ÿWPCE ‰‰î;sƒmyeéÊ`¦ØÜ»ºm=¹Aš‘]Ëà ÑÏÑ2`É,¡3Ë«ã@N£ƒD3'è:¦ÀŠ»½Ñ ø,¯þ&hêwÅNÙùpÌY×$M”c>?¶éaìnŽâÐXìZMÖ½]ýoaî!s.#ɼ¬-#þÈdo«¢Õ(±6þÈltݶ9’á þ|ºjZ^"dØñ2ÚP¼'…éïVŸá*ô\¥ÔúÃþC& ¦ŽC¸Ro]—”­³óþäÝÌ5ªü¶,Áí³¥ £y5«7IÓ ÏÃòݨïcÝãOÔ£iî e{ÇÕØð1W¸ãÓV5LiWÙ½Ž+„S{ˆ¯€Ýg¸C[•ìa¢D$V‹™ØÐfk²8ÏÝé_kè,å3}׃N6i¥h«>#«ïþL~+œC ºn¿)£|¹aØ^~x1¸|êx²u”ÿĪóF¥§ð+¢$&œ®O+g'¼ˆV<©Ô¤e›X‰äƒ?g÷Èk•¬>+)ö«uÔÄ—35I©´ürq5”7¼xˆX|âpïeuž¢á`£m˜3rYÓ¯ÓnïtÖê^9ŽiªÐ9Bìž,ŽÝ8f>"Ø –={ô3Q”º”:·½êEk‹6ÀZùa- #Á¨UNi %· 0:½^ ÷w4* m,NC˜HP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,ÔÚ˜2/ é[/.wpüGM3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡¼ñ*»XXÔÓ  ÓGEORGIAó óÔ#†X£öX»¼ñ*@#ÔÐ ° ÐÓ_ÓÓÓÌÌò òÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€E/2001/22ó óÐ œì ÐÌÌ75.à  àThe€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Georgia€on€the€implementation€of€theÐ ` ° ÐCovenant€(E/1990/5/Add.37)€at€its€3rd€to€5th€meetings,€held€on€26€and€27€April€2000,€and€adopted,Ð L œ Ðat€its€20th€and€21st€meetings,€held€on€9€May€2000,€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ `  ÐÌ76.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€initial€report€by€the€State€party,€as€wellasÐ è8  Ðits€written€replies€to€the€list€of€issues,€presented€by€a€delegation€that€included€high-levelofficials€ofÐ Ô$  Ðvarious€ministries.€€The€Committee€welcomes€in€particular€the€constructive€dialogue€with€theÐ À  Ðdelegation,€its€readiness€to€reply€to€additional€questions€and€to€furnish€additional€informationÐ ¬ü  Ðwhenever€available,€and€the€candour€of€its€replies.€€The€State€partyððs€report€was€submitted€in€generalÐ ˜è Ðconformity€with€the€guidelines€established€by€the€Committee.Ð „Ô ÐÌB.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ \¬ ÐÌ77.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€intention€of€the€State€party€to€advance€human€rights€and€to€complyÐ 4„ Ðwith€international€human€rights€norms€by€ratifying€most€of€the€international€human€rightsÐ  p Ðinstruments,€as€well€as€various€international€labour€conventions,€after€independence.€€In€addition,Ð  \ Ðthe€Committee€acknowledges€the€efforts€made€by€the€Government€of€Georgia€with€a€view€toÐ øH Ðimplementing€the€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant.€€The€Committee€takes€note€in€particular€of€theÐ ä4 Ðstatement€by€the€delegation€that€the€Government€of€Georgia€intends€to€ratify€ILO€Conventions€No.Ð Ð  Ð102€(1952)€concerning€minimum€standards€of€social€security€and€No.118(1962)€concerning€equalityÐ ¼  Ðof€treatment€of€nationals€and€non„nationals€in€social€security.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ78.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€Government€of€Georgia€is€willing€toÐ € Ð Ðcooperate€with€various€UnitedNations€bodies€and€specialized€agencies,€such€as€€ILO,€IMF,€Ô_ÔUNDPÔ_Ô,Ð l!¼ ÐWHO€and€the€World€Bank,€as€well€as€with€regional€organizations€such€as€Ô_ÔOSCEÔ_Ô,€in€order€to€realizeÐ X"¨  Ðthe€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant,€and€in€particular€to€address€the€problem€of€poverty.Ð D#”! ÐÌ79.à  àThe€Committee€also€welcomes€the€fact€that€the€State€party€has€created€governmental€bodiesÐ %l # Ðwhich€are€concerned€with€the€issue€of€human€rights,€such€as€the€National€Ombudsman€and€theÐ &X!$ ÐCommittee€on€Human€Rights,€Petitions€by€Citizens€and€the€Construction€of€Civil€Community€of€theÐ ô&D"% ÐParliament€of€Georgia.€Ð à'0#& ÐÌC.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantóóÐ ¸)%( ÐÌ80.à  àThe€Committee€is€aware€that€the€Government€of€Georgia€is€currently€faced€with€theÐ +à&* Ðdifficulties€commonly€encountered€by€countries€in€transition.€€The€changes€required€to€reform€theÐ |,Ì'+ Ðsocial€welfare€and€benefit,€labour€and€employment,€health€and€educational€systems€are€considerableÐ h-¸(, Ðin€economic,€as€well€as€political€terms.€€In€this€respect,€the€Committee€also€recognizes€the€problemsÐ ° Ðencountered€by€the€State€party€in€addressing€the€internal€conflicts€existing€in€certain€regions€of€theÐ œì Ðcountry€which€have€seriously€hampered€the€State€partyððs€efforts€to€improve€the€situation€of€humanÐ ˆØ Ðrights€for€all€its€citizens.