€benefits€from€the€National€Social€Insurance€Fund€actuallyÐ á 1  Ðavailed€themselves€of€these€benefits.Ð Ê   ÐÌ63.€€Information€was€sought€on€equality€of€the€sexes€before€the€law,€in€particular€whether€it€extendedÐ œì  Ðequality€of€rights€within€the€family,€or€whether€wives€were€obliged,€for€example,€to€seek€permissionÐ …Õ  Ðof€their€husbands€before€engaging€in€work€outside€the€home,€and€to€what€extent€women€had€accessÐ n¾  Ðto€higher€education.€€The€Committee€wanted€to€know€in€this€regard€whether€rural€women,€whoÐ W§  Ðproduced€and€marketed€the€substantial€amount€of€the€locally€consumed€foodstuffs,€had€access€toÐ @ Ðmanagement€expertise€and€credit.Ð )y ÐÌ64.€€In€reply€to€the€questions,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€no€previousÐ ûK Ðauthorization€by€public€authorities€was€needed€to€contract€a€religious€marriage.€€There€were€threeÐ ä4 Ðkinds€of€marriage€in€Cameroon,€namely,€customary,€civil€and€religious.€€He€pointed€out€thatÐ Í Ðcustomary€marriages,€which€took€place€without€the€intervention€of€the€public€or€religious€authorities,Ð ¶ Ðwere€fully€recognized€at€the€village€level.€€Civil€marriages€were€the€most€common€form€of€marriage.Ð Ÿï ÐHe€stated€that€divorce€existed€in€Cameroon€and€could€be€applied€for€by€the€wife€as€well€as€theÐ ˆØ Ðhusband.€€It€was€applicable€only€in€the€case€of€civil€marriage.€€In€the€case€of€customary€marriages,Ð qÁ Ðthe€husband€repudiated€his€wife.Ð Zª ÐÌ65.€€He€stated€that€unmarried€couples€did€not€have€the€same€rights€under€the€law€as€married€couples.Ð ,| ÐHowever,€the€father€of€a€child€born€of€a€free€union€was€obliged€by€law€to€recognize€the€child,€andÐ e Ðpursuant€to€an€ordinance€of€1981€the€words€ð ðborn€of€unknown€fatherðð€could€be€no€longer€enteredÐ þN Ðon€a€birth€certificate.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ66.€€He€stated€that€in€Cameroon€abortion€was€a€criminal€offence,€except€when€the€life€of€the€motherÐ ¹" ! Ðwas€in€danger.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ67.€€As€regards€the€statistical€information€the€Committee€had€sought,€the€representative€regretted€thatÐ t%Ä $ Ðit€was€not€possible€to€provide€it€because€in€Cameroon€statistical€services€were€not€very€wellÐ ]&­!% Ðdeveloped.€€However,€with€respect€to€the€demographic€situation€in€the€country,€he€stated€that€theÐ F'–"& Ðbirth€rate€was€in€the€order€of€2.8€per€cent,€and€in€1985€the€population€was€9.5€million.€€The€resultsÐ /(#' Ðof€the€census€of€1986€were€not€yet€officially€known,€but€it€was€estimated€that€the€population€wouldÐ )h$( Ðbe€about€12€million.Ð *Q%) ÐÌ68.€€In€connection€with€the€equality€of€treatment€between€men€and€women,€he€stated€that€equalityÐ Ó+#'+ Ðof€sexes€is€proclaimed€in€the€preamble€of€the€Constitution€of€the€Republic€of€Cameroon€and€thisÐ ¼, (, Ðright€was€applied€at€all€levels€in€both€public€and€private€sectors.€€In€education,€all€children€of€bothÐ ¥-õ(- Ðsexes€had€the€same€right€and€equal€access€to€all€institutions€of€learning,€including€the€university.Ð ° ÐWith€regard€to€credit€facilities€for€rural€women€who€were€engaged€in€food€production,€theÐ ™é Ðrepresentative€explained€that€financial€institutions€did€not€discriminate€against€women,€but€it€couldÐ ‚Ò Ðbe€a€question€of€creditworthiness.€€Although€there€were€no€legal€restrictions€for€married€women€toÐ k» Ðwork,€the€question€of€whether€the€wife€took€up€employment€outside€of€the€home€was€a€matterÐ T¤ Ðentirely€between€the€couple€and€depended€on€their€means€of€income.Ð =  ÐÌ69.