III. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

CERD

•	Holy See, CERD, A/55/18 (2000) 66 at para. 396.

Appreciation is expressed for the role of the Catholic Church in promoting education, particularly in developing countries. The opening up of Catholic schools to children from different religious creeds as well as the promotion of tolerance, peace and integration through education is also welcomed. It is noted with satisfaction that in many countries where the majority of the population is non-Christian, Catholic schools are places where children and young people of different faiths, cultures, social classes or ethnic backgrounds come into contact with each other.

•	China, CERD, A/56/18 (2001) 44 at para. 236.

The efforts made by the State party to promote economic and social development in economically backward regions inhabited largely by minority populations, including Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinhai, are welcomed. The investments in infrastructure development and the creation of poverty alleviation projects financing the construction of primary schools in western China are particularly noted.

•	Egypt, CERD, A/56/18 (2001) 50 at para. 284.

The significant efforts made by the State party to ensure that its development strategy is implemented without any discrimination on racial grounds and that it is equitable in its reach, covering all regions of the country, is welcomed.

ICESCR

•	Ecuador, ICESCR, E/1991/23 (1990) 33 at para. 156.

While taking note of the difficulties indicated, notably the foreign debt burden, attention is drawn to the obligation devolving upon State parties under the Covenant, whatever their level of development.

•	Philippines, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 30 at paras. 124 and 130.

Paragraph 124

Greater emphasis should be placed, within the framework of official development assistance provided by donor countries, on support for social adjustment programmes for purposes such as the financing of low-interest credit for the poorest farmers, slum-upgrading and other programmes for housing the poor.

Paragraph 130

The Government should institute an emergency plan, which should include the identification of benchmarks, to expedite the agrarian reform process and provide mechanisms for the speedy handling of grievances concerning irregularities in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme. The reform of tenancy legislation relating to peasants is urged.

•	Colombia, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 41 at para. 193.

The Government should address the problem of the inequitable distribution of wealth through its economic development programmes and a modification of the tax and fiscal system, with the object of effectively combatting the poverty that characterizes the country.

•	Mauritius, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 47 at para. 231.

Notwithstanding the geographical isolation of the island ob Rodrigues and the consequent logistical problems in the delivery of basic government services, a fact which is a considerable impediment, the Government is still undeR the obligation to ensure the eljoyment by the population of Rodrigues of its economic, social and cultural rights.

•	Azerbaijan, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 61 at parA. 357.

The proposal for technical cooperation (for strengthening capacities and infrastructu2e for the p2omotion and protection of human rights) which is currently under review should fully take into consideration the need to strengthen the protection of economic, social and #ultural rights. The State party is encouraged to continue seeking international assistance, including that offered by non-governmental organizations, )n all areas where assistance is needed.

•	Cameroon, ICESCR, E/2000/22 (1999) 56 at para. 352.

The State party should review its macroeconomic reform programmes with respect to their impact on the standard of living of vulnerable groups, particularly in the rural areas, and make efforts to adjust these reforms in a way that better responds to the current needs of such groups. When negotiating with international financial institutions, the State party should take into account its international legal obligations to protect, promote and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights.

•	Mexico, ICESCR, E/2000/22 (1999) 62 at paras. 387 and 396.

Paragraph 387

The presence of numerous military and paramilitary forces within the iNdigenous community of Chiapas and other states in the region is of concern. Allegations that these elements interfere with the supervision and implemenTation of development programmes and the distribution of economic and sociaL assistance is of particular concern.

Paragraph 396

When negotiating with international financial institutions and implementing structural adjustment programmes and macroeconomic policies affecting foreign debt servicing or integration into the global free market economy, the State party is called upon to take into account their effect on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, in particular for the most vulnerable groups of society.

•	Congo, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 43 at para. 217.

The Committee supports the request by the Government addressed to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) to facilitate access to food through small-scale low-cost agricultural projects. The Committee notes that a new project formulation mission is planned for the near future to support the national team in the initial preparations for such a programme. The Republic of the Congo can also take advantage of the FAO South-South Cooperation Initiative, which involves the exchange of knowledge, expertise and experience between developing countries.

•	Republic of Korea, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 45 at para. 223.

Concern is expressed that the rapid pace of economic development has not been matched by efforts to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights. Concern is expressed that in such a situation, some rights or the rights of some groups are being sacrificed for the sake of economic recovery and market competitiveness.

CEDAW

•	Madagascar, CEDAW, A/49/38 (1994) 45 at para. 242.

The Government of Madagascar needs to improve the health services in general and particularly for women because improved health status of women invariably improves the overall development of any country.

•	Ethiopia, CEDAW, A/51/38 (1996) 19 at para. 163.

Every effort must be made to attain a stable and peaceful environment in order to reconstruct the country and create the conditions necessary for sustainable development and the integration of women.

•	Morocco, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part I (1997) 11 at para. 75.

Particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups, women heads of household, abandoned women and disabled women, and the necessary steps should be taken to protect them from any form of exclusion or marginalization. Overcoming inequality contributes to poverty reduction and to the country's economic development.

•	South Africa, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part II (1998) 58 at para. 120.

The government is encouraged to ensure that the national machinery as well as the Commission on Gender Equality are provided with adequate resources for entrenching gender equality firmly at this formative stage of the country's development as a democratic, multiracial society.

•	Peru, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part II (1998) 72 at para. 334.

Greater efforts should be made to achieve the principles of equal pay and equal pay for work of equal value, to educate women so as to enable them to enter the labour force, to provide training and re-training programmes so as to encourage women to gain access to non-traditional jobs, to guarantee their right to social security and thus ensure that women are able to be active agents in the development of the country.

•	Burkina Faso, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 25 at para. 264.

It is noted that all the human development indicators - particularly in rural areas - are among the lowest in the continent and constitute a serious obstacle to the implementation of the Convention.

•	Guinea, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 55 at para. 126.

The high prevalence of illiteracy among women and girls and the low level of schooling of girls, especially in rural areas, are matters of concern. Education is a key to the empowerment of women and the low level of education of women and girls remains one of the most serious impediments to the full enjoyment of their human rights and to sustainable national development.

See also:

•	Burundi, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 7 at para. 57.

•	Nicaragua, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 72 at para. 297.

The Government is urged to give priority attention to rural women and women heads of household, including in the allocation of budgetary resources, and to monitor research into their situation, with a view to developing effective policies and programmes to strengthen their socio-economic situation and ensuring that they receive needed services and support. It is emphasized that social investment in women not only ensures their enjoyment of the human rights outlined in the Convention, but also constitutes one of the most effective means of combating poverty and promoting sustainable development.

CRC

•	Egypt, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 36 at paras. 226 and 227.

Paragraph 226

In light of previous concluding observations and taking note of efforts by the State party to combat poverty and its negative effects on children, concern is expressed at the large disparities in the enjoyment of economic and social rights, particularly health and education, by children living in rural areas and regions lagging behind in socio-economic development.

Paragraph 227

The State party should take all necessary measures to ensure that all children within its jurisdiction enjoy all the rights set out in the Convention without discrimination, in accordance with article 2. Resources and social services for children belonging to the most vulnerable groups, especially in areas which lack basic services, should be prioritized and targeted.

•	Denmark, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 10 at para. 36.

The State party's outstanding commitment in the area of international cooperation and development assistance is noted with appreciation. In this regard, it is also noted that the State party allocates a significant percentage of its gross domestic product to foreign aid, mainly in support of the least developed countries.