Ð tÄ ÐÌD.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ L œ ÐÌ81.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€grave€problem€of€poverty€with€which€the€GovernmentÐ $ t Ðof€Georgia€is€confronted.€€Despite€the€efforts€made€by€the€State€party,€the€average€minimum€wageÐ  ` Ðis€still€insufficient€to€ensure€an€adequate€standard€of€living€for€large€parts€of€the€Georgian€population.Ð ü L  ÐÌ82.à  àIn€addition,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€inadequacy€of€certain€measures€beingÐ Ô$  Ðtaken€to€combat€poverty.€€With€regard€to€activities€aimed€at€poverty€reduction,€there€seems€to€be€aÐ À  Ðlack€of€effective€management€in€the€policy„making€and€implementation€phases,€particularly€withÐ ¬ü  Ðregard€to€the€reform€of€the€pension€and€taxation€systems.€€A€lack€of€clearly€established€guidelinesÐ ˜è  Ðand€indicators€hinders€the€transition€process.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ83.à  àGenerally,€the€Committee€notes€that€the€statistical€data€provided€by€the€State€party€areÐ \¬ Ðinsufficiently€reliable€to€allow€a€clear€analysis€and€evaluation€of€the€various€problems€it€isÐ H˜ Ðaddressing,€such€as€the€level€of€poverty€in€the€country,€and€the€determination€of€the€actual€minimumÐ 4„ Ðsubsistence€level€and€the€real€poverty€line.Ð  p ÐÌ84.à  àThe€Committee€considered€that€the€lack€of€statistics€on€budget€transfers€from€central€to€localÐ øH Ðgovernment€for€education€and€health€makes€it€impossible€to€have€a€clear€view€of€the€progress€orÐ ä4 Ðotherwise€in€these€fields.Ð Ð  ÐÌ85.à  àThe€Committee€also€notes€with€concern€the€fact€that€workers€in€various€sectors€of€theÐ ¨ø ÐGeorgian€economy€have€not€been€paid€on€time.Ð ”ä ÐÌ86.à  àThe€Committee€also€expresses€its€concern€about€the€fact€that€there€are€no€legislativeÐ l¼ Ðprovisions€ensuring€disabled€persons€access€to€the€labour€market.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ87.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€women€suffer€more€than€men€from€unemploymentÐ 0"€  Ðand€that€they€are€under„represented€in€the€labour€force,€especially€in€public€service,€includingÐ #l! ÐParliament.€Ð $X" ÐÌ88.à  àIn€addition,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€National€Plan€of€Action,€which€aims€toÐ à%0!$ Ðeliminate€the€inequalities€faced€by€women€in€the€economic€and€social€spheres,€has€not€yet€beenÐ Ì&"% Ðimplemented€by€the€State€party.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ89.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€the€laws€addressing€violence€against€women€andÐ )à$( Ðsexual€harassment€in€the€workplace€are€inadequate€and€insufficient.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ90.à  àThe€Committee€also€notes€with€concern€that€the€number€of€children€begging€in€the€streetsÐ T,¤'+ Ðis€on€the€increase€and€that€many€of€them€are€drawn€by€adults€into€various€types€of€criminal€activity.Ð @-(, Ї91.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€that,€given€that€the€data€provided€by€the€State€party€on€the€housingÐ ° Ðsituation,€including€on€the€occurrence€of€forced€evictions,€were€insufficient,€it€was€impossible€toÐ œì Ðform€a€clear€and€comprehensive€picture€of€the€matter.€€In€addition,€the€Committee€deplores€theÐ ˆØ Ðfailure€to€find€a€satisfactory€solution€to€the€problems€concerning€internally€displaced€persons.Ð tÄ ÐÌ92.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€there€is€limited€knowledge€among€the€general€publicÐ L œ Ðwith€regard€to€reproductive€health€issues€in€general,€and€in€particular€with€regard€to€the€availabilityÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€use€of€contraceptives.€€Ð $ t ÐÌ93.à  àWith€regard€to€education,€the€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€in€the€new€secondary€schoolÐ ü L  Ðcurriculum€there€appears€to€be€an€imbalance€between€the€amount€of€time€devoted€to€military€trainingÐ è 8  Ð(3€units)€and€to€fundamentals€of€justice€(1€unit).