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tohavebeennomeasurableprogressinalleviatingpovertyoverthelastdecade.Inits $ " presentation,theCanadiandelegationoutlinedanumberofmeasureswhichhadbeentaken, % # includingthefactthatfederalcostsharingfortheCanadaassistanceplanwillincreaseto &!$ $7.3billionthisyear,risingataratefivetimesgreaterthanforfederalprogramexpenditures '"% asawhole.TheCommitteemadenoreferencetothesemeasuresandinsteadimpliedthatthe x(#& GovernmentofCanadawasunconcernedaboutthecontinuedexistenceofpovertyin h)$' Canada.X*%((#(# 0  "TheCommitteealsosaidatpage4thattheStatepartyoutlinednomeasureaimedat 8,'* combatingpovertyamongchildren.Initspresentation,theCanadiandelegationoutlinedin (-x(+ greatdetailthemeasuresproposedunderbrighterfutures.Thisisasignificantprogram  providinganadditional$2.6billionoverfiveyearsaimedatimprovingconditionsfor  CanadianchildrenandonewhichUNICEFhascalled'...oneofthebestexamplesofa  nationalplanofactionpreparedintheindustrialcountries'.(#(# 0  "Withaviewtoimprovingitsprocedureinlightofthisexperience,theCommitteemaywish `  infuturetorequestthatnongovernmentalorganizationsprovidecopiesoftheirsubmissions P  wellinadvanceoftheirappearance.ThiswouldfacilitatetheCommittee'seffortstoassess @  fullythematerialbeforeitandenableStatespartiestoprovideconsideredcomments(an 0  especiallyimportantfactorinCanada'scasewhereitmustconsultasmanyastwelve  p  provincialandterritorialgovernmentsonmattersaddressedintheCovenant).Suchan `  approachwouldassisttheCommitteeinengagingbothnongovernmentalorganizationsand P  Statespartiesinaseriousdialogue.Furthermore,amoresystematicapproachtonon @  governmentalorganizationparticipationwillbecomeessentialaslargernumbersofnon 0  governmentalorganizationsexpressinterestinprovidingviewstotheCommittee. (#(# 0  "TheGovernmentofCanadaisalsoconcernedabouttheproceduresfollowedinrespectto  thereleaseoftheCommittee'sconcludingobservations.Prominentandextensivereporting  onthoseobservationsappearedintheCanadianmediaon28May1993.Onthesamedate,  amemberoftheCommitteecommentedindetailonthecontentsofthoseobservationsinan  interviewonCanadiannationalradio.Inthosecircumstances,Canadianofficialswere p compelledtocommentpubliclyona'draft'versionoftheCommittee'sobservationsobtained ` fromaCanadiannewspaperadocumentthestatusofwhichithadnothadtheopportunity P toascertainfromUnitedNationsofficials.@(#(# 0  "OncontactingtheCentreforHumanRightson1June1993,thePermanentMissionof  p Canadawasadvisedthat,undernormalCommitteeprocedures,theconcludingobservations ` adoptedinprivatesessionwouldnothavebeenmadepublicuntilaformalcopywas P communicatedtotheStateparty.@(#(# 0  "ThePermanentMissionofCanadarequeststhatthisnotebetransmittedtotheChairman   oftheCommitteeandtotheCommitteeatitsnextsession,andurgestheCommitteeto ! clarifyitsproceduresregardingpublicationofitsconcludingobservationsonperiodicreports "  submittedbyStatespartiestotheCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights. #! CanadaremainscommittedtomaintainingafullandeffectivedialoguewiththeCommittee $" onthefulfilmentofitsobligationsundertheCovenant."% #(#(# 59.Thecommunicationraisedthreeseparateissues,thefirstbeingwhethertheCommittee's `'"% concludingobservationshadtakensufficientaccountoftheCanadianGovernment'ssubmissions. P(#& Inhisview,divergenciesofopinionbetweentheCommitteeandindividualGovernmentswere @)$' inevitableinsomeinstances.Oftheobservationsreferredtointhecommunication,thefirst,relating 0*%( tothealleviationofpovertyoverthepastdecade,wasverygeneralinnature.Thesecondpoint,  +p&) relatingtoprogrammesforchildren,wasperhapsavalidone,butitshouldbeborneinmindthatthe ,`'* Committee'sconcludingobservationsdidnotpurporttobecomprehensiveandcouldnotbeexpected -P(+ tocoverallaspectsofaproblem. -@), Ї60.Thesecondissuerelatedtothemannerinwhichsubmissionsbynongovernmental  