Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

16. Bosnia and Herzegovina	6 March 1993	Overdue
17. Brazil	24 April 1992	E/1990/5/Add.53 (Pending consideration)
18. Bulgaria	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.24 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.12)	E/1980/6/Add.29 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.8)	E/1982/3/Add.23 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.11-13)	E/1984/7/Add.18 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.9 and 11)	E/1986/4/Add.20 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.17-19)
19. Burkina Faso	4 April 1999	Overdue
20. Burundi	9 August 1990	Overdue
21. Cambodia	26 August 1992	Overdue
22. Cameroon	27 September 1984	E/1990/5/Add.35 (E/C.12/1999/ SR.41-43)	E/1986/3/Add.8 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.6-7)	E/1990/5/Add.35 (E/C.12/1999/ SR.41-43)	Overdue
23. Canada	19 August 1976	E/1978/8/Add.32 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.1-2)	E/1980/6/Add.32 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.4 and 6)	E/1982/3/Add.34 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.13, 15 and 16)	E/1984/7/Add.28 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.8 and 11)	E/1990/6/Add.3 (E/C.12/1993/SR.6 and 7)
24. Cape Verde	6 November 1993	Overdue
25. Central African Republic	8 August 1981	Overdue
26. Chad	9 September 1995	Overdue
27. Chile	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.10 and 28 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.8-9)	E/1980/6/Add.4 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.7)	E/1982/3/Add.40 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.12-13 and 16)	E/1984/7/Add.1 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.11-12)	E/1986/4/Add.18 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.12-13 and 16)	Overdue
28. China	27 June 2001	Due on 30 June 2003
29. Colombia	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.17 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.15)	E/1986/3/Add.3 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.6 and 9)	E/1982/3/Add.36 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.15, 21 and 22)	E/1984/7/Add.21/Rev.1 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.22 and 25)	E/1986/4/Add.25 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.12-14 and 17)	E/1990/7/Add.4 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.17, 18 and 25)
30. Costa Rica	3 January 1976	E/1990/5/Add.3 (E/C.12/1990/SR.38, 40, 41 and 43)	Overdue
31. Côte d’Ivoire	26 June 1992	Overdue
32. Croatia	8 October 1991	E/1990/5/Add.46 (E/C.12/2001/SR.69-71)	Due on 30 June 2006
33. Cyprus	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.21 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.17)	E/1980/6/Add.3 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.6)	E/1982/3/Add.19 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.7-8)	E/1984/7/Add.13 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.18 and 22)	E/1986/4/Add.2 and 26 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.2, 3 and 5)

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

34. Czech Republic	1 January 1993	E/1990/5/Add.47 (E/C.12/2002/SR.3-5)	Due on 30 June 2007
35. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea	14 December 1981	E/1984/6/Add.7 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.21-22)	E/1986/3/Add.5 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.21-22)	E/1988/5/Add.6 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.6, 8 and 10)	E/1990/6/Add.35 (Received on 9 April 2002 - Pending consideration)
36. Democratic Republic of the Congo	1 February 1977	E/1984/6/Add.18 E/1986/3/Add.7 E/1982/3/Add.41 (E/C.12/1988/SR.16-19)	Overdue
37. Denmark	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.13 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.10)	E/1980/6/Add.15 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.12)	E/1982/3/Add.20 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.8-9)	E/1984/7/Add.11 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.17 and 21)	E/1986/4/Add.16 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.8-9)
38. Dominica	17 September 1993	Overdue
39. Dominican Republic	4 April 1978	E/1990/5/Add.4 (E/C.12/1990/SR.43-45 and 47)	E/1990/6/Add.7 (E/C.12/1996/SR.29 and 30) (E/C.12/1997/SR.29-31)
40. Ecuador	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.1 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.4-5)	E/1986/3/Add.14 E/1988/5/Add.7 (E/C.12/1990/SR.37-39 and 42)	E/1984/7/Add.12 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.20 and 22)	E/1990/6/Add.36 (Received on 29 October 2002 - Pending consideration)
41. Egypt	14 April 1982	E/1990/5/Add.38 (E/C.12/2000/SR.12 and 13)	Due on 30 June 2003
42. El Salvador	29 February 1980	E/1990/5/Add.25 (E/C.12/1996/SR.15, 16 and 18)	Overdue
43. Equatorial Guinea	25 December 1987	Overdue
44. Eritrea	17 July 2001	Due on 30 June 2003
45. Estonia	21 January 1992	E/1990/5/Add.51 (E/C.12/2002/SR.41-43)	Due on 30 June 2007
46. Ethiopia	11 September 1993	Overdue
47. Finland	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.14 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.6)	E/1980/6/Add.11 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.10)	E/1982/3/Add.28 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.7-8)	E/1984/7/Add.14 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.17-18)	E/1986/4/Add.4 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.8-9 and 11)	E/1990/7/Add.1 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.11, 12 and 16)
48. France	4 February 1981	E/1984/6/Add.11 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.18-19 and 21)	E/1986/3/Add.10 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.12-13)	E/1982/3/Add.30 and Corr.1 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.5 and 7)	E/1990/6/Add.27 (E/C.12/2001/SR.67- 68)
49. Gabon	21 April 1983	Overdue
50. Gambia	29 March 1979	Overdue
51. Georgia	3 August 1994	E/1990/5/Add.37 (E/C.12/2000/SR.3-5)	E/1990/6/Add.31 (E/C.12/2002/SR.35 and 36)

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

52. Germany	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.8 and Corr.1 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.8) E/1978/8/Add.11 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.10)	E/1980/6/Add.6 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.8) E/1980/6/Add.10 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.10)	E/1982/3/Add.15 and Corr.1 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.5-6) E/1982/3/Add.14 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.17-18)	E/1984/7/Add.3 and 23 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.12 and 16) E/1984/7/Add.24 and Corr.1 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.22-23 and 25)	E/1986/4/Add.11 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.11, 12 and 14) E/1986/4/Add.10 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.19-20)	E/1990/7/Add.12 (E/C.12/1993/ SR.35 and 36)
53. Ghana	7 December 2000	Overdue (Was due on 30 June 2002)
54. Greece	16 August 1985	E/1990/5/Add.56 (Received on 17 September 2002 - Pending consideration)
55. Grenada	6 December 1991	Overdue
56. Guatemala	19 August 1988	E/1990/5/Add.24 (E/C.12/1996/SR.11-14)	E/1990/6/Add.34 (Received on 27 March 2002 - Pending consideration)
57. Guinea	24 April 1978	Overdue
58. Guinea- Bissau	2 October 1992	Overdue
59. Guyana	15 May 1977	E/1990/5/Add.27 (Pending consideration)	E/1982/3/Add.5, 29 and 32 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.20 and 22 and E/1985/WG.1/ SR.6)
60. Honduras	17 May 1981	E/1990/5/Add.40 (E/C.12/2001/SR.5-8)	Due on 30 June 2006
61. Hungary	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.7 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.7)	E/1980/6/Add.37 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.6-7 and 9)	E/1982/3/Add.10 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.14)	E/1984/7/Add.15 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.19 and 21)	E/1986/4/Add.1 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.6-7 and 9)	E/1990/7/Add.10 (E/C.12/1992/ SR.9, 12 and 21)
62. Iceland	22 November 1979	E/1990/5/Add.6 and 14 (E/C.12/1993/SR.29-31)	E/1990/6/Add.15 (E/C.12/1999/SR.3-5)
63. India	10 July 1979	E/1984/6/Add.13 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.20 and 24)	E/1980/6/Add.34 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.6 and 8)	E/1988/5/Add.5 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.16-17 and 19)	Overdue
64. Iran (Islamic Republic of)	3 January 1976	E/1990/5/Add.9 (E/C.12/1993/SR.7-9 and 20)	E/1982/3/Add.43 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.42-43 and 45)	Overdue
65. Iraq	3 January 1976	E/1984/6/Add.3 and 8 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.8 and 11)	E/1980/6/Add.14 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.12)	E/1982/3/Add.26 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.3-4)		E/1986/4/Add.3 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.8 and 11)	E/1990/7/Add.15 (E/C.12/1994/ SR.11 and 14)
66. Ireland	8 March 1990	E/1990/5/Add.34 (E/C.12/1999/SR.14-16)	E/1990/6/Add.29 (E/C.12/2002/SR.6 and 7)

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

67. Israel	3 January 1992	E/1990/5/Add.39 (E/C.12/1998/SR.31-33)	E/1990/6/Add.32 (Pending consideration)
68. Italy	15 December 1978	E/1978/8/Add.34 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.3-4)	E/1980/6/Add.31 and 36 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.3 and 5)		E/1990/6/Add.2 (E/C.12/1992/SR.13, 14 and 21)
69. Jamaica	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.27 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.20)	E/1986/3/Add.12 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.10-12 and 15)	E/1988/5/Add.3 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.10-12 and 15)	E/1984/7/Add.30 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.10-12 and 15)	E/1990/6/Add.28 (E/C.12/2001/SR.73)
70. Japan	21 September 1979	E/1984/6/Add.6 and Corr.1 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.9-10)	E/1986/3/Add.4 and Corr.1 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.20-21 and 23)	E/1982/3/Add.7 (E/1982/WG.1 SR.12-13)	E/1990/6/Add.21 and Corr.1 (E/C.12/2001/SR.42-43)
71. Jordan	3 January 1976	E/1984/6/Add.15 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.6-8)	E/1986/3/Add.6 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.8)	E/1982/3/Add.38/ Rev.1 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.30-32)	E/1990/6/Add.17 (E/C.12/2000/SR.30-33)
72. Kenya*	3 January 1976	Overdue	Overdue
73. Kuwait	31 August 1996	E/1990/5/Add.57 (Received on 11 September 2002 - Pending consideration)
74. Kyrgyzstan	7 January 1995	E/1990/5/Add.42 (E/C.12/2000/SR.42-44)	Due on 30 June 2005
75. Latvia	14 July 1992	Overdue
76. Lebanon	3 January 1976	E/1990/5/Add.16 (E/C.12/1993/SR.14, 16 and 21)	Overdue
77. Lesotho	9 December 1992	Overdue
78. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	3 January 1976	E/1990/5/Add.26 (E/C.12/1997/SR.20-21)	E/1982/3/Add.6 and 25 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.16-17)	Overdue
79. Liechtenstein	10 March 1999	Overdue
80. Lithuania	20 February 1992	E/1990/5/Add.55 (Received on 17 July 2002 - Pending consideration)
81. Luxembourg	18 November 1983	E/1990/5/Add.1 (E/C.12/1990/SR.33-36)	E/1990/6/Add.9 (E/C.12/1997/SR.48-49)
82. Madagascar	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.29 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.2)	E/1980/6/Add.39 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.2-3 and 5)	Overdue	E/1984/7/Add.19 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.14 and 18)	Overdue
83. Malawi	22 March 1994	Overdue
84. Mali	3 January 1976	Overdue
85. Malta	13 December 1990	Overdue
86. Mauritius	3 January 1976	E/1990/5/Add.21 (E/C.12/1995/SR.40, 41 and 43)	Overdue