Ð Ô$  ÐÌE.€€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ ¬ü  ÐÌ94.à  àThe€Committee€notes€the€statement€by€the€State€party€that€poverty€reduction€is€its€principalÐ „Ô  Ðpriority.€€With€regard€to€the€policies€adopted€and€the€measures€taken,€the€Committee€suggests€thatÐ pÀ Ðthe€State€party€take€into€account€the€obligations€ensuing€from€the€Covenant,€as€well€as€theÐ \¬ Ðrecommendations€contained€in€the€present€concluding€observations.Ð H˜ ÐÌ95.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€seek€international€technicalÐ  p Ðassistance,€as€provided€for€in€article€23€of€the€Covenant,€in€its€efforts€to€improve€the€implementationÐ  \ Ðof€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€in€the€country.Ð øH ÐÌ96.à  àIn€addition,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€its€internationalÐ Ð  Ðhuman€rights€obligations€are€taken€fully€into€account€when€it€enters€into€technical€cooperation€andÐ ¼  Ðother€arrangements€with€international€organizations.€€Also,€the€Committee€urges€the€State€party€toÐ ¨ø Ðtake€into€account€the€different€approaches€taken€by€various€international€bodies,€such€as€the€humanÐ ”ä Ðdevelopment€approach€of€Ô_ÔUNDPÔ_Ô.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ97.à  àThe€Committee€supports€the€suggestion€in€the€Ô_ÔUNDPÔ_Ô€òòNational€Human€Development€ReportÐ X ¨ ÐGeorgia€1999óó€that€the€poverty€threshold€level€not€be€changed€in€accordance€with€proposals€whichÐ D!” Ðthe€State€party€has€received,€as€such€a€change€would€incorrectly€reflect€the€poverty€situation€in€theÐ 0"€  Ðcountry.€€In€this€respect,€the€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€take€adequate€measures€to€ensure€thatÐ #l! Ðthe€minimum€wage€is€sufficient€to€meet€the€basic€needs€of€the€wage€earner€and€his€or€her€family.Ð $X" ÐÌ98.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€remedial€action€to€ensure€that€workersÐ à%0!$ Ðin€various€sectors€of€the€economy€are€paid€on€time.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ99.à  àThe€Committee€also€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€to€adopt€relevant€legislationÐ ¤(ô#' Ðto€ensure€that€disabled€persons€have€greater€access€to€the€labour€market.Ð )à$( ÐÌ100.à  àRecognizing€that€the€resources€available€to€the€State€party€are€limited,€the€CommitteeÐ h+¸&* Ðsuggests€that€measures€be€taken€to€concentrate€their€use€on€major€priorities,€such€as€measures€toÐ T,¤'+ Ðaddress€the€existing€inequality€between€men€and€women€in€public€service€and€the€formulation€of€aÐ @-(, ÐNational€Plan€of€Action€on€Human€Rights.€€In€this€respect,€the€Committee€points€out€thatÐ ° Ðinternational€technical€assistance€may€be€requested€with€regard€to€such€activities€from€the€Office€ofÐ œì Ðthe€UnitedNations€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights€and€Ô_ÔUNDPÔ_Ô.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ101.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€start€implementing€gradually€the€National€Plan€ofÐ `° ÐAction€with€regard€to€women.€€In€addition,€the€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ L œ Ðtake€effective€measures€to€combat€violence€against€women,€including€by€adopting€appropriateÐ 8 ˆ Ðlegislation.Ð $ t ÐÌ102.à  àThe€State€party€is€urged€to€treat€with€more€concern€the€growing€number€of€children€beggingÐ ü L  Ðon€the€street€and€to€take€the€appropriate€measures€to€solve€the€problem.Ð è 8  ÐÌ103.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€measures€to€create€conditions€thatÐ À  Ðwould€allow€internally€displaced€persons€to€return€to€their€places€of€origin.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ104.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€steps€to€improve€the€awareness€andÐ „Ô  Ðknowledge€of€the€public€about€reproductive€health€issues.