organizationsshouldbedealtwithinthefuture.WhiletheCommitteealreadymadeapracticeof  requestingnongovernmentalorganizationstomakeinformationavailableinwritingwherever  possible,aslightamendmentoftheproceduremightperhapsbemadebyindicatingthatthewritten  informationshouldbeprovidedasearlyaspossibleandthatitwouldbeforwardedtoGovernments p assoonasitwasreceived. `  61.ThethirdissuerelatedtoproceduresfollowedwithregardtothereleaseoftheCommittee's @  concludingobservations.There,theCanadianGovernmentcertainlyhadapoint.Inthefirstplace, 0  heregrettedhavingtosaythatthe_Centre_ԀforHumanRightshadmisinformedthePermanentMission  p  ofCanadabysayingthat,undernormalCommitteeprocedures,theconcludingobservationsadopted `  inprivatesessionwouldnothavebeenmadepublicuntilaformalcopywascommunicatedtothe P  Stateparty.ItwasamatterofsimplelogicthatwhentheCommitteeadopteditsconcluding @  observationsinpublicsession,thedocumentcontainingthoseobservationsbecameapublic 0  documentandhadtobereleasedforthwith.   62.OnthefinalFridayoftheeighthsessionhehadspecificallyaskedtheSecretariattoprepare  letterstogotoeachPermanentMissioninrelationtowhichconcludingobservationshadbeen  adoptedandtosendthoselettersoutbyfaxthatday.Thelettershadbeenreadyandsignedatabout  noononFriday,28May1993butheregrettedhavingtosaythatnofaxhadgoneoutuntilthe  followingTuesday,1May1993.The_Centre_ԀforHumanRightshadthusfailedtocarryouttheclear p instructionshehadgiven,andhehadnowindicatedthatsuchinstructionshadtobefollowedin ` future.ItwasinappropriatethatmemberStatesshouldnotreceiveattheearliestpossiblemoment P theconcludingobservationsadoptedintheirrespect.Thefaxwasbynowawellestablishedmethod @ ofcommunicationandtherewasnoreasonwhythe_Centre_ԀforHumanRightsshouldbereluctant 0 touseit.  p 63.ItwastruethattheCommittee'scommentshadgivenrisetoextensivedebateintheCanadian P media.ThePrimeMinisterofCanadahadansweredquestionsinParliamentrelatingtothe @ concludingobservations,andthematterhadassumedquitesignificantproportions.TheCommittee 0 itselfhadreceivedlettersfromvariousorganizationscongratulatingitonitshandlingofthe   Canadianreport.Underthecircumstances,itwasinevitablethatthemattershouldhavebeena ! somewhatsensitiveonefortheCanadianGovernment.Hisownview,whichhehadexpressedin "  publicsessionattheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,wasthatthetruepurposeofthedialogue #! whichtookplaceintheCommitteewastostimulatenationaldiscussionofimportantissuesrather $" thantohanddownjudgements.Fromthatpointofview,thediscussionwhichhadtakenplacein % # CanadawasthemostappropriateachievementthattheCommitteecouldhopeforand,moreover, p&!$ onethatreflectedverywellontheCanadianGovernment.Inessence,hefeltthatthelettershould `'"% beregardedashighlypositive. P(#& 64.Mr._GRISSA_ԀsaidthattheCanadianGovernment'sletterreferredtocontactwiththemediaby 0*%( onememberoftheCommittee.Hequestionedwhetheritwasrightforindividualmemberstohave  +p&) suchcontacts. ,`'* 65.Mr._TEXIER_Ԁsaidhethoughtthatthelettercouldbeviewedinaverypositivelight;itwould -@), beamatterofpridefortheCommitteeifallStatespartiestookitsfindingssoseriously.The  Committeeshouldreplytotheletter,atthesametimedrawingsomeconclusionsaboutits  proceduresandtakingstepstoamendthemsomewhatifnecessary.Theallotmentofahalfday,at  thecurrentsession,fordiscussionwithnongovernmentalorganizationswasapositivestep,butit  wasessentialtofindtherightprocedureinordertoensurenotonlythatan_NGO_Ԁhadanopportunity p tocommentorallyonthelatestdevelopmentsbutalsothattheStateparty'srepresentativeshada `  reasonablechancetorespond. P  66.WithregardtotheCommittee'sconcludingobservations,itmightseemunfortunatethatthe 0  pressobtainedthembeforetheGovernmentconcerned.AsfarastheCommitteewasconcerned,  p  however,itsfindings,onceissued,wereinthepublicdomainapointwhichshouldperhapsbe `  stressedtotheStateparty. P  67.Theremightindeedbesubstanceinsomeofthecriticismsvoicedintheletter.Perhaps, 0  therefore,theCommittee,initsreply,couldgivesomeassurancesandexplanationsinthatregard,   andinfuturebemorerigorousinpreparingitsfindings.  