€€With€regard€to€social€security,€the€representative€stated€that€in€his€country€the€system€was€notÐ  _ Ðas€fully€developed€as€it€was€in€developed€countries.€€The€National€Social€Insurance€Fund€CoveredÐ ø H Ðonly€part€of€the€employees,€those€in€the€private€sector,€since€those€in€public€sector€were€coveredÐ á 1  Ðthrough€their€employment.€€The€State€as€well€as€the€employees€contributed€to€the€Fund,€but€theÐ Ê   Ðsystem€suffered€from€lack€of€willingness€on€the€part€of€the€contributors.Ð ³  ÐÌòòÔ_ÔArticle11Ô_Ô:óó€€òòRight€to€an€adequate€standard€of€livingóóÐ …Õ  ÐÌ70.€€The€members€of€the€Committee€wanted€to€know€whether€there€were€institutions€and€programsÐ W§  Ðentrusted€with€the€task€of€providing€food€to€the€poorest€groups€of€the€society€and€also€soughtÐ @ Ðstatistical€information€on€that€subject,€and€how€prices€referred€to€on€paragraph€56€(òòbóó)€of€the€reportÐ )y Ðð ðthat€are€remunerative€to€producers€and€reasonable€to€customersðð€were€established.€€ClarificationÐ b Ðwas€also€sought€as€to€whether€there€had€been€a€marked€decline€in€calorie€intake€among€childrenÐ ûK Ðbetween€1973€and€1986.Ð ä4 ÐÌ71.€€The€members€of€the€Committee€also€wanted€to€be€informed€what€percentage€of€the€populationÐ ¶ Ðhad€already€benefitted€from€the€government€policy€aimed€at€resolving€the€problem€of€the€livingÐ Ÿï Ðenvironment€in€general€and€housing€in€particular€and€how€many€people€continued€to€live€underÐ ˆØ Ðinadequate€housing€conditions.Ð qÁ ÐÌ72.€€In€reply€to€the€questions€raised€€by€the€members€of€the€Committee,€the€representative€stated€thatÐ C“ Ðthere€were€no€State€institutions€entrusted€with€the€task€of€providing€food€to€the€poorest€groups€inÐ ,| Ðsociety,€but€there€were€private€associations,€both€religious€and€lay,€which€undertook€that€function.Ð e ÐHe€pointed€out€in€this€regard,€however,€that€Cameroon€was€one€of€those€countries€in€Africa€whichÐ þN Ðhad€self„sufficiency,€in€food€both€in€cities€and€in€the€rural€areas.€€To€fight€against€malnutrition€threeÐ ç 7 Ðmajor€solutions€had€been€adopted€by€the€government:€promotion€of€subsistence€farming,€extensionÐ Ð!   Ðof€communication€network€and€promotion€of€teaching€of€cookery€at€the€village€level.€€With€regardÐ ¹" ! Ðto€the€fixing€of€prices,€he€stated€that€it€was€not€scientifically„based,€but€that€the€prices€wereÐ ¢#ò" Ðdetermined€by€supply€and€demand.Ð ‹$Û# ÐÌ73.€€The€representative€regretted€that€no€statistics€were€available€to€determine€the€percentage€ofÐ ]&­!% Ðpopulation€that€had€benefitted€from€the€governmentððs€policy€aimed€at€resolving€the€problem€of€theÐ F'–"& Ðliving€environment€and€housing,€nor€on€the€percentage€of€people€who€continued€to€live€underÐ /(#' Ðinadequate€housing€conditions.€€€He€pointed€out,€however€that€a€great€effort€had€been€made€to€createÐ )h$( Ðnew€housing€at€reasonable€prices;€in€most€cases,€the€rent€paid€by€the€tenants€was€part€payment€forÐ *Q%) Ðthe€house.€€He€further€explained€that€due€to€the€African€tradition€of€extended€family,€homeless€inÐ ê*:&* Ðthe€European€sense€did€not€exist,€for€even€the€youths€from€the€rural€areas€were€easily€integrated€inÐ Ó+#'+ Ðthe€extended€families€in€the€cities.€However,€his€Government€was€doing€all€possible€to€prevent€theÐ ¼, (, Ðexodus€of€youths€from€the€rural€areas€by€developing€economic€and€cultural€activities€in€theÐ ¥-õ(- Ðcountryside.Ð ° ÐÌòòArticle€12:óó€òòRight€to€physical€and€mental€healthóó€Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ74.€€Members€of€the€Committee€requested€statistical€data€concerning€health€care€centers€andÐ T¤ Ðhospitals€and€asked€what€was€the€percentage€of€the€national€budget€spent€on€health€care€servicesÐ =  Ðduring€the€last€five€years.