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

87. Mexico	23 June 1981	E/1984/6/Add.2 and 10 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.24, 26 and 28)	E/1986/3/Add.13 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.6, 7 and 9)	E/1982/3/Add.8 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.14-15)	E/1990/6/Add.4 (E/C.12/1993/SR.32-35 and 49)
88. Monaco	28 November 1997	Overdue
89. Mongolia	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.6 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.7)	E/1980/6/Add.7 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.8-9)	E/1982/3/Add.11 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.15-16)	E/1984/7/Add.6 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.16 and 18)	E/1986/4/Add.9 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.5 and 7)
90. Morocco	3 August 1979	E/1990/5/Add.13 (E/C.12/1994/SR.8-10)	E/1990/6/Add.20 (E/C.12/2000/SR.70-72)
91. Namibia	28 February 1995	Overdue
92. Nepal	14 August 1991	E/1990/5/Add.45 (E/C.12/2001/SR.44-46)	Due on 30 June 2006
93. Netherlands	11 March 1979	E/1984/6/Add.14 and 20 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.5-6) (E/C.12/1989/ SR.14-15)	E/1980/6/Add.33 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.4-6 and 8)	E/1982/3/Add.35 and 44 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.14 and 18) (E/C.12/1989/ SR.14-15)	E/1990/6/ Add.11 ‑13 (E/C.12/1998/ SR.13-17)	E/1986/4/Add.24 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.14-15)	E/1990/6/ Add.11 ‑13 (E/C.12/1998/ SR.13-17)
94. New Zealand	28 March 1979	E/1990/5/Add.5, 11 and 12 (E/C.12/1993/SR.24-26)	E/1990/6/Add.33 (Pending consideration)
95. Nicaragua	12 June 1980	E/1984/6/Add.9 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.16-17 and 19)	E/1986/3/Add.15-16 (E/C.12/1993/ SR.27-28)	E/1982/3/Add.31 and Corr.1 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.15)	Overdue
96. Niger	7 June 1986	Overdue
97. Nigeria	29 October 1993	E/1990/5/Add.31 (E/C.12/1998/SR.6-8)	Overdue
98. Norway	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.12 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.5)	E/1980/6/Add.5 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.14)	E/1982/3/Add.12 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.16)	E/1984/7/Add.16 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.19 and 22)	E/1986/4/Add.21 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.14-15)	E/1990/7/Add.7 (E/C.12/1992/ SR.4-5 and 12)
99. Panama	8 June 1977	E/1984/6/Add.19 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.3, 5 and 8)	E/1980/6/Add.20 and 23 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.5)	E/1988/5/Add.9 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.3, 5 and 8)	E/1990/6/Add.24 (E/C.12/2001/ SR.36)	E/1986/4/Add.22 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.3, 5 and 8)	E/1990/6/Add.24 (E/C.12/2001/ SR.36)
100. Paraguay	10 September 1992	E/1990/5/Add.23 (E/C.12/1996/SR.1, 2 and 4)	Overdue
101. Peru	28 July 1978	E/1984/6/Add.5 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.11 and 18)	E/1990/5/Add.29 (E/C.12/1997/SR.14-17)	Overdue
102. Philippines	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.4 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.11)	E/1986/3/Add.17 (E/C.12/1995/ SR.11, 12 and 14)	E/1988/5/Add.2 (E/C.12/1990/ SR.8-9 and 11)	E/1984/7/Add.4 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.15 and 20)	Overdue

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)
103. Poland	18 June 1977	E/1978/8/Add.23 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.18-19)	E/1980/6/Add.12 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.11)	E/1982/3/Add.21 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.9-10)	E/1984/7/Add.26 and 27 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.25-27)	E/1986/4/Add.12 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.5-6)	E/1990/7/Add.9 (E/C.12/1992/ SR.6-7 and 15)
104. Portugal	31 October 1978		E/1980/6/Add.35/ Rev.1 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.2 and 4)	E/1982/3/Add.27/ Rev.1 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.6 and 9)	E/1990/6/Add.6 (E/C.12/1995/SR.7, 8 and 10) E/1990/6/Add.8 (Macau) (E/C.12/1996/SR.31-33)
105. Republic of Korea	10 July 1990	E/1990/5/Add.19 (E/C.12/1995/SR.3, 4 and 6)	E/1990/6/Add.23 (E/C.12/2001/SR.12-14)
106. Republic of Moldova	26 March 1993	E/1990/5/Add.52 (Pending consideration)
107. Republic of the Congo	5 January 1984	Overdue (Without report: E/C.12/2000/SR.16-17)
108. Romania	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.20 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.16-17)	E/1980/6/Add.1 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.5)	E/1982/3/Add.13 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.17-18)	E/1984/7/Add.17 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.10 and 13)	E/1986/4/Add.17 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.6)	E/1990/7/Add.14 (E/C.12/1994/ SR.5, 7 and 13)
109. Russian Federation	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.16 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.14)	E/1980/6/Add.17 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.14-15)	E/1982/3/Add.1 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.11-12)	E/1984/7/Add.7 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.9-10)	E/1986/4/Add.14 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.16-18)	E/1990/7/Add.8 (Withdrawn)
110. Rwanda	3 January 1976	E/1984/6/Add.4 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.10 and 12)	E/1986/3/Add.1 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.16 and 19)	E/1982/3/Add.42 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.10-12)	E/1984/7/Add.29 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.10-12)	Overdue
111. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	9 February 1982	Overdue
112. San Marino	18 January 1986	Overdue
113. Senegal	13 May 1978	E/1984/6/Add.22 (E/C.12/1993/ SR.37-38)	E/1980/6/Add.13/ Rev.1 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.11)	E/1982/3/Add.17 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.14-16)	E/1990/6/Add.25 (E/C.12/2001/SR.32-33)
114. Seychelles	5 August 1982	Overdue
115. Sierra Leone	23 November 1996	Overdue
116. Slovakia	28 May 1993	E/1990/5/Add.49 (E/C.12/2002/SR.30-32)	Due on 30 June 2007
117. Slovenia	6 July 1992	Overdue

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

118. Solomon Islands	17 March 1982	Overdue (Without report: E/C.12/1999/SR.9) E/1990/5/Add.50 (E/C.12/2002/SR.38 and 39)	Due on 30 June 2005
119. Somalia	24 April 1990	Overdue
120. Spain	27 July 1977	E/1978/8/Add.26 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.20)	E/1980/6/Add.28 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.7)	E/1982/3/Add.22 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.10-11)	E/1984/7/Add.2 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.12 and 14)	E/1986/4/Add.6 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.10 and 13)	E/1990/7/Add.3 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.13-14, 16 and 22)
121. Sri Lanka	11 September 1980	E/1990/5/Add.32 (E/C.12/1998/SR.3-5)	Due on 30 June 2003
122. Sudan	18 June 1986	E/1990/5/Add.41 (E/C.12/2000/SR.36 and 38-41)	Due 30 June 2003
123. Suriname	28 March 1977	E/1990/5/Add.20 (E/C.12/1995/SR.13 and 15-16)	Overdue
124. Sweden	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.5 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.15)	E/1980/6/Add.8 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.9)	E/1982/3/Add.2 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.19-20)	E/1984/7/Add.5 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.14 and 16)	E/1986/4/Add.13 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.10-11)	E/1990/7/Add.2 (E/C.12/1991/ SR.11-13 and 18)
125. Switzerland	18 September 1992	E/1990/5/Add.33 (E/C.12/1998/SR.37-39)	Overdue
126. Syrian Arab Republic	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.25 and 31 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.2)	E/1980/6/Add.9 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.4)		E/1990/6/Add.1 (E/C.12/1991/SR.7, 9 and 11)
127. Tajikistan	4 April 1999	Overdue
128. Thailand	5 December 1999	Overdue (Was due on 30 June 2002)
129. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	17 September 1991	Overdue
130. Togo	24 August 1984	Overdue (Without report: E/C.12/2001/SR.19 and 25)
131. Trinidad and Tobago	8 March 1979	E/1984/6/Add.21 E/1986/3/Add.11 E/1988/5/Add.1 (E/C.12/1989/SR.17-19)	E/1990/6/Add.30 (E/C.12/2002/SR.15 and 16)
132. Tunisia	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.3 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.5-6)	E/1986/3/Add.9 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.9)		E/1990/6/Add.14 (E/C.12/1999/SR.17-19)
133. Turkmenistan	1 August 1997	Overdue
134. Uganda	21 April 1987	Overdue
135. Ukraine	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.22 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.18)	E/1980/6/Add.24 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.5-6)	E/1982/3/Add.4 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.11-12)	E/1984/7/Add.9 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.13-15)	E/1986/4/Add.5 (E/C.12/1987/ SR.9-11)	E/1990/7/Add.11 (Withdrawn)

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Initial reports	Second periodic reports
Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15	Articles 6-9	Articles 10-12	Articles 13-15
(Summary records of consideration of reports)

136. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	20 August 1976	E/1978/8/Add.9 and 30 (E/1980/WG.1/ SR.19 and E/1982/WG.1/ SR.1)	E/1980/6/Add.16 and Corr.1, Add.25 and Corr.1 and Add.26 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.16-17)	E/1982/3/Add.16 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.19-21)	E/1984/7/Add.20 (E/1985/WG.1/ SR.14 and 17)	E/1986/4/Add.23 (E/C.12/1989/ SR.16-17) E/1986/4/ Add.27 ‑28 (E/C.12/1994/ SR.33-34 and 36 ‑37)	E/1990/7/Add.16 (E/C.12/1994/ SR.33 ‑34 and 36 ‑37)
137. United Republic of Tanzania	11 September 1976	Overdue	E/1980/6/Add.2 (E/1981/WG.1/ SR.5)	Overdue
138. Uruguay	3 January 1976	E/1990/5/Add.7 (E/C.12/1994/SR.3, 4, 6 and 13)	E/1990/6/Add.10 (E/C.12/1997/SR.42-44)
139. Uzbekistan	28 December 1995	Overdue
140. Venezuela	10 August 1978	E/1984/6/Add.1 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.7-8 and 10)	E/1980/6/Add.38 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.2 and 5)	E/1982/3/Add.33 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.12 and 17-18)	E/1990/6/Add.19 (E/C.12/2001/SR.3-5)
141. Viet Nam	24 December 1982	E/1990/5/Add.10 (E/C.12/1993/SR.9-11)	Overdue
142. Yemen	9 May 1987	E/1990/5/Add.54 (Received on 18 February 2002 - Pending consideration)
143. Yugoslavia	3 January 1976	E/1978/8/Add.35 (E/1982/WG.1/ SR.4 and 5)	E/1980/6/Add.30 (E/1983/WG.1/ SR.3)	E/1982/3/Add.39 (E/C.12/1988/ SR.14-15)	E/1984/7/Add.10 (E/1984/WG.1/ SR.16 and 18)	E/1990/6/Add.22 (Withdrawn)
144. Zambia	10 July 1984	Overdue	E/1986/3/Add.2 (E/1986/WG.1/ SR.4-5 and 7)	Overdue
145. Zimbabwe	13 August 1991	E/1990/5/Add.28 (E/C.12/1997/SR.8-10 and 14)	Overdue

