IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, CONTINUED

CERD

•	Belgium, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 17 at para. 55.

55. The Committee is concerned about the difficulties of access to employment and housing of members of ethnic minorities. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to facilitate the occupational integration, in both the public and private sectors, and the access to housing, of persons belonging to ethnic minorities...

•	Denmark, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 27 at paras. 111 and 117.

111. The Committee welcomes the improvement of employment opportunities for minorities and refugees in the public sector, the creation of integration councils to ensure ongoing integration efforts, and the relative success in procuring housing for refugees, in line with article 5 of the Convention.

...

117. The Committee is concerned that policies and practices such as the housing dispersal policy, the quota system for the admission of minority children to certain crèches and nurseries, and the reported prohibition of the use of the mother tongue in some of these establishments may, though aimed at facilitating integration, lead to indirect discrimination against minorities and refugees...

•	Liechtenstein, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 33 at para. 154.

154. With regard to the right to adequate housing, the Committee is concerned that discrimination on racial grounds in the allocation of housing is said to occur, albeit infrequently...

•	Lithuania, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 35 at paras. 173 and 176.

173. The Committee notes with concern that, despite the adoption of a programme for the integration of the Roma into Lithuanian society for 2000-2004, the Roma experience difficulties in enjoying their fundamental rights in the fields of housing, health, employment and education, and are the subject of prejudicial attitudes. In this regard, the Committee wishes to draw the attention of the State party to general recommendation XXVII on discrimination against Roma...

...

176. The Committee is further concerned about xenophobic tendencies towards Chechen asylum-seekers and refugees and requests the State party to take preventive and educational measures in this regard. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the enjoyment of social rights, particularly to adequate housing and health, to all asylum-seekers and refugees in need without regard to their legal status.

•	Republic of Moldova, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 41 at paras. 220 and 226.

220. With regard to the constitutional and legal provisions aimed at the protection of the rights of persons belonging to ethnic minority groups, the Committee recommends that the State party take measures to guarantee more fully for ethnic minority groups, economic, social and cultural rights, as defined in article 5 (e) of the Convention, including the rights to work and to adequate housing...

...

226. The Committee expresses its concern about reports that minorities experience discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, education and health care...The Committee recommends that the State party undertake effective measures to eradicate practices of discrimination against minorities and, in particular, the Roma population...

•	Botswana, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 53 at paras. 301 and 304.

301. The Committee is concerned by the discriminatory character of certain domestic laws, such as the Chieftainship Act and the Tribal Territories Act, which only recognize the Tswana-speaking tribes. Other tribes, especially the Basarwa/San peoples, are reported to suffer from cultural, social, economic and political exclusion, do not enjoy group rights to land, and do not participate in the House of Chiefs. Noting that the amendment of sections 77 to 79 of the Constitution is currently in process, the Committee recommends that recognition and representation of all tribes in Botswana on an equal basis be ensured in the Constitution, and that the Chieftainship Act and the Tribal Territories Act be amended accordingly.

...

304. The Committee expresses concern that the ongoing dispossession of Basarwa/San people from their land and about reports stating that their resettlement outside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve does not respect their political, economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XXIII on indigenous peoples, and recommends that no decisions directly relating to the rights and interests of members of indigenous peoples be taken without their informed consent. The Committee recommends that negotiations with the Basarwa/San and non-governmental organizations on this issue be resumed, and that a rights-based approach to development be adopted.

•	Canada, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 56 at para. 331.

331. The Committee views with concern the direct connection between Aboriginal economic marginalization and the ongoing dispossession of Aboriginal people from their land, as recognized by the Royal Commission. The Committee notes with appreciation the assurance given by the delegation that Canada would no longer require a reference to extinguishment of surrendered land and resource rights in any land claim agreements...

•	Hungary, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 63 at paras. 380 and 384.

380. The Committee is concerned at the prevailing conditions in refugee shelters and the conditions of detention of undocumented immigrants. Noting the efforts of the State party in this respect, the Committee strongly encourages the Hungarian authorities to further improve the existing facilities so that they meet international standards...

...

384. The Committee is concerned that the Roma population is disproportionately subjected to discrimination in respect of housing and, in particular, to forced evictions. The Committee recommends that the State party take further positive measures to effectively address the issue of discrimination with regard to housing.

•	New Zealand, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 69 at para. 422.

422. While noting the programmes and projects initiated by the State party...the Committee remains concerned about the continuing disadvantages that Maori, Pacific Island people and other ethnic communities face in the enjoyment of social and economic rights, such as the rights to employment, housing, social welfare, and health care. The State party is invited to devote priority attention to this issue and to continue to encourage active and effective participation by Maori in the search for solutions such as the Maori Mental Health Strategic Framework adopted in May 2002, with a view to further reducing these disadvantages.

•	Fiji, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 25 at paras. 77 and 88.

77. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the inclusion, in the 1997 Constitution of Fiji, of a Social Justice Chapter (sect. 44), calling for the elaboration of programmes designed to achieve, for all groups or categories of persons who are disadvantaged, effective equality of access to education and training, land and housing, and participation in commerce and all levels and branches of State public services.

...

88. The Committee is concerned that the expiry of many leases of Native land has allegedly led to the "eviction" of numerous farmers, mainly Indo-Fijians, and that the resettlement programme of the State party appears to be insufficient. The Committee underlines the State's responsibility to provide assistance to "exited tenants", and recommends that it increase its efforts to compensate and resettle affected families. The Committee urges the State party to develop measures of conciliation between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians over the land issue, with a view to obtaining a solution acceptable to both communities.

•	Poland, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 35 at para. 162.

162. The Committee welcomes the State party's efforts to implement the comprehensive programme to guarantee the rights of the Roma population in the Malopolska region and encourages the State party to extend the programme to other regions of the country, taking into account general recommendation XXVII (57) of 16 August 2000 concerning discrimination against Roma. It ... recommends that the State party pay particular attention to the rights to housing and to employment of the Roma population...

•	Slovenia, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 45 at para. 241.

241. The Committee is concerned that a significant number of persons who have been living in Slovenia since independence without Slovenian citizenship may have been deprived under certain circumstances of their pensions, of apartments they were occupying, and of health care and other rights. The Committee takes note of the efforts undertaken by the State party to address these issues...

•	Albania, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 53 at para. 315.

315. The Committee is concerned about information relating to discrimination against the Roma in respect of access to education, health, hygiene, housing, employment, and sufficient and adequate food and water.

The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts on behalf of the Roma minority, in accordance with general recommendation XXVII...

•	Czech Republic, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 65 at para. 385

385. The Committee welcomes the information on the housing projects of Roma which the State party has implemented and notes the significant efforts invested in seeking optimal solutions to improve their deteriorating housing conditions. While the Committee notes that, in the short term, construction of housing units that are occupied predominantly by Roma may be successful, it is concerned that, in the long term, such solutions may perpetuate segregation. The Committee is further concerned by the evictions from flats or threats to evict reportedly faced by many Roma families.

The Committee encourages the State party to continue its activities in the area of research relating to the problem of housing and to seek solutions that promote the social integration of the Roma. With respect to evictions, the Committee recommends that the State party devise measures to prevent evictions or mitigate their negative effects, in particular on the most vulnerable groups.

•	Finland, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 69 at para. 409.

409. With respect to article 5, the Committee is concerned about the difficulties faced by Roma in the fields of employment, housing and education, as well as about reported cases of discrimination in daily life such as denial of access to public places, restaurants or bars.

The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XXVII on discrimination against Roma and recommends that the State party take all necessary measures with a view to promoting tolerance and overcoming prejudices and negative stereotypes in order to avoid any form of discrimination against members of the Roma community.

•	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 88 at paras. 542 and 543.

542. The Committee expresses concern about the discrimination faced by Roma/Gypsies/Travellers that is reflected, inter alia, in their higher child mortality rate, exclusion from schools, shorter life expectancy, poor housing conditions, lack of available camping sites, high unemployment rate and limited access to health services.

The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XXVII on discrimination against Roma and recommends that the State party develop further appropriate modalities of communication and dialogue between Roma/Gypsy/Traveller communities and central authorities. It also recommends that the State party adopt national strategies and programmes with a view to improving the situation of the Roma/Gypsies/Travellers against discrimination by State bodies, persons or organizations.

543. The Committee reiterates its concern that besides the Roma/Gypsy/Traveller populations, certain other minority groups or individuals belonging to them experience discrimination in the areas of employment, education, housing and health.

The Committee urges the State party to continue taking affirmative measures in accordance with article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention to ensure equal opportunities for full enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights...

•	Bahamas, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 10 at para. 37.

37. Taking note of the substantial efforts already made to manage the Carmichael Road Detention Centre effectively, the Committee is very concerned at reports that conditions in detention there are unsatisfactory, especially as regards access to food and drinking water, hygiene and access to medical care.

The Committee recommends the State party to step up immediately its efforts in this connection...

•	Lebanon, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 18 at para. 84.

84. While acknowledging the political factors related to the presence of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, the Committee reiterates its concern with regard to the enjoyment by the Palestinian population present in the country of all rights stipulated in the Convention on the basis of non-discrimination, in particular access to work, health care, housing and social services as well as the right to effective legal remedies. The Committee notes the statement of the delegation that the 2001 property law does not apply retroactively and that Palestinians' right to inherit remains in force.

The Committee urges the State party to take measures to ameliorate the situation of Palestinian refugees with regard to the enjoyment of the rights protected under the Convention, and at a minimum to remove all legislative provisions and change policies that have a discriminatory effect on the Palestinian population in comparison with other non- citizens.

•	Nepal, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 24 at paras. 127, 128 and 133.

127. The Committee remains deeply concerned at the persistence of the de facto caste-based discrimination and the culture of impunity that apparently permeates the higher strata of a hierarchical social system. In particular, it is concerned at information on the existence of segregated residential areas for Dalits, social exclusion of inter-caste couples, restriction to certain types of employment, and denial of access to public spaces, places of worship and public sources of food and water, as well as at allegations that public funds were used for the construction of separate water taps for Dalits.

The Committee recommends that the State party, as a matter of priority, take measures to prevent, prohibit and eliminate private and public practices that constitute segregation of any kind, and make determined efforts to ensure the practical and effective implementation of these measures...

128. The Committee regrets the general paucity of information regarding the implementation of the Convention in relation to the enjoyment of all human rights by the indigenous peoples of Nepal. The Committee is also concerned over allegations of forced relocation and violations of the right of the indigenous peoples to own, develop, control and use their traditional homelands and resources in the name of wildlife preservation.

The Committee recommends that the State party take stricter measures to combat discrimination against indigenous peoples, in line with its general recommendation XXIII on the right of indigenous peoples... It further invites the State party to consider acceding to ILO Convention No. 169.

...

133. The Committee is concerned that, although the system of agricultural bonded labour
known as Kamaiya was abolished in July 2000, the emancipated Kamaiyas are facing many problems, including lack of housing, land, work and education for their children.

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure effective enforcement of the Bonded Labour Prohibition Act 2002 and programmes adopted to put an end to the practice and discrimination against Kamaiyas.

•	Spain, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 32 at paras. 167 and 174.

167. The Committee... notes with satisfaction the extensive measures taken in the social, economic, cultural and other spheres in connection with the Gypsy community, including inter alia:

(a) The further implementation of the Gypsy Development Programme, aimed at promoting access for members of the Gypsy community - on terms of equality with the rest of the population - to public education, health, housing, employment;

...

174. With respect to article 5 of the Convention, while the Committee notes with satisfaction the extensive measures taken by the State party in order to improve the overall situation of Gypsies, it is concerned about the difficulties still faced by a large part of them in the fields of employment, housing and education, as well as about reported cases of discrimination in daily life.

The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XXVII on discrimination against Roma (Gypsies) and recommends that the State party take all necessary measures with a view to promoting tolerance and overcoming prejudices and negative stereotypes in order to avoid any form of discrimination against members of the Roma (Gypsy) community.

•	Sweden, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 41 at paras. 221 and 226.

221. While the Committee acknowledges with satisfaction the initiatives taken by the State party to improve the situation of the Roma, such as the establishment of a Council for Roma Issues in 2002 as an advisory body to the Government, it remains concerned about the difficulties still faced by a large part of the Roma community in areas such as employment, housing and education.

The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XXVII on discrimination against Roma and encourages the State party to intensify its efforts to implement national strategies and programmes in these areas, including the biennial strategic programme of the Ombudsman against Ethnic Discrimination, with a view to improving the situation of the Roma and their protection against discrimination.

...

226. While the Committee is encouraged by the State party's affirmation that Sweden is a country of immigration and that integration policies to counteract the social exclusion experienced by some persons born abroad are a priority, it remains concerned at the persistence of discriminatory attitudes faced by persons of immigrant origin in certain areas, such as the labour market, housing and access to public services.

The Committee encourages the State party to pursue and strengthen its efforts in these areas, in accordance with article 5 (e) and (f) of the Convention.

•	Portugal, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 66 at paras. 369 and 370.

369. The Committee is concerned about the relative isolation of some groups of immigrants and members of ethnic minorities in marginalized neighbourhoods or areas and their difficult situation in respect of housing conditions.

The Committee encourages the State party to continue taking measures to avoid the marginalization of some groups of immigrants and members of ethnic minorities in ghetto- like neighbourhoods and guarantee the equal enjoyment of the right to adequate housing to all.

370. While the Committee notes the measures taken by the State party to improve the situation of Roma/gypsies, it remains concerned about the difficulties faced by many members of this community in the fields of employment, housing and education, as well as reported cases of discrimination in daily life...

The Committee urges the State party to continue taking special measures in accordance with article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention to ensure the adequate protection of Roma/gypsies and to promote equal opportunities for the full enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights.

