ÿWPC© 3è7Ô-ÞÙB¥Õ¦¹ß¸ðWÑ奚Sq'Lï³F.[Ø›`kýÖ3,Ybaþ³‹¿d•™£W‘=ÍY78nÐK+‡æ¢ïZª 0»Zŵåw…2¡1Ûc›k½ègá@¶I†Œª8›ÖÕ»ÍõŸuªšg;óka/î?:¨¸ ÂI ÂîFЃ‘×gX Îeßo¾ì¦B¹ôÿoŽnj® ù†‹õ¿Ÿ/–{ÝG§-oÈö°FO!sžiiYB½ÇO_WúáÉ##ˆÍŒ¢8~ª<*vûnÍ{;­0Ëšª„1Â!¨3J|d‘¹§i^:‡»79LŠ˜²e-žeuË£ŽØòúÿÀJ~Œú x#°D#ÿbž6*c‘C¥6ýÒÉ3:Œ:½Ô£ÿ*ÓÞ¤1À)'a¿°ÊéT÷äúÒKñ‚p¢§`~ÿ«\¸U5.²¡cDÉÉ©ìWŽéšVë4ï¢ÜEV~3¾Ì¤4ÿ곶ªºÉwãȵ.jìHȾu\‡á.F/³»!ÿ£˜™žÕ¼›:ª¸Üm­ÁIÒ¸”c±'iïgUÁûß0§YVê©ïµ"EzÃD7Ûy‚X>Òjoà¬,Öz‘®#ÁÄUN… %Ó 0:Ù^ w4#7F mH_NgU@i˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSÈÚØÚÚØÈÚ0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,Ô{{:- eû*ê:i¢Ø+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ (ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman Ý ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡¼ãä»XXÔÓ  ÓSYRIAN€ARAB€REPUBLICÔ#†XµÈX»¼ãä@#Ôó óÐ ° ÐÓ_ÓÌÌò òÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€€E/1992/23ó óÐ œì ÐÌÌÓ  Ó158.€€The€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€concerningÐ ` ° Ðthe€rights€covered€by€articles€1€to€15€of€the€Covenant€(E/1990/6/Add.1)€at€its€7th,€9th€and€11thÐ L œ Ðmeetings,€held€on€28€and€29€November€and€2€December€1991€(E/C.12/1991/SR.7,€9€and€11).Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ159.€€In€introducing€the€report,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€the€SyrianÐ `  ÐConstitution€guaranteed€the€fundamental€rights€of€citizens€and€protected€them€against€exploitation.€Ð üL  ÐTo€that€end,€the€State€had€undertaken€to€promote€education,€protect€the€freedoms€of€the€individual,Ð è8  Ðwork€for€equality€of€opportunity,€protect€the€family,€women€and€children,€guarantee€a€decentÐ Ô$  Ðstandard€of€living€and€meet€the€social,€economic€and€cultural€needs€of€all.Ð À  ÐÌòòGeneral€mattersóóÐ ˜è ÐÌ160.€€With€regard€to€the€general€framework€within€which€the€Covenant€was€being€implemented,Ð pÀ Ðmembers€of€the€Committee€wished€to€received€information€on€any€changes€that€had€occurred€sinceÐ \¬ Ðthe€submission€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republicððs€initial€reports€on€articles€6€to€9€(E/1978/8/Add.25€andÐ H˜ Ð31)€and€10€to€12€(E/1980/6/Add.9)€regarding€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant€and,€in€particular,Ð 4„ Ðprogrammes,€institutions€and€practices€in€the€field€of€human€rights,€and€the€political€structure€andÐ  p Ðthe€economic,€social€and€cultural€characteristics€of€the€country.€€They€also€wished€to€know€whatÐ  \ Ðmeasures€had€been€taken€to€inform€the€public€about€the€Covenant€and€the€reports€submitted€by€theÐ øH ÐSyrian€Arab€Republic€to€the€Committee;€which€official€bodies€had€prepared€the€report€and€whetherÐ ä4 Ðcontributions€were€received€or€sought€from€other€sources;€what€factors€and€difficulties€affected€theÐ Ð  Ðenjoyment€of€the€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant;€what€were€the€most€vulnerable€groups€of€theÐ ¼  Ðpopulation;€how€many€people€lived€below€the€poverty€line€and€what€measures€were€being€taken€toÐ ¨ø Ðremedy€their€situation;€to€what€extent€the€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant€were€guaranteed€to€non„Ð ”ä Ðnationals;€whether€progress€had€been€made€with€regard€to€respect€for€the€right€to€work€as€a€result€ofÐ € Ð Ðthe€promulgation€or€amendment€of€a€law€or€of€collective€agreements€and€judicial€decisions;€whetherÐ l!¼ Ðmeasures€had€been€adopted€following€the€consideration€of€the€initial€reports€by€the€SessionalÐ X"¨  ÐWorking€Group€of€Governmental€Experts;€and€what€the€role€was€of€international€assistance€andÐ D#”! Ðcooperation€in€securing€the€enjoyment€of€the€rights€embodied€in€the€Covenant.Ð 0$€" ÐÌ161.€€Additional€information€was€also€requested€on€the€Arab€Ô_ÔBaathÔ_Ô€Socialist€Party;€on€the€legal€valueÐ &X!$ Ðof€the€Party€Constitution;€on€other€Syrian€political€parties€and€their€role€in€the€political€life€of€theÐ ô&D"% Ðcountry;€on€the€reference€to€the€participation€of€workers€in€socialist€competitions€(E/1990/6/Add.1,Ð à'0#& Ðpara.€8);€and€on€the€implications€of€the€concept€of€work€as€a€duty.€€It€was€asked€to€what€extentÐ Ì($' Ðprofessional€careers€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€depended€on€membership€of€the€Ô_ÔBaathÔ_Ô€Party;Ð ¸)%( Ðwhether€the€policy€with€regard€to€labour,€health,€family€and€education€was€worked€out€by€the€StateÐ ¤*ô%) Ðalone€or€in€consultation€with€the€groups€concerned;€and€whether€citizens€could€invoke€before€theÐ +à&* Ðcourts€the€provisions€of€treaties€and€conventions€ratified€by€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic.€€Moreover,Ð |,Ì'+ Ðinformation€was€requested€on€the€demographic€composition€of€the€Syrian€population;€the€rate€ofÐ h-¸(, ÐÔ_Ôilliteracy€for€each€component€of€the€population;€on€ethnic€minorities;€and€on€the€proportion€of€theÐ ° ÐSyrian€budget€earmarked€for€defence€and€the€cost€of€keeping€Syrian€soldiers€in€Lebanon.Ð œì ÐÌ162.€€In€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€the€1973€Constitution€of€the€Syrian€ArabÐ tÄ ÐRepublic€provided€the€necessary€general€legal€framework€for€the€protection€of€human€rights.€€TheÐ `° ÐSyrian€economy€was€marked€by€great€diversification,€and€the€Government€was€endeavouring€toÐ L œ Ðdevelop€the€three€sectors€of€the€economy€and€promote€cooperation€among€them.€€The€right€to€socialÐ 8 ˆ Ðsecurity€was€protected€by€the€State,€education€was€free€of€charge€at€all€levels€and€the€State€wasÐ $ t Ðmaking€every€effort€to€guarantee€the€right€to€health€by€providing€primary€health€care€in€publicÐ  ` Ðhospitals€and€clinics€and€by€opening€mother€and€child€protection€centres€in€the€towns€and€cities€andÐ ü L  Ðin€the€countryside.Ð è 8  ÐÌ163.€€As€to€measures€to€inform€the€public,€the€representative€said€that€an€information€day€was€heldÐ À  Ðevery€year€for€the€Covenant€and€that€articles€were€published€on€that€occasion,€stressing€theÐ ¬ü  ÐCovenantððs€universal€nature€and€the€importance€attached€to€implementing€it.€€The€SyrianÐ ˜è  ÐCommission€which€prepared€the€reports€to€be€submitted€to€the€Committee€also€took€account€of€theÐ „Ô  ÐCommitteeððs€comments.€€The€Syrian€Arab€Republic€was€thus€implementing€a€programme€on€scienceÐ pÀ Ðand€culture€which€was€having€very€positive€effects€on€the€population.€€It€did€not€import€foreignÐ \¬ Ðmanpower€on€its€own€initiative,€but,€in€accordance€with€its€nationalist€policy,€gave€special€treatmentÐ H˜ Ðto€nationals€of€Arab€countries€who€wished€to€work€within€its€territory.€€In€1989,€577€work€permitsÐ 4„ Ðwere€issued€to€Arab€citizens€as€against€722€to€foreign€workers.€€No€distinction€was€drawn€betweenÐ  p ÐSyrian€nationals€and€foreigners€as€far€as€wages€and€membership€of€trade€unions€were€concerned.Ð  \ ÐÌ164.€€The€difficulties€affecting€the€exercise€of€the€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant€included€the€IsraeliÐ ä4 Ðaggression€and€Israelððs€occupation€of€Arab€territories€in€the€Syrian€Golan,€as€well€as€its€refusal€toÐ Ð  Ðrecognize€the€rights€of€the€Palestinian€people,€particularly€its€right€to€self„determination.