€€In€this€regard,€the€Government€might€seekÐ pÀ Ðthe€advice€and€assistance€of€specialized€agencies€and€bodies€such€as€Ô_ÔUNAIDSÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔUNFPAÔ_Ô€and€WHO.Ð \¬ ÐÌ105.à  àWith€regard€to€the€secondary€school€curriculum,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€StateÐ 4„ Ðparty€strike€an€appropriate€balance€between€the€school€time€devoted€to€military€training€and€the€timeÐ  p Ðdevoted€to€civic€education,€including€the€fundamentals€of€justice.Ð  \ ÐÌ106.à  àThe€Committee€requests€that€the€State€party€include€in€its€second€periodic€report€on€theÐ ä4 Ðimplementation€of€the€Covenant€all€available€information€on€any€measures€taken€and€progress€made,Ð Ð  Ðparticularly€with€regard€to€the€suggestions€and€recommendations€made€by€the€Committee€in€theÐ ¼  Ðpresent€concluding€observations.Ð ¨ø ÐÐ  ”ä ÐÌÓ½ÓÓ  Óò òÔCEUK.,ÔÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€E/2003/22ó óÐ œì ÐÌ400.€€The€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€Georgiaòò€óóon€the€implementation€of€theÐ tÄ ÐCovenant€(E/1990/6/Add.31)€at€its€35th€and€36th€meetings,€held€on€14€and€15€November€2002,€andÐ `° Ðmade€public,€at€its€56òòthóó€meeting,€held€on€29€November€2002,€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð L œ ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ $ t ÐÌ401.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€second€periodic€report€of€the€State€party,Ð ü L  Ðwhich€was€prepared€generally€in€conformity€with€the€Committeeððs€guidelines.òòÐ è 8  ÐóóÌ402.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€the€comprehensive€written€replies€given€by€the€StateÐ À  Ðparty€to€the€list€of€issues€(E/C.12/Q/GEO/2),€as€well€as€the€open€and€constructive€dialogue€with€theÐ ¬ü  Ðdelegation.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ pÀ ÐÌ403.€€The€Committee€notes€the€efforts€of€the€State€party€to€comply€with€its€obligations€underÐ H˜ Ðinternational€human€rights€instruments€to€which€it€is€a€party,€in€particular€the€adoption€of€variousÐ 4„ Ðplans€of€action€on€a€number€of€human€rights€topics,€such€as€childrenððs€rights,€women€„€asÐ  p Ðrecommended€by€the€Committee€in€2000ò òòò€28óóó 󀄀and€Ô_ÔcombatingÔ_Ô€violence.Ð  \ ÐÌ404.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€delegationððs€statement€that€the€general€tendency€of€a€weakÐ ä4 Ðeconomic€growth€has€been€reversed€in€the€period€2000„2002:€€GDP€has€increased€from€6€billionÐ Ð  ÐGeorgian€Ô_ÔlarisÔ_Ô€in€2000€to€GELS€6.6€billion€in€2001.€€Growth€in€agricultural€production€has€had€aÐ ¼  Ðpositive€impact€on€national€food€security.Ð ¨ø ÐÌòòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantóóÐ €Ð ÐÌ405.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€continues€to€encounter€difficulties€in€implementingÐ X ¨ Ðthe€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€contained€in€the€Covenant,€arising€from€the€process€ofÐ D!” Ðtransition€to€a€market„oriented€economy.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ $X" ÐÌ406.€€The€Committee€notes€with€regret€that,€despite€the€international€assistance€being€provided€toÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€State€party,€it€has€been€unable€to€comply€with€most€of€the€recommendations€contained€in€theÐ Ì&"% ÐCommitteeððs€concluding€observations€on€the€State€partyððs€initial€report.ò òòò€29óóó óÐ ¸'#& ÐòòóóÌ407.€€The€Committee€also€notes€with€regret€that,€despite€the€information€provided€in€the€State€partyððsÐ )à$( Ðreport€and€in€the€written€replies€to€the€Committeeððs€list€of€issues,€many€requests€made€by€theÐ |*Ì%) ÐCommittee€for€detailed€information€and€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€comparative€statistical€data€on€manyÐ h+¸&* ÐCovenant€rights€remain€unanswered.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð408.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€existing€gap€between€legislation€in€the€field€ofÐ ° Ðeconomic,€social€and€cultural€rights€and€its€actual€implementation.