Annex I (continued)

B. Third and fourth periodic reports

State party	Date of entry into force	T hird periodic reports	F ourth periodic reports
		( Summary records of consideration of reports)
1. Afghanistan	24 April 1983
2. Albania	4 January 1992
3. Algeria	12 December 1989	Due on 30 June 2006
4. Angola	10 April 1992
5. Argentina	8 November 1986	Overdue
6. Armenia	13 December 1993
7. Australia	10 March 1976	E/1994/104/Add.22 (E/C.12/2000/SR.45-47)	Due on 30 June 2005
8. Austria	10 December 1978	Overdue
9. Azerbaijan	13 November 1992
10. Bangladesh	5 January 1999
11. Barbados	3 January 1976
12. Belarus	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.6 (E/C.12/1996/SR.34-36)	Overdue
13. Belgium	21 July 1983	Due on 30 June 2005
14. Benin	12 June 1992
15. Bolivia	12 November 1982
16. Bosnia and Herzegovina	6 March 1993
17. Brazil	24 April 1992
18. Bulgaria	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.16 (E/C.12/1999/SR.30-32)	Overdue
19. Burkina Faso	4 April 1999
20. Burundi	9 August 1990
21. Cambodia	26 August 1992
22. Cameroon	27 September 1984
23. Canada	19 August 1976	E/1994/104/Add.17 (E/C.12/1998/SR.46-48)	Overdue
24. Cape Verde	6 November 1993
25. Central African Republic	8 August 1981

Annex I (continued)
State party	Date of entry into force	Third periodic reports	Fourth periodic reports
		(Summary records of consideration of reports)
26. Chad	9 September 1995
27. Chile	3 January 1976	Overdue
28. China	27 June 2001
29. Colombia	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.2 (E/C.12/1995/SR.33 and 35)	E/C.12/4/Add.6 (E/C.12/2001/SR.63-64) Fifth periodic report due on 30 June 2006
30. Costa Rica	3 January 1976
31. Côte d’Ivoire	26 June 1992
32. Croatia	8 October 1991
33. Cyprus	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.12 (E/C.12/1998/SR.34-36)	Overdue
34. Czech Republic	1 January 1993
35. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea	14 December 1981
36. Democratic Republic of the Congo	1 February 1977
37. Denmark **	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.15 (E/C.12/1999/SR.11-13)	Overdue
38. Dominica	17 September 1993
39. Dominican Republic	4 April 1978	Overdue
40. Ecuador	3 January 1976
41. Egypt	14 April 1982
42. El Salvador	29 February 1980
43. Equatorial Guinea	25 December 1987
44. Eritrea	17 July 2001
45. Estonia	21 January 1992
46. Ethiopia	11 September 1993
47. Finland	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.7 (E/C.12/1996/SR.38 and 40)	E/C.12/4/Add.1 (E/C.12/2000/SR.61-63) Fifth periodic report due on 30 June 2005
48. France	4 February 1981	Due on 30 June 2006
49. Gabon	21 April 1983
50. Gambia	29 March 1979
51. Georgia	3 August 1994	Due on 30 June 2007
52. Germany	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.14 (E/C.12/1998/SR.40-42)	E/C.12/4/Add.3 (E/C.12/2001/SR.48-49) Fifth periodic report due 30 June 2006
53. Ghana	7 December 2000
54. Greece	16 August 1985
55. Grenada	6 December 1991
56. Guatemala	19 August 1988
57. Guinea	24 April 1978
58. Guinea-Bissau	2 October 1992
59. Guyana	15 May 1977
60. Honduras	17 May 1981
61. Hungary	3 January 1976	Overdue
62. Iceland	22 November 1979	E/1994/104/Add.25 (Pending consideration)
63. India	10 July 1979
64. Iran (Islamic Republic of)	3 January 1976
65. Iraq	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.9 (E/C.12/1997/SR.33-35)	Overdue
66. Ireland	8 March 1990	Due on 30 June 2007
67. Israel	3 January 1992
68. Italy	15 December 1978	E/1994/104/Add.19 (E/C.12/2000/SR.6-8)	Due on 30 June 2005
69. Jamaica	3 January 1976	Due on 30 June 2003
70. Japan	21 September 1979	Due on 30 June 2006
71. Jordan	3 January 1976	Due on 30 June 2003
72. Kenya	3 January 1976
73. Kuwait	31 August 1996
74. Kyrgyzstan	7 January 1995
75. Latvia	14 July 1992
76. Lebanon	3 January 1976
77. Lesotho	9 December 1992
78. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	3 January 1976
79. Liechtenstein	10 March 1999
80. Lithuania	20 February 1992
81. Luxembourg	18 November 1983	E/1994/104/Add.24 (Pending consideration)
82. Madagascar	3 January 1976
83. Malawi	22 March 1994
84. Mali	3 January 1976
85. Malta	13 December 1990
86. Mauritius	3 January 1976
87. Mexico	23 June 1981	E/1994/104/Add.18 (E/C.12/1999/SR.44-46)
88. Monaco	28 November 1997
89. Mongolia	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.21 (E/C.12/2000/SR.34-37)	Due on 30 June 2003
90. Morocco	3 August 1979	Due on 30 June 2004
91. Namibia	28 February 1995
92. Nepal	14 August 1991
93. Netherlands	11 March 1979	Overdue
94. New Zealand	28 March 1979
95. Nicaragua	12 June 1980
96. Niger	7 June 1986
97. Nigeria	29 October 1993
98. Norway	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.3 (E/C.12/1995/SR.34 and 36-37)	Overdue
99. Panama	8 June 1977	Due on 30 June 2004
100. Paraguay	10 September 1992
101. Peru	28 July 1978
102. Philippines	3 January 1976
103. Poland	18 June 1977	E/1994/104/Add.13 (E/C.12/1998/SR.10-12)	E/C.12/4/Add.9 (E/C.12/2002/SR.33 and 34) Fifth periodic report due on 30 June 2007
104. Portugal	31 October 1978	E/1994/104/Add.20 (E/C.12/2000/SR.58-60)	Due on 30 June 2005
105. Republic of Korea	10 July 1990	Due on 30 June 2006
106. Republic of Moldova	26 March 1993
107. Republic of the Congo	5 January 1984
108. Romania	3 January 1976	Overdue
109. Russian Federation	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.8 (E/C.12/1997/SR.11-14)	E/C.12/4/Add.10 (Pending consideration)
110. Rwanda	3 January 1976
111. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	9 February 1982
112. San Marino	18 January 1986
113. Senegal	13 May 1978	Due on 30 June 2003
114. Seychelles	5 August 1982
115. Sierra Leone	23 November 1996
116. Slovakia	28 May 1993
117. Slovenia	6 July 1992
118. Solomon Islands	17 March 1982
119. Somalia	24 April 1990
120. Spain	27 July 1977	E/1994/104/Add.5 (E/C.12/1996/SR.3 and 5‑7)	E/C.12/4/Add.11 (Received on 11 September 2002 - Pending consideration)
121. Sri Lanka	11 September 1980
122. Sudan	18 June 1986
123. Suriname	28 March 1977
124. Sweden	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.1 (E/C.12/1995/SR.13 and 15-16)	E/C.12/4/Add.4 (E/C.12/2001/SR.61-62) Fifth periodic report due on 30 June 2006
125. Switzerland	18 September 1992
126. Syrian Arab Republic	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.23 (E/C.12/2001/SR.34-35)	Due on 30 June 2006
127. Tajikistan	4 April 1999
128. Thailand	5 December 1999
129. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	17 September 1991
130. Togo	24 August 1984
131. Trinidad and Tobago	8 March 1979	Due on 30 June 2007
132. Tunisia	3 January 1976	Due on 30 June 2004
133. Turkmenistan	1 August 1997
134. Uganda	21 April 1987
135. Ukraine	3 January 1976	E/1994/104/Add.4 (E/C.12/1995/SR.42 and  44-45)	E/C.12/4/Add.2 (E/C.12/2001/SR.40-41) Fifth periodic report due on 30 June 2006
136. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	20 August 1976	E/1994/104/Add.10 (Hong Kong) (E/C.12/1996/SR.39, 41, 42 and 44) E/1994/104/Add.11 (E/C.12/1997/SR.36-38)	E/C.12/4/Add.5 (overseas territories) E/C.12/4/Add.7 (Crown territories) E/C.12/4/Add.8 (E/C.12/2002/SR.11-13) Fifth periodic report due on 30 June 2007
137. United Republic of Tanzania	11 September 1976
138. Uruguay	3 January 1976
139. Uzbekistan	28 December 1995
140. Venezuela	10 August 1978	Due on 30 June 2006
141. Viet Nam	24 December 1982
142. Yemen	9 May 1987

Annex I (continued)

State party	Date of entry into force	Third periodic reports	Fourth periodic reports
		(Summary records of consideration of reports)
143. Yugoslavia	3 January 1976	Overdue (Was due on 30 June 2002)
144. Zambia	10 July 1984
145. Zimbabwe	13 August 1991

* The Committee considered the situation in Kenya, without a report, at its eighth session (3rd meeting). It examined the initial report of Kenya

(E/1990/5/Add.17) at its tenth session (12th meeting) and requested the State party to submit a new complete report by the end of 1994.

** Fourth periodic report was due on 30 June 1999. At the request of the Government of Denmark, the Committee, at its twenty-first session (1999),

decided to extend to 30 June 2001 the deadline for the submission of the fourth periodic report.

Annex II

Members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Name of member Country of nationality Term expires on 31 December

Mr. Mahmoud Samir AHMEDEgypt2002

Mr. Clément ATANGANACameroon2002

Ms. Rocío BARAHONA-RIERACosta Rica2004

Ms. Virginia BONOAN-DANDANPhilippines2002

Mr. Dumitru CEAUSURomania2004

Mr. Abdessatar GRISSATunisia2004

Mr. Paul HUNTNew Zealand2002

Mr. Yuri KOLOSOVRussian Federation2002

Mr. Giorgio MALINVERNISwitzerland2004

Mr. Jaime MARCHÁN ROMEROEcuador2002

Mr. Sergei MARTYNOVBelarus2004

Mr. Ariranga Govindasamy PILLAYMauritius2004

Mr. Kenneth Osborne RATTRAYJamaica2004

Mr. Eibe RIEDELGermany2002

Mr. Waleed M. SADIJordan2004

Mr. Philippe TEXIERFrance2004

Mr. Nutan THAPALIANepal2002

Mr. Javier WIMER ZAMBRANOMexico2002

Annex III

A.Agenda of the twenty-eighth session of the Committee on Economic,Social and Cultural Rights (29 April-17 May 2002)

1.Adoption of the agenda.