€€TheÐ ¼  ÐKurdish€problem€was€not€a€real€one,€but€that€was€not€the€case€with€the€public€debt,€which€weighedÐ ¨ø Ðheavily€on€the€balance€of€payments€and€on€public€finances.€€The€Government€was€trying€to€alleviateÐ ”ä Ðthe€consequences€of€the€debt€and€to€guarantee€citizens€the€enjoyment€of€an€adequate€standard€ofÐ €Ð Ðliving.€€However,€no€one€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€lived€below€the€poverty€line.Ð l¼ ÐÌ165.€€Replying€to€other€questions,€he€said€that,€under€article€8€of€the€Syrian€Constitution,€the€ArabÐ D!” ÐBaath€Socialist€Party€was€the€leading€party€both€in€society€and€in€government.€€It€was,€however,€notÐ 0"€  Ðnecessary€to€be€a€member€of€the€Baath€Party€in€order€to€receive€a€scholarship€and€many€SyrianÐ #l! Ðstudents€sent€to€pursue€their€studies€abroad€were€not€members€of€the€Party.€€A€National€ProgressiveÐ $X" ÐFront€had€just€been€set€up€to€ensure€broader€participation€in€political€life.€€Under€the€leadership€ofÐ ô$D # Ðthe€Baath€Party,€it€was€composed€of€a€number€of€political€parties,€including€the€Communist€Party.€Ð à%0!$ ÐSeveral€parties€took€part€in€the€political€life€of€the€country€and€the€Syrian€political€rgime€could€thusÐ Ì&"% Ðbe€called€a€multiparty€system.€€Moreover,€the€international€instruments€ratified€by€the€Syrian€ArabÐ ¸'#& ÐRepublic€became€an€integral€part€of€national€legislation€and€could€be€invoked€by€any€citizen€beforeÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€courts.Ð )à$( Ðà  àÌòòArticles€1€to€5óóÐ h+¸&* ÐÌ166.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€clarification€of€the€situation€of€women€in€SyrianÐ @-(, Ðsociety,€in€particular,€regarding€their€participation€in€political,€social€and€trade€union€life,€and€theirÐ ° Ðposition€in€the€field€of€employment.€€They€also€inquired€whether€equality€of€rights€between€men€andÐ œì Ðwomen€had€been€achieved€and,€if€not,€what€differences€still€existed€and€what€measures€were€beingÐ ˆØ Ðplanned€to€eliminate€them.Ð tÄ ÐÌ167.€€Clarification€was€also€requested€on€a€number€of€provisions€which€were€referred€to€in€the€reportÐ L œ Ðand€appeared€to€be€contrary€to€the€principle€of€the€equality€of€the€sexes,€particularly€thoseÐ 8 ˆ Ðauthorizing€men€to€have€more€than€one€wife€or€requiring€that€the€man€had€to€be€a€suitable€match€forÐ $ t Ðthe€woman.€€Information€was€thus€requested€on€the€attitude€of€young€Syrian€women€towards€theÐ  ` Ðmarriage€laws;€the€legal€age€to€enter€into€marriage;€what€remedies€were€available€to€a€Syrian€womanÐ ü L  Ðwhose€husband€forced€her€to€accept€a€second€wife€under€the€same€roof€without€her€consent€and,€inÐ è 8  Ðparticular,€whether€she€could€file€for€divorce€on€such€grounds;€whether€non„Syrian€wives€of€SyrianÐ Ô$  Ðnationals€could€leave€the€country€with€children€of€whom€they€had€been€given€custody;€whetherÐ À  Ðchildren€inherited€from€their€parents€in€equal€shares,€regardless€of€their€gender;€and€whetherÐ ¬ü  Ðdependency€allowances€were€paid€when€female€children,€and€not€male€children,€pursued€theirÐ ˜è  Ðsecondary€education.€€It€was€also€asked€whether€the€right€to€one€full€hourððs€rest€per€day€wasÐ „Ô  Ðrecognized€in€the€same€way€for€fathers€or€mothers€taking€care€of€nursing€children.Ð pÀ ÐÌ168.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€indicated€that€womenððs€rights€had€beenÐ H˜ Ðreaffirmed€both€in€the€principles€of€the€Baath€Party€and€in€article€45€of€the€Constitution.€€SyrianÐ 4„ Ðwomen€thus€had€full€freedom€to€participate€actively€and€fully€in€the€social,€economic€and€culturalÐ  p Ðlife€of€the€country€and€the€Government€was€endeavouring€to€eliminate€all€the€obstacles€which€mightÐ  \ Ðprevent€them€from€helping€to€build€a€socialist€Arab€society.€€They€enjoyed€the€right€to€vote€and€toÐ øH Ðstand€for€election€without€any€conditions.€€There€were€21€women€in€the€Parliament€and€140€in€theÐ ä4 Ðgoverning€bodies€of€the€provinces.€€There€were€also€women€ambassadors,€chargs€dððaffaires€andÐ Ð  Ðconsuls.€€The€number€of€crches€and€training€centres€for€women€was€increasing,€while€the€femaleÐ ¼  Ðilliteracy€rate€was€declining.Ð ¨ø ÐÌòòArticle€6:€€Right€to€workóóÐ €Ð ÐÌ169.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€additional€information€on€the€situation,€level€andÐ X ¨ Ðtrends€of€employment€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic;€on€the€measures€adopted€to€provide€employmentÐ D!” Ðfor€persons€seeking€work;€on€any€special€measures€for€women,€young€people,€older€workers,€andÐ 0"€  Ðdisabled€persons;€on€the€situation€of€agricultural€workers€in€comparison€with€other€workersÐ #l! Ð(E/1990/6/Add.1,€para.€16):€€on€factors€and€difficulties€affecting€the€implementation€of€the€right€toÐ $X" Ðwork;€and€on€collective€agreements€and€judicial€decisions€aimed€at€promoting€and€safeguarding€theÐ ô$D # Ðright€to€work.€€They€also€wished€to€know€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€the€ApplicationÐ à%0!$ Ðof€Conventions€and€Recommendations€had€made€any€observations€concerning€the€implementationÐ Ì&"% Ðby€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€of€the€ILO€Abolition€of€Forced€Labour€Convention,€1957€(ConventionÐ ¸'#& ÐNo.€105),€the€Discrimination€(Employment€and€Occupation)€Convention,€1958€(Convention€No.Ð ¤(ô#' Ð111)€and€the€Employment€Policy€Convention,€1964€(Convention€No.€122).Ð )à$( ÐÌ170.€€In€reply€to€the€questions€raised,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€work€was€a€rightÐ h+¸&* Ðand€an€obligation€for€Syrian€workers€and€that€it€was€for€the€Government€to€guarantee€that€right.€Ð T,¤'+ ÐFrom€1960€to€1989€the€number€of€workers€had€risen€from€986,000€to€2,892,000€and€the€proportionÐ @-(, Ðof€women€from€9.1€per€cent€to€14.8€per€cent.€€In€1981,€there€had€been€98,577€unemployed€persons,Ð ° Ðincluding€8,778€women,€and€the€illiterate€and€the€unskilled€had€been€the€ones€most€seriouslyÐ œì Ðaffected.€€Employment€was€thus€the€most€serious€concern€of€the€countryððs€successive€governments,Ð ˆØ Ðwhich€had€adopted€a€number€of€actions€plans,€particularly€for€an€equitable€number€of€job€vacanciesÐ tÄ Ðfrom€one€region€to€another.€€Workers€were€protected€against€arbitrary€dismissal€by€various€laws€andÐ `° Ðregulations.€€Agricultural€workersðð€wages€guaranteed€them€a€standard€of€living€equal€to€that€ofÐ L œ Ðworkers€in€other€sectors.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌòòArticle€7:€€Right€to€just€and€favourable€conditions€of€workóóÐ  ` ÐÌ171.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€theÐ è 8  ÐApplication€of€Conventions€and€Recommendations€had€made€any€observations€concerning€theÐ Ô$  Ðimplementation€by€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€of€the€ILO€Weekly€Rest€(Industry)€Convention,€1921Ð À  Ð(Convention€No.