€€The€Committee€also€sought€information€as€to€how€much€the€usersÐ & v Ðcontributed€to€the€costs€of€health€services€which€were€funded€by€the€State,€how€much€was€their€shareÐ  _ Ðof€contribution,€especially€in€certain€rural€areas,€€and€whether€treatment€could€only€be€obtained€inÐ ø H Ðreturn€for€payment€in€cash.Ð á 1  ÐÌ75.€€The€Committee€wanted€to€know€whether€medical€services€were€equally€accessible€and€of€theÐ ³  Ðsame€quality€in€the€rural€areas€as€in€the€urban€areas,€or€whether€there€was€a€disparity€and€what€wasÐ œì  Ðthe€number€of€doctors€and€medical€aids€(para„medicals).Ð …Õ  ÐÌ76.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party,€in€response€to€those€questions,€stated€that€since€he€did€notÐ W§  Ðhave€time€to€consult€with€relevant€officials€in€his€country,€he€was€unable€to€provide€statistical€dataÐ @ Ðrequested€by€the€Committee.€€He€stated€however,€that€every€district€had€at€least€one€health„careÐ )y Ðcenter€and€every€provincial€capital€had€a€hospital.€€In€1974,€the€official€number€of€beds€in€publiclyÐ b Ðmanaged€hospitals€in€Cameroon€had€been€20,490€and€by€1984€that€figure€had€risen€to€26,382€andÐ ûK Ðthat€did€not€include€hospitals€managed€by€religious€institutions.€€He€stated€that€health€careÐ ä4 Ðinfrastructure€had€been€expanded;€two€general„referral€hospitals€had€been€built,€which€were€as€goodÐ Í Ðas€any€in€the€world,€and€that€supply€of€medicines€had€been€improved.€€As€for€the€doctors€in€theÐ ¶ Ðcountry,€there€was€1€doctor€per€800€patients€and€the€situation€was€improving€rapidly.Ð Ÿï ÐÌ77.€€He€pointed€out€that€disparity€in€health€care€between€urban€and€rural€centers€existed€in€mostÐ qÁ Ðcountries;€however,€all€doctors,€in€both€the€urban€and€rural€centers,€had€the€same€qualifications€andÐ Zª Ðaccessibility€to€health€care€in€the€rural€areas€depended€to€a€greater€extent€on€communicationÐ C“ Ðnetwork.Ð ,| ÐÌòòConcluding€observationsóóÐ þN ÐÌ78.€€In€concluding€consideration€of€the€report,€the€Chairman€and€several€members€of€the€CommitteeÐ Ð!   Ðthanked€the€representative€of€Cameroon€for€having€answered€some€of€the€questions€raised€by€theÐ ¹" ! Ðmembers€of€the€Committee€and€for€having€contributed€to€establishing€a€constructive€dialogue€withÐ ¢#ò" Ðthe€Committee.€€The€view€was€expressed€that€future€reports€of€Cameroon€should€take€into€accountÐ ‹$Û# Ðthe€questions€raised€and€should€also€provide€statistical€data€so€as€to€enable€the€Committee€toÐ t%Ä $ Ðdetermine€the€trend€and€progress€made€in€the€enjoyment€of€these€rights.€€It€was€observed€that€theÐ ]&­!% Ðreport€emphasized€the€legal€aspect€of€the€implementation€of€the€rights€of€the€Covenant€rather€thanÐ F'–"& Ðthe€factual€aspects.Ð /(#' ÐÌÌÌÌÌÐ ¥-õ(- ЇÔ_Ôò òÔ‡ X"VXXX"VÔCESCR€E/2000/22ó óÐ ° ÐÌÌ315.à  àThe€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Cameroon€concerning€the€set€of€rightsÐ l¼ Ðcovered€by€articles€1€to€15€of€the€Covenant€(E/1990/5/Add.35)€at€its41st€to€43rd€meetings€on€23andÐ U¥ Ð24November1999€and,€at€its€54th€meeting,€held€on2December€1999,€adopted€the€followingÐ > Ž Ðconcluding€observations.€Ð ' w ÐÌA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ ù I ÐÌ316.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€this€initial€report€submitted€by€Cameroon,€despite€the€considerableÐ Ë   Ðdelay,€and€appreciates€the€candid€written€replies€to€the€Committeeððs€list€of€issues.€€The€CommitteeÐ ´  Ðregrets,€however,€that€the€delegation,€despite€all€its€efforts€to€answer€the€Committeeððs€questions,Ð í  Ðcould€not€do€so€in€a€fully€satisfactory€manner.