2.Organization of work.

3.Substantive issues arising in the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

4.Follow-up to the Committee’s consideration of reports under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant.

5.Relations with United Nations organs and other treaty bodies.

6.Consideration of reports:

Reports submitted by States parties in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant;

Reports submitted by specialized agencies in accordance with article 18 of the Covenant.

7.Submission of reports by States parties in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant.

8.Formulation of suggestions and recommendations of a general nature based on the consideration of reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant and by the specialized agencies.

9.Miscellaneous matters.

B.Agenda of the twenty-ninth session of the Committee on Economic,Social and Cultural Rights (11-29 November 2002)

1.Adoption of the agenda.

2.Organization of work.

3.Substantive issues arising in the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

4.Follow-up to the Committee’s consideration of reports under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant.

5.Relations with United Nations organs and other treaty bodies.

6.Consideration of reports:

(a)Reports submitted by States parties in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of theCovenant;

(b)Reports submitted by specialized agencies in accordance with article 18 of theCovenant.

7.Submission of reports by States parties in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant.

8.Formulation of suggestions and recommendations of a general nature based on the consideration of reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant and by the specialized agencies.

9.Adoption of the report.

10.Miscellaneous matters.

Annex iv

General comment no. 15 (2002) *

The right to water (arts. 11 and 12 of the Covenant)

Introduction

1.Water is a limited natural resource and a public good fundamentalfor life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights. The Committee has been confronted continually with the widespread denial of the right to water in developing as well as developed countries. Over one billion persons lack access to a basic water supply, while several billion do not have access to adequate sanitation, which is the primary cause of water contamination and diseases linked to water.a The continuing contamination, depletion and unequal distribution of water is exacerbating existing poverty. States parties have to adopt effective measures to realize, without discrimination, the right to water, as set out in this general comment.

The legal bases of the right to water

2.The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordablewater for personal and domestic uses. An adequate amount of safe water is necessary to prevent death from dehydration, to reduce the risk of water-related disease and to provide for consumption, cooking, personal and domestic hygienic requirements.

3.Article 11, paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights specifies a number of rights emanating from, and indispensable for, the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living “including adequate food, clothing and housing”. The use of the word “including” indicates that this catalogue of rights was not intended to be exhaustive. The right to water clearly falls within the category of guarantees essential for securing an adequate standard of living, particularly since it is one of the most fundamental conditions for survival. Moreover, the Committee has previously recognized that water is a human right contained in article 11, paragraph 1 (see its general comment no. 6 (1995) on the economic, social and cultural rights of older persons, in particular paras. 5 and 32). The right to water is also inextricably related to the right to the highest attainable standard of health as set out in article 12, paragraph 1of the Covenant (see general comment no. 14 (2000), in particular paras. 11, 12 (a), (b) and (d), 15, 34, 36, 40, 43 and 51) and the rights to food and adequate housing, also set out in article 11, paragraph 1 (see general comment no. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing, in particular paragraph 8 (b)).b The right should also be seen in conjunction with other rights enshrined in the International Bill of Human Rights, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 217 (III) of 10 December 1948, foremost amongst them the right to life and human dignity.

4.The right to water has been recognized in a wide range of international documents, including treaties, declarations and other standards.c For instance, article 14, paragraph 2, of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women stipulates that States parties shall ensure to women the right to “enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to […] water supply”. Article 24, paragraph 2, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires States parties to combat disease and malnutrition “through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water”.

5.The right to water has been consistently addressed by the Committee during its consideration of States parties’ reports, in accordance with its revised General Guidelines regarding the form and content of reports to be submitted by States parties under articles 16 and 17 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,d and its general comments.

6.Water is required for a range of different purposes, besides personal and domestic uses, to realize many of the Covenant rights. For instance, water is necessary to produce food (right to adequate food) and ensure environmental hygiene (right to health). Water is essential for securing livelihoods (right to gain a living by work) and enjoying certain cultural practices (right to take part in cultural life). Nevertheless, priority in the allocation of water must be given to the right to water for personal and domestic uses. Priority should also be given to the water resources required to prevent starvation and disease, as well as water required to meet the core obligations of each of the Covenant rights.e

Water and Covenant rights

7.The Committee notes the importance of ensuring sustainable access to water resources for agriculture to realize the right to adequate food (see general comment no.12 (1999) on the right to adequate food (article 11 of the Covenant), in particular paragraphs 12 and 13f). Attention should be given to ensuring that disadvantaged and marginalized farmers, including women farmers, have equitable access to water and water management systems, including sustainable rain harvesting and irrigation technology. Taking note of the duty in article 1, paragraph 2, of the Covenant, which provides that a people may not “be deprived of its own means of subsistence”, States parties should ensure thatthere is adequate access to water for subsistence farming and for securing the livelihoods of indigenous peoples.g

8.Environmental hygiene, as an aspect of the right to health under article 12, paragraph 2 (b), of the Covenant, encompasses taking steps on a non-discriminatory basis to prevent threats to health from unsafe and toxic water conditions (see also para. 15 of the Committee’s general comment no. 14 (2000)). For example, States parties should ensure that natural water resources are protected from contamination by harmful substances and pathogenic microbes. Likewise, States parties should monitor and combat situations where aquatic ecosystems serve as a habitat for vectors of diseases wherever they pose a risk to human living environments.h

9.With a view to assisting States parties’ implementation of the Covenant and the fulfilment of their periodic reporting obligations, this general comment focuses on the normative content of the right to water in article 11, paragraph 1, and article 12 (sect. A), on States parties’ obligations (sect. B), on violations (sect. C) and on implementation at the national level (sect. D), while the obligations of actors other than States parties are addressed in section E.

A. Normative content of the right to water

10.The right to water contains both freedoms and entitlements. The freedoms include the right to maintain access to existing water supplies necessary for the right to water, and the right to be free from interference, such as the right to be free from arbitrary disconnections or contamination of water supplies. By contrast, the entitlements include the right to a system of water supply and management that provides equality of opportunity for people to enjoy the right to water.

11.The elements of the right to water must be adequate for human dignity, life and health, in accordance with article 11, paragraph 1, and article 12 of the Covenant. The adequacy of water should not be interpreted narrowly, by mere reference to volumetric quantities and technologies. Water should be treated as a social and cultural good, and not primarily as an economic good. The manner of the realization of the right to water must also be sustainable, ensuring that the right can be realized for present and future generations.i

12.While the adequacy of water required for the right to water may vary according to different conditions, the following factors apply in all circumstances:

(a)Availability. The water supply for each person must be sufficient and continuousj for personal and domestic uses. These uses ordinarily include drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, personal and household hygiene.k The quantity of water available for each person should correspond to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.lSome individuals and groups may also require additional water due to health, climate, and work conditions;

(b)Quality. The water required for each personal or domestic use must be safe, therefore free from micro-organisms, chemical substances and radiological hazards that constitute a threat to a person’s health.m Furthermore, water should be of an acceptable colour, odour and taste for each personal or domestic use.

(c)Accessibility. Water and water facilities and services have to be accessible to everyone without discrimination, within the jurisdiction of the State party. Accessibility has four overlapping dimensions:

Physical accessibility: water, and adequate water facilities and services, must be within safe physical reach for all sections of the population. Sufficient, safe and acceptable water must be accessible within, or in the immediate vicinity,of each household,n educational institution and workplace (see also para. 8 (b) of general comment no. 4 (1991) and para. 6 (a) of general comment no. 13 (1999) on the right to education (art. 13 of the Covenant), and paras. 8 (a) and (b) of general comment no. 14 (2000)). All water facilities and services must be of sufficientquality, culturally appropriate and sensitive to gender, life-cycle and privacy requirements. Physical security should not be threatened during access to water facilities and services;

Economic accessibility: Water, and water facilities and services, must be affordable for all. The direct and indirect costs and charges associated with securing water must be affordable, and must not compromise or threaten the realization of other Covenant rights;

Non-discrimination: Water and water facilities and services must be accessible to all, including the most vulnerable or marginalized sections of the population, in law and in fact, without discrimination on any of the prohibited grounds; and

Information accessibility: accessibility includes the right to seek, receive and impart information concerning water issues (see para. 48 below).

Special topics of broad application

Non-discrimination and equality

13.The obligation of States parties to guarantee that the right to water is enjoyed without discrimination (art. 2, para. 2, of the Covenant), and equally between men and women (art. 3), pervades all of the Covenant obligations. The Covenant thus proscribes any discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, physical or mental disability, health status (including HIV/AIDS), sexual orientation and civil, political, social or other status, which has the intention or effect of nullifying or impairing the equal enjoyment or exercise of the right to water. The Committee recalls paragraph 12 of general comment no. 3 (1990) on the nature of States parties’ obligations (art. 2, para. 1, of the Covenant), which states that even in times of severe resource constraints, the vulnerable members of society must be protected by the adoption of relatively low-cost targeted programmes.

14.States parties should take steps to remove de factodiscrimination on prohibited grounds, where individuals and groups are deprived of the means or entitlements necessary for achieving the right to water. States parties should ensure that the allocation of water resources, and investments in water, facilitate access to water for all members of society. Inappropriate resource allocation can lead to discrimination that may not be overt. For example, investments should not disproportionately favour expensive water supply services and facilities that are often accessible only to a small, privileged fraction of the population, rather than investing in services and facilities that benefit a far larger part of the population.

15.With respect to the right to water, States parties have a special obligation to provide those who do not have sufficient means with the necessary water and water facilities and to prevent any discrimination on internationally prohibited groundsin the provision of water and water services.