•	Slovakia, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 70 at paras. 387 and 388.

387. While the Committee notes the "comprehensive Roma settlements development programme", as well as the "programme of support for the construction of communal rental housing of a different standard", it expresses concern about the isolation of the Roma community in ghetto-like neighbourhoods and their critical situation in respect of housing conditions, especially in the eastern part of the country, where most of the Roma community is concentrated.

In light of its general recommendation XXVII, the Committee recommends that the State party effectively implement policies and projects aimed at avoiding segregation of Roma communities in housing and involve Roma communities and associations as partners in housing construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects. Furthermore, the Committee encourages the State party to take all possible measures to further improve housing conditions for Roma, taking also into account that for families, and particularly children, living in a proper environment is an essential prerequisite for access to education and employment on an equal footing.

388. The Committee is alarmed at the critical health situation of some Roma communities, which is largely a consequence of their poor living conditions.

The Committee recommends that the State party continue to implement programmes and projects in the field of health for Roma, bearing in mind their disadvantaged situation resulting from extreme poverty and low levels of education; to this end, the Committee encourages the State party to take further measures to address the issues of drinking water supplies and sewage disposal systems in Roma settlements.

•	Azerbaijan, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 18 at para. 60.

60. The Committee expresses its concern that asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons, displaced persons and long-term residents residing in Azerbaijan experience discrimination in the areas of employment, education, housing and health (art. 5).

The Committee urges the State party to continue taking necessary measures in accordance with article 5 of the Convention to ensure equal opportunities for full enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights by asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons, displaced persons and long-term residents of Azerbaijan. The Committee...draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XXX on discrimination against non-citizens.

•	Bahrain, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 22 at para. 84.

84. The Committee remains concerned at the situation of migrant workers, in particular regarding their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

In light of article 5 (e) (i) and of general recommendation XXX on non-citizens, the Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to extend full protection from racial discrimination to all migrant workers and remove obstacles that prevent the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by these workers, notably in the areas of education, housing, employment and health...

•	France, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 26 at para. 106.

106. While taking note of the Act of 1 August 2003 on general principles and planning for cities and urban renewal, the Committee remains concerned at the unfavourable situation faced by immigrants and population groups of immigrant origin in the field of housing.

The Committee calls on the State party to strengthen its policy for the integration of immigrants and population groups of immigrant origin, especially in the field of housing, and draws its attention to the Committee's general recommendation XIX on article 3 of the Convention and general recommendation XXX on discrimination against non-citizens. The Committee invites the State party to follow the recommendations in this area as set out in the report of the Court of Audit...

•	Ireland, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 30 at para. 145.

145. While noting the efforts made so far by the State party with regard to the situation of members of the Traveller community in the field of health, housing, employment and education, the Committee remains concerned about the effectiveness of policies and measures in these areas (art. 5 (e)).

The Committee recommends to the State party that it intensify its efforts to fully implement the recommendations of the Task Force on the Traveller community, and that all necessary measures be taken urgently to improve access by Travellers to all levels of education, their employment rates as well as their access to health services and to accommodation suitable to their lifestyle.

•	Lao People's Democratic Republic, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 35 at para. 173.

173. The Committee remains concerned at persistent allegations of conflict between the Government and members of the Hmong minority who have taken refuge in the jungle or mountainous areas of the Lao People's Democratic Republic since 1975. According to various corroborating reports, this group is living in difficult humanitarian conditions (art. 5).

The Committee calls on the State party to take all measures, if necessary with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations and the international community, to find a political and humanitarian solution to this crisis as quickly as possible and to create the necessary conditions for the initiation of a dialogue with this group. The Committee strongly encourages the State party to authorize United Nations agencies to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to this group.

•	Luxembourg, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 40 at para. 198.

198. While recognizing the steps taken by the State party to combat racial discrimination, the Committee notes that certain vulnerable groups, such as non-nationals, refugees and asylum-seekers, are not afforded sufficient protection.

In the light of its general recommendation XXX, the Committee proposes action specifically to guarantee the equal enjoyment of the right to adequate housing for citizens and non-citizens, especially by avoiding segregation in housing and ensuring that housing agencies refrain from engaging in discriminatory practices.

•	Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 71 at para. 379.

379. Bearing in mind the State party's efforts, the Committee reiterates its concern at the persistence of profound structural social and economic inequalities which have an impact on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic and social rights, and affect Afro-descendants and indigenous peoples.

The Committee encourages the State party to step up its efforts to improve the economic and social rights situation of Afro-descendants and indigenous people, such as the right to housing, the right to health and sanitation services, the right to work and the right to adequate nutrition, in order to combat racial discrimination and eliminate structural inequalities.

ICCPR

•	Hungary, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 60 at para. 80(7).

(7) The Committee is deeply concerned at the situation of the Roma people who, despite various steps taken by the State party, remain disadvantaged in almost all aspects of life covered by the Covenant. The Committee particularly regrets ongoing discrimination against Roma with regard to employment, housing, education, social security and participation in public life...

The State party should strengthen measures for improving the situation of the Roma people. In addition to further legislative steps, the training of officials, in particular the police, is strongly recommended, as is a vigorous campaign to alter public attitudes vis-à-vis the Roma people...

•	Togo, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2002) 36 at para. 78(15).

(15) The Committee notes with concern that detention conditions in Togo are appalling, particularly in the civil prisons in Lomé and Kara, which are very overcrowded and where the food supply is uncertain and inadequate. This situation has been acknowledged by the State party, which draws attention to its financial difficulties and to its officers' lack of training.

The State party should develop alternative sentences to imprisonment. In addition, the State party should establish an independent inspectorate to carry out regular visits to all detention centres. That inspectorate should include elements independent of the Government, to ensure transparency and observance of articles 7 and 10 of the Covenant, and should be charged with making all the necessary proposals concerning ways of improving detainees' rights and detention conditions, including access to health care.

•	Portugal, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2003) 56 at para. 83(20).

(20) The Committee is concerned that, despite extensive positive measures adopted by the State party, the Roma continue to suffer from prejudice and discrimination, particularly with regard to access to housing, employment and social services, and that the State party was unable to submit detailed information, including statistical information, on the situation of these communities as well as on the results achieved by the institutions responsible for the advancement and welfare of the Roma (arts. 26 and 27).

(a) The State party should intensify its efforts to integrate Roma communities in Portugal in a manner that is respectful of their cultural identity, in particular through the adoption of positive action with regard to housing, employment, education and social services.

...

•	Israel, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2003) 64 at para. 85(19).

(19) While again acknowledging the seriousness of the State party's security concerns, which have prompted recent restrictions on the right to freedom of movement, for example through imposition of curfews or establishment of an inordinate number of roadblocks, the Committee is concerned that the construction of the "Seam Zone", by means of a fence and, in part, of a wall, beyond the Green Line imposes additional and unjustifiably severe restrictions on the right to freedom of movement of, in particular, Palestinians within the Occupied Territories. The "Seam Zone" has adverse repercussions on nearly all walks of Palestinian life; in particular, the wide-ranging restrictions on freedom of movement disrupt access to health care, including emergency medical services, and access to water. The Committee considers that these restrictions are incompatible with article 12 of the Covenant.

The State party should respect the right to freedom of movement guaranteed under article 12. The construction of a "Seam Zone" within the Occupied Territories should be stopped.

•	Russian Federation, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2003) 20 at para. 64(16).

(16) The Committee notes the statement by the delegation that all persons who have returned to Chechnya have done so voluntarily. However, it also observes that there are reports of undue pressure on displaced persons living in camps in Ingushetia to make them return to Chechnya.

The State party should ensure that internally displaced persons in Ingushetia are not coerced into returning to Chechnya, including by ensuring the provision of alternative shelter in case of closure of camps (art. 12).

•	Germany, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 39 at para. 68(21).

(21) The Committee is concerned that the Roma continue to suffer prejudice and discrimination, in particular with regard to access to housing and employment...

(a) The State party should intensify its efforts to integrate Roma communities in Germany in a manner respectful of their cultural identity, in particular through the adoption of positive action with regard to housing, employment and education.

...

•	Uganda, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 47 at para. 70(18).

(18) The State party has acknowledged the deplorable prison conditions in Uganda. The most common problems are overcrowding, scarcity of food, poor sanitary conditions and inadequate material, human and financial resources. The treatment of prisoners continues to be a matter of concern to the Committee... Solitary confinement and deprivation of food are also used as disciplinary measures...

The State party should terminate practices contrary to article 7 and bring prison conditions into line with article 10 of the Covenant and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners...

•	Serbia and Montenegro, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 68 at para. 75(18).

(18) The Committee is concerned about the lack of full protection of the rights of internally displaced persons in Serbia and Montenegro... It expresses its concern with regard to high levels of unemployment and lack of adequate housing, as well as with regard to the full enjoyment of political rights...

...[I]nternally displaced persons should be afforded full and effective access to social services, educational facilities, unemployment assistance, adequate housing and personal documents, in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination.

•	Kenya, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 44 at para. 86(22).

(22) While noting the delegation's explanations on the issue, the Committee remains concerned about reports of the forcible eviction of thousands of inhabitants from so called informal settlements, both in Nairobi and other parts of the country, without prior consultation with the populations concerned and/or without adequate prior notification. This practice arbitrarily interferes with the Covenant rights of the victims of such evictions, especially their rights under article 17 of the Covenant.

The State party should develop transparent policies and procedures for dealing with evictions and ensure that evictions from settlements do not occur unless those affected have been consulted and appropriate resettlement arrangements have been made.

ICESCR

•	Colombia, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 110 at paras. 770 and 791.

770. The Committee is concerned about the fact that housing subsidies have been reduced substantially and about inadequate living space and poor structural quality of houses in the provinces of Sucre, Córdoba, Bolívar and Magdalena, among others.

...

791. The Committee urges the State party to take measures to increase housing subsidies, especially in the poorest provinces. It recommends the adoption of a system for the financing of low-income dwellings to give the poorest groups access to adequate housing.

•	Algeria, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 116 at paras. 822 and 838.

822. The Committee is deeply concerned about the acute housing shortage facing the Algerian population.

...

838. The Committee urges the State party to address the acute housing shortage, including through the adoption of a strategy and plan of action and through the construction of more low-cost housing units. In this connection, the Committee reminds the State party of its obligations under article 11 of the Covenant and refers to its General Comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant).

•	France, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 121 at paras. 853, 869 and 880.

853. The Committee welcomes the State party's recent efforts to address the problem of social exclusion in the State party, inter alia, by the adoption of Framework Law No. 98-657 of 29 July 1998 to combat social exclusion, particularly targeting the right to work, the right to housing and the right to health.

...

869. The Committee is concerned about the problem and extent of homelessness in the State party, particularly in the urban areas. The Committee is also concerned about the inadequacy of government policy aimed at the reduction and prevention of homelessness.

...

880. The Committee strongly recommends that, in addition to its present campaigns to aid the homeless, especially during the winter months, the State party devote particular attention to raising awareness about the phenomenon and that the State party continue to develop policies on how to address the problem adequately, and not only as a matter of emergency.

•	Croatia, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 125 at paras. 893 and 904.

893. The Committee notes with concern that many displaced ethnic Serbs continue to face legal and administrative difficulties in attempting to repossess their former homes. The Committee is also concerned that while the process of repatriation and relocation of ethnic Serbs has begun showing signs of improvement, the results and the pace of their return and the settlement of their property and tenancy claims in relation to those of other displaced Croatians reveal that ethnic Serbs continue to face excessive obstacles to their return. The Committee is deeply disturbed that these obstacles have resulted in the violation of the rights of many Serbs under articles 2 and 11 of the Covenant.

...

904. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to accelerate the return and reintegration into Croatian society of all Croatian refugees without discrimination, particularly of ethnic Serbs, by expediting the restitution of their housing, arranging for adequate alternative accommodation or providing them with compensation when restitution is not possible, as explained by the Committee in its General Comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant).

•	Jamaica, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 130 at para. 938.

938. The Committee is concerned that more than one third of the population lives in poverty despite measures taken by the State party, such as the implementation of a National Poverty Eradication Programme. The Committee has received reports from Jamaican non- governmental organizations that poverty rates are highest among women, particularly women who head single-parent households. The reports also state that while the State party has undertaken significant steps to improve the housing situation, thousands of Jamaicans continue to live in deplorable conditions in wooden and tin shacks with no running water or electricity. The Committee also expresses special concern for farmers who, allegedly owing to free trade agreements, are unable to compete with prices of cheaper imported foods on local markets, which has eroded their ability to provide for their families.

•	Czech Republic, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 25 at paras. 75, 86, 92 and 105.

75. The Committee regrets that the Covenant has not been given full effect in the State party's legal order and that most of the rights contained in the Covenant are not justiciable in domestic legal order, in particular, the right to adequate housing, which the State party considers as merely a declaratory non-entitlement right.

...

86. The Committee is deeply concerned about the acute shortage of housing and the privatization of some public housing stocks which have resulted in a sharp rise in rents, forced evictions and homelessness.

...

92. The Committee urges the State party to take appropriate steps to give full effect to the Covenant in its legal system, so that the rights covered by it may be directly invoked before the courts.

...

105. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to address the problems of: (a) the housing shortage by adopting housing programmes, especially for the disadvantaged and marginalized groups; (b) forced evictions and homelessness by respecting the Committee's General Comments 4 and 7 and devising a comprehensive plan to combat homelessness.

•	Ireland, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 29 at paras. 134 and 146.

134. The Committee is concerned that: (a) many new households cannot secure adequate and affordable housing; and (b) some 1,200 families of the traveller community are living in roadside encampments without access to water and adequate sanitary facilities, and are liable to be forcibly evicted.

...