€€It€is€a€matter€of€regret€that€a€delegation€of€expertsÐ †Ö  Ðfrom€the€capital€was€unable€to€attend€the€meetings,€as€this€would€have€made€for€a€more€detailed€andÐ o¿  Ðconstructive€dialogue.€Ð X¨  ÐÌ317.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€a€lack€of€concrete€and€specific€information,€both€in€the€report€andÐ *z Ðin€the€replies€provided€by€the€Government€of€the€State€party,€and€the€absence€of€a€core€documentÐ c Ðprevented€the€Committee€from€making€an€effective€evaluation€of€the€actual€situation€concerning€theÐ üL Ðenjoyment€by€the€people€of€Cameroon€of€the€human€rights€provided€for€in€the€Covenant.Ð å5 ÐÌ318.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€delegationððs€undertaking€to€provide€statistical€data€and€moreÐ · Ðspecific€information€on€various€economic,€social€and€cultural€indicators€in€its€second€periodic€report.Ð  ð ÐÌB.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ r ÐÌ319.à  àThe€Committee€views€as€a€positive€development€the€establishment€of€the€Ministry€ofÐ D” ÐWomenððs€Affairs€in€1997,€with€a€special€mandate€to€promote€equality€of€women€and€eliminate€allÐ -} Ðforms€of€discrimination€against€women€in€all€spheres€of€Cameroonian€society.Ð f ÐÌ320.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€increase€in€the€growth€rate€of€the€StateÐ è 8 ÐpartyððsGDP€in€1998€to€5percent€and€the€decrease€in€the€rate€of€inflation€to1.6percent€in€the€yearÐ Ñ!!  Ðending€June1998€from€9.6percent€a€year€earlier.€€These€positive€developments€contribute€to€anÐ º" ! Ðenvironment€conducive€to€more€effective€implementation€of€the€rights€under€the€Covenant.Ð £#ó" ÐÝ‚.ÿÿÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚.ÿÿÿ GÝÝ  Ý݃.ÿÿ G;GÝŒÌŒÝ  Ý321.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€recent€30percent€increase€in€the€salaries€of€governmentÐ u%Å $ Ðemployees€and€the€rehabilitation€of€Cameroonððs€social€insurance€fund,€the€Caisse€nationale€deÐ ^&®!% Ðprvoyance€sociale,€to€ensure€the€payment€of€appropriate€funds€to€pensioners.Ð G'—"& ÐÌC.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantóóÐ )i$( ÐÌ322.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€the€repayment€of€external€debt€by€Cameroon,€which€absorbsÐ ë*;&* Ðapproximately€two€thirds€of€the€countryððs€export€earnings,€negatively€affects€the€ability€of€theÐ Ô+$'+ ÐGovernment€to€allocate€sufficient€resources€to€the€social€sector.Ð ½, (, ÐÐ ¦-ö(- Ð323.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€prevalence€of€certain€traditions,€customs€and€cultural€practices€inÐ ° ÐCameroon€which€continue€to€impede€the€full€enjoyment€by€women€of€their€rights€under€theÐ ™é ÐCovenant.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ324.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€the€Governmentððs€economic€reform€programme€for€theÐ T¤ Ðperiod1998-1999,€which€implemented€the€structural€adjustment€programme€in€Cameroon€approvedÐ =  Ðby€the€IMF,€the€World€Bank€and€the€Agence€fran aise€de€dveloppement€(formerly€the€CaisseÐ & v Ðfran aise€de€dveloppement),€while€increasing€the€real€GDP€growth€rate€has€impacted€negativelyÐ  _ Ðon€the€enjoyment€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€by€increasing€poverty€and€unemployment,Ð ø H Ðworsening€income€distribution€and€causing€the€collapse€of€social€services.Ð á 1  ÐÌD.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ ³  ÐÌ325.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€exact€legal€status€of€the€Covenant€in€the€CameroonianÐ …Õ  Ðlegal€system.