16.Whereas the right to water applies to everyone, States parties should give special attention to those individuals and groups who have traditionally faced difficulties in exercising this right, including women, children, minority groups, indigenous peoples, refugees, asylum‑seekers, internally displaced persons, migrant workers, prisoners and detainees. In particular, States parties should take steps to ensure that:

(a)Women are not excluded from decision-making processes concerning water resources and entitlements. The disproportionate burden women bear in the collection of water should be alleviated;

(b)Children are not prevented from enjoying their human rights due to the lack of adequate water in educational institutions and households or through the burden of collecting water. Provision of adequate water to educational institutions currently without adequate drinking water should be addressed as a matter of urgency;

(c)Rural and deprived urban areas have access to properly maintained water facilities. Access to traditional water sources in rural areas should be protected from unlawful encroachment and pollution. Deprived urban areas, including informal human settlements, and homeless persons, should have access to properly maintained water facilities. No household should be denied the right to water on the grounds of their housing or land status;

(d)Indigenous peoples’ access to water resources on their ancestral lands is protected from encroachment and unlawful pollution. States should provide resources for indigenous peoples to design, deliver and control their access to water;

(e)Nomadic and traveller communities have access to adequate water at traditional and designated halting sites;

(f)Refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons and returnees have access to adequate water whether they stay in camps or in urban and rural areas. Refugees and asylum‑seekers should be granted the right to water on the same conditions as granted to nationals;

(g)Prisoners and detainees are provided with sufficient and safe water for their daily individual requirements, taking note of the requirements of international humanitarian law and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners;o

(h)Groups facing difficulties with physical access to water, such as older persons, persons with disabilities,victims of natural disasters, persons living in disaster-prone areas, and those living in arid and semi-arid areas, or on small islands are provided with safe and sufficient water.

B. States parties’ obligations

General legal obligations

17.While the Covenant provides for progressive realization and acknowledges the constraints due to the limits of available resources, it also imposes on States parties various obligations which are of immediate effect. States parties have immediate obligations in relation to the right to water, such as the guarantee that the right will be exercised without discrimination of any kind (art. 2, para. 2) and the obligation to take steps (art. 2, para. 1) towards the full realization of article 11, paragraph 1, and article 12. Such steps must be deliberate, concrete and targeted towards the full realization of the right to water.

18.States parties have a constant and continuing duty under the Covenant to move as expeditiously and effectively as possible towards the full realization of the right to water. Realization of the right should be feasible and practicable, since all States parties exercise control over a broad range of resources, including water, technology, financial resources and international assistance, as with all other rights in the Covenant.

19.There is a strong presumption that retrogressive measures taken in relation to the right to water are prohibited under the Covenant (see para. 9 of the Committee’s general comment no. 3 (1990)). If any deliberately retrogressive measures are taken, the State party has the burden of proving that they have been introduced after the most careful consideration of all alternatives and that they are duly justified by reference to the totality of the rights provided for in the Covenant in the context of the full use of the State party’s maximum available resources.

Specific legal obligations

20.The right to water, like any human right, imposes three types of obligations on States parties: obligations to respect, obligations to protect and obligations to fulfil.

(a)Obligation to respect

21.The obligation to respect requires that States parties refrain from interfering directly or indirectly with the enjoyment of the right to water. The obligation includes, inter alia, refraining from engaging in any practice or activity that denies or limits equal access to adequate water; arbitrarily interfering with customary or traditional arrangements for water allocation; unlawfully diminishing or polluting water, for example through waste from State-owned facilities or through use and testing of weapons; and limiting access to, or destroying, water services and infrastructure as a punitive measure, for example, during armed conflicts in violation of international humanitarian law.

22.The Committee notes that during armed conflicts, emergency situations and natural disasters, the right to water embraces those obligations by which States parties are bound under international humanitarian law.p This includes protection of objects indispensable for survival of the civilian population, including drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, protection of the natural environment against widespread, long-term and severe damage and ensuring that civilians, internees and prisoners have access to adequate water.q

(b)Obligation to protect

23.The obligation to protect requires State parties to prevent third parties from interfering in any way with the enjoyment of the right to water. Third parties include individuals, groups, corporations and other entities as well as agents acting under their authority. The obligation includes, inter alia, adopting the necessary and effective legislative and other measures to restrain, for example, third parties from denying equal access to adequate water; and polluting and inequitably extracting from water resources, including natural sources, wells and other water distribution systems.

24.Where water services (such as piped water networks, water tankers, access to rivers and wells) are operated or controlled by third parties, States parties must prevent them from compromising equal, affordable, and physical access to sufficient, safe and acceptable water. To prevent such abuses an effective regulatory system must be established, in conformity with the Covenant and this General Comment, which includes independent monitoring, genuine public participation and imposition of penalties for non-compliance.

(c)Obligation to fulfil

25.The obligation to fulfil can be disaggregated into the obligations to facilitate, promote and provide. The obligation to facilitate requires the State to take positive measures to assist individuals and communities to enjoy the right. The obligation to promote obliges the State party to take steps to ensure that there is appropriate education concerning the hygienic use of water, protection of water sources and methods to minimize water wastage. States parties are also obliged to fulfil (provide) the right when individuals or a group are unable, for reasons beyond their control, to realize that right themselves by the means at their disposal.

26.The obligation to fulfil requires States parties to adopt the necessary measures directed towards the full realization of the right to water. The obligation includes, inter alia, according sufficient recognition of this right within the national political and legal systems, preferably by way of legislative implementation; adopting a national water strategy and plan of action to realize this right; ensuring that water is affordable for everyone; and facilitating improved and sustainable access to water, particularly in rural and deprived urban areas.

27.To ensure that water is affordable, States parties must adopt the necessary measures that may include, inter alia: (a) use of a range of appropriate low-cost techniques and technologies; (b) appropriate pricing policies such as free or low-cost water; and (c) income supplements. Anypayment for water services has to be based on the principle of equity, ensuring that these services, whether privately or publicly provided, are affordable for all, including socially disadvantaged groups. Equity demands that poorer households should not be disproportionately burdened with water expenses as compared to richer households.

28.States parties should adopt comprehensive and integrated strategies and programmes to ensure that there is sufficient and safe water for present and future generations.r Such strategies and programmes may include: (a) reducing depletion of water resources through unsustainable extraction, diversion and damming; (b) reducing and eliminating contamination of watersheds and water-related ecosystems by substances such as radiation, harmful chemicals and human excreta; (c) monitoring water reserves; (d) ensuring that proposed developments do not interfere with access to adequate water; (e) assessing the impacts of actions that may impinge upon water availability and natural-ecosystems watersheds, such as climate changes, desertification and increased soil salinity, deforestation and loss of biodiversity;s (f) increasing the efficient use of water by end-users; (g) reducing water wastage in its distribution; (h) response mechanisms for emergency situations; (i) and establishing competent institutions and appropriate institutional arrangements to carry out the strategies and programmes.

29.Ensuring that everyone has access to adequate sanitation is not only fundamental for human dignity and privacy, but is one of the principal mechanisms for protecting the quality of drinking water supplies and resources.t In accordance with the rights to adequate housing and health (see the Committee’s general comments no. 4 (1991) and no. 14 (2000), respectively) States parties have an obligation to progressively extend safe sanitation services, particularly to rural and deprived urban areas, taking into account the needs of women and children.

International obligations

30.Article 2, paragraph 1, and articles 11, paragraph 1, and 23 of the Covenant require that States parties recognize the essential role of international cooperation and assistance and take joint and separate action to achieve the full realization of the right to water.

31.To comply with their international obligations in relation to the right to water, States parties have to respect the enjoyment of the right in other countries. International cooperation requires States parties to refrain from actions that interfere, directly or indirectly, with the enjoyment of the right to water in other countries. Any activities undertaken within the State party’s jurisdiction should not deprive another country of the ability to realize the right to water for persons in its jurisdiction.u

32.States parties should refrain at all times from imposing embargoes or similar measures, that prevent the supply of water, as well as goods and services essential for securing the right to water. Water should never be used as an instrument of political and economic pressure. In this regard, the Committee recalls its position, stated in its general comment no. 8 (1997), on the relationship between economic sanctions and respect for economic, social and cultural rights.v

33.Steps should be taken by States parties to prevent their own citizens and companies from violating the right to water of individuals and communities in other countries. Where States parties can take steps to influence other third parties to respect the right, through legal or political means, such steps should be taken in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and applicable international law.

34.Depending on the availability of resources, States should facilitate realization of the right to water in other countries, for example through provision of water resources, financial and technical assistance, and provide the necessary aid when required. In disaster relief and emergency assistance, including assistance to refugees and displaced persons, priority should be given to Covenant rights, including the provision of adequate water. International assistance should be provided in a manner that is consistent with the Covenant and other human rights standards, and sustainable and culturally appropriate. The economically developed States parties have a special responsibility and interestto assist the poorer developing States in this regard.

35.States parties should ensure that the right to water is given due attention in international agreements and, to that end, should consider the development of further legal instruments. With regard to the conclusion and implementation of other international and regional agreements, States parties should take steps to ensure that these instruments do not adversely impact upon the right to water. Agreements concerning trade liberalization should not curtail or inhibit a country’s capacity to ensure the full realization of the right to water.

36.States parties should ensure that their actions as members of international organizations take due account of the right to water. Accordingly, States parties that are members of international financial institutions, notably IMF, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and regional development banks, should take steps to ensure that the right to water is taken into account in their lending policies, credit agreements and other international measures.

Core obligations

37.In its general comment no. 3 (1990), the Committee confirms that States parties have a core obligation to ensure the satisfaction of, at the very least, minimum essential levels of each of the rights enunciated in the Covenant. In the Committee’s view, at least a number of core obligations in relation to the right to water can be identified, which are of immediate effect:

(a)To ensure access to the minimum essential amount of water, that is sufficient and safe for personal and domestic uses to prevent disease;

(b)To ensure the right of access to water and water facilities and services on a non‑discriminatory basis, especially for disadvantaged or marginalized groups;

(c)To ensure physical access to water facilities or services that provide sufficient, safe and regular water; that have a sufficient number of water outlets to avoid prohibitive waiting times; and that are at a reasonable distance from the household;

(d)To ensure personal security is not threatened when having to physically access to water;

(e)To ensure equitable distribution of all available water facilities and services;

(f)To adopt and implement a national water strategy and plan of action addressing the whole population; the strategy and plan of action should be devised, and periodically reviewed, on the basis of a participatory and transparent process; it should include methods, such as right to water indicators and benchmarks, by which progress can be closely monitored; the process by which the strategy and plan of action are devised, as well as their content, shall give particular attention to all disadvantaged or marginalized groups;

(g)To monitor the extent of the realization, or the non-realization, of the right to water;

(h)To adopt relatively low-cost targeted water programmes to protect vulnerable and marginalized groups;

(i)To take measures to prevent, treat and control diseases linked to water, in particular ensuring access to adequate sanitation.

38.For the avoidance of any doubt, the Committee wishes to emphasize that it is particularly incumbent on States parties, and other actors in a position to assist, to provide international assistance and cooperation, especially economic and technical which enables developing countries to fulfil their core obligations indicated in paragraph 37 above.

C. Violations

39.When the normative content of the right to water (sect. A above) is applied to the obligations of States parties (sect. B above), a process is set in motion, which facilitates identification of violations of the right to water. The following paragraphs provide illustrations of violations of the right to water.

40.To demonstrate compliance with their general and specific obligations, States parties must establish that they have taken the necessary and feasible steps towards the realization of the right to water. In accordance with international law, a failure to act in good faith to take such steps amounts to a violation of the right. It should be stressed that a State party cannot justify its non‑compliance with the core obligations set out in paragraph 37 above, which are non‑derogable.