€14),€the€Minimum€Wage„Fixing€Machinery€Convention,€1928€(Convention€No.Ð ¬ü  Ð26),€the€Hours€of€Work€(Commerce€and€Offices)€Convention,€1930€(Convention€No.€30),€the€EqualÐ ˜è  ÐRemuneration€Convention,€1951€(Convention€No.€100)€and€the€Minimum€Wage€Fixing€Convention,Ð „Ô  Ð1970€(Convention€No.€131),€and€what€the€de€facto€and€òòde€jureóó€situation€of€agricultural€workers€wasÐ pÀ Ðwith€regard€to€normal€working€hours,€rest,€protection€of€workers€who€had€been€dismissed€and€wageÐ \¬ Ðlevels.€€They€also€requested€statistical€data€regarding€changes€in€levels€of€remuneration€and€in€theÐ H˜ Ðcost€of€living.€€In€addition,€information€was€requested€on€religious€holidays€which€created€a€right€toÐ 4„ Ðrest,€and,€in€that€regard,€on€the€rights€of€non„Muslim€workers;€on€the€role,€organization€and€staff€ofÐ  p Ðthe€Labour€Inspectorate;€and€on€how€the€State€guaranteed€the€right€to€remuneration€as€referred€to€inÐ  \ Ðparagraph€19€of€the€report.Ð øH ÐÌ172.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€stressed€that€wages€were€regularly€increasedÐ Ð  Ðin€order€to€guarantee€all€persons€a€decent€standard€of€living.€€A€recent€decree€had€thus€raised€theÐ ¼  Ðremuneration€of€all€members€of€the€civil€service€by€25€per€cent.€€With€regard€to€the€specificÐ ¨ø Ðobservations€by€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€the€Application€of€Conventions€andÐ ”ä ÐRecommendations,€the€Minister€of€Social€Affairs€and€Employment€was€trying€to€fill€the€gaps€inÐ €Ð Ðnational€legislation€in€order€to€implement€better€the€ILO€Conventions€ratified€by€the€Syrian€ArabÐ l¼ ÐRepublic.€€The€latest€report€by€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts,€dated€1991,€showed,€moreover,€thatÐ X ¨ Ðthere€were€few€problems€in€that€regard.€€He€also€said€that€government€departments€were€closedÐ D!” Ðduring€Islamic€and€Christian€holidays€and€Muslim€tradesmen€closed€on€Friday,€Jews€on€Saturday€andÐ 0"€  ÐChristians€on€Sunday.Ð #l! ÐÌòòArticle€8:€€Trade€union€rightsóóÐ ô$D # ÐÌ173.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€theÐ Ì&"% ÐApplication€of€Conventions€and€Recommendations€had€made€any€observations€concerning€theÐ ¸'#& Ðimplementation€by€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€of€the€ILO€Freedom€of€Association€and€Protection€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€Right€to€Organize€Convention,€1948€(Convention€No.€87)€and€the€Right€to€Organize€andÐ )à$( ÐCollective€Bargaining€Convention,€1949€(Convention€No.€98);€whether€restrictions€were€imposedÐ |*Ì%) Ðon€the€exercise€of€trade€union€rights€for€workers€in€the€public€sector€and,€if€so,€what€their€scope€was;Ð h+¸&* Ðwhat€the€situation€of€agricultural€workers€was€with€regard€to€trade€union€rights€and€the€right€to€strike;Ð T,¤'+ Ðand€what€the€percentage€of€unionized€workers€was,€especially€among€agricultural€workers.Ð @-(, Ї174.€€It€was€also€asked€whether€trade€unions€depended€on€the€Baath€Party€or€were€independent;Ð ° Ðwhether€trade€union€uniformity€had€been€imposed€on€the€workers€or€freely€chosen€by€them;€whatÐ œì Ðwere€the€reasons€for€which€the€Ministry€of€Social€Affairs€and€Labour€had€a€say€in€their€property;€howÐ ˆØ Ðwas€it€possible€to€reconcile€the€farm€workers€associationsðð€objective€of€combating€bureaucracy€withÐ tÄ Ðthe€growing€influence€of€the€public€sector€in€farming;€what€was€the€role€the€State€played€in€collectiveÐ `° Ðbargaining;€whether€wages€and€conditions€of€employment€of€officials€were€determined€unilaterallyÐ L œ Ðby€the€State€or€as€a€result€of€collective€bargaining;€and€what€were€the€remedies€public€sector€officialsÐ 8 ˆ Ðhad€to€protect€their€rights€and€interests.€€Clarification€was€also€requested€on€the€statement€inÐ $ t Ðparagraph€39€of€the€report€that€workers€no€longer€had€to€resort€to€the€right€to€strike.€€In€thatÐ  ` Ðconnection,€it€was€pointed€out€that€the€prohibition€of€the€right€to€strike€invalidated€ILO€ConventionsÐ ü L  ÐNos.€87€and€98,€which€had€been€ratified€by€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,€and€it€was€asked€whether€thereÐ è 8  Ðhad€been€any€attempts€to€organize€strikes,€and€if€so,€what€had€happened€to€the€organizers.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ175.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€the€trade€union€committees€defendedÐ ¬ü  Ðworkers€against€any€infringement€of€their€rights€and€seminars€were€held€regularly€in€all€ministriesÐ ˜è  Ðso€that€wage€earners€could€learn€about€their€rights.€€With€regard€to€agricultural€work,€he€indicatedÐ „Ô  Ðthat€there€was€a€code€of€agricultural€relations€whereby€workers€and€their€employers€could€reachÐ pÀ Ðagreements€on€a€one„to„one€basis.€€In€the€public€sector,€the€law€determined€the€length€of€the€workingÐ \¬ Ðday,€from€8€a.m.€to€2:30€p.m.,€for€agricultural€and€other€workers.€€Decree€No.€127€of€1964€hadÐ H˜ Ðestablished€a€general€federation€of€agricultural€workers€for€the€purpose€of€organizing€them,Ð 4„ Ðimproving€their€standard€of€living€and€democratizing€the€agricultural€sector€through€agrarianÐ  p Ðreforms.€€Subsequently,€a€political€trade€union€and€a€workersðð€cooperative€had€been€set€up,€òòinter€aliaóó,Ð  \ Ðto€expand€cooperation€in€that€sector.€€The€number€of€agricultural€associations€had€risen€from€1,565Ð øH Ðin€1970€to€1,900€in€1990.€€Two€agricultural€trade€unions€had€also€been€merged€in€the€interests€of€theÐ ä4 Ðpersons€concerned.€€Various€regulations€guaranteed€the€rights€of€agricultural€workers.€€Moreover,Ð Ð  Ðneither€the€Labour€Code€nor€other€legislation€referred€to€the€right€to€strike,€but€the€trade€unions€andÐ ¼  Ðthe€General€Federation€of€Trade€Unions€protected€the€rights€of€workers.Ð ¨ø ÐÌòòArticle€9:€€Right€to€social€securityóóÐ €Ð ÐÌ176.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€information€on€the€progress€made€in€the€fieldÐ X ¨ Ðof€social€security€and€health€care,€since€the€submission€of€the€last€report€(E/1978/8/Add.25€and€31),Ð D!” Ðregarding€both€the€benefits€provided€and€the€groups€protected€and€the€levels€of€coverage€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðpopulation.€€They€also€asked€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€the€Application€ofÐ #l! ÐConventions€and€Recommendations€had€made€any€observations€concerning€the€implementation€byÐ $X" Ðthe€Syrian€Arab€Republic€of€the€ILO€Social€Security€(Minimum€Standards)€Convention,€1952Ð ô$D # Ð(Convention€No.€102),€the€Equality€of€Treatment€(Social€Security)€Convention,€1962€(ConventionÐ à%0!$ ÐNo.€118),€the€Employment€Injury€Benefits€Convention,€1964€(Convention€No.€121),€the€Invalidity,Ð Ì&"% ÐOld„Age€and€Survivorsðð€Benefits€Convention,€1967€(Convention€No.€128)€and€the€Medical€Care€andÐ ¸'#& ÐSickness€Benefits€Convention,€1969€(Convention€No.