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€delegation€has€not€been€able€to€clarify€the€position€ofÐ n¾  Ðthe€Covenant€in€Cameroonian€law,€nor€provide€any€specific€references€to€cases€in€which€theÐ W§  ÐCovenant€has€been€invoked€in€national€courts€of€law.Ð @ ÐÌ326.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€lack€of€transparency€and€degree€of€independence€ofÐ b Ðthe€National€Committee€on€Human€Rights€and€Freedoms,€the€findings€of€which€are€not€publishedÐ ûK Ðor€made€public.Ð ä4 ÐÌ327.à  àThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€the€Government€of€Cameroon€has€not€yet€embarkedÐ ¶ Ðon€the€necessary€law€reform€to€repeal€laws€which€maintain€the€unequal€legal€status€of€women,Ð Ÿï Ðparticularly€in€aspects€of€the€Civil€Code€and€the€Commercial€Code€relating€to,€òòinter€aliaóó,€the€rightÐ ˆØ Ðto€own€property€and€the€laws€regarding€credit€and€bankruptcy,€which€restrict€womenððs€access€to€theÐ qÁ Ðmeans€of€production.€€They€are€in€flagrant€violation€of€the€non-discrimination€and€equal€treatmentÐ Zª Ðprovisions€of€the€Covenant€and€are€inconsistent€with€the€recently€amended€Constitution€ofÐ C“ ÐCameroon€which€upholds€the€equal€rights€of€all€citizens€of€Cameroon.Ð ,| ÐÌ328.à  àThe€Committee€deplores€the€lack€of€progress€made€by€the€Government€in€combating€theÐ þN Ðcontinuing€discriminatory€practices€against€women€and€girls€which€impede€the€enjoyment€of€theirÐ ç 7 Ðrights€under€the€Covenant.€€Such€practices€include€polygamy,€the€forced€early€marriage€of€girls€andÐ Ð!   Ðdiscriminatory€laws€which€prevent€women€from€inheriting€land.Ð ¹" ! ÐÌ329.à  àThe€Committee€deplores€the€inadequacy€of€measures€taken€by€the€Government€to€combat,Ð ‹$Û# Ðespecially€by€means€of€educational€programmes,€the€enduring€practice€of€female€genital€mutilation,Ð t%Ä $ Ðwhich€is€generally€practised€on€young€women€and€girls€in€the€ExtrÔ#†X"VXX X"V_<#ÔÔ‡ XöXXX"VÔðL ðÔ#†X"VXX XöcW#ÔÔ‡ X"VXXX"VÔme-Nord€and€Sud-OuestÐ ]&­!% Ðprovinces€of€Cameroon.Ð J'š"& ÐÌ330.à  àThe€Committee€deplores€the€lack€of€measures€taken€to€eliminate€domestic€violence€againstÐ )l$( Ðwomen,€which€is€still€regarded€as€culturally€acceptable€by€certain€sectors€of€society.Ð *U%) ÐÌ331.à  àThe€Committee€deplores€the€lack€of€government€action€to€protect€the€rights€of€workers€onÐ ×+''+ Ðrural€plantations€by€safeguarding€for€them€just€conditions€of€work.€€The€Committee€was€deeplyÐ À,(, Ðconcerned€about€the€replies€from€the€delegation€that€such€workers€were€free€to€negotiate€theÐ ©-ù(- Ðconditions€of€their€employment,€as€the€Government€is€obliged€under€the€Covenant€to€ensure€that€allÐ ° Ðworkers€enjoy€favourable€conditions€of€employment,€including€fair€wages,€safe€conditions€of€workÐ ™é Ðand€a€reasonable€limitation€on€working€hours.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ332.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€Government€has€not€yet€introduced€legislation€toÐ T¤ Ðprohibit€sexual€harassment€in€the€workplace€which,€according€to€information€received€by€theÐ =  ÐCommittee,€is€a€widespread€practice€in€Cameroon.Ð & v ÐÌ333.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€that€the€minimum€wage€set€by€the€Government€is€not€adequate€toÐ ø H Ðenable€workers€to€live€above€the€poverty€line,€let€alone€to€provide€a€decent€standard€of€living€forÐ á 1  Ðthemselves€and€their€families.Ð Ê   ÐÌ334.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€specific€information€in€the€written€replies€from€the€StateÐ œì  Ðparty,€and€from€the€delegation€itself,€concerning€the€reasons€for€the€refusal€to€recognize€the€NationalÐ …Õ  ÐUnion€of€Teachers€of€Higher€Education€since€1991.