Ð œì ÐÌ409.€€The€Committee€is€further€concerned€about€the€lack€of€awareness€in€the€State€party€about€theÐ tÄ Ðprovisions€of€the€Covenant.Ð `° ÐÌ410.€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€the€State€party€has€not€been€able€to€address€adequatelyÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€widespread€and€rampant€problem€of€corruption,€as€it€is€one€of€the€primary€causes€of€the€decreaseÐ $ t Ðin,€and€the€inappropriate€allocation€of,€revenue€and€resources,€thus€adding€to€the€extremely€difficultÐ  ` Ðeconomic,€social€and€cultural€situation€in€the€State€party.€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concernedÐ ü L  Ðabout€the€limited€effectiveness€of€the€use€of€foreign€funds€received€in€the€context€of€internationalÐ è 8  Ðcooperation.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ411.€€The€Committee€expresses€deep€concern€about€the€deplorable€situation€of€internally€displacedÐ ¬ü  Ðpersons€in€the€State€party.€€The€State€partyððs€efforts€to€provide€basic€services€to€this€disadvantagedÐ ˜è  Ðgroup€and€special€legislation€adopted€to€that€end€have€succeeded€only€partially€in€meeting€the€mostÐ „Ô  Ðbasic€needs€of€internally€displaced€persons,€particularly€with€regard€to€employment,€social€security,Ð pÀ Ðadequate€housing€and€access€to€water,€electricity,€basic€health€services€and€education.Ð \¬ ÐÌ412.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€Public€Defender€is€not€able€to€function€in€an€effectiveÐ 4„ Ðmanner,€owing€to€severe€resource€constraints.Ð  p ÐÌ413.€€The€Committee€is€gravely€concerned€about€the€high€unemployment€rate€in€the€State€party,Ð øH Ðparticularly€in€urban€areas€and€among€young€people,€despite€the€measures€adopted€to€create€jobs€andÐ ä4 Ðto€encourage€entrepreneurship€in€the€country.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€State€party€does€notÐ Ð  Ðhave€information€or€data€on€the€informal€economy€and€on€the€number€of€self„employed€in€theÐ ¼  Ðcountry.€€The€Committee€further€expresses€concern€about€the€slow€process€of€re„establishingÐ ¨ø Ðincentives€to€motivate€the€labour€force€to€seek€employment.Ð ”ä ÐÌ414.€€The€Committee€is€also€deeply€concerned€about€the€extremely€low€level€of€salaries€in€the€StateÐ l¼ Ðparty,€including€the€minimum€wage,€which€is€far€below€the€minimum€level€of€subsistence.€Ð X ¨ ÐMoreover,€the€Committee€reiterates€its€concern€that€employees€in€various€sectors€of€the€economyÐ D!” Ðare€often€not€paid€on€time.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌ415.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€existing€legislation€does€not€give€sufficient€powers€to€labourÐ $X" Ðinspectors€to€carry€out€their€responsibilities,€particularly€in€the€private€sector.€€The€Committee€alsoÐ ô$D # Ðregrets€the€lack€of€adequate€resources€for€the€Labour€Inspectorate.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ416.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€extremely€low€level€of€social€security€benefits,€whichÐ ¸'#& Ðare€far€below€the€minimum€level€of€subsistence,€and€about€the€fact€that€these€benefits€are€often€paidÐ ¤(ô#' Ðin€arrears.Ð )à$( ÐÌ417.€€The€Committee€expresses€serious€concern€about€the€inadequacy€or€even€lack€of€legislation€andÐ h+¸&* Ðpolicies€on€domestic€violence,€rape,€or€sexual€harassment,€as€well€as€about€the€de€facto€impunityÐ T,¤'+ Ðwith€which€such€acts€are€committed.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€domestic€violence€is€notÐ @-(, Ðcriminalized€as€a€specific€offence.Ð ° ÐÌ418.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€the€State€party€has€not€adopted€any€significant€measuresÐ ˆØ Ðor€policies€to€address€the€problem€of€trafficking€in€persons,€particularly€women.Ð tÄ ÐÌ419.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€high€number€of€children€living€and/or€working€in€theÐ L œ Ðstreets€who€are€often€victims€of€various€forms€of€exploitation,€including€prostitution€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðpornography.Ð $ t ЀÌ420.€€The€Committee€reiterates€its€grave€concern€about€the€constantly€increasing€level€of€poverty€inÐ ü L  Ðthe€State€party€and€the€inadequacy€of€the€measures€undertaken€to€combat€poverty.€€The€CommitteeÐ è 8  Ðalso€reiterates€its€previous€observations€that€there€seems€to€be€a€lack€of€effective€management,Ð Ô$  Ðtransparency€and€accountability€in€the€policy„making€and€implementation€phases.ò òòò€30óóó ó€Ð À  ÐÌ421.€€The€Committee€further€reiterates€its€concern€about€the€lack€of€clarity€as€to€the€analysis€andÐ ˜è  Ðevaluation€of€the€level€of€poverty€in€the€country,€and€the€determination€of€the€real€poverty€line.ò òòò€31óóó óÐ „Ô  ÐÌ422.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€about€the€poor€living€conditions€of€the€majority€of€the€StateÐ \¬ Ðpartyððs€population,€including€an€inadequate€supply€of€water€and€irregular€provision€of€electricity€andÐ H˜ Ðheating,€which€particularly€affect€the€most€disadvantaged€and€Ô_ÔmarginalizedÔ_Ô€groups€of€society,€suchÐ 4„ Ðas€older€persons,€persons€with€disabilities,€internally€displaced€persons,€prisoners€and€persons€livingÐ  p Ðin€poverty.Ð  \ ÐÌ423.€€The€Committee€expresses€deep€concern€about€the€insufficiency€of€material€and€technicalÐ ä4 Ðresources,€medication,€hygienic€and€sanitary€conditions€and€food€in€hospitals,€as€well€as€about€theÐ Ð  Ðlow€wages€of€the€medical€staff,€resulting€in€the€common€practice€of€charging€informal€fees€for€basicÐ ¼  Ðhealth-care€services€that€are€formally€provided€free€of€charge.€€A€particular€negative€effect€of€suchÐ ¨ø Ðinformal€fees€is€that€it€puts€basic€health€care€even€further€beyond€the€reach€of€the€poorest€and€mostÐ ”ä Ðdisadvantaged€groups€of€society.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ424.€€The€Committee€is€especially€concerned€about€the€situation€of€persons€with€mental€illnesses,Ð X ¨ Ðwho,€in€addition€to€suffering€social€stigmatization,€often€spend€a€long€time€in€psychiatric€facilitiesÐ D!” Ðwhere€they€live€in€sub-standard€conditions€and€receive€sub-standard€treatment€and€care.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌ425.€€The€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€detailed€information€on€the€situation€of€primary€educationÐ $X" Ðin€the€information€provided€by€the€State€party.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that,€although€primaryÐ ô$D # Ðeducation€should€be€provided€free€of€charge,€as€stipulated€by€law€and€in€article€14€of€the€Covenant,Ð à%0!$ Ðparents€are€faced€with€payments€for€various€purposes.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ426.€€The€Committee€is€further€concerned€about€the€high€number€of€school€dropouts,€particularly€inÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsecondary€education.Ð )à$( ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ h+¸&* ÐÌ427.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€enforcement€of€legislation€in€the€field€of€economic,€socialÐ @-(, Ðand€cultural€rights€be€improved€and€that€the€various€plans€and€programmes€on€human€rights€beÐ ° Ðimplemented€in€a€consistent€manner.Ð œì ÐÌ428.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€human€rights€education€in€the€State€party€be€improvedÐ tÄ Ðand€that€adequate€human€rights€training€be€provided€to€the€judiciary€and€government€officials.Ð `° ÐÌ429.€€The€Committee€strongly€urges€the€State€party€to€take€effective€measures€to€combat€corruptionÐ 8 ˆ Ðand,€in€particular,€to€increase€transparency€and€consultations€at€all€levels€of€decision-making€andÐ $ t Ðconcerning€the€evaluation€of€distribution€of€funds,€especially€with€regard€to€the€determination€of€theÐ  ` Ðuse€of€aid,€the€monitoring€of€fund€distribution€and€the€evaluation€of€impact.Ð ü L  ÐÌ430.