€130);€what€the€situation€of€agriculturalÐ ¤(ô#' Ðworkers€was€with€regard€to€the€right€to€social€security;€and€what€percentage€of€the€national€budgetÐ )à$( Ðwas€assigned€to€social€expenditure.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ177.€€Replying€to€the€questions€asked,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€described€the€developmentÐ T,¤'+ Ðof€social€security€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€since€its€beginnings.€€Act€No.€92€of€1959,€as€laterÐ @-(, Ðamended,€provided€for€the€social€protection€of€workers€in€the€event€of€a€work€accident€or€death,€asÐ ° Ðwell€as€old„age€benefits.Ð œì ÐÌòòArticle€10:€€Protection€of€the€family,€mothers€and€childrenóóÐ tÄ ÐÌ178.€€Members€of€the€Committee€requested€clarification€of€the€Personal€Status€Act,€which€seemedÐ L œ Ðto€favour€women€over€men.€€In€that€regard€they€wished€to€know€exactly€what€the€situation€was,€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðlaw€and€practice,€in€respect€of€paternal€authority,€the€administration€of€a€coupleððs€property€andÐ $ t Ðfreedom€to€work.€€They€also€inquired€whether€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€the€Application€ofÐ  ` ÐConventions€and€Recommendations€had€made€any€observations€concerning€the€implementation€byÐ ü L  Ðthe€Syrian€Arab€Republic€of€the€ILO€Maternity€Protection€Convention,€1919€(Convention€No.€3),Ð è 8  Ðthe€Medical€Examination€of€Young€Persons€(Industry)€Convention,€1946€(Convention€No.€77),€theÐ Ô$  ÐMedical€Examination€of€Young€Persons€(Non„Industrial€Occupations)€Convention,€1946Ð À  Ð(Convention€No.€78),€the€Night€Work€of€Young€Persons€(Industry)€Convention€(Revised),€1948Ð ¬ü  Ð(Convention€No.€90),€the€Maternity€Protection€Convention€(Revised),€1952€(Convention€No.€103)Ð ˜è  Ðand€the€Minimum€Age€Convention,€1973€(Convention€No.€138);€how€child€labour€was€regulated;Ð „Ô  Ðwhat€the€minimum€legal€working€age€was;€how€many€children€worked€below€the€legal€age;€whetherÐ pÀ Ðthe€country€was€confronted€with€problems€of€anti„social€or€criminal€behaviour€among€young€peopleÐ \¬ Ðand€if€so,€what€were€the€causes€of€social€problems€and€what€steps€were€being€taken€or€planned€toÐ H˜ Ðremedy€the€situation;€whether€there€were€differences€in€filiation€and€legal€status€between€legitimateÐ 4„ Ðchildren€and€children€born€out€of€wedlock;€whether€certain€groups€of€children€lacked€protection€orÐ  p Ðcare;€and€what€was€the€status€of€children€and€young€people€who€had€been€abandoned€or€deprived€ofÐ  \ Ða€family€environment.€€Information€was€also€sought€concerning€the€maternity€protection€system€andÐ øH Ðabout€measures€adopted€or€planned,€if€any,€to€remedy€the€situation€of€women€who€did€not€enjoyÐ ä4 Ðprotection.Ð Ð  ÐÌ179.€€Additional€information€was€also€requested€on€the€meaning€of€the€term€ð ðfamilyðð€in€Syrian€law;Ð ¨ø Ðon€the€possibility€that€a€judge€might€refuse€to€allow€a€marriage€if€the€age€difference€between€theÐ ”ä Ðfuture€spouses€was€too€great;€on€the€legal€provisions€relating€to€divorce€and€possible€compensationÐ €Ð Ðfor€the€wife€of€a€man€requesting€divorce€without€valid€reasons;€and€on€the€fact€that€all€juridical€actsÐ l¼ Ðrelating€to€children€required€the€fatherððs€consent.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ180.€€In€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that,€under€article€124€of€Act€No.€91/1959,Ð 0"€  Ðthe€authorities€were€entitled€to€prohibit€the€employment€of€persons€under€the€age€of€15€in€someÐ #l! Ðsectors€of€industry.€€Similarly,€persons€under€the€age€of€15€could€not€work€at€night€or€work€more€thanÐ $X" Ðsix€hours€per€day.€€The€Government€was€trying€to€promote€the€social€rehabilitation€of€juvenileÐ ô$D # Ðdelinquents€by€giving€them€technical€training,€if€not€primary€education.€€Six€rehabilitationÐ à%0!$ Ðinstitutions€for€such€persons€were€in€operation€and€young€persons€remanded€in€custody€were€placedÐ Ì&"% Ðin€special€centres,€where€their€social€and€family€situation€was€carefully€studied.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌòòArticle€11:€€Right€to€an€adequate€standard€of€livingóóÐ )à$( ÐÌ181.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€information€on€the€current€standard€of€living€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€population€and€developments€over€the€past€five€years;€about€the€differences€between€the€ruralÐ T,¤'+ Ðand€urban€populations€as€regards€enjoyment€of€the€rights€set€forth€in€article€11;€on€the€measuresÐ @-(, Ðadopted€to€guarantee€fair€distribution€of€food;€and€on€measures€taken€to€mitigate€differences,€if€any,Ð ° Ðin€the€food€situation€between€various€groups€of€the€population.€€They€further€inquired€whatÐ œì Ðpercentage€of€the€population€had€adequate€housing;€what€was€the€number€of€homeless€orÐ ˆØ Ðinadequately„housed€individuals€or€families;€how€the€system€of€protection€against€eviction€operatedÐ tÄ Ðin€practice€for€the€benefit€of€tenants;€how€many€persons€were€evicted€in€the€past€five€years;€howÐ `° Ðmany€persons€were€lacking€legal€protection€against€arbitrary€or€any€other€type€of€eviction;€whatÐ L œ Ðmeasures€had€been€adopted€to€give€the€people€access€to€adequate€housing;€what€measures€had€beenÐ 8 ˆ Ðadopted€to€protect€the€environment;€and€what€the€role€of€international€assistance€was€in€securing€theÐ $ t Ðenjoyment€of€the€rights€enshrined€in€article€11.Ð  ` ÐÌ182.€€Additional€information€was€also€requested€on€the€steps€taken€to€help€the€unemployed€and€theÐ è 8  Ðpoor€in€urban€areas,€more€particularly€in€regard€to€food€and€housing;€and€on€methods€of€production,Ð Ô$  Ðconservation€and€distribution€of€food€and€their€impact€in€securing€the€right€to€adequate€food.Ð À  ÐÌ183.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€supplied€various€statistics€on€housing,€bothÐ ˜è  Ðin€the€rural€and€in€the€urban€areas,€showing€that€there€was€no€shortage€in€that€regard.€€All€enterprisesÐ „Ô  Ðand€bodies€in€the€industrial€sector€were€required€to€conduct€environmental€impact€studies€and€to€takeÐ pÀ Ðthe€requisite€measures€to€combat€pollution.Ð \¬ ÐÌòòArticle€12:€€Right€to€physical€and€mental€healthóóÐ 4„ ÐÌ184.€€Members€of€the€Committee€inquired€how€the€health€situation€had€developed€since€theÐ  \ Ðsubmission€of€the€initial€report€on€article€10€to€12€(E/1980/6/Add.9);€what€percentage€of€the€nationalÐ øH Ðbudget€was€assigned€to€health€care€and€how€such€budget€allocations€had€evolved€over€the€past€fiveÐ ä4 Ðyears;€what€differences€there€were€between€urban€and€rural€areas€as€far€as€the€realization€of€the€rightÐ Ð  Ðto€health€was€concerned;€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€remedy€any€disparities;€how€theÐ ¼  Ðrequirements€of€development€were€reconciled€with€those€of€environmental€protection;€whether€AIDSÐ ¨ø Ðwas€a€health€problem€in€the€country,€how€many€people€were€affected€and€what€means€were€used€toÐ ”ä Ðcombat€the€disease;€and€what€the€role€of€international€cooperation€was€in€securing€the€enjoyment€ofÐ €Ð Ðthe€right€to€health€enshrined€in€article€12€of€the€Covenant.