Ð n¾  ÐÌ335.à  àThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€the€increasing€incidence€of€poverty€andÐ @ Ðunemployment€in€Cameroon,€especially€among€the€most€vulnerable€groups,€such€as€minority€groupsÐ )y Ðand€the€elderly,€and€among€the€rural€population.€€The€Committee€is€especially€alarmed€by€figuresÐ b Ðregarding€poverty€in€Cameroon,€which€reveal€that€55percent€of€the€population€were€living€belowÐ ûK Ðthe€poverty€line€in€1998€of€which€40percent€live€in€rural€areas€compared€with15percent€in€urbanÐ ä4 Ðareas.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€inadequacy€of€social€security€withÐ Í Ðregard€to€child€maintenance€for€single€parents€and€low-income€families.Ð ¶ ÐÌ336.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€access€to€potable€water€for€large€sectors€of€society,Ð ˆØ Ðespecially€in€rural€areas€where€only€27percent€of€the€population€have€access€to€safe€water€(withinÐ qÁ Ðreasonable€reach),€while€47percent€of€the€urban€population€have€such€access.Ð Zª ÐÌ337.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€protection€of€the€rights€of€the€Baka€Pygmies,€inÐ ,| Ðparticular€their€right€to€an€adequate€standard€of€living€including€the€right€to€food,€which€have€beenÐ e Ðadversely€affected€by€the€depletion€of€the€natural€resources€of€the€rainforest€upon€which€they€dependÐ þN Ðfor€subsistence,€and€by€the€compulsory€acquisition€by€the€Government€of€their€land.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ338.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€reportedly€high€incidence€of€forced€evictions€in€theÐ ¹" ! Ðrural€areas€of€Cameroon,€which€have€not€been€addressed€in€the€written€replies€by€the€State€party.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ339.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€inadequacy€of€family€planning€policies€andÐ t%Ä $ Ðprogrammes€in€Cameroon,€which€have€failed€to€reduce€infant€and€maternal€mortality.€€TheÐ ]&­!% ÐCommittee€is€also€concerned€about€the€high€level€of€clandestine€abortion€in€Cameroon,€which€is€inÐ F'–"& Ðpart€responsible€for€the€high€maternal€mortality€rate.Ð /(#' ÐÌ340.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€regret€the€statement€by€the€State€party€in€its€written€replies€thatÐ *Q%) Ðmedical€facilities€for€all€sections€of€the€population€remain€inadequate€and€unequally€distributed.€€TheÐ ê*:&* ÐCommittee€also€regrets€that€the€replies€provided€by€the€State€party€have€not€clarified€the€situationÐ Ó+#'+ Ðwith€regard€to€the€provision€of€health€services€in€Cameroon.Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð341.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€deep€concern€that€there€is€no€legislation€in€Cameroon€whichÐ ° Ðprovides€for€free€primary€education.€€The€Committee€regrets€the€requirement€of€a€parentalÐ ™é Ðcontribution€in€the€form€of€compulsory€fees€levied€by€primary€schools€which,€in€view€of€high€levelsÐ ‚Ò Ðof€poverty,€greatly€restrict€access€to€primary€education,€particularly€for€girls.Ð k» ÐÌ342.à  àThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€the€inadequate€salaries€earned€by€teachers€and€theÐ =  Ðlack€of€school€buildings€and€other€infrastructure€and€of€services,€particularly€in€rural€areas.€€TheÐ & v ÐCommittee€also€deplores€the€imbalance€in€the€distribution€of€education€resources€betweenÐ  _ ÐCameroonððs€10provinces.Ð ø H ÐÌ343.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€high€level€of€illiteracy€still€existing€in€Cameroon.€ItÐ Ê   Ðalso€notes€with€deep€concern€the€cultural€preference€given€to€the€education€of€male€children.