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures,€inÐ Ô$  Ðconsultation€with€relevant€civil€society€organizations,€to€improve€the€situation€of€internally€displacedÐ À  Ðpersons,€including€the€adoption€of€a€comprehensive€programme€of€action€aiming€at€ensuring€moreÐ ¬ü  Ðeffectively€their€rights€to€adequate€housing,€food€and€water,€health€services€and€sanitation,Ð ˜è  Ðemployment€and€education,€and€the€regularization€of€their€status€in€the€State€party.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ431.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Public€Defender€be€accorded€adequate€resources.€€TheÐ \¬ ÐCommittee€further€suggests€that€the€State€party€seek€international€assistance€concerning€the€effectiveÐ H˜ Ðfunctioning€of€the€Public€Defenderððs€office.Ð 4„ ÐÌ432.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€intensify€steps€to€ensure€the€right€toÐ  \ Ðwork€and€the€right€to€just€and€favourable€conditions€of€work,€in€particular€more€timely€payment€ofÐ øH Ðwages,€and€to€establish€the€minimum€wage€at€a€level€adequate€for€the€requirements€of€the€minimumÐ ä4 Ðlevel€of€subsistence.Ð Ð  ÐÌ433.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€improve€the€legislation€concerning€labour€inspections,Ð ¨ø Ðin€particular€with€regard€to€the€private€sector,€and€to€provide€more€resources€to€the€LabourÐ ”ä ÐInspectorate.Ð €Ð ÐÌ434.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€reform€of€the€socialÐ X ¨ Ðsecurity€system,€including€the€establishment€of€a€clearer€relationship€between€pensions€and€previousÐ D!” Ðemployment;€the€raising€of€social€security€benefits€to€a€level€closer€to€the€subsistence€minimum;€andÐ 0"€  Ðthe€payment€of€benefits€in€a€more€timely€manner,€in€particular€to€those€most€disadvantaged€andÐ #l! ÐÔ_ÔmarginalizedÔ_Ô€groups€that€have€no€other€means€of€subsistence.€Ð $X" ÐÌ435.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€implement€its€National€Plan€of€Action€for€theÐ à%0!$ ÐAdvancement€of€Women€for€1998„2000€and€its€national€plan€of€action€for€Ô_ÔcombatingÔ_Ô€violenceÐ Ì&"% Ðagainst€women,€and€that€it€adopt€adequate€legislation€and€policies€to€address€and€to€ensure€accessÐ ¸'#& Ðto€effective€remedies€concerning€domestic€violence,€rape€and€sexual€harassment.€€The€CommitteeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðencourages€the€State€party€to€develop€programmes€aimed€at€raising€awareness€of,€and€educating€lawÐ )à$( Ðenforcement€officials,€the€judiciary€and€the€general€public€on,€these€problems.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ436.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€undertake€and€implement€effective€measures€to€combatÐ T,¤'+ Ðtrafficking€in€persons,€including€adequate€training€of€law„enforcement€officials€and€the€judiciary,€theÐ @-(, Ðprosecution€of€perpetrators€in€accordance€with€the€law,€and€rehabilitation€programmes€for€victimsÐ ° Ðof€trafficking.Ð œì ÐÌ437.€€The€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€undertake€urgent€and€effective€measures€to€addressÐ tÄ Ðthe€problems€faced€by€children€living€and/or€working€in€the€street,€and€to€protect€them€against€allÐ `° Ðforms€of€exploitation.Ð L œ ÐÌ438.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party,€in€preparing€its€poverty€reduction€strategies,€inÐ $ t Ðparticular€the€Poverty€Reduction€Strategy€Paper€for€the€World€Bank,€to€ensure€active€and€meaningfulÐ  ` Ðparticipation€of€members€of€civil€society.€€The€State€party€may€also€wish€to€take€into€account€theÐ ü L  ÐCommitteeððs€Statement€on€poverty€and€the€International€Covenant€on€Economic,€Social€and€CulturalÐ è 8  ÐRightsòò€ò ò16ó óóó€and€the€draft€guidelines€for€the€integration€of€human€rights€into€poverty€reduction€strategies,Ð Ô$  Ðproposed€by€the€Office€of€the€UnitedNations€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights€in€2002.Ð À  ÐÌ439.