€€It€was€asked€also€what€roles€the€publicÐ l¼ Ðsector€and€the€private€sector€played€in€the€health€field.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ185.€€In€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€was€trying,€soÐ 0"€  Ðfar€as€it€was€able,€to€provide€the€whole€of€the€population,€and€particularly€persons€with€low€income,Ð #l! Ðwith€health€care,€in€terms€of€both€prevention€and€treatment.€€Treatment€at€public€hospitals€was€freeÐ $X" Ðof€charge€and€the€State€subsidized€essential€medicines€manufactured€in€the€private€sector,€whichÐ ô$D # Ðplayed€an€important€role€in€the€health€field.€€National€programmes€sought€to€bridge€the€gap€betweenÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€rural€areas€and€the€urban€areas€and€to€provide€both€the€village€and€the€town€and€city€dwellersÐ Ì&"% Ðwith€access€to€health€services.€€The€number€of€medical€establishments€in€the€rural€areas€had€thusÐ ¸'#& Ðvirtually€doubled€in€10€years,€rising€from€228€in€1980€to€391€in€1990.€€Furthermore,€medical€teamsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhad€been€formed€for€health€care€in€the€villages.€€At€the€same€time,€the€rural€population€now€hadÐ )à$( Ðgreater€access€to€drinking€water€and€to€various€services€such€as€electricity,€education€and€housing.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐAs€to€AIDS,€there€were,€to€date,€only€28€HIV„positive€persons.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌòòArticles€13€and€14:€€Right€to€educationóóÐ @-(, Ї186.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€how€the€right€of€every€person€to€education€wasÐ ° Ðensured€in€practice;€whether€the€goal€of€compulsory€primary€education€free€of€charge€for€all€hadÐ œì Ðalready€been€achieved;€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€encourage€and€intensify€basic€education€forÐ ˆØ Ðthose€persons€who€had€not€received€or€completed€primary€education;€whether€the€plan€of€action€forÐ tÄ Ðthe€progressive€implementation€of€the€right€to€compulsory€education€free€of€charge€for€all€mentionedÐ `° Ðin€articles€13€and€14€of€the€Covenant€as€drawn€up€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€covered€adults€whoÐ L œ Ðhad€not€received€or€had€been€unable€to€complete€their€primary€education;€and€what€the€role€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðinternational€assistance€was€in€securing€the€enjoyment€of€the€right€to€education.€€They€also€wishedÐ $ t Ðto€receive€statistical€information€concerning€pupils€and€teachers,€by€gender,€at€all€levels€of€theÐ  ` Ðeducation€system,€particularly€in€technical€and€university€education.Ð ü L  ÐÌ187.€€Clarification€was€also€requested€on€the€extent€of€State€supervision€of€education,€mentioned€inÐ Ô$  Ðthe€report€(see€E/1990/6/Add.1,€para.€106€and€109),€and€its€compatibility€with€the€principle€ofÐ À  Ðdemocracy€in€education,€also€mentioned€in€the€report;€on€the€average€income€of€teachers€comparedÐ ¬ü  Ðwith,€for€example,€members€of€the€armed€forces;€on€any€steps€taken€by€the€Government€to€encourageÐ ˜è  Ðprivate€education;€on€the€sectors€to€which€girls€had€access€after€primary€education;€and€on€theÐ „Ô  Ðimplementation€of€articles€5€and€6€of€Act€No.€35,€on€compulsory€education.Ð pÀ ÐÌ188.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€the€State€earmarked€12.7€perÐ H˜ Ðcent€of€the€budget€for€education€and€received€no€outside€help€in€that€regard,€other€than€a€modestÐ 4„ Ðcontribution€from€UNESCO.€€Education€was€free€of€charge€at€all€levels€and€school€textbooks€wereÐ  p Ðdistributed€free€of€charge€to€pupils€in€primary€education.€€The€enrolment€rate€in€compulsoryÐ  \ Ðeducation€was€97€per€cent€in€1989€and€the€remaining€3€per€cent€were€accounted€for€by€handicappedÐ øH Ðchildren€attending€special€schools.€€The€salary€scales€for€teachers€was€slightly€higher€than€those€forÐ ä4 Ðother€public€officials.Ð Ð  ÐÌòòArticle€15:€€Right€to€take€part€in€cultural€life€and€to€enjoy€the€benefits€of€scientific€progressÐ ¨ø Ðand€to€benefit€from€the€protection€of€the€interests€of€authorsóóÐ ”ä ÐÌ189.€€Members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€preserve€KurdishÐ l¼ Ðculture;€what€difficulties€were€encountered€in€giving€effect€to€the€right€of€all€citizens€to€take€part€inÐ X ¨ Ðcultural€life€and€what€the€situation€was€in€this€respect€in€rural€areas€and€among€minority€ethnicÐ D!” Ðgroups;€what€legislative€and€other€measures€had€been€adopted€to€give€effect€to€the€right€to€enjoy€theÐ 0"€  Ðbenefits€of€scientific€progress€and€its€applications;€what€benefits€the€countryððs€least€advantagedÐ #l! Ðsectors€derived€from€scientific€progress;€what€measures€had€been€adopted€to€guarantee€the€right€ofÐ $X" Ða€person€to€benefit€from€the€moral€and€material€interests€resulting€from€any€scientific,€literary€orÐ ô$D # Ðartistic€production€of€which€he€was€the€author;€whether€there€were€difficulties€affecting€theÐ à%0!$ Ðprotection€of€intellectual€property;€and€what€impact€international€cooperation€in€the€scientific€andÐ Ì&"% Ðcultural€fields€had€on€the€life€of€Syrians,€particularly€members€of€ethnic€groups.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ190.€€Clarification€was€also€requested€on€whether€the€Ministry€of€Culture€and€National€GuidanceÐ )à$( Ðcould€reject€books€which€attached€revealed€religions€and€on€what€efforts€were€undertaken€to€fosterÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€cultural€identity€of€non„Arab€populations.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ191.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€all€the€population€groups€in€Ô_ÔtheÐ @-(, ÐSyrian€Arab€Republic€had€been€living€there€for€thousands€of€years.€€Three€religions€coexisted€in€theÐ ° ÐSyrian€Arab€Republic:€€Islam,€Judaism€and€Christianity.Ð œì ÐÌ192.€€Recognizing€that€he€was€not€in€a€position€to€answer€the€questions€on€marriage€and€divorce,€theÐ tÄ Ðrepresentative€of€the€State€party€said€that€written€replies€would€be€sent€to€the€Committee€later€on.Ð `° ÐÌ193.€€The€Chairman€thanked€the€representative€of€the€State€party€for€his€participation€and€expressedÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€hope€that€the€written€replies€mentioned€by€the€representative€could€be€transmitted€to€theÐ $ t ÐCommittee€by€June€1992,€so€that€the€pre„sessional€working€group€could€consider€them€at€its€nextÐ  ` Ðmeeting.Ð ü L  ÐÌòòConcluding€observationsóóÐ Ô$  ÐÌ194.€€In€concluding€its€consideration€of€the€second€periodic€report€by€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,€theÐ ¬ü  ÐCommittee€noted€that€the€information€submitted€in€writing€as€well€as€the€oral€replies€by€theÐ ˜è  Ðrepresentative€of€the€State€party€to€the€questions€raised€did€not€fully€reflect€the€actual€situation€in€theÐ „Ô  Ðcountry€in€regard€to€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant.€€Some€questions€had€not€met€with€replies,Ð pÀ Ðwhereas€other€replies€were€incomplete.€€This€had€been€the€case,€òòinter€aliaóó,€in€respect€of€questionsÐ \¬ Ðrelating€to:€€the€structure€of€the€Ô_ÔBaathÔ_Ô€Party;€the€situation€of€women€in€the€event€of€divorce,€withinÐ H˜ Ðthe€family€and,€more€generally,€in€all€fields€in€the€life€of€the€country;€agrarian€reform,€housing€policy;Ð 4„ Ðtrade€unions€as€well€as€to€the€right€to€strike.€€Lastly,€the€Committee€noted€with€satisfaction€thatÐ  p Ðadditional€information€of€a€legal€nature€would€be€transmitted€once€the€State€party€received€theÐ  \ ÐCommitteeððs€report€on€its€sixth€session.Ð øH ÐÌÐ  Ð  Ðò òÔ‡ XµÈXXXµÈÔÌÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€E/2002/22€(2001)Ð œì ÐÌÌó ó391.€€The€Committee€considered€the€third€periodic€report€of€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic€onÐ `° Ðtheimplementation€of€the€Covenant€(E/1994/104/Add.23)€at€its€34th€and€35th€meetings,€held€on15Ð L œ ÐAugust€2001,€and€adopted,€at€its€52nd€and€53rd€meetings,€held€on€28€August€2001,€the€followingÐ 8 ˆ Ðconcluding€observations.Ð $ t ÐÌA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ ü L  ÐÌ392.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€third€periodic€report€of€the€State€party,€as€well€as€the€usefulÐ Ô$  Ðdialogue€that€took€place€with€the€delegation.€€The€Committee€also€takes€note€of€the€informationÐ À  Ðcontained€in€the€letter€of€24€August€2001€from€the€Permanent€Mission€of€the€State€party€to€theÐ ¬ü  ÐUnited€Nations€Office€at€Geneva€addressed€to€the€Chairperson€of€the€Committee.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ393.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€a€considerable€number€of€its€written€and€oral€questions€remainedÐ pÀ Ðunanswered,€owing€to€a€lack€of€detailed€information€in€the€State€partyððs€report,€the€written€repliesÐ \¬ Ðand€the€oral€responses€during€the€dialogue.€€The€Committee€also€regrets€that€the€delegation€of€theÐ H˜ ÐState€party€was€not€composed€of€officials€responsible€for€the€relevant€rights€of€the€Covenant,€a€factÐ 4„ Ðwhich€had€a€negative€impact€on€the€quality€of€the€dialogue.Ð  p ÐÌB.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ øH ÐÌ394.€€The€Committee€appreciates€the€State€partyððs€efforts€to€improve€the€enjoyment€of€economic,Ð Ð  Ðsocial€and€cultural€rights€by€its€inhabitants.€€In€particular,€the€Committee€takes€note€of€the€StateÐ ¼  Ðpartyððs€goals€and€objectives€in€the€context€of€the€United€Nations€Development€AssistanceÐ ¨ø ÐFramework,€which€aims€at€improving€living€standards€by€reducing€Ô_ÔsocioÔ_Ô„economic€and€regionalÐ ”ä Ðdisparities€and€strengthening€institutional€capacities€to€meet€development€challenges.Ð €Ð ÐÌ395.€€The€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€that€the€State€party€is€also€cooperating€withÐ X ¨ Ðinternational€organizations€and€relevant€specialized€agencies€to€reduce€poverty€and€to€work€towardsÐ D!” Ðfurther€realization€of€the€right€to€food€and€the€right€to€health.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ396.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€State€partyððs€efforts€to€address€the€acute€problem€of€waterÐ $X" Ðshortage,€as€well€as€its€efforts€to€enhance€public€awareness€of€this€problem.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ397.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€fact€that€infant€mortality€has€decreased€and€that€life€expectancyÐ Ì&"% Ðhas€increased.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ398.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€measures€taken€by€the€State€party€to€provide€healthÐ )à$( Ðservices€and€education€for€nomadic€peoples,€such€as€mobile€first€aid€facilities€and€dispensaries€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðmobile€schools€and€libraries.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ399.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€measures€taken€by€the€State€party€pursuant€to€the€DakarÐ @-(, ÐFramework€for€Action,€adopted€at€the€World€Education€Forum€in€April€2000,€to€elaborate€a€NationalÐ ° ÐEducation€For€All€Plan.Ð œì ÐÌC.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantóóÐ tÄ ÐÌ400.€€The€Committee€notes€the€State€partyððs€statement€that,€owing€to€the€continuing€foreignÐ L œ Ðoccupation€of€part€of€its€territory,€it€feels€compelled€to€allocate€a€considerable€part€of€its€resourcesÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€national€defence.Ð $ t ÐÌ401.€€The€Committee€recognizes€that€the€efforts€of€the€State€party€to€comply€with€its€obligationsÐ ü L  Ðunder€the€Covenant€are€impeded€by€the€high€foreign€debt/GDP€ratio,€and€that€this€has€adverselyÐ è 8  Ðaffected€its€capacity€to€enhance€the€enjoyment€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€by€theÐ Ô$  Ðpopulation.Ð À  ÐÌ402.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€prevalence€of€certain€traditions,€customs€and€cultural€practicesÐ ˜è  Ðin€the€State€party€continues€to€impede€the€full€enjoyment€by€women€and€girls€of€their€rights€underÐ „Ô  Ðthe€Covenant.Ð pÀ ÐÌD.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ H˜ ÐÌ403.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€discrimination€against€certain€minority€groups€in€the€SyrianÐ  p ÐArab€Republic€on€the€basis€of€their€non„Arab€heritage,€including€those€groups€that€have€been€livingÐ  \ Ðin€the€territory€of€the€State€party€for€many€generations.Ð øH ÐÌ404.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€the€persisting€discrimination€in€the€political,€socialÐ Ð  Ðand€economic€spheres€of€life€against€women€in€Syrian€society,€which€is€particularly€reflected€inÐ ¼  Ðlimited€participation€by€women€in€the€political€and€economic€decision„making€process,€a€low€legalÐ ¨ø Ðage€of€marriage€for€girls,€more€severe€punishment€of€women€for€adultery€and€ð ðhonour€crimesðð,€andÐ ”ä Ðunequal€treatment€insofar€as€personal€property€and€social€security€laws€are€concerned.€€TheÐ €Ð ÐCommittee€regrets€that€the€State€party€has€not€adopted€any€significant€legislative€or€administrativeÐ l¼ Ðmeasures€to€eliminate€this€discrimination,€nor€ratified€the€Convention€on€the€Elimination€of€AllÐ X ¨ ÐForms€of€Discrimination€against€Women.Ð D!” ÐÌ405.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€the€living€conditions€of€refugees€and€stateless€personsÐ #l! Ðin€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,€as€well€as€the€fact€that€the€State€party€has€not€ratified€the1951Ð $X" ÐConvention€relating€to€the€Status€of€Refugees€nor€its€1967€Protocol.€€The€Committee€regrets€theÐ ô$D # Ðdelegationððs€lack€of€sufficient€information€on€this€matter.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ406.