41.In determining which actions or omissions amount to a violation of the right to water, it is important to distinguish the inability from the unwillingness of a State party to comply with its obligations in relation to the right to water. This follows from article 11, paragraph 1, and article 12, which speak of the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to health, as well as from article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant, which obliges each State party to take the necessary steps to the maximum of its available resources. A State which is unwilling to use the maximum of its available resources for the realization of the right to water is in violation of its obligations under the Covenant. If resource constraints render it impossible for a State party to comply fully with its Covenant obligations, it has the burden of justifying that every effort has nevertheless been made to use all available resources at its disposal in order to satisfy, as a matter of priority, the obligations outlined above.

42.Violations of the right to water can occur through acts of commission, the direct actions of States parties or other entities insufficiently regulated by States. Violations include, for example, the adoption of retrogressive measures incompatible with the core obligations (see para. 37 above), the formal repeal or suspension of legislation necessary for the continued enjoyment of the right to water, or the adoption of legislation or policies which are manifestly incompatible with pre-existing domestic or international legal obligations in relation to the right to water.

43.Violations through acts of omission include the failure to take appropriate steps towards the full realization of everyone’s right to water, the failure to have a national policy on water, and the failure to enforce relevant laws.

44.While it is not possible to specify a complete list of violations in advance, a number of typical examples relating to the levels of obligations, emanating from the Committee’s work, may be identified:

(a)Violations of the obligation to respect follow from the State party’s interference with the right to water. This includes, inter alia: (i) arbitrary or unjustified disconnection or exclusion from water services or facilities; (ii) discriminatory or unaffordable increases in the price of water; and (iii) pollution and diminution of water resources affecting human health;

(b)Violations of the obligation to protect follow from the failure of a State party to take all necessary measures to safeguard persons within their jurisdiction from infringements of the right to water by third parties (see para. 23 above). This includes, inter alia: (i) failure to enact or enforce laws to prevent the contamination and inequitable extraction of water; (ii) failure to effectively regulate and control water services providers; (iii) failure to protect water distribution systems (e.g., piped networks and wells) from interference, damage and destruction; and

(c)Violations of the obligation to fulfil occur through the failure of States parties to take all necessary steps to ensure the realization of the right to water. Examples include, inter alia: (i) failure to adopt or implement a national water policy designed to ensure the right to water for everyone; (ii) insufficient expenditure or misallocation of public resources which results in the non-enjoyment of the right to water by individuals or groups, particularly the vulnerable or marginalized; (iii) failure to monitor the realization of the right to water at the national level, for example by identifying right-to-water indicators and benchmarks; (iv) failure to take measures to reduce the inequitable distribution of water facilities and services; (v) failure to adopt mechanisms for emergency relief; (vi) failure to ensure that the minimum essential level of the right is enjoyed by everyone; (vii) failure of a State to take into account its international legal obligations regarding the right to water when entering into agreements with other States or with international organizations.

D. Implementation at the national level

45.In accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant, States parties are required to utilize “all appropriate means, including particularly the adoption of legislative measures” in the implementation of their Covenant obligations. Every State party has a margin of discretion in assessing which measures are most suitable to meet its specific circumstances. The Covenant, however, clearly imposes a duty on each State party to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that everyone enjoys the right to water, as soon as possible. Any national measures designed to realize the right to water should not interfere with the enjoyment of other human rights.

Legislation, strategies and policies

46.Existing legislation, strategies and policies should be reviewed to ensure that they are compatible with obligations arising from the right to water, and should be repealed, amended or changed if inconsistent with Covenant requirements.

47.The duty to take steps clearly imposes on States parties an obligation to adopt a national strategy or plan of action to realize the right to water. The strategy must: (a) be based upon human rights law and principles; (b) cover all aspects of the right to water and the corresponding obligations of States parties; (c) define clear objectives; (d) set targets or goals to be achieved and the time frame for their achievement; (e) formulate adequate policies and corresponding benchmarks and indicators. The strategy should also establish institutional responsibility for the process; identify resources available to attain the objectives, targets and goals; allocate resources appropriately according to institutional responsibility; and establish accountability mechanismsto ensure the implementation of the strategy. When formulating and implementing their right to water national strategies, States parties should avail themselves of technical assistance and cooperation of the United Nations specialized agencies (see sect. E below).

48.The formulation and implementation of national water strategies and plans of action should respect, inter alia, the principles of non-discrimination and people’s participation. The right of individuals and groups to participate in decision-making processes that may affect their exercise of the right to water must be an integral part of any policy, programme or strategy concerning water. Individuals and groups should be given full and equal access to information concerning water, water services and the environment, held by public authorities or third parties.

49.The national water strategy and plan of action should also be based on the principles of accountability, transparency and independence of the judiciary, since good governance is essential to the effective implementation of all human rights, including the realization of the right to water. In order to create a favourable climate for the realization of the right, States parties should take appropriate steps to ensure that the private business sector and civil society are aware of, and consider the importance of, the right to water in pursuing their activities.

50.States parties may find it advantageous to adopt framework legislation to operationalize their right to water strategy. Such legislation should include: (a) targets or goals to be attained and the time frame for their achievement; (b) the means by which the purpose could be achieved; (c) the intended collaboration with civil society, private sector and international organizations; (d) institutional responsibility for the process; (e) national mechanisms for its monitoring; and (f) remedies and recourse procedures.

51.Steps should be taken to ensure there is sufficient coordination between the national ministries, regional and local authorities in order to reconcile water-related policies. Where implementation of the right to water has been delegated to regional or local authorities, the State party still retains the responsibility to comply with its Covenant obligations, and therefore should ensure that these authorities have at their disposal sufficient resources to maintain and extend the necessary water services and facilities. The States parties must further ensure that such authorities do not deny access to services on a discriminatory basis.

52.States parties are obliged to monitor effectively the realization of the right to water. In monitoring progress towards the realization of the right to water, States parties should identify the factors and difficulties affecting implementation of their obligations.

Indicators and benchmarks

53.To assist the monitoring process, right to water indicators should be identified in the national water strategies or plans of action. The indicators should be designed to monitor, at the national and international levels, the State party’s obligations under article 11, paragraph 1, and article 12. Indicators should address the different components of adequate water (such as sufficiency, safety and acceptability, affordability and physical accessibility), be disaggregated by the prohibited grounds of discrimination, and cover all persons residing in the State party’s territorial jurisdiction or under their control. States parties may obtain guidance on appropriate indicators from the ongoing work of WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Commission on Human Rights.

54.Having identified appropriate right to water indicators, States parties are invited to set appropriate national benchmarks in relation to each indicator.w During the periodic reporting procedure, the Committee will engage in a process of “scoping” with the State party. Scoping involves the joint consideration by the State party and the Committee of the indicators and national benchmarks which will then provide the targets to be achieved during the next reporting period. In the following five years, the State party will use these national benchmarks to help monitor its implementation of the right to water. Thereafter, in the subsequent reporting process, the State party and the Committee will consider whether or not the benchmarks have been reached, and the reasons for any difficulties that may have been encountered (see para. 58 of the Committee’s general comment no. 14 (2000)). Further, when setting benchmarks and preparing their reports, States parties should utilize the extensive information and advisory services of specialized agencies with regard to data collection and disaggregation.

Remedies and accountability

55.Any persons or groups who have been denied their right to water should have access to effective judicial or other appropriate remedies at both national and international levels (see para. 4 of general comment no. 9 (1998) on domestic application of the Covenant, and principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Developmentx). The Committee notes that the right has been constitutionally entrenched by a number of States and has been subject to litigation before national courts. All victims of violations of the right to water should be entitled to adequate reparation, including restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non‑repetition. National ombudsmen, human rights commissions, and similar institutions should be permitted to address violations of the right.

56.Before any action that interferes with an individual’s right to water is carried out by the State party, or by any other third party, the relevant authorities must ensure that such actions are performed in a manner warranted by law, compatible with the Covenant, and that comprises: (a) opportunity for genuine consultation with those affected; (b) timely and full disclosure of information on the proposed measures; (c) reasonable notice of proposed actions; (d) legal recourse and remedies for those affected; and (e) legal assistance for obtaining legal remedies (see also the Committee’s general comments no. 4 (1991) and No. 7 (1997) concerning the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant)). Where such action is based on a person’s failure to pay for water their capacity to pay must be taken into account. Under no circumstances shall an individual be deprived of the minimum essential level of water.

57.The incorporation in the domestic legal order of international instruments recognizing the right to water can significantly enhance the scope and effectiveness of remedial measures and should be encouraged in all cases. Incorporation enables courts to adjudicate violations of the right to water, or at least the core obligations, by direct reference to the Covenant.

58.Judges, adjudicators and members of the legal profession should be encouraged by States parties to pay greater attention to violations of the right to water in the exercise of their functions.

59.States parties should respect, protect, facilitate and promote the work of human rights advocates and other members of civil society with a view to assisting vulnerable or marginalized groups in the realization of their right to water.

E. Obligations of actors other than States parties

60.United Nations agencies and other international organizations concerned with water, such as WHO, FAO, UNICEF, UNEP, UN-Habitat, ILO, UNDP, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), as well as international organizations concerned with trade such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), should cooperate effectively with States parties, building on their respective expertise, in relation to the implementation of the right to water at the national level. The international financial institutions, notably IMF and the World Bank, should take into account the right to water in their lending policies, credit agreements, structural adjustment programmes and other development projects (see the Committee’s general comment no. 2 (1990) on international technical assistance measures (article 22 of the Covenant)), so that the enjoyment of the right to water is promoted. When examining the reports of States parties and their ability to meet the obligations to realize the right to water, the Committee will consider the effects of the assistance provided by all other actors. The incorporation of human rights law and principles in the programmes and policies by international organizations will greatly facilitate implementation of the right to water. The role of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), WHO and UNICEF, as well as non‑governmental organizations and other associations, is of particular importance in relation to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in times of emergencies. Priority in the provision of aid, distribution and management of water and water facilities should be given to the most vulnerable or marginalized groups of the population.

Annex V

Letter dated 24 May 2002 addressed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to Mr . Jacques Diouf , Director-General , Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights would like to take the opportunity of the forthcoming World Food Summit to bring to the attention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) the work of the Committee in relation to the right to food, as set forth in article 11, paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Committee would like to draw the attention of the World Food Summit to the avowed United Nations aim of mainstreaming human rights in all its activities, including those of the specialized agencies. In line with this aim, the Committee adopted in 1999 its general comment no. 12 on the right to adequate food (article 11 of the Covenant), which should serve as a frame of reference for the plans concerning the adoption of an international code of conduct on the human right to adequate food. The draft code of conduct, as presently circulated, does not even mention the general comment, which, as you know, was drafted in close cooperation with FAO and other specialized agencies, as well as with civil society organizations, such as FIAN‑Foodfirst Information and Action Network and the World Alliance for Nutrition as a Human Right. General comment no. 12 (1999) is now frequently referred to, and serves as a basis for relevant questions relating to the right to food in the constructive dialogue with States parties to the Covenant, when examining their initial or periodic reports.