146. The Committee...urges the State party to accelerate its social housing programmes in order to reduce the waiting time for social housing. Moreover, the State party should enhance its efforts: (a) to provide, as early as possible, alternative accommodation for the 1,200 traveller families who are living in roadside encampments without adequate facilities and to respect the Committee's General Comments No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant) and No. 7 (1997) on forced evictions; and (b) to meet its target of providing all necessary traveller accommodation by 2004.

•	Benin, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 34 at paras. 175 and 194.

175. The Committee is concerned at the lack of a social policy on housing and the lack of low-cost housing. It notes with grave concern that rents are unaffordably high for a large sector of the population, in particular the disadvantaged and marginalized groups, and that houses are demolished without compensation. The Committee is also concerned at the growing number of persons living in the street and in sub-standard housing in shanty towns lacking all basic services.

...

194. The Committee recommends the State party to introduce a consistent public housing scheme, build more low-cost housing for disadvantaged and marginalized people in lower income brackets, arrange for rents for public housing to be regulated and avoid any forced evictions without compensation, and take priority measures for homeless persons and persons living in sub-standard housing in shanty towns, as indicated in the recommendations in its general comments no. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant) and no. 7 (1997) on forced evictions.

•	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 40 at paras. 222, 223, 241 and 242.

222. The Committee is concerned at the persistence of homelessness, particularly among certain groups of society, such as ethnic minorities. The Committee is further concerned that a large number of the homeless are alcoholics or suffer from mental illnesses.

223. The Committee notes with concern that poor quality housing and "fuel poverty" continue to be a problem for a large number of families and individuals.

...

241. The Committee recommends that the State party focus its efforts to combat homelessness on those groups in society which are disproportionately affected, such as ethnic minorities. The Committee further recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to ensure that homeless persons suffering from serious health problems receive adequate health care.

242. The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate measures to improve the situation of the large number of families and individuals who live in poor housing conditions and to relieve the situation of those who are "fuel poor".

•	Trinidad and Tobago, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 45 at paras. 274, 297 and 299.

274. The Committee is deeply concerned about the living conditions of prisoners and detainees in the State party, especially with regard to access to health care and adequate food and basic facilities.

...

297. The Committee urges the State party to enact specific legislation and adopt measures necessary to improve the living conditions of prisoners and detainees.

...

299. The Committee urges the State party to devise a housing strategy for disadvantaged and marginalized groups and to provide low-cost housing units to them. The Committee also urges the State party to provide more disaggregated data on squatters, as well as to adopt measures to improve their legal position with regard to their security of tenure. In addition, the Committee recommends that the State party take into account the Committee's general comments no. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1 of the Covenant) and no. 7 (1997) on forced evictions.

•	Slovakia, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 50 at paras. 314, 325 and 327.

314. The Committee is deeply concerned about discrimination against Roma people in the fields of employment, housing, health care and education. Although the State party acknowledges this fact, the legislative and administrative measures undertaken by the State party to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Roma are still insufficient to address the problem...

...

325. The Committee recommends that the State party take into account its obligations under the Covenant in the formulation of its social welfare, housing, health and education policies.

...

327. The Committee urges the State party to take concrete measures, including the adoption of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 2, of the Covenant, to combat and eliminate discrimination against minority groups, in particular against Roma people.

•	Poland, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 54 at paras. 355, 367, 377 and 389.

355. The Committee regrets that the State part... has not yet adopted and implemented a comprehensive programme to address the problems faced by Roma communities, in particular unemployment and inadequate living standards...

...

367. The Committee is further concerned that, under existing legislation, forced evictions may be carried out in the State party without the provision of alternative lodging, as stipulated in the Committee's general comment no. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions.

...

377. The Committee...urges the State party to...adopt a comprehensive programme to address the obstacles to the advancement of the Roma population, including measures to ensure effective remedy for cases of discrimination against Roma in employment, housing and health care...

...

389. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation that the conditions for permissible forced evictions be specified in law, with provisions that address the need for alternative lodging for those evicted, as provided for in the Committee's general comment No. 7 on forced evictions.

•	Georgia, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 60 at paras. 411, 422, 430 and 439.

411. The Committee expresses deep concern about the deplorable situation of internally displaced persons in the State party. The State party's efforts to provide basic services to this disadvantaged group and special legislation adopted to that end have succeeded only partially in meeting the most basic needs of internally displaced persons, particularly with regard to employment, social security, adequate housing and access to water, electricity, basic health services and education.

...

422. The Committee expresses concern about the poor living conditions of the majority of the State party's population, including an inadequate supply of water and irregular provision of electricity and heating, which particularly affect the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups of society, such as older persons, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, prisoners and persons living in poverty.

...

430. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party take effective measures, in consultation with relevant civil society organizations, to improve the situation of internally displaced persons, including the adoption of a comprehensive programme of action aiming at ensuring more effectively their rights to adequate housing, food and water, health services and sanitation, employment and education, and the regularization of their status in the State party.

...

439. The Committee urges the State party to continue its efforts to improve the living conditions of its population, in particular by ensuring that the infrastructure for water, energy provision and heating is improved, and by paying priority attention to the needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups of society, such as older persons, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, prisoners and persons living in poverty.

•	Solomon Islands, ICESCR, E/C.12/1/Add.84 (2002) 65 at paras. 460, 461, 473 and 474.

460. The Committee is concerned that malnutrition, especially among young people, is widespread, despite the fact that food supplies are available in almost sufficient quantities in all parts of the country.

461. The Committee is also concerned that many communities in the State party do not have access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, which poses severe health risks to them.

...

473. The Committee...urges the State party to address the problem of malnutrition, including through seeking assistance from international organizations.

474. The Committee urges the State party to seek international cooperation and assistance with a view to ensuring access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation systems for all rural and urban communities.

•	Estonia, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 68 at paras. 506-508 and 528-530.

506. The Committee is deeply concerned about the lack of social housing, as acknowledged by the State party.

507. The Committee is concerned that the measures taken by the State party to address the growing problem of homelessness are insufficient, as they focus solely on providing shelter to the homeless rather than dealing with the underlying causes of homelessness.

508. The Committee expresses its concern that forced evictions may be carried out in the State party without provision for alternative lodging or adequate compensation.

...

528. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate sufficient resources for the provision of social housing, especially to the disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

529. The Committee also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat the problem of homelessness.

530. The Committee further recommends that the State party ensure that alternative lodging or adequate compensation is provided for people who are evicted from their homes and, in this regard, refers the State party to the guidelines set out in its general comment no. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions.

•	Brazil, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 28 at paras. 116, 119, 140, 141, 144, 163, 164 and 167.

116. The Committee welcomes the programme "Fome Zero" undertaken by the State party aimed at eradicating hunger which affects a substantial portion of the population.

...

119. The Committee welcomes the creation within the State party of independent special rapporteurs responsible for monitoring economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the right to food, to health and to education.

...

140. The Committee notes with concern that, according to the State party's report, at least 42 per cent of families currently live in inadequate housing facilities without adequate water supply, waste disposal and trash collection. It also notes that 50 per cent of the population of major urban areas lives in informal urban communities (illegal settlements and homes, as stated in paragraph 512 of the State party's report).

141. The Committee notes with concern that the State party has not facilitated the access to, and adequate provision of, housing credit and subsidies to low-income families, especially disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

...

144. The Committee notes with concern the living conditions of prisoners and detainees in the State party, especially with regard to provision of, and access to, health-care facilities, adequate food and safe drinking water.

...

163. The Committee urges the State party to give effect to its national housing policy and its federal housing programmes and to adopt nationwide policies in order to ensure that families have adequate housing facilities and amenities. In this respect, the Committee draws the State party's attention to its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11 (1) of the Covenant).

164. The Committee urges the State party to provide access to housing credit and subsidies to low-income families and disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

...

167. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures, including policies, programmes and specific legislation, aimed at improving the living conditions of prisoners and detainees.

•	Israel, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 42 at paras. 259, 262, 267-270, 275, 278 and 283-286.

259. The Committee is deeply concerned about the continuing difference in treatment between Jews and non-Jews, in particular Arab and Bedouin communities, with regard to their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the State party's territory. The Committee reiterates its concern that the excessive emphasis upon the State as a "Jewish State" encourages discrimination and accords a second-class status to its non-Jewish citizens.15/ This discriminatory attitude is apparent in the continuing lower standard of living of Israeli Arabs as a result, inter alia, of higher unemployment rates, restricted access to and participation in trade unions, lack of access to housing, water, electricity and health care and a lower level of education, despite the State party's efforts to close the gap. In this regard, the Committee expresses its concern that the State party's domestic legal order does not enshrine the general principles of equality and non-discrimination.

...

262. The Committee deeply regrets the refusal of the State party to provide in its second periodic report additional information on the living conditions of population groups other than Israeli settlers in the occupied territories as requested in its 2001 concluding observations. The Committee continues to be gravely concerned about the deplorable living conditions of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, who - as a result of the continuing occupation and subsequent measures of closures, extended curfews, roadblocks and security checkpoints - suffer from impingement of their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in the Covenant, in particular access to work, land, water, health care, education and food.

...

267. The Committee is particularly concerned about information received concerning the construction of a "security fence" around the occupied territories, which allegedly would infringe upon the surface area of the occupied territories and which would limit or even impede access by Palestinian individuals and communities to land and water resources. The Committee regrets the fact that the delegation did not respond to questions by the Committee concerning the security fence or wall during the dialogue.

268. The Committee is particularly concerned about limited access to and distribution and availability of water for Palestinians in the occupied territories, as a result of inequitable management, extraction and distribution of shared water resources, which are predominantly under Israeli control.

269. The Committee reiterates its grave concern about the continuing practices by the State party of home demolitions, land confiscations and restrictions on residency rights, and its adoption of policies resulting in sub-standard housing and living conditions, including extreme overcrowding and lack of services, of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, in particular in the old city.17/ Furthermore, the Committee is gravely concerned about the continuing practice of expropriation of Palestinian properties and resources for the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.18/

270. The Committee continues to be concerned about the situation of Bedouins residing in Israel, and in particular those living in villages that are still unrecognized.19/ Despite measures by the State party to close the gap between the living conditions of Jews and Bedouins in the Negev, the quality of living and housing conditions of the Bedouins continues to be significantly lower, with limited or no access to water, electricity and sanitation. Moreover, Bedouins continue to be subjected on a regular basis to land confiscations, house demolitions, fines for building "illegally", destruction of agricultural crops, fields and trees, and systematic harassment and persecution by the Green Patrol, in order to force them to resettle in "townships". The Committee is also concerned that the present compensation scheme for Bedouins who agree to resettle in "townships" is inadequate.

...

275. The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party take steps to ensure equality of treatment of all Israeli citizens in relation to all Covenant rights.20/

...

278. ...The Committee...calls upon the State party to give full effect to its Covenant obligations and, as a matter of the highest priority, to undertake to ensure safe passage at checkpoints for Palestinian medical staff and people seeking treatment, the unhampered flow of essential foodstuffs and supplies, free movement to places of employment, and the safe conduct of students and teachers to and from schools.23/

...

283. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that any security measure it adopts does not disproportionally limit or impede the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in the Covenant, in particular access to land and water resources by Palestinians, and that adequate restitution and compensation are provided to those who have incurred damage to and loss of property and lands as a result of these security measures.

284. The Committee strongly urges the State party to take immediate steps to ensure equitable access to and distribution of water to all populations living in the occupied territories, and in particular to ensure that all parties concerned participate fully and equally in the process of water management, extraction and distribution. In that connection, the Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water.

285. Reiterating its earlier recommendation,24/ the Committee urges the State party to cease the practices of facilitating the building of Israeli settlements, expropriating land, water and resources, demolishing houses and carrying out arbitrary evictions. The Committee also urges the State party to take immediate steps to respect and implement the right to an adequate standard of living, including housing, of the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and the Palestinian Arabs in cities with mixed populations. The Committee recalls in this connection its general comments No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant) and No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions)...

286. The Committee...urges the State party to recognize all existing Bedouin villages, their property rights and their right to basic services, in particular water, and to desist from the destruction and damaging of agricultural crops and fields, including in unrecognized villages. The Committee further encourages the State party to adopt an adequate compensation scheme for Bedouins who have agreed to resettle in "townships".

___________________

Notes

...

15/ [Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1999, Supplement No. 2 (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26), chap. IV], para. 236.

...

17/ [Official Records of the Economic and Social Council], 1999, Supplement No. 2 (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26), chap. IV, para. 248.

18/ Ibid., para. 250.

19/ [Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1999, Supplement No. 2 (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26), chap. IV], para. 254.

20/ [Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1999, Supplement No. 2 (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26), chap. IV], para. 260.

...

23/ [Official Records of the Economic and Social Council], 1999, Supplement No. 2 (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26), chap. IV, para. 265.

24/ [Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1999, Supplement No. 2 (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26), chap. IV], para. 267.

___________________

•	Republic of Moldova, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 49 at paras. 313 and 335.

313. The Committee notes with concern that rising real-estate prices have negatively affected the accessibility and affordability of housing for a large part of the population and that the State party is not taking adequate measures to deal with this problem.

...

335. The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that resources are allocated for the provision of social housing, especially to the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including the Roma. The Committee also recommends that the State party undertake a study on the problem of homeless people...

•	Yemen, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 55 at paras. 361, 362, 380 and 381.

361. The Committee is concerned about the living conditions of prisoners and detainees in the State party, especially women, with regard to access to health-care facilities, adequate food and safe drinking water.

362. The Committee is concerned about the persisting water crisis which constitutes an alarming environmental emergency in the State party, and which prevents access to safe and affordable drinking water, particularly for the disadvantaged and marginalized groups of society, and for rural areas.

...