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€continue€its€efforts€to€improve€the€living€conditions€ofÐ ˜è  Ðits€population,€in€particular€by€ensuring€that€the€infrastructure€for€water,€energy€provision€and€heatingÐ „Ô  Ðis€improved,€and€by€paying€priority€attention€to€the€needs€of€the€most€disadvantaged€andÐ pÀ ÐÔ_ÔmarginalizedÔ_Ô€groups€of€society,€such€as€older€persons,€persons€with€disabilities,€internally€displacedÐ \¬ Ðpersons,€prisoners€and€persons€living€in€poverty.Ð H˜ ÐÌ440.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€include,€in€its€next€periodic€report,€detailedÐ  p Ðinformation€on€the€process€of€agricultural€reform,€and€in€particular€on€any€costs€imposed€upon€newÐ  \ Ðlandowners€in€the€form€of€fees€or€taxes.Ð øH ÐÌ441.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€undertake€effective€measures€to€improve€theÐ Ð  Ѐliving€and€working€conditions€in€hospitals,€ensure€adequate€wages€for€the€medical€staff,€and€activelyÐ ¼  Ðcombat€the€practice€of€informal€fees.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ442.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€particular€attention€and€adequate€funding€be€devoted€toÐ €Ð Ðimproving€the€treatment€of€and€care€for€persons€with€mental€illnesses.Ð l¼ ÐÌ443.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€undertake€preventive€measures€againstÐ D!” ÐHIV/AIDS,€particularly€awareness-raising€campaigns,€in€order€to€prevent€the€spread€of€the€diseaseÐ 0"€  Ðin€the€country.Ð #l! ÐÌ444.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€measures€to€ensure€that€access€toÐ ô$D # Ðfree€primary€education€is€not€impeded€in€reality€by€additional€material€costs€and€by€informal€fees.€Ð à%0!$ ÐIn€addition,€the€Committee€suggests€that€the€State€party€continue€its€reform€of€the€school€system,Ð Ì&"% Ðwhich€aims,€inter€alia,€to€reduce€the€number€of€dropouts.€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ445.€€The€Committee€requests€that€the€State€party€include,€in€its€next€periodic€report,€detailedÐ )à$( Ðinformation€on€the€quality€of€higher€education.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ446.€€The€Committee€recommends€that,€in€its€efforts€to€implement€the€rights€contained€in€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐCovenant,€the€State€party€continue€to€seek€international€assistance€and€engage€in€internationalÐ @-(, Ðcooperation€with€donors€and€relevant€international€organizations,€including€the€Office€of€the€HighÐ ° ÐCommissioner€for€Human€Rights.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ œì Ðensure€that€its€international€human€rights€obligations€are€taken€fully€into€account€when€entering€intoÐ ˆØ Ðtechnical€cooperation€and€other€arrangements.Ð tÄ ÐÌ447.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€disseminate€the€present€concluding€observationsÐ L œ Ðwidely€at€all€levels€of€society,€and€in€particular€among€State€officials€and€the€judiciary,€and€to€informÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€Committee,€in€its€next€periodic€report,€on€all€steps€taken€to€implement€them.€€It€also€encouragesÐ $ t Ðthe€State€party€to€continue€to€involve€non„governmental€organizations€and€other€members€of€civilÐ  ` Ðsociety€in€the€preparation€of€its€third€periodic€report.€Ð ü L  ÐÌ448.€€Finally,€the€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€submit€its€third€periodic€report€by€30€JuneòòÐ Ô$  Ðóó2007òò,óó€and€to€include€therein€detailed€information€on€the€steps€it€has€undertaken€to€implement€theÐ À  Ðrecommendations€contained€in€the€present€concluding€observations.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ_______________Ð „Ô  ÐÌòò16/óó€€[òòOfficial€Records€of€the€Economic€and€Social€CouncilÔUK.,CE.,Ð4ÔÔCEUK.,Ôóó],ÔUK.,CE.,±ÔÔCEUK.,Ô€òò2002,€Supplement€No.€2óó€(E/2002/22„Ð \¬ ÐE/C.12/2001/17),€annex€VII.Ð H˜ Ð...Ð 4„ Ðòò28/óó€€Ô_Ô[Ô_ÔÔ_ÔòòOfficialÔ_Ô€Records€of€the€Economic€and€Social€CouncilÔUK.,CE.,âÔóó],€òò2001,€Supplement€No.€2óó€(E/2001/22„Ð  p ÐE/C.12/2000/21),€chap.€IV,€para.€101.Ð  \ ÐÌòò29/óó€€Ibid.,€paras.€75„106.Ð ä4 ÐÌòò30/óó€€Ibid.,€paras.€81€and€82.Ð ¼  ÐÌòò31/óó€€€Ibid.,€para.€83.Ð ”ä ÐÓÁ4Ó