The Committee further draws the attention of the World Food Summit to the fact that another general comment is presently being prepared on the right to water as a parallel human right closely interrelated with the right to adequate food, which the Committee intends to adopt in November 2002, in time for the major world conferences on the right to water in 2003. An initial draft general comment will be circulated in the next few weeks, inviting comments from FAO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other specialized agencies. The Committee intends to organize a half day general discussion on that topic at its twenty-ninth session in November 2002, and would warmly welcome the participation of FAO.

(Signed): Virginia Bonoan‑Dandan

Chairperson

Committee on Economic, Social

and Cultural Rights

Annex VI

Statement of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to the Commission on Sustainable Development acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Worl d Summit on Sustainable

Development (Bali, Indonesia, 27 May to 7 June 2002)*

1.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in its task of monitoring compliance by States parties with their obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, has gained considerable experience in understanding the impact of international cooperation at the national level. The Committee therefore affirms its view that States must uphold the human rights commitments adopted in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development,a the Habitat Agendab and other specialized and complementary efforts in international cooperation. It is therefore necessary to ensure the inclusion of references to human rights in the final documents of the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 26 August to 4 September 2002.

2.The international commitments on human rights and on sustainable development should be considered in the light of their important points of convergence, and of the legally binding nature of human rights obligations. The Committee calls upon States participating in the World Summit to ensure that positions and commitments taken at the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit and at the World Summit in Johannesburg are consistent with those of prior international agreements on human rights, development and environmental protection. The Committee notes that, at this time, the draft World Summit documents do not contain any reference to relevant human rights standards and commitments. The Committee views this omission as a regressive course that must be corrected before the World Summit.

3.In its review of State parties’ reports, the Committee observes with concern the overall decline in living conditions, particularly in connection with pressures of globalization and the shrinking role of the State, as more and more social services are turned over to non-State entities which have no comparable commitment to the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights, nor to the protection of the environment. The Committee has observed, for example, that the right to health is violated by “the failure to enact or enforce laws to prevent the pollution of water, air and soil by extractive and manufacturing industries”.cSuch a situation, involving acts and/or omissions by the State and by non-State entities within the State’s purview, affect sustainable development and also constitutes a breach of treaty obligations under the Covenant. These negative developments are detrimental to sustainable development, the objectives of which will not be realized if human rights commitments continue to be eroded, and particularly if they are marginalized at the World Summit and in its follow-up.

4.Upholding and invoking relevant international human rights instruments in general, and the Covenant in particular, will provide a solid legal basis for international cooperation and a sense of duty to demonstrate the seriousness of the efforts of the World Summit. The alternative may also be true - that the failure of Governments to place human rights at the centre of converging efforts to achieve sustainable development will undermine the gains of historical experience codified in international law.

5.The Committee welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with States as active partners towards the realization of all the rights set forth in the Covenant. The Committee trusts that States, along with other entities involved in the promotion and protection of human rights, will ensure that the World Summit will forge an agreement and final document that reaffirm legal standards and commitments which have already been adopted. The primary objective for all of us should be to live up to existing human rights standards and to build upon them toward a better world and a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

Annex VII

The Millennium Development Goals and economic, social and cultural rights

A joint statement by the Committee on Economic, Social and CulturalRights and the Special Rapporteurs on economic, social and cultural

rights of the Commission on Human Rights*

1.The United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2000, sets the United Nations agenda for peace, security and development concerns in the twenty-first century, including in the areas of the environment, human rights and governance. The General Assembly called upon the entire United Nations system to assist Member States in the implementation of this Declaration.a In order to guide the United Nations system in this task, the Secretary-General prepared a “road map” towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, including Millennium Development Goals and related human rights goals.b

2.Recently, during the presentation of his first annual progress report on implementing the Millennium Declaration,c the Secretary-General warned that prospects for reaching the Millennium Development Goals under current trends are uncertain, with marked differences between and within regions. He also stressed that insufficient progress was being made in meeting the broader objectives of the Millennium Declaration, such as human rights, democracy and good governance.

3.The chances for reaching the Millennium Development Goals will improve if all United Nations agencies and Governments adopt a comprehensive human rights approach to realizing the Goals, including in the formulation of the corresponding indicators.

4.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Special Rapporteurs on economic, social and cultural rights of the Commission on Human Rights believe that human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, help to realize any strategy to meet the Millennium Development Goals, for example by:

(a)Providing a compelling normative framework, underpinned by universally recognized human values and reinforced by legal obligations, for the formulation of national and international development policies towards achieving the Goals;

(b)Raising the level of empowerment and participation of individuals;

(c)Affirming the accountability of various stakeholders, including international organizations and non-governmental organizations, donors and transnational corporations vis‑à‑vis people affected by problems related to poverty, hunger, education, gender inequality, health, housing and safe drinking water; and

(d)Reinforcing the twin principles of global equity and shared responsibility which are the very foundation for the Millennium Declaration.

5.Economic, social and cultural rights provide principles and operational strategies to address the problems which are at the centre of the development goals: poverty, hunger, slum‑dwelling, lack of education, gender inequality and disempowerment of women, child mortality, maternal ill‑health, HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, the need for environmental sustainability, including safe drinking water. These rights should be the criteria when establishing tools for measuring progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The concepts of progressive realization and resource availability enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are important guidelines of any strategy which aims at reaching the Goals.d

6.It is therefore manifest that, within their respective mandates, the Committee and the Special Rapporteurs on economic, social and cultural rights of the Commission contribute to United Nations monitoring of the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. The Committee and the Special Rapporteurs welcome the recognition by the Commission of “the need for effective implementation and fulfilment of internationally agreed targets contained in […] the Millennium Declaration”.a They hope that the Commission will give attention to the Millennium Declaration’s Goals, as set out in the “road map”, in its relevant Special Rapporteur mandates.

7.By proclaiming their adherence to the Covenant, States have agreed to establish systems of analysis and monitoring to assist them in implementing their human rights obligations. One hundred and forty-five countries are now legally bound by the Covenant and report to the Committee on a regular basis. The reporting process is undertaken as a face-to-face“constructive dialogue” between the Committee and States parties. The task of the Committee is to assess the achievements of the reporting State as well as to offer guidance on the implementation of its treaty commitments. In its dialogue with States, the Committee develops operational approaches. For example, it seeks information about whether the State has developed a short‑term and medium‑term plan to improve the health and living standards of the poorest, and about progress made in the control of endemic diseases, especially in the poorest areas of the country. The Committee seeks expert advice from specialized agencies in defining appropriate indicators and will then discuss the appropriate national benchmarks, which may vary according to respective country strategies.e

8.The Committee also offers guidance on the interpretation and implementation of specific rights through its general comments on, for example health, education, housing, and food and water. The Covenant and other human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender or other grounds. Progress in this area is also reviewed in the reporting system.

9.In parallel with the treaty system, the Commission has developed its own special reporting procedures, including the appointment of independent experts and special rapporteurs with mandates to collect and analyse information. Many of these mandates establish the link between human rights and development, including those on education, food, adequate housing, health, environmental protection and on wider issues such as the right to development, human rights and extreme poverty, and structural adjustment programmes.

10.Relevant special rapporteurs and independent experts monitor progress towards the realization of economic, social and cultural rights through country visits, normative and conceptual work - and its operationalization through relevant indicators - and consultations with development practitioners, including the international financial institutions, the United Nations system, the donor community and civil society. The special rapporteurs and experts analyse obstacles in their annual reports to the Commission.

11.The Committee and the Special Rapporteurs of the Commission consider, therefore, that their mandates-related activities need to be integrated into the ongoing work of the United Nations for implementing the Millennium Development Goals, including the Millennium Project and the Millennium Campaign coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

12.All relevant actors, including Governments and United Nations specialized agencies, in their work on the Millennium Development Goals, should ensure that the definition of indicators and the setting of benchmarks is consistent with the existing and voluntarily accepted obligations of States under the international human rights instruments.

13.One hundred and forty-seven Heads of States and Governments - representatives of 190 nations in total - committed themselves in the United Nations Millennium Declaration to the realization of human rights, the promotion of sustained development and the elimination of extreme poverty. The Committee and the Special Rapporteurs on economic, social and cultural rights of the Commission strongly believe that the two sets of commitments are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

14.The Committee and the Special Rapporteurs welcome the current United Nations effort to put into effect the Millennium Development Goals. They stand ready to assist and contribute to this process through the respective functions of our mandates.

Appendix

The Millennium human rights goals

Goal 1: To respect and fully uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and strive for the full protection and promotion in all countries of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights for all;

Goal 2:To strengthen the capacity of all our countries to implement the principles and practices of democracy and human rights, including minority rights;

Goal 3:To combat all forms of violence against women and to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

Goal 4:To take measures to ensure respect for and the protection of the human rights of migrants, migrant workers and their families, to eliminate the increasing acts of racism and xenophobia in many societies, and to promote greater harmony and tolerance in all societies;

Goal 5:To work collectively for more inclusive political processes, allowing genuine participation by all citizens in all our countries;

Goal 6:To ensure the freedom of the media to perform their essential role and the right of the public to have access to information.

The Millennium Development Goals

Goal 1:To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;

Goal 2:To achieve universal primary education;

Goal 3:To promote gender equality and empower women;

Goal 4:To reduce child mortality;

Goal 5:To improve maternal health;

Goal 6:To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;

Goal 7:To ensure environmental sustainability;

Goal 8:To develop a global partnership for development.