380. The Committee urges the State party to take effective legislative or other measures to provide adequate health-care facilities, adequate food and safe drinking water to prisoners and detainees, especially women...

381. The Committee further urges the State party to introduce strategies, plans of action, and legislative or other measures to address the scarcity of water problems, in particular sustainable management of the available water resources. The Committee recommends that effective water management strategies and measures be undertaken in urban areas, exploring possibilities for alternative water treatment and developing ecological dry sanitation methods in rural areas...

•	Guatemala, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 59 at paras. 403, 415, 421 and 433.

403. The Committee is concerned about the persisting discrimination against indigenous peoples, with regard to access to, inter alia, landownership, work, education, health services and adequate nutrition and housing.

...

415. The Committee is concerned about the negative effects of the coffee crisis on rural employment and standard of living.

...

421. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts to combat discrimination against indigenous peoples, in particular in the areas of employment, health services, landownership, adequate nutrition, housing and education.

...

433. The Committee encourages the State party to reorient its agricultural policies and to implement its social plan to combat the coffee crisis through measures that ensure access to adequate nutrition, health care, subsidized housing and employment opportunities for those affected by the crisis.

•	Russian Federation, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 64 at paras. 469, 471, 472, 497, 499 and 500.

469. The Committee notes with concern that homelessness is a growing problem in the State party.

...

471. The Committee is concerned about reports indicating maltreatment of conscripts in the armed forces as well as their sub-standard living conditions and lack of access to adequate food and health care.

472. The Committee is concerned about the precarious situation of more than 100,000 internally displaced persons from Chechnya living in Ingushetia. The Committee emphasizes in this respect its view that the closing down of tent camps without provision of alternative lodging would be in contravention of the Covenant.

...

497. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to address the problem of homelessness, including by ensuring that adequate resources are set aside for the provision of social housing, with priority given to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The Committee also encourages the State party to undertake a study into the problem of homelessness so that it may acquire a more accurate picture of the scope of the problem and of its root causes.

...

499. The Committee calls upon the State party to ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure the enjoyment of basic rights of conscripts, including their access to adequate food and health care.

500. The Committee reminds the State party of its obligation under the Covenant to ensure the provision of adequate temporary housing for those people who fear that Chechnya is too insecure for them to return.

•	Democratic People's Republic of Korea, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 71 at paras. 530, 531, 551 and 552.

530. The Committee is concerned about the consequences of the widespread famine suffered by the country from the mid-1990s and that certain groups, in particular women, children and older persons, have been more severely affected than others and have not received proper assistance in order to alleviate their plight.

531. The Committee expresses deep concern about the high rate of children under five that are chronically malnourished (45 per cent according to government statistics), as well as the high incidence of poverty-related diseases.

...

551. The Committee recommends that the State party establish appropriate mechanisms to guarantee equal access for the more vulnerable groups to international food aid and give priority to these groups in food programmes.

552. The Committee recommends that increased attention be paid by the competent authorities to providing adequate nutrition to children suffering from chronic malnutrition as well as adequate health care, to address the potentially severe consequences on their health.

•	Lithuania, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 18 at paras. 91 and 113.

91. The Committee is concerned about the lack of sufficient and suitable housing in the State party as well as the acute shortage of social housing.

...

113. The Committee urges the State party to adopt nationwide policies in order to ensure that families have adequate housing facilities and amenities and that adequate resources are allocated for social housing, particularly for low-income families and the disadvantaged and marginalized groups. In this regard, the Committee draws the State party's attention to its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the covenant).

•	Greece, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 23 at paras. 127, 128, 141, 142, 162 and 164.

127. The Committee welcomes the adoption of a National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (2003-2005), which provides, inter alia, for financial support of low-income families, rent subsidies and interest-free loans for the purchase of houses.

128. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party adopted the Integrated Action Plan for the Social Integration of Greek Roma (2001-2008), which aims at improving the housing situation of the Greek Roma and their enhanced access to basic health services, i.e. through the development of new, and the improvement of existing, settlements, the establishment of socio-medical centres in these settlements and the deployment of mobile health units to encampments of the itinerant Roma population, especially in remote areas. The Committee also welcomes the implementation, since 2002, of a programme of housing loans for the Roma, under which some 4,700 grants of 60,000 euros each have been granted to applicants.

...

141. The Committee is gravely concerned about numerous reports on the extrajudicial demolition of dwellings and forced evictions of Roma from their settlements by municipal authorities, often under the pretext of construction projects for the 2004 Olympic Games, and frequently without payment of adequate compensation or provision of alternative housing.

142. The Committee is deeply concerned that many Roma reportedly live in sub-standard conditions, as their settlements often lack access to running water, electricity, sanitation and other essential services.

...

162. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that forced evictions are carried out in accordance with the guidelines defined in the Committee's general comment No. 7 (1997), on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1 of the covenant): forced evictions and that those affected have a right to adequate compensation for the loss of any property, both personal and real, and are provided with adequate alternative housing meeting their specific cultural needs.

...

164. The Committee urges the State party to take measures towards providing for all the Roma, including itinerant and non-Greek Roma, adequate and affordable housing with legal security of tenure, access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, electricity and other essential services, and meeting their specific cultural needs. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the participation of Roma representatives in the assessment of the Integrated Action Plan for the Social Integration of Greek Roma...

•	Spain, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 34 at paras. 232, 243, 244, 249, 261 and 262.

232. The Committee is concerned that, in spite of the existence of a range of programmes at the national and regional levels aimed at improving the situation of the Roma (Gypsy) population, including the Second National Plan of Action for Social Inclusion (2003-2005) and the Gypsy Development Programme, the Roma remain in a vulnerable and marginalized situation in the State party, especially with regard to employment, housing, health and education.

...

243. The Committee is concerned about the growing problem of homelessness in the State party, as described in its fourth periodic report (E/C.12/4/Add11, para 386), and of people affected by forced evictions.

244. The Committee is concerned about the deteriorating conditions of housing in the State party, as described in the report of the State party (ibid., para. 388), and about the lack of social housing.

...

249. The Committee encourages the State party to continue and strengthen its efforts to address the situation of the Roma population, increasing at the same time the involvement of Roma associations in the planning and implementation of such programmes...

...

261. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen its efforts under the National Plan of Action for Social Inclusion to provide assistance to homeless persons and to undertake a study on the problem of homelessness so as to acquire a more accurate picture of the problem and its root causes. It also requests the State party...to ensure that any forced evictions carried out comply with the guidelines set out in the Committee's general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions.

262. The Committee recommends that the State party take remedial action to improve the conditions of housing and provide more housing units, housing facilities, credits and subsidies to low-income families and disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in line with the Committee's general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant).

•	Ecuador, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 39 at paras. 277, 279, 293, 300, 302 and 318.

277. The Committee is concerned that, despite the legal framework in place and the growing influence of indigenous grassroots community groups, indigenous people continue to suffer discrimination, particularly with regard to employment, housing, health and education.

...

279. The Committee is deeply concerned about the de facto discrimination against the Afro-Ecuadorian population in all spheres of life. The Committee regrets that insufficient information was provided with regard to this particular group in the State party's report.

...

293. The Committee is concerned about the poor housing conditions, the considerable housing shortage and the absence of effective measures to provide social housing for low- income families and the disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

...

300. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective and practical steps to ensure effective protection of indigenous people against discrimination in many fields, especially with regard to employment, housing, health and education...

...

302. The Committee urges the State party to undertake immediate steps to ensure equal opportunities for Afro-Ecuadorians, particularly with regard to employment, housing, health and education...

...

318. The Committee urges the State party to take all the appropriate measures to deal with the problem of homelessness, to ensure access to housing credit and subsidies for the low- income families, the disadvantaged and marginalized groups and to improve water and sanitation facilities of existing housing units.

•	Denmark, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 49 at paras. 395 and 408.

395. The Committee is concerned at the lack of constitutional or other legislative provisions in the State party guaranteeing the right to housing. The Committee is also concerned about the difficulties faced by disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in particular immigrants, in renting or obtaining public housing owing to discriminatory practices. The Committee also notes with concern the increase in homelessness among the immigrant population in the State party.

...

408. The Committee encourages the State party to consider enacting specific legislation providing for the right to housing. The Committee also recommends, in line with the Committee's General Comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant), that the State party adopt national policies to ensure that all families have adequate housing facilities and that adequate resources are allocated for social housing, particularly for disadvantaged and marginalized groups such as immigrants. The Committee further encourages the State party to take measures to address the problem of homelessness, particularly among the immigrant population.

•	Italy, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 54 at paras. 424, 435-437, 440 and 456-458.

424. The Committee is concerned that the State party still considers that some economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to adequate housing, are not justiciable since they entail financial burdens upon the State. In this regard, the Committee notes the scarcity of court decisions in which the Covenant has been invoked.

...

435. Reiterating its concluding observations on Italy's third periodic report, the Committee remains concerned about the plight of Roma immigrants living in camps with poor housing, unhygienic sanitary conditions, limited employment prospects and inadequate educational facilities for their children.

436. The Committee is concerned about the increasing difficulties faced by disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in particular immigrants and Roma, in renting or obtaining public housing, owing to discrimination.

437. The Committee is also concerned about the continuing increase in rents and the privatization of housing and about the scarcity of adequate social housing units for low-income families while the social fund established to provide housing assistance has been reduced.

...

440. Affirming the principle of the interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights, the Committee encourages the State party to reconsider its position regarding the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights. Moreover, the Committee considers that the State party remains under an obligation to give full effect to the Covenant in its domestic legal order, providing for judicial and other remedies for violations of all economic, social and cultural rights. In this respect, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to its General Comment No. 9 (1998) on domestic application of the Covenant.

...

456. The Committee urges the State party to step up its efforts to build more permanent housing settlements for the Roma immigrants and take all the necessary measures to promote their integration into local communities, offer them job opportunities and make adequate educational facilities available to their children.

457. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary corrective measures to combat discrimination in the housing sector against the disadvantaged and marginalized groups, particularly immigrants and the Roma.

458. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to ensure that forced evictions of Roma and tenants who cannot pay their rents comply with the guidelines established by the Committee in its General Comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions, and to provide more housing units to cater for the needs of the disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including older persons, people with disabilities and immigrants.

•	Azerbaijan, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 59 at paras. 480, 491, 493, 506, 517 and 519.

480. While noting that the constitutional guarantee of the enjoyment of all rights and freedoms is extended to all foreign citizens and stateless persons, the Committee is concerned about the persistent de facto discrimination against foreign citizens, ethnic minorities and stateless persons in the fields of housing, employment and education...

...

491. In spite of the efforts made by the State party to improve the economic and social conditions of refugees and internally displaced persons, the Committee is concerned at the fact that they still do not enjoy an adequate standard of living.

...

493. The Committee is concerned about the illegal occupation by refugees and internally displaced persons of properties belonging to Armenians and other ethnic minorities. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of adequate social housing units, particularly in Baku...

...

506. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures to ensure that all persons under its jurisdiction enjoy the economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in the Covenant without discrimination and to facilitate regularization of the legal status of foreigners residing in Azerbaijan whenever possible...

...

517. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party continue to take effective measures, including through the allocation of increased resources, to ensure the protection of the fundamental economic, social and cultural rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, in particular with regard to adequate housing, food and water, health services and sanitation.

...

519. The Committee recommends that the State party take corrective measures to ensure that Armenians and other ethnic minorities whose properties are illegally occupied by refugees and internally displaced persons are provided with adequate compensation or offered alternative accommodation, in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Committee and its General Comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant):forced evictions. The Committee also recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to guarantee the right to adequate housing to all persons residing under its jurisdiction and to address the problem of the lack of adequate social housing units in the most expedient manner possible, particularly in Baku. In this connection, the Committee wishes to draw the attention of the State party to its General Comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant)...

•	Chile, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 67 at paras. 539, 551, 556 and 577.

539. The Committee notes that the amendment of article 5 of the Constitution in 1989 extends the range of rights embodied in article 19 of the Constitution to include rights guaranteed by international treaties to which Chile is party. However, the Committee is concerned that some economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to housing, are not considered justiciable in the State party. In this regard the Committee notes the scarcity of case law in which the rights of the Covenant have been invoked before and directly applied by domestic courts.

...

551. Despite the construction of many housing units, the Committee is concerned at the large number of people living in illegal settlements in the State party who are, consequently, liable to forced evictions.

...

556. The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to give full effect to the Covenant in domestic law... .In this respect, it draws the attention of the State party to the Committee's General Comment No. 9 (1998) on domestic application of the Covenant. The State party should ensure that judicial training take full account of the justiciability of Covenant rights and take measures to increase awareness of the possibility of invoking its provisions before the courts.

...

577. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to promote the right to housing, especially among the disadvantaged and marginalized groups, and to ensure that adequate protection is afforded to people living in illegal settlements who are liable to forced evictions. The Committee recalls in this connection its General Comments No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant) and No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions...

•	Zambia, ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 19 at paras. 97 and 120.

97. The Committee is concerned about the living conditions of prisoners and detainees, especially with regard to access to health-care facilities, adequate food and safe drinking water.

...

120. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its measures, including policies, programmes and specific legislation, aimed at improving the living conditions of prisoners and detainees.

•	China, ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 25 at paras. 144, 159, 160, 163, 175, 188, 190 and 191.

144. The Committee notes with deep concern the de facto discrimination against internal migrants in the fields of employment, social security, health services, housing and education that indirectly result from inter alia, the restrictive national household registration system (hukou) which continues to be in place despite official announcements regarding reforms.

...