68.Mr.ALVAREZVITAsaidthatheviewedtheCanadianGovernment'sletterasapositive  response,showingthattheGovernment,unlikethoseofsomecountries,tookaninterestinthe  Committee'sworkandviews.HewasnotsurewhetherthestatementstothemediabyaCommittee  memberhadbeenmadebeforeoraftertheCommitteehadpublisheditsconcludingobservations. p Inanycase,althoughthelatterweredraftedinclosedsession,theprocedurewasnotintendedto ` havethedegreeofconfidentialityfound,forexample,intheCommissiononHumanRights P proceedingsunderEconomicandSocialCouncilresolution1503(_XLVIII_).Hedidnotthink, @ therefore,thattheCommitteewasasblameworthyashadseeminglybeensuggested.Whathad 0 happenedinthecaseofCanadawassurelypartofthepriceaStatecouldexpecttopayforbeinga  p partytotheCovenant. ` 69.Withregardtothecommunicationofconcludingobservations,itmightbeaswellnottorely @ toomuchonmoderntelecommunications.PerhapstheCommitteecouldinformaStatepartywhen 0 therelevantconcludingobservationsweretobepublished;theGovernmentcouldthenarrange,   probablythroughitsPermanentMissionatGeneva,tolearnthoseobservationsassoonastheywere ! madeknown.ItwouldalsobeusefulfortheCommitteetoholdpressconferences,sincegreater "  mediacoveragewouldbenefitnotonlytheCommitteebutthoseStatespartiesthatstroveto #! collaboratewithit,aswellassanctioningthosethatdidnot. $" 70.TheCHAIRPERSON,referringtothelastmentionedpoint,saidthattheactionrecentlydecided p&!$ uponbytheCommitteewithregardtocountriesfailingtoreportontimehadbeeneffective,tojudge `'"% fromthereportsthathadarrivedduringthecurrentsession. P(#& 71.Mr._SIMMA_Ԁsaidthat,astheCommitteememberreferredtointheCanadianGovernment's 0*%( letter,hedisagreedwithMr._Grissa_Ԁaboutspeakingtothemedia.Committeemembersshouldbe  +p&) inapositiontoanswermediaquestions,ashehaddonewhenapproachedhehimselfhadnot ,`'* soughtanypublicity.Hisonlymisgivingsaboutwhathadoccurredstemmedfromthefactthatthe -P(+ journalists'questionswereevidentlybasedonatextinexplicablydifferentfromthatissuedbythe -@), Committee.  72.Withregardtothepointsraisedintheletter,heagreedthattheCommitteeshould_endeavour_Ԁto  obtain_NGOs_'submissionsasfarinadvanceaspossible,inorderthattheGovernmentconcerned  couldconsiderthemandrespondingoodtime. p 73.Inhisview,thecriticismabouttheCommittee'simpliedviewofpovertyinCanadacouldbe @  refuted;indeed,althoughtheGovernment,initsletter,referredtoanumberofmeasurestaken,itdid 0  nottherebydenythecontinuedexistenceofpovertyinCanada.IftheCommitteewasobjectivein  p  itsfindings,itcouldnotberesponsiblefortheinferenceputonthembyothers. `  74.Hedidfeel,however,astheCountryRapporteurconcerned,thatthepointabouttheCommittee's @  procedureinhandlingsubmissionsbynongovernmentalorganizationsmightbevalid.Perhapsthe 0  procedurecouldhavebeenmorebalanced;buthewouldnotcommentfurtherforthepresent.   75.Mr.ALVAREZVITAsaidthatatnotimehadheintendedtoimplythatMr._Simma_,when  speakingtothemedia,hadbeenseekingpublicity.  76.Mr._BADAWI_Ԁsaidthathewasnotclearaboutthesuggestionsregardingtheprocedurefor  dealingwith_NGOs_'submissions,sincean_NGO_,evenifithadmadeanearlywrittensubmission, p mightwishtocommentlaterinreactiontoeventsoccurringaftertheStateparty'sreporthadbeen ` submitted.Thequestionwashow,ifitdidso,theGovernmentconcernedcouldbeenabledtomake P atimelyresponse. @ 77.TheCHAIRPERSONsaidthat,ashesawit,nongovernmentalorganizationsshouldbeasked  p toprovidetheirsubmissionsinwritingwellinadvance,butshouldnottherebybeprecludedfrom ` makingadditionaloralsubmissions. P 78.Mr._WIMER_Ԁ_ZAMBRANO_ԀsaidhethoughtthatMr._Simma_'scontactwiththemediaamounted 0 towelcomepublicityfortheCommittee'swork.Inthatregard,itwasrightthattheCommittee   shouldbeprovidinginformationaswellasreceivingit.HethoughtitimportantfortheCommittee ! tohaveawellestablishedprocedureforinvolving_NGOs_;thenongovernmentalorganizationhad "  becomearespectedinstitutionandshouldnotbesimplyregardedassomeformofsubversivebody. #! Atthesametime,theCommitteemustbecircumspectindealingwiththesubmissionsreceived,in $" ordernottoprejudicethestandingofitsownfindings. % # 79.Mr._KOUZNETSOV_ԀsaidhesharedtheviewthatMr._Simma_'scontactwiththemediahaddone `'"% theCommitteeagoodservice.Healsofeltthatthetoneoftheletterinquestionwasmorepositive P(#& thannegative.TheCommitteemust,ofcourse,avoiddramatizingmatters,anddoeverythingto @)$' avoidmisunderstandings,ifrespectfortheOrganization'shumanrightsmechanismswastobe 0*%( maintainedandpromoted.Ashesawit,theCommitteecouldtaketwospecificsteps.Firstly,itcould  +p&) lookagainatwaystoimproveitsprocedures,withoutprejudicetorule69,paragraphs1and2,of ,`'* itsrulesofprocedure.Secondly,theCommitteeshouldrecognizethatitsmembersthemselves,as -P(+ independentexperts,couldrightlydeterminethenatureofinformationreceivedpursuanttorule69, -@), paragraph3,oftherulesofprocedureanditsrelevancetoimplementationoftheCovenant.Those  pointsshouldperhapsbestressedattheCommittee'snextmeetingwithCanadianGovernment  representatives.  80.Arelatedmatterofcrucialimportanceconcernedthepointatwhichitcouldbetakenthata p GovernmenthadbeeninformedoftheCommittee'sconcludingobservations.Inthatregard,he `  sharedthemisgivingsexpressedaboutrelianceonmoderntelecommunicationsandthecomments P  onhowtoconveytherequisiteinformation,ifdonethroughtheStateparty'spermanentmission,at @  thatpointtheCommitteecouldtakeitthattheGovernmenthadbeendulyinformed;Thereshould 0  benorestrictiononcontactbyindividualmemberswiththemedia,withthepossibleprovisothat  p  thereshouldbenosuchcontactuntiltherelevantpermanentmissionhadbeeninformedofany `  Committeefindings. P  81.Inanycase,theCommittee'sreplytotheCanadianGovernmentshouldbeinmeasuredterms, 0  clearlystatingitsinterpretationofthemattersreferredto.   82.Mrs._JIMENEZ_Ԁ_BUTRAGUEO_Ԁagreedthatpressconferenceswereveryuseful,and  supportedtheideathattheCommitteeshouldresumethepracticeofholdingthem.  83.Mr._GRISSA_ԀsaidthatitwasrighttogivewidepublicitytotheCommittee'sfindingsbutthat  itwouldbewrongforanymemberstobecomeapartytoaState'sinternalpoliticaldebate,withthe p obviousrisksofexploitationforpropagandapurposesandaresultantlackofconfidenceand ` collaborationonthepartofGovernments.PerhapsitwouldhelpiftheCommittee'sdeliberations P onitsconcludingobservationstookplaceinpublicsession. @ 84.Mr._SIMMA_ԀassuredtheCommitteethatatnopointdidhetakesidesinanelectiondebate.It  p shouldbestressedthattheCommitteehadnotsingledouttheCanadianGovernment'srecord;the ` situationwasthatCanadawasthefirstStateparty,amongtheindustrializedcountries,tohaveits P reportconsideredundertheCommittee'srevisedandfirmerprocedures,whoseeffectwouldalso @ havetobetakenintoaccount,ofcourse,whenconsideringthereportssubmittedbyNewZealand 0 andGermany.   85.Mr._WIMER_Ԁ_ZAMBRANO_Ԁsaidthat,ingeneral,itmighthelpiftherewasaclearunderstanding "  thatpronouncementsbytheChairpersonweremadeonbehalfoftheCommitteeasawhole,butthat #! itsmembersspokeasindividuals. $" 86.TheCHAIRPERSONsaiditwasnoticeablethatthefindingsofUnitedNationshumanrights p&!$ bodieswerealwayswelcomedbyoppositiongroupsbutneverbyGovernments.Hefeltthat,in `'"% general,itwasagoodthingtohavewiderexposureoftheCommittee'sfindingsandexplanations P(#& ofitswork.HetookitthattheCommitteecouldagreeonthreeconclusions.Firstly,areplymustbe @)$' senttotheCanadianGovernment,andheundertooktodraftaletteraccordingly.Secondly,therewas 0*%( aconsensusabouttheappropriateroleofindividualmembersvisvisthepress.Thirdly,some  +p&) minorelementsoftheCommittee'sproceduresneededtobeclarified,andhewouldputsome ,`'* suggestionstotheCommitteeonthatmatterinduecourse. -P(+  -@), Themeetingroseat1.10p.m.