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€relatively€high€unemployment€rate€in€the€State€party,Ð ¸'#& Ðwhich€has€been€estimated€to€be€between€10€and€25€per€cent,€and€regrets€that€the€State€partyððsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdelegation€was€not€able€to€provide€sufficient€statistical€data€to€clarify€this€point€of€concern.Ð )à$( ÐÌ407.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€State€party€has€not€provided€sufficient€information€on€theÐ h+¸&* Ðincidence€of€child€labour.€€Moreover,€the€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€the€minimum€workingÐ T,¤'+ Ðage€is€too€low€and€that€children€working€in€family€businesses€and€the€agricultural€sector€are€notÐ @-(, Ðprotected€by€the€relevant€labour€legislation.€Ð ° ÐÌ408.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€the€practice€of€forced€labour€in€prisons,€especiallyÐ ˆØ Ðby€minors€and€those€who€have€been€incarcerated€for€vagrancy€and€other€petty€crimes.Ð tÄ ÐÌ409.€€The€Committee€also€expresses€its€concern€that€the€minimum€wage€has€not€been€adjusted€inÐ L œ Ðrecent€years€and€that€it€has€therefore€become€insufficient€to€provide€a€basic€and€adequate€standardÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€living€for€workers€and€their€families.Ð $ t ÐÌ410.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€the€right€to€establish€independent€trade€unions€isÐ ü L  Ðobstructed€by€the€State€party,€as€trade€unions€are€obliged€to€register€with€the€General€Federation€ofÐ è 8  ÐTrade€Unions€which€is€closely€linked€to€the€governmental€structure.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ411.€€The€Committee€also€expresses€concern€about€the€restrictions€in€practice€reported€by€ILO€withÐ ¬ü  Ðregard€to€the€right€to€strike,€such€as€the€imposition€of€sanctions,€including€imprisonment,€whichÐ ˜è  Ðconstitutes€non„compliance€with€the€State€partyððs€obligation€regarding€article€8€of€the€Covenant.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ412.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€absence€of€unemployment€benefits,€which€runs€counterÐ \¬ Ðto€the€State€partyððs€obligation€under€the€Covenant€to€realize€progressively€the€right€to€just€andÐ H˜ Ðfavourable€conditions€of€work€and€to€social€security.Ð 4„ ÐÌ413.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€the€disparity€in€the€provision€of€social€benefits€andÐ  \ Ðaccident€compensation€to€Syrian€nationals,€refugees€and€stateless€persons.Ð øH ÐÌ414.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€the€persistent€occurrence€of€domestic€violenceÐ Ð  Ðagainst€both€women€and€children€and€the€lack€of€legislation€to€criminalize€such€violence.€€Moreover,Ð ¼  Ðthe€Committee€is€concerned€that€there€is€no€law€against€spousal€rape.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ415.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€incidence€of€poverty€in€the€State€party,€which,€accordingÐ €Ð Ðto€alternative€sources,€affects€about€one€third€of€the€population.€€The€Committee€also€regrets€theÐ l¼ Ðabsence€of€official€statistical€data€on€this€subject.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ416.€€The€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€comparative€statistical€data€on€the€State€partyððsÐ 0"€  Ðimplementation€of€the€right€to€health,€as€well€as€the€fact€that€it€did€not€receive€replies€to€aÐ #l! Ðconsiderable€number€of€questions€on€the€right€to€health€in€the€list€of€issues€(E/C.12/Q/SYR/1).Ð $X" ÐÌE.€€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ à%0!$ ÐÌÓ  Ó417.€€In€the€light€of€paragraph€71€of€the€Vienna€Declaration€and€Programme€of€Actionòò10óó/€and€the€Ð ¸'#& Ðconclusions€of€the€Eighth€Workshop€on€Regional€Arrangements€for€the€Promotion€andProtectionÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€Human€Rights€in€the€Asian€and€Pacific€Region€(held€at€Beijing,€1€to€3€March€2000),€the€Ð )à$( ÐÓ:¸Ó___________Ð |*Ì%) Ðà  àòò10óó/à0 ` àAdopted€by€the€World€Conference€on€Human€Rights,€held€at€Vienna€from€14€to€25Ðh+¸&*` (#` (# ÐJune€1993€(A/Ô_ÔCONFÔ_Ô.€157/24€(Part€I),€chap.€III).Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party€prepare€a€comprehensive€national€plan€of€action€inÐ ° Ðrelation€to€the€implementation€of€its€obligations€under€international€human€rights€treaties,€includingÐ œì Ðthe€Covenant.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€annex€a€copy€of€its€national€human€rightsÐ ˆØ Ðplan€of€action€to€its€fourth€periodic€report€and€to€provide€information€on€its€implementation.Ð tÄ ÐÌ418.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€establish€as€soon€as€possible€a€national€humanÐ L œ Ðrights€institution€which€conforms€to€the€Paris€Principles.òò8óó/Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ419.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€partyððs€obligations€under€the€Covenant€beÐ  ` Ðtaken€into€account€in€all€aspects€of€its€negotiations€with€international€financial€institutions,€such€asÐ ü L  ÐIMF,€the€World€Bank€and€Ô_ÔWTOÔ_Ô,€to€ensure€that€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights,€particularly€ofÐ è 8  Ðthe€most€vulnerable€groups,€are€duly€protected.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ420.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures€to€combatÐ ¬ü  Ðdiscrimination€in€practice€against€minority€groups,€in€particular€the€Kurds.€€Such€measures€shouldÐ ˜è  Ðbe€aimed€especially€at€improving€birth€registration€and€school€attendance€and€allowing€for€the€useÐ „Ô  Ðof€their€languages€and€other€expressions€of€their€culture.Ð pÀ ÐÌ421.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures€to€incorporateÐ H˜ Ða€gender€equality€perspective€in€both€legislation€and€in€governmental€policies€and€administrativeÐ 4„ Ðprogrammes,€with€a€view€to€ensuring€equality€of€men€and€women€and€addressing€in€particular€theÐ  p Ðproblems€of€the€low€legal€age€of€marriage€for€girls,€more€severe€punishment€of€women€for€adulteryÐ  \ Ðand€ð ðhonour€crimesðð,€and€the€unequal€treatment€of€women€insofar€as€personal,€property,€successionÐ øH Ðand€social€security€laws€are€concerned.€€The€Committee€also€encourages€the€State€party€to€ratify€theÐ ä4 ÐConvention€on€the€Elimination€of€All€Forms€of€Discrimination€against€Women.Ð Ð  ÐÌ422.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€legislative€and€administrative€measuresÐ ¨ø Ðto€ensure€the€enjoyment€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€by€refugees€and€stateless€persons.€Ð ”ä ÐThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€ratify€the€Convention€relating€to€the€Status€of€Refugees,€theÐ €Ð ÐProtocol€thereto,€and€the€1954€Convention€relating€to€the€Status€of€Stateless€Persons.Ð l¼ ÐÌ423.