159. The Committee is deeply concerned that despite the rapid economic development in recent years, poverty persists in the country, disproportionately affecting the rural population. The Committee is concerned that in spite of the efforts made by the State party to improve the economic and social conditions of rural populations, the disparity in income and in the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living continues to widen between the rich and the poor, in particular those in urban/rural areas, as well as those in coastal provinces/inland provinces. The Committee also regrets the absence of an official poverty line that would enable the State party to define the extent of poverty and to monitor and evaluate progress in alleviating poverty.

160. The Committee is concerned about the reports of forced evictions and insufficient measures to provide compensation or alternative housing to those who have been removed from their homes in the context of urban development projects as well as of rural development schemes such as the Three Gorges Project. The Committee is concerned about the number of forced evictions and demolitions that have occurred in anticipation of the 2008 Olympic Games to be hosted by the State party. The Committee further expresses concern about the lack of effective consultations and legal redress for persons affected by forced evictions and demolitions, including those of historic structures, buildings and homes in Lhasa, Tibet. The Committee also regrets that insufficient information was provided on the extent and causes of homelessness in the State party.

...

163. The Committee notes with concern the shortage of access to safe drinking water in highly industrialized areas.

...

175. The Committee calls upon the State party to implement its decision to dismantle the hukou system of national household registration and to ensure that in any system that replaces it, internal migrants will be able to enjoy the same work, social security, housing, health and education benefits enjoyed by those in urban areas.

...

188. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party take immediate measures, inter alia, by increasing allocations, for the protection of economic, social and cultural rights of persons living in disadvantaged areas, in particular with regard to adequate housing, food and water, and health services and sanitation. The Committee calls upon the State party to develop a mechanism to measure the poverty level and to monitor it closely, and refers the State party to the Committee's statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights...

...

190. The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate measures to enforce laws and regulations prohibiting forced evictions and ensure that persons evicted from their homes be provided with adequate compensation or offered alternative accommodation, in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Committee in its general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1 of the Covenant): forced evictions. The Committee also recommends that, prior to implementing development projects, the State party should hold open, effective and meaningful consultations with affected residents. In this connection, the Committee wishes to draw the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1 of the Covenant)...

191. The Committee recommends that the State party undertake effective measures to guarantee access to safe drinking water to all persons under its jurisdiction.

•	China (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 34 at paras. 207 and 219.

207. The Committee regrets that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has not implemented a number of the recommendations contained in its concluding observations adopted in 2001.9/ The Committee wishes to reiterate in particular its concern at the following issues:

...

(g) The persistence of inadequate housing in the form of cage-homes and bed-space apartments, despite measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to provide alternative housing to residents who choose to remain in such dwellings.

...

219. The Committee once again urges the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to implement the Committee's relevant suggestions and recommendations contained in its concluding observations adopted in 2001,9/ as well as in the current ones, and urges it to undertake whatever relevant concrete measures may be necessary towards their implementation.

___________________

Notes

...

9/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2002, Supplement No. 2 (E/2002/22-EC.12/2001/17), chap. IV, paras. 189 to 210.

___________________

•	Serbia and Montenegro, ICESCR, E/2006/22(2005) 41 at paras. 273, 290 -292, 301 and 317-
319.

273. The Committee is deeply concerned that, despite the State party's efforts to improve the economic and social situation of Roma through the national action plans for the implementation of the Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005-2015) in both Republics, widespread discrimination against Roma persists with regard to employment, social security, housing, health care and education.

...

290. The Committee is gravely concerned about the poor conditions in which thousands of Roma families live in substandard informal settlements without access to basic services such as electricity, running water, sewage facilities, medical care and schools.

291. The Committee is deeply concerned that many refugees, internally displaced persons and Roma are being evicted from illegal collective centres and informal settlements which are being closed down without sufficient provision of adequate alternative housing.

292. The Committee is concerned about the lack of direct access to safe drinking water in 17.5 per cent of rural households in Serbia and about the poor quality of water in central Serbia.

...

301. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure adequate participation of Roma representatives in the implementation of the plans of action adopted or envisaged by both Republics with regard to non-discrimination, gender equality, employment, social protection, housing, health and education of Roma, and to allocate sufficient funds to these and other relevant programmes.

...

317. The Committee urges the State party to ensure, by legalizing and improving the infrastructure of existing settlements or through social housing programmes, that Roma have access to adequate and affordable housing with legal security of tenure, safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, electricity and other essential services.

318. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that adequate alternative housing is provided whenever forced evictions take place, in line with the Committee's general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions...

319. The Committee recalls the State party's obligation to ensure access to safe drinking water within, or in the immediate vicinity of each household. It invites the State party to identify disaggregated indicators and appropriate national benchmarks in relation to the right to water, in line with the Committee's general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water (arts. 11 and 12 of the Covenant)...

•	Norway, ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 48 at paras. 337, 345, 346, 354, 364 and 365.

337. The Committee is concerned about cases of discrimination faced by persons of immigrant background, particularly in the areas of housing and work.

...

345. The Committee notes with concern the increasing number of evictions carried out in the State party, especially in Oslo, mainly as a consequence of unpaid rent. The Committee is also concerned that the disadvantaged and marginalized groups in society are particularly affected by the privatization of municipal social housing and rising housing prices. Despite the assistance provided through the State Housing Bank, the Committee is particularly concerned that the number of social housing units for low-income individuals and families is far from adequate. It regrets in this regard the lack of information on the number of people living in illegal settlements and whether they are liable to forced eviction and the number of persons on waiting lists for municipal social housing.

346. The Committee notes with concern that an estimated 5,200 people are homeless in the State party. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that rejected asylum-seekers who cannot be sent home to their countries of origin are not offered accommodation in reception centres after the deadline set for departure.

...

354. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen measures to combat discrimination against persons of immigrant background and ensure the effective monitoring of anti-discrimination legislation.

...

364. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that evictions of tenants who cannot pay their rents and of squatters comply with the guidelines established by the Committee in its general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions. Furthermore, the State party should take effective measures, in line with the Committee's general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant), to provide housing units in sufficient numbers to cater for the needs of low-income families and disadvantaged and marginalized groups...

365. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen measures to deal with the problem of homelessness and to ensure that rejected asylum-seekers who cannot be sent home to their countries of origin are offered alternative accommodation.

CEDAW

•	Czech Republic, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 157 at paras. 93 and 94.

93. ...[T]he Committee...is particularly concerned that domestic violence deprives women of their personal security and their access to safe accommodation.

94. In the light of its general recommendation 19, the Committee urges the State party to place high priority on the introduction of comprehensive and holistic measures to address violence against women in the family and in society. The Committee... recommends that measures be taken to provide shelters for women victims of violence in sufficient numbers and to ensure that public officials, especially law enforcement officials, the judiciary, health- care providers and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women...

•	Guatemala, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 171 at para. 177.

177. The Committee commends the State party for the steps taken to introduce co-ownership and the positive measures in granting housing subsidies to female-headed households.

•	Canada, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 53 at paras. 383 and 384.

383. The Committee, although recognizing the efforts undertaken by the State party concerning the provision of social housing, is concerned that such efforts might be inadequate to address the needs of women with low incomes and those of female single parents.

384. The Committee recommends that the State party reconsider and, if necessary, redesign its efforts towards socially assisted housing after a gender-based impact analysis for vulnerable groups of women.

•	Brazil, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 93 at para. 95.

95. The Committee commends the State party for launching the Zero Hunger Programme to combat hunger and the structural causes of poverty, which has a significant impact on the situation of women.

•	Bangladesh, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 134 at paras. 259 and 260.

259. The Committee is concerned about the impact of the arsenic poisoning of water, which is disproportionately affecting rural women of reproductive age.

260. The Committee urges the State party to put in place measures for ensuring that safe drinking water is available to all, and particularly to affected rural women and their families. The Committee calls on the State party to prepare without delay a plan of action containing preventative and remedial measures, and prioritizing technologies favoured by rural women, their families and local communities that are risk-free, cost-effective and provide alternatives to underground water withdrawal. The Committee recommends that the State party launch an awareness campaign and proactive health, nutrition and social programmes for affected rural women, their families and local communities. The Committee also calls on the State party to encourage all other actors, who directly or indirectly caused the arsenic crisis, to share in the financial burden of compensating the victims.

•	Spain, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 149 at paras. 344 and 345.

344. The Committee is concerned that Roma women remain in a vulnerable and marginalized situation, especially with regard to education, employment, housing and health.

345. The Committee recommends that the State party promote and protect the human rights of Roma women, in particular with regard to their access to education, employment, housing and health.

•	Argentina, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 155 at paras. 372 and 373.

372. While welcoming the adoption and implementation of social and economic policies and programmes aimed at offsetting the impact of the crisis in the country, including the National Plan for Food Security, the National Plan for Local Development and Social Economy, the Family Plan, the Economic Emergency Law, the Emergency Health Law, the National Programme on Food Emergency and the Unemployed Head of Household Programme, the Committee is concerned that women are mainly beneficiaries of these measures rather than being equal participants and actors in their design and implementation. The Committee is concerned that this approach will perpetuate stereotypical views of the role of women and men rather than effectively support women's political and economic empowerment.

373. The Committee recommends that the State party emphasize a women's- empowerment approach and incorporate gender perspectives in all its social and economic policies, programmes and projects so as to ensure that they support the goal of gender equality and women's enjoyment of their human rights. It invites the State party to periodically assess such measures and their impact on women so as to ensure that they do not perpetuate discrimination against women.

•	Democratic People's Republic of Korea, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 101 at paras. 59 and 60.

59. In the light of the widespread famine and natural disasters that have affected the country from the mid-1990s, the Committee expresses concern about the insufficient explanation provided with respect to the impact of those phenomena on women, in particular on women from rural areas, on women who are the main providers of the household and on young girls. The Committee is concerned that they may become vulnerable to trafficking and other forms of exploitation, such as prostitution.

60. The Committee urges the State party to introduce specific poverty alleviation measures aimed at improving the situation of women to eliminate their vulnerability. The Committee recommends that the State party seek international assistance in guaranteeing that women, particularly women from rural areas, have equal access to food supplies...

•	Gambia, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 122 at paras. 205 and 206.

205. The Committee expresses concern about the high rates of malnutrition, malaria and HIV/AIDS affecting women and girls in the country...

206. The Committee recommends the implementation of comprehensive policies and programmes to prevent and combat malnutrition, malaria and HIV/AIDS...

•	Israel, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 129 at paras. 259 and 260.

259. The Committee is concerned that Bedouin women living in the Negev desert remain in a vulnerable and marginalized situation, especially in regard to education, employment and health. The Committee is especially concerned about the situation of Bedouin women who live in unrecognized villages with poor housing conditions and limited or no access to water, electricity and sanitation.

260. The Committee requests the State party to take effective measures to eliminate discrimination against Bedouin women and to enhance respect for their human rights through effective and proactive measures, including temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee's general recommendation 25, in the fields of education, employment and health...

CAT

•	Benin, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 19 at paras. 34 and 35.

34. The Committee is concerned about the following:

...

(c) Overcrowding and deplorable physical conditions in prisons, particularly the lack of hygiene, adequate food or appropriate medical care, despite efforts by the State party and assistance from non-governmental organizations;

...

35. The Committee recommends that:

...

(g) The State party should continue to take steps to improve physical conditions in prisons and substantially to reduce the duration of incommunicado detention;

...

•	Cameroon, CAT, A/59/44 (2003) 23 at para. 44.

44. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to end the practice of torture on its territory. It recommends that the State party should:

...

(d) Guarantee free medical care in prisons, ensure the right of prisoners to adequate food in practice, and effectively separate men and women;

...

CRC

•	Kenya, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 21 at paras. 136 and 137.

136. The Committee recognizes the efforts of the State party, in cooperation with the Office of the UNHCR, to accommodate refugees, including unaccompanied minors. However, the Committee remains concerned about the inadequate standards, procedures and policies to guarantee and protect the rights of refugee, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children, including their access to adequate education, health and other social services...[T]he Committee is concerned that insufficient efforts have been made to ensure the resettlement of families who were displaced during [the ethnic] clashes and continue to live in camps. Finally, the Committee is concerned at the decrease in the funds provided by UNHCR, which has a negative impact on the rights of child refugees, such as the right to food.

137. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective legal and other measures to ensure adequate protection of refugee, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children, especially girls, and to implement further policies and programmes to guarantee their adequate access to health, education and social services...The Committee urges the State party to reinforce its resettlement programme to provide lasting relief for internally displaced families and guarantee their rights to adequate housing, education, health and social services. The Committee encourages the State party to undertake efforts to reinforce its cooperation with UNHCR.

•	Oman, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 36 at paras. 185 and 186.

185. Noting significant achievements in the reduction of infant and child mortality, and the high levels of immunization coverage, the Committee is concerned that:

(a) Malnutrition affects about 25 per cent of children under 5;

(b) Thirty per cent of pregnant women and 20 per cent of children under 5 still suffer from anaemia;

(c) Thirty-nine per cent of breastfeeding mothers have vitamin A deficiency; and

(d) Ten per cent of school-age children suffer from mild to moderate iodine deficiency disorders.

186. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make greater efforts to address these issues through continued allocation of the required resources;

(b) Strengthen health and nutrition education such as through public-information campaigns and its inclusion in the curricula; and

(c) Seek assistance from UNICEF and WHO.

•	Paraguay, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 103 at paras. 506 and 507.

506. While noting the decrease in the infant and child mortality rates, the Committee is nevertheless concerned at the lack of reliable statistics and at the still high rates of mortality, morbidity and malnutrition affecting especially indigenous children and those who speak only Guaraní...

507. In light of article 24 of the Convention and in line with its previous recommendation (CRC/C/15/Add. 75, para. 45), the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) In order to prevent child mortality and morbidity and address the high maternal mortality rate, provide adequate antenatal and postnatal health-care services and develop campaigns to inform parents about basic child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation, family planning and reproductive health;

(c) Develop a comprehensive nutritional programme in order to prevent and combat malnutrition, in particular among indigenous children and those who speak only Guaraní;

...