€€ThisÐ ³  Ðis€reflected€in€the€higher€illiteracy€rate€of€women,€which€is€49.9percent€compared€with30percentÐ œì  Ðfor€men.Ð …Õ  ÐÌ344.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€that€the€delegation€was€unable€to€provide€specific€informationÐ W§  Ðconcerning€the€different€segments€of€the€population€which€are€enrolled€in€higher€education.Ð @ ÐÌE.€€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ b ÐÌ345.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€take€all€appropriate€measures,€including€theÐ ä4 Ðenactment€of€legislation,€to€ensure€that€all€the€people€of€Cameroon€enjoy€the€economic,€social€andÐ Í Ðcultural€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant.Ð ¶ ÐÌ346.à  àThe€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€take€more€active€and€positive€steps€to€addressÐ ˆØ Ðthe€inequality€of€and€discrimination€against€women€in€Cameroon,€in€law€and€fact.€€In€particular,€theÐ qÁ ÐCommittee€urges€the€State€party€to€repeal€all€provisions€of€the€Civil€and€Commercial€Codes€whichÐ Zª Ðdiscriminate€against€women.Ð C“ ÐÌ347.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€prohibit€customary€practices€which€violate€theÐ e Ðrights€of€women€and€to€take€active€measures€to€combat€such€practices€and€beliefs€by€all€means,Ð þN Ðincluding€educational€programmes.€€Government€action€should€focus,€in€particular,€on€theÐ ç 7 Ðelimination€of€the€practices€of€polygamy,€forced€marriages€and€female€genital€mutilation,€and€theÐ Ð!   Ðbias€in€favour€of€the€education€of€boys.€€The€State€party€is€requested€to€report€on€the€progressÐ ¹" ! Ðachieved€in€this€regard€in€its€second€periodic€report.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ348.à  àThe€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€introduce€specific€legislation€and€policies€toÐ t%Ä $ Ðprohibit€domestic€violence€and€sexual€harassment€in€the€workplace,€with€a€view€to€strengtheningÐ ]&­!% Ðthe€protection€of€women.Ð F'–"& ÐÌ349.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€take€effective€measures€to€protect€the€right€ofÐ )h$( Ðworkers€on€rural€plantations,€to€ensure€that€they€enjoy€just€and€favourable€conditions€of€work.Ð *Q%) ÐÌ350.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€adopt€appropriate€remedial€action,€including€aÐ Ó+#'+ ÐNational€Strategy€against€Poverty,€to€deal€with€the€acute€problem€of€poverty€in€Cameroon.€€TheÐ ¼, (, ÐCommittee€suggests€in€this€regard€that€the€State€party€consult€with€the€specialized€agencies€Ô_ÔandÐ ¥-õ(- Ðcompetent€UnitedNations€bodies€prior€to€the€formulation€of€such€a€strategy.Ð ° ÐÌ351.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€review€its€legislation€and€policy€regarding€childÐ ‚Ò Ðmaintenance,€with€a€view€to€ensuring€the€provision€of€adequate€social€security€for€single€parents€andÐ k» Ðlow-income€families.Ð T¤ ÐÌ352.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€macroeconomic€reformÐ & v ÐÔ_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô€with€respect€to€their€impact€on€the€standard€of€living€of€vulnerable€groups,€particularlyÐ  _ Ðin€the€rural€areas,€and€to€make€efforts€to€adjust€these€reforms€in€a€way€that€better€responds€to€theÐ ø H Ðcurrent€needs€of€such€groups.€€The€Committee€recommends€in€this€regard€that€in€negotiations€withÐ á 1  Ðinternational€financial€institutions,€the€State€party€take€into€account€its€international€legal€obligationsÐ Ê   Ðto€protect,€promote€and€fulfil€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.Ð ³  ÐÌ353.