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€provide€more€detailed€information€and€specificÐ D!” Ðstatistical€data€„€including€comparative€data€„€on€the€real€situation€of€unemployment€and€of€childÐ 0"€  Ðlabour€in€the€State€party€and€on€the€measures€it€has€taken€to€address€these€problems.Ð #l! ÐÌ424.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€measures€to€prohibit€the€practice€ofÐ ô$D # Ðforced€labour€in€prisons,€including€by€minors€and€those€incarcerated€for€vagrancy€and€other€pettyÐ à%0!$ Ðcrimes.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ425.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€adjust€the€minimum€wage€from€time€to€time,€so€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðit€provides€for€an€adequate€standard€of€living€for€workers€and€their€families,€in€conformity€withÐ )à$( Ðarticles€7€and€11€of€the€Covenant.Ð |*Ì%) Ð___________Ð h+¸&* ÐÓ  Óà  àòò8óó/à0 ` àPrinciples€relating€to€the€status€of€national€institutions€for€the€promotion€andÐT,¤'+` (#` (# ÐÓ—ÉÓprotection€of€human€rights€(see€General€Assembly€resolution€48/134€of€20€December€1993,€annex).Ð @-(, ЇÌ426.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€request€technical€assistance€from€ILO€for€theÐ œì Ðtraining€of€labour€inspectors€in€order€to€ensure€better€implementation€of€labour€legislation.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ427.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€take€all€effective€measures€to€address€the€problem€ofÐ `° Ðchild€labour€in€family€enterprises€and€in€the€agricultural€sector,€which€runs€counter€to€protection€ofÐ L œ Ðthe€rights€of€the€child€to€health€and€to€education.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ428.€€The€Committee€strongly€urges€the€State€party€to€ensure€that€the€right€to€establish€free€andÐ  ` Ðindependent€trade€unions€is€respected,€and€that€the€right€to€strike€can€be€exercised€without€any€formÐ ü L  Ðof€intimidation.Ð è 8  ÐÌ429.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€necessary€measures€to€guarantee„€toÐ À  Ðthe€maximum€of€its€available€resources,€as€stipulated€by€article€2,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Covenant„€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðan€adequate€system€of€social€security€is€maintained,€in€particular€with€regard€to€the€payment€ofÐ ˜è  Ðunemployment€benefits.€€The€Committee€also€requests€that€more€detailed€information€and€statisticalÐ „Ô  Ðdata,€including€comparative€data,€are€provided€on€the€State€partyððs€pension€system€in€its€nextÐ pÀ Ðperiodic€report.Ð \¬ ÐÌ430.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€adopt€legislation€and€other€measuresÐ 4„ Ðto€combat€domestic€violence€and€spousal€rape,€and€vigorously€implement€such€legislation€and€otherÐ  p Ðmeasures€in€order€to€provide€adequate€protection€for€victims€of€such€practices.Ð  \ ÐÌ431.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€provide€detailed€statistical€data€on€the€level€ofÐ ä4 Ðpoverty€in€its€territory,€as€well€as€more€detailed€information€on€measures€taken€to€reduce€poverty.€Ð Ð  ÐÌ432.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€provide€detailed€information€about€theÐ ¨ø Ðhousingsituation€in€the€Syrian€Arab€Republic,€including€the€provision€of€social€housing€for€lowerÐ ”ä Ðincome,€disadvantaged€and€Ô_ÔmarginalizedÔ_Ô€groups,€the€number€of€forced€evictions€and€whether€thoseÐ €Ð Ðevictions€comply€with€the€guidelines€set€out€by€the€Committee€in€its€General€Comment€No.7€(1997)Ð l¼ Ðon€the€right€to€adequate€housing€(art.€11,€para.€1,€of€the€Covenant):€forced€evictions.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ433.€€The€Committee€also€requests€the€State€party€to€provide€replies€to€the€written€and€oral€questionsÐ 0"€  Ðraised€by€the€Committee€in€the€list€of€issues€and€during€the€dialogue€which€were€left€unanswered,Ð #l! Ðand€in€particular€it€requests€comparative€statistical€data€on€the€implementation€of€the€right€to€health,Ð $X" Ðthereby€taking€into€account€the€Committeeððs€General€Comment€No.14€(2000)€on€the€right€to€theÐ ô$D # Ðhighest€attainable€standard€of€health€(art.€12€of€the€Covenant).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ434.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€implement€its€comprehensive€National€Education€ForÐ ¸'#& ÐAll€Plan,€as€anticipated€by€paragraph€16€of€the€Dakar€Framework€for€Action,€taking€into€account€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐCommitteeððs€General€Comments€No.€11€(1999)€on€plans€of€action€for€primary€education€(art.€14€ofÐ )à$( Ðthe€Covenant)€and€No.€13€(1999)€on€the€right€to€education€(art.€13€of€the€Covenant)€and€GeneralÐ |*Ì%) ÐComment€No.€1€(2001)€of€the€Committee€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€aims€of€education€(art.Ð h+¸&* Ð29,€para.€1,€of€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child).€€The€Committee€on€Economic,€Social€andÐ T,¤'+ ÐCultural€Rights€also€urges€the€State€party€to€ratify€the€Convention€against€Discrimination€inÐ @-(, ÐEducation€adopted€by€the€General€Conference€of€UNESCO€in€1960.Ð ° ÐÌ435.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€State€party€make€sure€that€minority€groups,€suchÐ ˆØ Ðas€the€Kurds,€are€able€to€enjoy€their€right€to€use€their€own€language€and€to€live€in€accordance€withÐ tÄ Ðtheir€own€culture€without€impediments€in€the€form€of€legislative€or€administrative€arrangementsÐ `° Ðimposed€by€the€State€party.Ð L œ ÐÌ436.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€avail€itself€more€actively€of€technicalÐ $ t Ðassistance€and€cooperation€from€the€Office€of€the€United€Nations€High€Commissioner€for€HumanÐ  ` ÐRights€and€the€relevant€United€Nations€specialized€agencies€and€programmes,€such€as€Ô_ÔUNDPÔ_Ô€andÐ ü L  ÐUNESCO,€particularly€in€relation€to€the€preparation€of€its€fourth€periodic€report€on€theÐ è 8  Ðimplementation€of€the€Covenant,€a€national€human€rights€plan€of€action,€the€creation€of€a€nationalÐ Ô$  Ðhuman€rights€institution,€and€the€preparation€and€implementation€of€the€National€Education€For€AllÐ À  ÐPlan€in€accordance€with€the€Dakar€Framework€for€Action.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ437.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€disseminate€the€present€concluding€observationsÐ „Ô  Ðwidely€among€all€levels€of€society€and€to€inform€the€Committee€of€all€steps€taken€toimplement€them.€Ð pÀ ÐIt€also€encourages€the€State€party€to€consult€with€non„governmental€organizations€and€other€membersÐ \¬ Ðof€civil€society€in€the€preparation€of€its€fourth€periodic€report.Ð H˜ ÐÌ438.€€Finally,€the€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€submit€its€fourth€periodic€reportÐ  p Ðby30June2006,€and€to€include€in€the€report€detailed€information€on€the€steps€it€has€undertaken€toÐ  \ Ðimplement€the€recommendations€contained€in€the€present€concluding€observations.Ô#†XµÈXX XµÈ’#Ô