•	Uzbekistan, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 117 at paras. 576 and 577.

576. In the light of article 24 of the Convention, the Committee expresses its concern at problems of poor access to safe water and food security, exposure to toxic chemicals, and other hazards arising from the Aral Sea disaster, which negatively impact upon the health of children in the Karalpakstan region.

577. In the light of article 24 (c) of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures, including seeking international cooperation, to prevent and combat the damaging effects of environmental degradation on children, including pollution and contamination of water supplies.

•	Cape Verde, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 135 at paras. 642 and 643.

642. While noting the State party's efforts in this regard, the Committee remains concerned at the large proportion of children and their families living in poverty. The Committee is concerned, in particular, by weaknesses in the social security system, poor housing conditions, the lack of adequate sanitary facilities and the lack of easy access for many families and children to clean drinking water.

643. The Committee urges the State party:

(a) To ensure that its anti-poverty programme takes into consideration children's rights in the context of, inter alia, an adequate standard of living;

(b) To develop programmes of major improvements to the social security system, housing conditions of children, home sanitation facilities and access to clean drinking water.

•	Lebanon, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 11 at paras. 73 and 74.

73. With reference to its previous recommendation ([CRC/C/15/Add.54], paras. 34, 38) the Committee notes the difficulties acknowledged by the State party in enforcing a law prohibiting the free distribution of milk substitutes and notes that the commercial marketing of infant formula is still widespread...

74. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Strengthen its efforts to promote breastfeeding and encourage the introduction of adequate maternity leave for all working mothers in the spirit of article 18 (2);...

...

•	Greece, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 25 at paras. 156 and 157.

156. The Committee is concerned that:

(a) Some children in the State party live in very poor conditions;

(b) Children from Roma communities are particularly exposed to substandard living conditions, including inadequate housing, poor sanitation and waste disposal, and no running water.

157. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure that all children have access to adequate living conditions;

(b) Give particular attention to assisting Roma families to improve the living conditions of their children.

•	Mozambique, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 65 at paras. 301-304.

301. While noting the State party's efforts in this domain, including the establishment of the National AIDS Council (NAC) in 2000 and the adoption of a comprehensive multisectoral strategic plan to combat HIV/AIDS, the Committee remains deeply concerned at:

(a) The very serious impact of HIV/AIDS on the cultural, economic, political, social and civil rights and freedoms of children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including the Convention's general principles and with particular reference to their rights to non-discrimination, health care, education, food and housing, as well as to information and freedom of expression;

...

(c) Mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS and related factors, such as the lack of access of mothers to affordable breast-milk substitute, which would help reduce the risk of transmission;

...

302. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Integrate respect for the rights of the child into the development and implementation of its HIV/AIDS policies and strategies on behalf of children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as their families, including by making use of the Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/37), with particular reference to children's rights to non-discrimination, health, education, food and housing, as well as their rights to information and freedom of expression;

...

(f) Strengthen efforts to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS including through voluntary prenatal HIV/AIDS testing of mothers and assistance to infected mothers in obtaining breast-milk substitutes for their children;

...

303. While noting the State party's poverty eradication strategy, the Committee remains concerned that:

(a) Absolute poverty continues to affect a very high proportion (around two thirds) of the State party's population;

(b) Only a very small proportion of the population has access to electricity, sanitation and clean running water in their homes;

(c) Many children have inadequate clothing;

(d) The current social security system covers only a very small number of children and their families in need of such protection.

304. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue and strengthen its efforts to address poverty, including through international cooperation;

(b) Consider and implement measures through which a significantly larger number of children and their families may benefit from minimum of social security protection;

(c) Continue its efforts to improve housing conditions, including sanitary conditions, in both rural and urban areas, and continue to implement its national water policy;

(d) Make every effort to ensure that all children have adequate clothing;

(e) Seek assistance in the form of international cooperation in this regard.

See also:

•	The Netherlands (Antilles), CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 129 at paras. 573 and 574.

•	Ukraine, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 70 at paras. 351 and 352.

•	Guinea-Bissau, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 12 at paras. 72 and 73.

72. Noting the work undertaken to address female genital mutilation and other harmful practices, including through international cooperation, the Committee remains deeply concerned that:

...

(c) As indicated in the State party's report (para. 202), traditional food taboos are common and thought to be one cause of malnutrition among children and mothers.

73. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Take steps to end the practise of harmful traditional food taboos by children and mothers;

...

•	Niger, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 37 at paras. 181 and 182.

181. The Committee is concerned about the widespread poverty in the State party and the increasingly high numbers of children who do not enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to clean drinking water, adequate housing and latrines.

182. The Committee recommends that, in accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the State party reinforce its efforts to provide support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living. In this connection, the Committee recommends that the State party pay particular attention to the rights and needs of children when implementing its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and all other programmes intended to improve the standard of living in the country.

•	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 101 at paras. 445 and 446.

445. While noting the progress made in the area of child health care, including in the numbers of health centres established and their staffing levels, the Committee remains concerned at:

...

(b) Infant mortality rates;

(c) Levels of undernutrition;

(d) The gradual rise in obesity;

...

446. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Continue and strengthen efforts to reduce infant mortality and undernutrition and take preventive action to avoid a rise in the rates of obesity among children;

...

•	Argentina, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 8 at paras. 73 and 74.

73. The Committee notes with deep concern that the increasing rate of malnutrition is affecting, according to the most recent statistics, more than 4 million children, in particular newborn babies and those living in the northern provinces. It further notes that the impact of the economic crisis on children's state of health and nutrition has not yet been assessed.

74. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Undertake a study on child malnutrition and create a comprehensive system of statistics to keep a record of malnutrition cases in order to assess the extent, scope and nature of this phenomenon;

(b) Develop a comprehensive nutritional programme in order to prevent and combat malnutrition;

(c) Seek international cooperation from, among others, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

•	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 23 at paras. 137 and 138.

137. The Committee is extremely concerned at the high proportion of children living in poverty in the State party, which limits their enjoyment of many rights under the Convention and leads to a higher incidence among those children of death, accidents, pregnancy, poor housing and homelessness, malnutrition, educational failure and suicide...

138. The Committee urges the State party:

(a) To take all necessary measures to the "maximum extent of … available resources" to accelerate the elimination of child poverty;

(b) To better coordinate and reinforce its efforts to address the causes of youth homelessness and its consequences;

...

•	Seychelles, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 41 at paras. 201 and 202.

201. While acknowledging the State party's strong commitment to child and maternal health, the Committee is concerned at the limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation on some islands...

202. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Enforce existing environmental regulations so as to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation;

...

•	Sudan, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 53 at paras. 262, 263 and 276-279.

262. ...The Committee is concerned, among other things, at the high rates of infant, child and maternal mortality, the significant inequalities in the provision of health-care services between the north and the south of the country, the very limited access to safe drinking water responsible for 40 per cent of deaths of children under 5, and other serious health problems like malaria, acute respiratory diseases, lack of iodine and malnutrition...

263. The Committee urgently recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Reduce inequalities in the levels of health of children in the State party through, inter alia, improving access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and strengthening the availability of health services in rural areas;

...

(e) Take immediate action to address preventable health problems among children, including with regard to iodine deficiency, malaria, diarrhoea, acute respiratory diseases, measles, meningitis and malnutrition;

...

276. The Committee is concerned...at reports of forced evictions for the purposes of oil exploration.

277. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Ensure that oil exploration activities do not lead to the forced displacement of families, including children, and that the rights of all children in regions where these activities are undertaken are respected.

278. While noting the demobilization of some children, the Committee is deeply concerned that:

...

(c) Government forces have conducted indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, including of food stocks;

...

279. The Committee recommends that the State party and, as far as applicable, other relevant actors:

...

(f) Guarantee the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the populations in need, and respect the rights of children among civilian populations to, among others, food, water, medical care and adequate housing;

...

•	Ukraine, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 70 at paras. 344, 345, 348, 349, 355 and 356.

344. ...The Committee is...concerned at...the high incidence of iodine deficiency and nutrition problems, especially among children from low-income households.

345. The Committee urgently recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Develop a national policy in order to ensure an integrated and multidimensional approach to early childhood development, with a focus on health and nutrition;

...

348. The Committee welcomes the information that the State party has moved the families from the areas most affected by the Chernobyl disaster. However, the Committee remains concerned that, as noted in the State party's report, the main factors exerting a harmful impact on children's health (and that of pregnant women) remain the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, the high level of chemical pollutants in the atmosphere and food products, and the high level of noise pollution...

...

349. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Take all appropriate measures, including seeking international cooperation, to prevent and combat the damaging effects of environmental degradation on children, including pollution of the environment and food products.

...

355. The Committee welcomes the enactment of the Refugee Law 2001, but remains concerned that:

...

(c) Nutritional and medical care provided to illegal migrants, including children, who are detained at points of entry and held on the premises of the border guards, is inadequate.

356. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Ensure adequate nutritional and medical care for children detained in border guard facilities;

...

•	Republic of Moldova, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 89 at paras. 400 and 401.

400. The Committee notes the development of the Child Care Reform and the establishment of the Working Group for Alternatives to Institutionalization, but expresses its serious concern at the large number of children who are placed in institutions as a measure of social protection. It further notes with concern that children, in those institutions, are neglected and ill-treated and, because of a lack of resources, are not provided with adequate housing and care and appropriate basic services.

401. In light of article 20 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Take all necessary measures to improve conditions in institutions (article 3, paragraph 3, of the Convention);

...

•	Burkina Faso, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 103 at paras. 471 and 472.

471. While welcoming the prohibition of female circumcision under the new Penal Code and the new structure of the National Committee to Combat Female Circumcision, the Committee is concerned that female circumcision is still widely practised in the State party. In addition, the Committee is concerned at the use of other traditional harmful practices, such as food taboos.

472. The Committee urges the State party to continue its efforts to end the practice of female genital mutilation and to combat food taboos which negatively affect the health of children, inter alia, through enforcement of legislation and implementation of programmes sensitizing the population to their harmful effects.

•	Israel, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 131 at paras. 594, 595, 600 and 601.

594. The Committee is deeply concerned about the serious deterioration of health and health services of children in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially as a result of the measures imposed by the Israeli Defence Forces, including road closures, curfews and mobility restrictions, and the destruction of Palestinian economic and health infrastructure. In particular, the Committee is concerned about the consequent delays of and interference with medical personnel, the shortages of basic medical supplies and malnutrition in children owing to the disruption of markets and the prohibitively high prices of basic foodstuffs.

595. The Committee recommends that the State party guarantee safe and unconditional access by all Palestinian children to basic needs and health services, including medical supplies and personnel.

...

600. The Committee is deeply concerned at the large-scale demolition of houses and infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian territories, which constitutes a serious violation of the right to an adequate standard of living for children in those territories.

601. The Committee recommends, with reference to international humanitarian law, notably the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, that the State party fully comply with the rules of distinction (between civilians and combatants) and proportionality (of attacks that cause excessive harm to civilians) and thus refrain from the demolition of civilian infrastructure, including homes, water supplies and other utilities. It further recommends that the State party provide the victims of such demolitions with support for the rebuilding of their houses and with adequate compensation.

•	Estonia, CRC, CRC/C/124 (2003) 9 at paras. 25, 45 and 46.

25. The Committee welcomes:

...

(e) The school meal programme and school milk campaign;

...

45. The Committee is concerned that the current discriminatory attitudes towards linguistic minority communities (e.g. the Russian-speaking community), non-citizens, especially those without legal status, and other disadvantaged groups may restrict, directly or indirectly, the rights guaranteed under the Convention to children belonging to those groups. In particular, the Committee is concerned:

...

(b) That there is no legislation at present prohibiting discrimination in housing, and access to education and public services;

...

46. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take effective measures, including enacting or rescinding legislation where necessary, to ensure that all children enjoy all the rights set out in the Convention without discrimination, in accordance with article 2;

(b) Study the effectiveness of the measures taken to counter all forms of discrimination;

...

•	Viet Nam, CRC, CRC/C/124 (2003) 67 at paras. 306 and 307.

306. The Committee is concerned at the poor environmental health conditions, in particular the low percentage of the population with access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, in particular in rural and mountainous areas, as well as the after-effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants.

307. The Committee recommends that the State party prioritize the construction and expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure in rural and mountainous regions and ensure that all vulnerable groups have equal access to safe drinking water and sanitation. It also recommends that the State party continue its efforts to prevent and combat the damaging effects of environmental pollution, such as chemical defoliants, on children, including through international cooperation.

•	Haiti, CRC, CRC/124 (2003) 95 at paras. 436 and 437.

436. The Committee welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State party in the area of basic health and welfare, such as the expanded programme of immunization, the participation in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and the promotion of breastfeeding, but remains deeply concerned at the high infant, under-5 and maternal mortality rates and low life expectancy in the State party...The Committee is further concerned at the poor state of sanitation and at the insufficient access to safe drinking water, especially in rural areas.

437. The Committee recommends that the State party, by, inter alia, implementing as soon as possible its National Health Plan:

...

(b) Facilitate greater access to primary health services, notably in rural areas; reduce the incidence of maternal, child and infant mortality; prevent and combat malnutrition, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children; and continue to promote proper breastfeeding practices;

...

•	Zambia, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 32 at paras. 197, 198, 205 and 206.

197. The Committee notes the efforts of the State party to improve health care for children through, inter alia, the National Health Strategic Plan 2000-2005 and the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses. However, the Committee is concerned about the insufficient number of trained medical personnel; the weakness of family planning services; the high maternal, child and infant mortality rates; the high incidence of malaria and acute respiratory infections; the fact that, in some instances, male circumcision is carried out in unsafe medical conditions; and the poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water, especially in rural areas.

198. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Facilitate greater access to free primary health services; reduce the incidence of maternal, child and infant mortality; prevent and combat malnutrition, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children; reinforce family planning services; ensure the health of boys and protect them against unsafe circumcision; and increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation;

...

205. The Committee is concerned about the widespread poverty, especially among female-headed households, in the State party and the increasingly high number of children who do not enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to clean drinking water, adequate housing and latrines.

206. The Committee takes note of the efforts undertaken by the State party and recommends that, in accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the State party strengthen its efforts to provide support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families, notably female-headed households, and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living. In this connection, the Committee recommends that the State party pay particular attention to the rights and needs of children when implementing its poverty reduction strategy and all other programmes intended to improve the standard of living in the country.

•	Sri Lanka, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 48 at paras. 265 and 266.

265. While acknowledging the improvements in mortality rates and immunization coverage, the Committee remains concerned at the high levels of child malnutrition, the significant proportion of children born with low birth weight, the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, and the lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

266. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure universal access to maternal and child health-care services and facilities throughout the country with special attention to conflict-affected areas;

(b) Prioritize the provision of drinking water and sanitation services in reconstruction activities;

(c) Strengthen ongoing efforts to prevent malnutrition, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases and continue to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life, and extend these programmes to all conflict-affected areas;

(d) Seek technical assistance from, among others, UNICEF.

•	Solomon Islands, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 58 at paras. 327 and 328.

327. The Committee is concerned that:

...

(b) Only a very small proportion of the population have access to electricity, sanitation and clean running water in their homes;

...

328. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Continue its efforts to improve housing and sanitary conditions in both remote and urban areas.

•	Kazakhstan, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 129 at paras. 637, 640 and 641.

637. ...The Committee...shares the concerns of CEDAW with respect to access to free medical care for women and the degree of environmental degradation, particularly as it affects access to clean drinking water, which has an extremely negative impact on the whole population and, in particular, women and children.

...

640. The Committee expresses its concern at problems of poor access to safe drinking water, lack of food security and serious hazards arising from the Aral Sea disaster, as well as those relating to the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site (closed in 1989), and notes that insufficient attention has been given to the long-term health and psychosocial consequences of the affected population.

641. The Committee urgently recommends that the State party:

...

(g) Take all appropriate measures, including seeking international cooperation, to prevent and combat the damaging effects of environmental degradation on children, including pollution of the environment and food products.

•	Canada, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 14 at para. 90.

90. The Committee is encouraged to learn that homelessness was made a research priority by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as the sources of data are limited. However, the Committee shares the concerns of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/1/Add.31, paras. 24, 46) which noted that the mayors of Canada's 10 largest cities have declared homelessness to be a national disaster and urged the Government to implement a national strategy for the reduction of homelessness and poverty.

•	Pakistan, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 37 at paras. 218, 219, 224, 225, 231 and 232.

218. The Committee notes the efforts of the State party in the area of basic health and welfare, such as the immunization and control of diarrhoeal diseases programmes and the consequent decreases in polio and the infant mortality rate. The Committee also welcomes the promulgation of the Protection of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Ordinance (2002). Nonetheless, the Committee is extremely concerned at the very poor health situation of children and the unavailability of health-care services in the State party for them. Particular matters of concern are:

...

(c) The still very high infant, under-5 and maternal mortality rates, due partly to weak antenatal and postnatal care and maternal malnutrition;

(d) The high prevalence of malnutrition among children as well as diarrhoea, acute respiratory tract infections, malaria and iodine deficiency which leads to both physical and mental health problems among children;

...

219. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Expand programmes to alleviate widespread child and maternal malnutrition and its serious consequences on health and psychological development, notably by promoting breastfeeding;

...

224. The Committee is very concerned at the high number of children living in poverty, the shortage of adequate housing, clean water, adequate sanitation and sewage and the problem of air pollution, all of which have a serious negative impact on the living conditions of children in the State party, causing injuries, sickness and death.

225. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Reinforce its efforts to provide support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living;

(b) Pay particular attention to the rights and needs of children in its poverty reduction strategy paper and in all programmes intended to improve the standard of living in the country, including access to clean water and unpolluted air;

(c) Strengthen the social security system to broaden its coverage so as to include non-working parents.

...

231. While noting some progress in this field, for instance, the introduction of birth registration in the refugee camps in May 2002, the Committee remains concerned at the very harsh living conditions in Afghan refugee camps, the scarcity of food and water and the lack of shelter and medical care, which have serious implications for the situation of children living in these camps...

232. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make all appropriate efforts to improve the living conditions of refugee families and children in refugee camps and elsewhere within the country;

(b) Give special attention to unaccompanied refugee children;

...

•	Madagascar, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 56 at paras. 291, 292, 306 and 307.

291. The Committee shares the State party's concern at the immediate and long-term consequences on children of the weakening of the family structure.

292. The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen its support to families, including through legal and financial assistance in obtaining adequate housing, basic social services and counselling to help resolve problems...

...

306. The Committee notes the challenging socio-economic situation and the adoption, in 2003, of a chapter on special protection in the poverty reduction strategy paper. However, it is concerned about the increasingly high number of children who do not enjoy their right to an adequate standard of living, including children belonging to poor families, street children and children living in remote rural areas.

307. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Strengthen its efforts to provide support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living, in particular, access to drinking water, health, housing and hygiene;

(b) Pay particular attention to the rights and needs of children in the poverty reduction strategy paper and in all programmes intended to improve the standard of living in the country;

(c) Cooperate and coordinate its efforts with civil society and local communities.

•	Bangladesh, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 93 at paras. 436, 483, 484, 511 and 512.

436. The Committee recognizes with appreciation that the State party has made clear and visible progress, in some fields to a remarkable extent, in the field of child nutrition, health, education and labour. It also notes that the State party strengthened its cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

...

483. The Committee notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken and the achievements made by the State party to reduce infant and under-5 mortality rates, as well as the eradication of polio and the improved immunization coverage. Nevertheless, the Committee remains deeply concerned:

(a) That infant and under-5 mortality rates remain high, and that stunting, wasting and severe malnutrition among both children and their mothers are extremely widespread;

...

(c) At the low level of exclusive breastfeeding, which contributes to malnutrition;

...

484. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Facilitate greater access to free primary health services throughout the country as well as prevent and combat malnutrition, paying particular attention to pre- and antenatal care for both children and their mothers;

(c) Enhance its efforts to promote proper breastfeeding practices;

...

511. The Committee is deeply concerned about the poor situation of children of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and other religious, national and ethnic minorities, tribal groups or similar marginalized groups and the lack of respect for their rights, including the rights to food, to health care, to education and to survival and development, to enjoy their own culture and to be protected from discrimination.

512. The Committee urges the State party to gather additional information on all minorities or similar marginalized groups of the population, and to elaborate policies and programmes to ensure the implementation of their rights without discrimination, taking into account the Committee's recommendations adopted at its day of general discussion on the theme "The rights of indigenous children".

•	Georgia, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 111 at paras. 562 and 563.

562. The Committee welcomes the information contained in the State party's report (para. 181) on the national health-care policy and on the strategic plan to develop health care in Georgia over the period 2000-2009. The Committee is aware of efforts to reduce infant mortality, but remains deeply concerned at the high rate of infant mortality during the reporting period (68/1,000 for 1998 and 51/1,000 for 1999). It is equally concerned that the supply of safe and good-quality drinking water is inadequate.

563. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation regarding the allocation of human and financial resources for the implementation of the National Health Policy. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Address the situation regarding the supply of safe drinking water by, inter alia, seeking further support from the World Bank for the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia for the rehabilitation of the network of water supply and sewerage systems;

...

•	Indonesia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 8 at paras. 75 and 77.

75. While acknowledging the improvements in budget allocations to the health-care sector, the Committee remains concerned at the high maternal mortality rate, incidence of child malnutrition, proportion of children born with low birth weight and prevalence of infectious and, mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, the low immunization rate and the lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

...

77. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Prioritize the provision of drinking water and sanitation services;

(c) Strengthen existing efforts to prevent malnutrition, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, to immunize as many children and mothers as possible, to make condoms and other contraceptives available throughout the country and to promote breastfeeding, and extend these programmes to all conflict-affected areas;

...

•	Guyana, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 26 at paras. 156 and 157.

156. The Committee welcomes the implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) and the marked improvement in immunization coverage. However, the Committee remained concerned at the high infant and under-5 mortality rates, the high incidence of malaria, especially among the Amerindian children, as well as the high incidence of malnutrition, including iron deficiency anaemia and stunting of growth.

157. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Address the issue of malnutrition by education and ensuring availability of adequate nutrition among mothers and children;

(d) Continue to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months with appropriate introduction of infant diet thereafter, taking into account the support needed for working mothers.

•	Armenia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 36 at paras. 222, 223, 226 and 227.

222. While welcoming the adoption in March 2003 of a programme to provide free medical care, including dental care, for children up to the age of 15 and free inpatient medical care to children belonging to underprivileged groups up to the age of 18, the Committee reiterates its concern regarding the deterioration in the health system in the State party following cuts in public expenditure on the health system. In this regard, the Committee notes with concern that infant and maternal mortality rates remain high and that an increasing number of children and mothers suffer from malnutrition as a result of rising food prices and poverty...

223. The Committee urges the State party to:

...

(d) Take measures to improve children's nutrition, including education on proper breastfeeding practices among mothers, and to remedy inequalities in access, availability and affordability of nutritious food;

(e) Take measures to educate the public on healthy eating habits, providing the necessary dietary supplements to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia among mothers and children;

...

(g) Continue cooperation with and seek assistance from, among others, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme and civil society.

...

226. The Committee reiterates its concern at the high incidence of environmental threats. In particular, the Committee notes with concern that old water pipes and failures in the water supply system have led to contamination of drinking water and serious outbreaks of infectious diseases.

227. In the light of article 24 (c) of the Convention, the Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party take all appropriate measures, including international cooperation, to prevent and combat the damaging effects of environmental degradation on children, including pollution and contamination of water supplies. The Committee encourages the State party to collect data on access to clean water and sanitation.

•	India, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 75 at paras. 430, 431, 440 and 441.

430. The Committee notes the numerous national plans and programmes initiated during the 9th and 10th five-year plans to address health issues. Nevertheless, it remains seriously concerned at the unavailability and/or inaccessibility of free, high quality primary health care; the slow decline in infant mortality; the worsening maternal mortality rates, due in part to the high increase of unattended home deliveries; the low immunization rate; the high incidence of low-birth-weight babies; the high number of children with stunting, wasting, or who are underweight; the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies; and the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate introduction of infant diet. The Committee further expresses its concern at the environmental pollution prevalent in some states, specifically arsenic and lead pollution, and at the lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation by a large percentage of the population...

431. The Committee recommends that the State party reinforce its efforts in developing effective policies and programmes to improve the health situation of children. It also recommends that the State party ensure access for all children to primary, free and quality health services; regulate and monitor traditional and modern medicinal practice; combat malnutrition; promote healthy nutrition habits, including breastfeeding; improve immunization rates; increase access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation; and address the issue of environmental pollution effectively. Additionally, the Committee encourages the State party to pursue additional avenues of cooperation and assistance for child health improvement with, inter alia, WHO and UNICEF.

...

440. In spite of the growth of the gross domestic product, the Committee is concerned about the widespread poverty in the State party and the still high number of children who do not enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to clean drinking water, adequate housing and latrines. The Committee is further concerned at the negative consequences of displacement and rehabilitation projects which intend to improve living conditions but which remove children from their habitat to a new environment often not prepared for children's needs.

441. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State reinforce its efforts to provide support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living. In light of its previous recommendations (CRC/C/15/Add.115, para. 53), the Committee further recommends that the State party prevent any occurrence of forced relocation, displacement and other types of involuntary population movements.

•	Papua New Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 94 at paras. 510 and 511.

510. While noting the encouraging downward trend in infant mortality rates and the improvement in vaccination coverage, the Committee is concerned at the high maternal mortality rate due in part to the high number of unattended deliveries, the inaccessible and unsatisfactory health-care facilities, the prevalence of malaria, the high incidence of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among mothers and children, and the limited availability of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

511. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Address the issue of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies through education and promotion of healthy feeding practices, including breastfeeding;

...

(e) Ensure safe drinking water and adequate sanitation to all.

•	Panama, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 23 at para. 157.

157. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure that indigenous children enjoy all their rights without discrimination, including equal access to culturally appropriate services including health, education, social services, housing, potable water and sanitation...

•	Sao Tome and Principe, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 54 at paras. 283 and 284.

283. ...[T]he Committee is concerned at the lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation, which is the main cause of the prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases and worms, the high incidence of respiratory diseases and malaria, the high levels of maternal and child mortality, child malnutrition and the high number of children born with low birth weight.

284. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Prioritize the provision of drinking water and sanitation services;

...

(g) Take measures to improve the nutritional status of children through education and promotion of healthy feeding practices, including breastfeeding;

...

•	Myanmar, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004)81 at paras. 428, 429, 439, 453 and 454.

428. In spite of the progress achieved regarding access to drinking water and safe excreta disposal, as indicated in the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys held in 2000, the Committee is concerned that a large number of children, notably those living in rural areas, still do not enjoy adequate access to clean drinking water and sanitation systems.

429. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure access by all children, in particular those in remote and rural areas, to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation systems.

...

439. In light of articles 7, 22 and other relevant provisions of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen its efforts to provide adequate assistance to internally displaced children, including their access to food, education and health, and to support the return home of internally displaced populations and their reintegration into their communities;

...