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€take€effective€measures€to€protect€the€right€of€theÐ …Õ  ÐÔ_ÔBakaÔ_Ô€Pygmies€to€an€adequate€standard€of€living,€in€particular€their€right€to€food,€when€negotiatingÐ n¾  Ðcontracts€for€projects€which€impact€negatively€on€their€lives.Ð W§  ÐÌ354.à  àThe€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€make€safe€drinking€water€accessible€to€the€entireÐ )y Ðpopulation.Ð b ÐÌ355.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€implement€laws€and€policies€to€combat€the€problemÐ ä4 Ðof€forced€evictions,€in€accordance€with€General€Comments€No.4€(1991)€and€No.7(1997)Ð Í Ðconcerning€the€right€to€adequate€housing€(art.€11,€para.€1€of€the€Covenant).Ð ¶ ÐÌ356.à  àIn€its€second€periodic€report,€the€Committee€would€appreciate€more€concrete€informationÐ ˆØ Ðconcerning€medical€services€and€the€problems€facing€vulnerable€groups€with€regard€to€access€toÐ qÁ Ðmedical€services,€especially€in€rural€areas.€€The€Committee€would€also€like€more€information€on€theÐ Zª Ðeffectiveness€of€the€national€pharmaceutical€policy€in€providing€high-quality€generic€medicationsÐ C“ Ðto€all€sectors€of€society.Ð ,| ÐÌ357.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€take€effective€measures€to€end€all€formsÐ þN Ðof€compulsory€parental€contribution€for€primary€education.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€urges€theÐ ç 7 ÐState€party€to€allocate€increased€resources€to€education,€in€particular€for€infrastructure€and€humanÐ Ð!   Ðresources,€especially€in€rural€areas.€€In€this€connection,€the€Committee€draws€the€attention€of€theÐ ¹" ! ÐState€party€to€its€General€Comment€No.€11€(1999)€on€plans€of€action€for€primary€education€(art.€14Ð ¢#ò" Ðof€the€Covenant).Ð ‹$Û# ÐÌ358.à  àIn€its€second€periodic€report,€the€State€party€is€requested€to€provide€specific€and€detailedÐ ]&­!% Ðinformation€on€the€enjoyment€by€women€of€the€rights€provided€for€in€the€Covenant.Ð F'–"& ÐÌ359.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€review€its€policies€on€health€in€order€to€address,€inÐ )h$( Ðparticular,€maternal€mortality,€adolescent€pregnancies€and€the€HIV/AIDS€epidemic.€€In€this€respect,Ð *Q%) Ðthe€Committee€also€urges€the€Government€to€review€its€family€planning€policies€with€a€view€toÐ ê*:&* Ðincreasing€access€to€information€concerning€contraceptives€through€educational€Ô_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô.Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ360.à  àThe€Committee€also€recommends€that€the€Government€of€Cameroon€avail€itself€of€technicalÐ ¥-õ(- Ðassistance€from€the€Office€of€the€UnitedNations€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights€and€fromÐ ° Ðthe€relevant€UnitedNations€specialized€agencies€in€the€preparation€of€its€secondperiodic€report.Ð ™é ÐÌ361.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€take€necessary€measures€to€ensure€that€the€provisionsÐ k» Ðof€the€Covenant€are€widely€disseminated,€through€human€rights€education€in€all€curricula,€andÐ T¤ Ðamong€all€sectors€of€society,€particularly€among€the€legal€profession,€members€of€the€judiciary€andÐ =  Ðadministrative€authorities.Ð & v ÐÌ362.à  àThe€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€take€steps€to€disseminate€widely€the€concludingÐ ø H Ðobservations€of€the€Committee€and€to€submit€its€second€periodic€report€by30June2001,€so€that€theÐ á 1  ÐCommittee€may€be€kept€informed€about€the€progress€made€in€implementing€the€rights€set€forth€inÐ Ê   Ðthe€Covenant€and€its€recommendations€in€this€regard.Ð ³  ÐÔ#†X"VXX X"V©W#ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