453. The Committee is deeply concerned about the situation of the children of the Bengali people residing in northern Rakhine State, also known as the Rohingyas, and of children belonging to other ethnic, indigenous or religious minorities and in particular that many of their rights are denied, including the rights to food, to health care, to education, to survival and development, to enjoy their own culture and to be protected from discrimination.

454. The Committee urges the State party to gather additional information on all ethnic minorities and other marginalized groups and to elaborate policies and programmes to fully ensure the implementation of their rights without discrimination, taking into account the Committee's recommendations on the rights of indigenous children made at its day of general discussion (CRC/C/133, para. 624).

•	Dominica, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004)101 at paras. 495 and 496.

495. While taking note of the positive measures undertaken by the State party to address the issues related to health services, the Committee remains concerned at the poor availability of drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities in certain areas of the country and specifically in the Carib Territory.

496. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure access to drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities throughout the country.

•	Democratic People's Republic of Korea, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 111 at paras. 561 and 562.

561. While noting that health services are free and cover all areas of the country, the Committee is concerned about increasing infant and child mortality rates, high rates of malnutrition and stunting in children, alarming increases in maternal mortality rates and due to the high rate of voluntary termination of pregnancy... The Committee is also seriously concerned that access to clean drinking water is rare in the country, sanitation conditions are poor, and that human excrements are sometimes used as fertilizers.

562. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Effectively address the serious issue of malnutrition by providing adequate nutritional food and supplements, as well as education on healthy early habits; ...

...

•	Equatorial Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 64 at paras. 357, 358, 363 and 364.

357. The Committee notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State party to extend the coverage of the health and basic sanitation services. However, the Committee is very concerned that despite decreases in the infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate and maternal mortality rate, these rates remain very high. It is further concerned at the high incidence of malnutrition and that significant numbers of poor families lack access to services, including safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, which contributes to the spread of communicable diseases...

358. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen the implementation and coordination of existing health policies and programmes, in particular the National Action Plan (1992-2000), the Expanded Programme of Immunization, and the Drinking Water and Environmental Health programmes;

(c) Facilitate greater access to primary health services; continue to reduce the incidence of maternal, child and infant mortality; prevent and combat malnutrition, especially amongst vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children; and promote proper breastfeeding practices;

...

363. Given the significant growth rate of the gross domestic product in the State party, the Committee is deeply concerned about the persistence of widespread poverty and the still large number of children who do not enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing and other basic services.

364. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party develop and implement, as a matter of high priority, an effective national plan for the reduction of poverty, including the provision of support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families, and guarantee the right of the child to an adequate standard of living. The Committee also recommends that the State party seek international cooperation and assistance whenever necessary.

•	Angola, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 78 at paras. 419, 420, 427 and 428.

419. The Committee expresses its deep concern at the alarming levels of mortality among children, with 25 per cent of children dying before they reach the age of 5... The Committee is also concerned about the fact that a majority of children do not have access to adequate heath services, the high level of malnutrition among children, the lack of access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation, and inadequate breastfeeding practices among women.

420. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to improve the health situation of children in the State party, including through:

...

(c) Improving the nutritional status of children;

(d) Active promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for six months after birth, with the addition of appropriate infant diet thereafter.

...

427. The Committee expresses its concern at the high and increasing number of children living in poverty and extreme poverty in the State party, especially in rural areas. It notes with particular concern the very poor living conditions of many internally displaced children and children living in so-called informal settlements.

428. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to provide acceptable living conditions for children and their families, in particular in view of the child's right to protection, health and education. Such efforts should include target measures to improve the living conditions of those children and families most in need.

•	Albania, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 19 at paras. 129 and 130.

129. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the State party on legislative and other measures aimed at contributing to the protection of mothers, infants and school-age children, such as the joint programme of the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, or the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Commission for HIV/AIDS in 2000. However, the Committee is concerned at the information on the poor quality of health services in general, particularly in some regions, and more specifically at the high number of children suffering from malnutrition, iodine deficiency and other preventable illnesses...

130. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Address the issues of malnutrition and iodine deficiency through, inter alia, education and promotion of healthy feeding practices.

•	Belize, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 59 at paras. 344, 345, 350 and 351.

344. The Committee welcomes the revised and expanded Care and Growth Chart, which provides a detailed and personal health and development record for all children under 5 years of age. While noting with appreciation the State party's efforts to improve the primary health care, including the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme and the School Health and Physical Education Services (SHAPES) programme, the Committee is nevertheless concerned at the regional disparities in accessibility to health services, the high number of infant deaths and regional differences in this respect, and the situation of malnutrition among infants and children. The Committee is also concerned at the lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation in the rural and most remote areas. Furthermore, the Committee reiterates its concern at the low prevalence of breastfeeding.

345. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Improve the nutritional status of infants and children, inter alia, through the SHAPES programme;

(d) Ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation in all areas of the country;

(e) Strengthen its efforts to implement the National Breastfeeding Policy, adopted in 1998, and encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months after birth with the addition of an appropriate infant diet thereafter;

(f) Seek international assistance, including from UNICEF and WHO, to that effect.

...

350. The Committee is concerned at the persistent high rate of children living in poverty, especially in rural areas... The Committee...notes with appreciation the State party's efforts to facilitate access to nutrition, including through implementing a Food and Nutrition Security Policy for Belize and the feeding programmes of primary schools.

351. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to provide support and material assistance to economically disadvantaged families and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living... The Committee further recommends that the State party increase its efforts to develop and implement the Food and Nutrition Security Policy for Belize and continue to implement the feeding programmes in primary schools.

•	Islamic Republic of Iran, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 88 at paras. 490 and 491.

490. While welcoming the establishment and success of the primary health-care system, the Committee is concerned that despite a specific programme designed to address the problem of nutrition the percentage of moderately and severely underweight, stunted and wasted children remains static.

491. The Committee recommends that the State party make concerted efforts to combat malnutrition, inter alia, by completing and implementing the national Nutritional Strategy for Children.

•	Togo, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 104 at paras. 563 and 564.

563. While acknowledging the improvements in the health-care sector, in particular the establishment of clinics in rural areas and the activities implemented to improve the nutrition of children, the Committee is particularly concerned at the increasing infant mortality rate, the high child and maternal mortality rates, the low birth weight, child malnutrition, the low breastfeeding rate, the low rate of immunization, the prevalence of infectious diseases, mosquito-born diseases, including malaria, and the lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation...

564. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Develop and implement a long-term comprehensive policy with a strong emphasis on early childhood development and community health in which measures will be taken:

...

(iv) To prioritize the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation services, especially in rural areas;

(v) To prevent malnutrition, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases;

...

(vii) To promote exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 6 months;

(b) Seek in this regard technical assistance from, among others, UNICEF.

•	Bolivia, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 121 at paras. 640 and 641.

640. ...[T]he Committee is deeply concerned at the high levels of malnutrition among children in the State party and at the limited use of breastfeeding...

641. ...[T]he State party should ensure that mothers are encouraged to rely exclusively on breastfeeding for six months after birth, with the addition of appropriate infant diet thereafter...

•	Nigeria, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 135 at paras. 712 and 713.

712. The Committee takes note of efforts made by the State party to improve its health system, including the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and the Integrated Management for Childhood Illness, as well as the establishment of the National Programme on Immunization Agency. Nevertheless, the Committee remains gravely concerned at the alarmingly high rate of infant, child and maternal mortality, and the high incidence of major illnesses affecting children, including polio, malaria and diarrhoea as well as the low rate of immunization coverage in the country, particularly in the northern regions, and of malnutrition and the low rates of exclusive breastfeeding. The Committee is also concerned at the very low level of knowledge among mothers on basic health issues, such as about the use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for diarrhoea. The Committee, while acknowledging the adoption of the new National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, also remains concerned at the access to safe drinking water and sanitation, particularly in rural areas.

713. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Take measures to introduce awareness-raising programmes for women, on the importance of, inter alia, prenatal and post-natal health care, preventive measures and treatment for common illnesses; immunization and balanced diet for the healthy development of children;

...

(e) Ensure universal access to drinking water and sanitation services.

•	Philippines, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 24 at paras. 163, 164, 169, 170, 186 and 187.

163. The Committee is concerned, despite the legislative and other measures taken by the State party, about environmental problems, such as air and water pollution and environmental degradation which have serious consequences for children's health and development. As regards access to safe drinking water and sanitation, the Committee is concerned about the regional disparities...

164. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue to strengthen its efforts to reduce pollution and environmental degradation by strengthening the implementation of domestic environmental laws, including Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act No. 9003) and the Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749);

...

(c) Take effective measures to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, particularly in the remote areas of the country, as well as raise awareness on hygiene among children and their parents.

...

169. The Committee notes with concern the high number of children living in households below the national poverty line and the wide disparities in wealth between different regions... The Committee is also concerned about the poor housing situation in the State party and families living, for example in urban slums and squatter communities without adequate infrastructure.

170. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party take urgent efforts to raise the standard of living among its rural and urban population living in poverty, inter alia, through implementing a poverty reduction strategy and community development, including the participation of children. The Committee requests the State party to increase its efforts to provide material assistance and support to economically disadvantaged children and their families. Moreover, the State party should ensure that children living in poverty are provided with access to social and health services, education and adequate housing.

...

186. The Committee reiterates its grave concern at the high number of children living in the streets and their special vulnerability to various forms of violence and abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation, economic exploitation and substance abuse... Notwithstanding the efforts taken by the State party and, in particular, many non-governmental organizations working with and for street children, for example ChildHope Asia Philippines, the Committee is concerned about street children's limited access to adequate nutrition, clothing, housing, social and health services and education...

187. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Ensure that street children are reached through trained street educators and counsellors and provided with adequate nutrition, clothing and shelter as well as with social and health services and educational opportunities, including vocational and life skills training, in order to support their full development and provide them with adequate protection and assistance;

...

•	Nepal, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 66 at paras. 373 and 375.

373. While welcoming the abolition in 2000 of the Kamaiya system of bonded labour and the enactment in 2002 of the Kamaiya Prohibition Act, the Committee is concerned that a large number of Kamaiya children remain unreleased and continue to work as bonded labourers, and that many thousands of Dalit bonded labourers (haliya), including children, are reported to be working in agriculture in Western Nepal and in the plains. The Committee is particularly concerned that they continue to face serious difficulties in the areas of the right to housing, land, work and education.

...

375. ...[T]he Committee recommends the State party to strengthen the implementation of the Kamaiya Prohibition Act, and to take effective measures to ensure the social integration of the emancipated Kamaiya workers...

•	Ecuador, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 91 at paras. 437, 438, 443 and 444.

437. Despite the considerable efforts made by the State party in the area of health, in particular the reduction in infant mortality over the last 10 years, the Committee remains concerned at the increasing adolescent mortality rates as stated in the State party report (para. 143). The Committee is also concerned at the high levels of malnutrition, in particular in rural areas.

438. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to improve the health situation of children in the State party and improve access to quality health services and address the issue of malnutrition, particularly in rural and remote areas. The Committee also recommends that the State party strengthen the "Mother-and-child friendly hospitals" Initiative and update training manuals for health professionals on the promotion and protection of breastfeeding.

...

443. The Committee joins the concern expressed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (see E/C.12/1/Add.100, para. 26) with regard to the persistent and growing level of poverty in the State party, particularly affecting children, including indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian children.

444. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its effort to provide vulnerable and marginalized children, including indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian children, with material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing in accordance with article 27 of the Convention.

•	Mongolia, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 113 at paras. 558, 559, 564 and 565.

558. While noting with appreciation the State party's efforts to improve primary health care, in particular the prevention of infectious diseases such as measles, meningitis and diphtheria as a result of the successful implementation of the National Immunization Programme 1993-2000, the Committee is nevertheless concerned at the regional disparities in access to health services, the high rates of both maternal mortality and under-5 mortality and regional differences in this respect, and the prevailing situation of malnutrition among children. The Committee notes with concern that the exclusive breastfeeding rate is declining and that the State party has not yet adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes... The Committee expresses its concern at the poor state of sanitation, environmental pollution problems and the limited access to clean and safe drinking water in the country...

559. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party undertake all necessary measures:

...

(c) To adopt the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months after birth, with the addition of an appropriate infant diet thereafter;

(d) To improve the nutritional status of children, for example through introducing a school nutrition programme, with particular attention to children in rural areas;

...

(f) To ensure access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation in all areas of the country and to protect children from the consequences of environmental pollution;

...

564. The Committee is deeply concerned at the persistent high rate of poverty in the State party. The Committee notes that, as a consequence of increasing migration from rural areas, poverty is becoming more urbanized and this change has created a range of new social issues, such as children living on the streets. While noting, inter alia, the adoption in 2004, of the "Money for hope" benefit system for children living in families with a minimum income and the State party's efforts to implement its poverty-reduction plan, programmes and projects, the Committee reiterates its concern at the high number of children who do not enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing and other basic services, both in urban and rural areas of the country.

565. In accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party continue to implement, as a matter of high priority, its national plan and programmes for poverty reduction, paying particular attention to economically disadvantaged families in need of support and material assistance, and to guarantee the rights of the child to an adequate standard of living.

•	Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 132 at paras. 638 and 639.

638. ...[T]he Committee is concerned that:

(a) Only about two thirds of the population have access to clean drinking water and that there is a huge discrepancy between the rates of urban and rural population having access to clean drinking water;

(b) One out of every three children suffers some degree of chronic malnutrition and that about 10 per cent of them are said to suffer from severe malnutrition;

...

639. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take all possible actions to reduce poverty and equalize living conditions throughout the country, and ensure access to basic goods and services, such as clean drinking water, especially in remote and rural areas;

(b) Ensure basic health care and services to all children throughout the country and urgently address the problem of malnutrition, with special emphasis on rural and remote areas;

...