Annex VIII

List of general comments adopted by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The general comments adopted to date by the Committee appear in the following relevant reports: *

No. 1 (1989):on reporting by States parties (third session; E/1989/22-E/C.12/1989/5, annex III);

No. 2 (1990):on international technical assistance measures (art. 22 of the Covenant) (fourth session; E/1990/23-E/C.12/1990/3 and Corr.1, annex III);

No. 3 (1990):on the nature of States parties’ obligations (art. 2, para. 1, of the Covenant) (fifth session; E/1991/23-E/C.12/1990/8 and Corr.1, annex III);

No. 4 (1991):on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant) (sixth session; E/1992/23-E/C.12/1991/4, annex III);

No. 5 (1994):on persons with disabilities (eleventh session; E/1995/22-E/C.12/1994/20 and Corr.1 , annex IV);

No. 6 (1995):on the economic, social and cultural rights of older persons (thirteenth session; E/1996/22-E/C.12/1995/18, annex IV);

No. 7 (1997):on the right to adequate housing (art. 11, para. 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions (sixteenth session; E/1998/22-E/C.12/1997/10, annex IV);

No. 8 (1997):on the relationship between economic sanctions and respect for economic, social and cultural rights (seventeenth session; E/1998/22-E/C.12/1997/10, annex V);

No. 9 (1998):on domestic application of the Covenant (eighteenth session; E/1999/22‑E/C.12/1998/26, annex IV);

No. 10 (1998):on the role of national human rights institutions in the protection of economic, social and cultural rights (nineteenth session; E/1999/22‑E/C.12/1998/26, annex V);

No. 11 (1999):on plans of action for primary education (art. 14 of the Covenant) (twentieth session; E/2000/22-E/C.12/1999/11 and Corr.1, annex IV);

No. 12 (1999):on the right to adequate food (art. 11 of the Covenant) (twentieth session; E/2000/22-E/C.12/1999/11 and Corr.1, annex V);

No. 13 (1999):on the right to education (art. 13 of the Covenant) (twenty-first session; E/2000/22-E/C.12/1999/11 and Corr.1, annex VI);

No. 14 (2000):on the right to the highest attainable standard of health (art. 12 of the Covenant) (twenty-second session; E/2001/22-E/C.12/2000/22, annex IV);

No. 15 (2002):on the right to water (arts. 11 and 12 of the Covenant) (twenty‑ninth session; E/2003/22-E/C.12/2002/13, annex IV).

Annex IX

List of statements adopted by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The statements and recommendations, adopted by the Committee to date appear in its relevant reports: *

1.Preparatory activities relating to the World Conference on Human Rights: recommendations to the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference (sixth session; E/1992/23-E/C.12/1991/4, chap. IX);

2.Statement to the World Conference on Human Rights on behalf of the Committee (seventh session; E/1993/22-E/C.12/1992/2, annex III);

3.The World Summit for Social Development and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Statement of the Committee (tenth session; E/1995/22‑E/C.12/1994/20 and Corr.1, annex V);

4.Economic, social and cultural rights in the context of the World Summit for Social Development: Statement of the Committee (eleventh session; E/1995/22-E/C.12/1994/20 and Corr.1, annex VI);

5.Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace - Statement by the Committee (twelfth session; E/1996/22-E/C.12/1995/18, annex VI);

6.United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II); Statement of the Committee (thirteenth session; E/1996/22-E/C.12/1995/18, annex VIII);

7.Globalization and its impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (eighteenth session; E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26; chap. VI, sect. A, para. 515);

8.Statement of the Committee to the Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (twenty-first session; E/2000/22-E/C.12/1999/11 and Corr.1, annex VII);

9.Statement of the Committee to the Convention to draft a Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (twenty-second session; E/2001/22-E/C.12/2000/21, annex VIII);

10.Poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Statement of the Committee to the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (twenty-fifth session; E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17, annex VII);

11.Statement of the Committee to the special session of the General Assembly for an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) (New York, 6 to 8 June 2001) (twenty‑fifth session; E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17, annex XI);

12.Statement of the Committee to the International Consultative Conference on School Education in Relation to Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non‑Discrimination (twenty-seventh session; E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17, annex XII);

13.Statement of the Committee on human rights and intellectual property (twenty‑seventh session; E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17, annex XIII);

14.Statement of the Committee to the Commission on Sustainable Development acting as the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit for Sustainable Development (Bali, Indonesia, 27 May-7 June 2002) (twenty-eighth session; E/2003/22-E/C.12/2002/13, annex VI);

15.The Millennium Development Goals and economic, social and cultural rights: joint statement by the Committee and the Special Rapporteurs on economic, social and cultural rights of the Commission on Human Rights (twenty-ninth session; E/2003/22‑E/C.12/2002/13, annex VII).

Annex X

Days of general discussion held by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The following issues have been the focus of discussion:

1.The right to food (third session, 1989);

2.The right to housing (fourth session, 1990);

3.Economic and social indicators (sixth session, 1991);

4.The right to take part in cultural life (seventh session, 1992);

5.The rights of the ageing and elderly (eighth session, 1993);

6.The right to health (ninth session, 1993);

7.The role of social safety nets (tenth session, 1994);

8.Human rights education and public information activities (eleventh session, 1994);

9.The interpretation and practical application of the obligations incumbent on States parties (twelfth session, 1995);

10.A draft optional protocol to the Covenant (thirteenth session, 1995, and fourteenth and fifteenth sessions, 1996);

11.Revision of the general guidelines for reporting (sixteenth session, 1997);

12.The normative content of the right to food (seventeenth session, 1997);

13.Globalization and its impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (eighteenth session, 1998);

14.The right to education (nineteenth session, 1998);

15.The right of everyone to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author (twenty‑fourth session, 2000);

16.International consultation on economic, social and cultural rights in development activities of international institutions, organized in cooperation with the High Council for International Cooperation (France) (twenty-fifth session, 2001);

17.Equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (art. 3 of the Covenant) (twenty-eighth session, 2002).

Annex XI

A.List of States parties’ delegations which participated in the considerationof their respective reports by the Committee on Economic, Social andCultural Rights at its twenty-eighth session

CZECH REPUBLIC	Representative:	Mr. Miroslav Fuchs Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Head of Delegation
	Advisers:	Mr. Alexander Slaby Ambassador Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Andrea Barsova Deputy Director Department for Human Rights Office of the Government
		Mr. Pavel Cink Director Department for European Integration and International Relations of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
		Ms. Daniela Grabmullerova Director Department of Housing Policy at the Ministry for Regional Development
		Ms. Ivana Schellongova Legal Expert of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Vit Schorm Ministry of Justice
		Ms. Hana Snajdrova Ministry of the Interior
		Ms. Alena Šteflová Ministry of Health
		Ms. Renata Romanová Ministry of Culture
IRELAND	Representative:	Ms. Sylda Langfold Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Head of Delegation
	Advisers:	Ms. Mary Whelan Alternate Head of Delegation Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. John Rowan Department of Foreign Affairs
		Mr. Eamonn MacAodha Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Mark Griffin Department of Environment and Local Government
		Ms. Anne O’Mahony Department of Education and Science
		Mr. Sean O’Fhloinn Department of Education and Science
		Mr. John Fanning Department of Education and Science
		Mr. Billy Jestin Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
		Ms. Frances Fletcher Department of Health and Children
		Ms. Liz Canavan Department of Health and Children
		Ms. Anne Doyle Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
		Mr. David Costello Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
		Ms. Stephanie O’Donnell Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
		Mr. Willie O’Dwyer Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
		Mr. Gerry Mangan Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs
		Ms. Sharon Daly Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs
		Ms. Christine O’Rourke Office of the Attorney-General
		Ms. Margaret Cordial Office of the Attorney-General
		Ms. Joan O’Flynn Combat Poverty Agency
		Ms. Imelda Devaney Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations Office in Geneva
BENIN	Representative:	Mr. Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun Minister of Justice Ministry of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights
	Advisers:	Mr. Aristide Odounharo Director of Human Rights Ministry of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights
		Ms. Marie-Sabine d’Almeida Vieyra Director of Social Development and the Family, Social Protection and Solidarity
		Ms. Grace Théodora Adonon-Hessou Director of Labour, L’Ouémé Departement
		Mr. Eloi Laourou Second Counsellor
		Ms. Rosemonde Adjanonhoun Attachée Permanent Mission of Benin to the Office of the United Nations at Geneva
		M. Bienvenue Accrombessi Second Secretary Permanent Mission of Benin to the Office of the United Nations at Geneva
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND	Representative:	Mr. Paul Fifoot Foreign and Commonwealth Office Head of Delegation
	Advisers:	Mr. Henry Steele Overseas Territories Consultant Foreign and Commonwealth Office
		Mr. Mark Pethick Human Rights Policy Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office
		Ms. Susan Dickson Legal Adviser Foreign and Commonwealth Office
		Mr. Howard Roberts Solicitor General Guernsey
		Mr. David Robilliard Advisory and Finance Committee Guernsey
		Ms. Nisha Bismillah International Relations/Policy Officer Jersey
		Mr. J. F. Kissack Chief Secretary Isle of Man
		Ms. Luelle Todd Ministry of Health and Family Services Bermuda
		Ms. Medita Wheatley Secretary-General National Commission British Virgin Islands
		Mr. Roy Bodden Minister for Education, Human Resources and Culture Cayman Islands
		Mr. Elijah Silcott Labour Officer Montserrat
		Ms. Fiona Kilpatrick Joint International Unit Department for Work and Pensions
		Ms. Katie Driver Divisional Manager for the School Inclusion Division Department for Education and Skills
		Ms. Susan McCrory Legal Adviser Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Paul Bentall Human Rights Section Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Bob Last Human Rights Section Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Edward Inglett Human Rights Section Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO	Representatives:	Ms. Mary-Ann Richards Chargée d’Affaires a.i. Deputy Permanent Representative Permanent Mission of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations Office at Geneva
	Advisers:	Ms. Debbie Sirjusingh Director Human Rights Unit Ministry of the Attorney-General
		Ms. Lauren Boodhoo First Secretary Permanent Mission of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Shelley-Ann Clarke-Hinds First Secretary Permanent Mission of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations Office at Geneva

B.List of States parties’ delegations which participated in the considerationof their respective reports by the Committee on Economic, Social andCultural Rights at its twenty-ninth session

SLOVAKIA	Representative:	M. Kálmán Petöcz Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
	Advisers:	Ms. Barbara Illková Counsellor Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		M. Igore Niepel Secretary of the Delegation Department of Human Rights Ministry of Foreign Affairs
		M. Peter Gurán General Director of the Social Policy Section Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and the Family
		M. Kamil Vilinovic General Director of the Section for European Integration and International Cooperation Ministry of the Environment
		M. Milan Olexa General Director of the Social Statistics and Demography Section Statistics Office
		M. Jaroslav Liptay Assistant Director General of the Cultural Heritage Section Ministry of Culture
		Mr. Peter Mikus Director of the Department of Analysis Presidium of the Police Corps
		Ms. Katarína Ondrásova Director of the Department of National Education Ministry of Education
		Ms. Nad’a Miklovicová Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for the Roma Minority Bureau of the Government
		M. Juraj Gémes Ministry of Health
		M. Marietta Sencáková Criminal Law Section Ministry of Justice
POLAND	Representative:	Ms. Krystyna Tokarska-Biernacik Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
	Advisers:	Mr. Krzysztof Jakubowski Ambassador Permanent Representative of Poland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Krystyna Zurek Counsellor Permanent Mission of Poland to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Jolanta Lozinska Director Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Gender Status
		Ms. Ewa Kapilewicz Senior Expert Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Gender Status
		Ms. Wieslawa Gorzelana-Galazka Deputy Director Ministry of National Education and Sport
		Ms. Hanna Jedras Senior Expert Department of International Cooperation Ministry of Culture
		Mr. Jerzy Szczerban Expert Ministry of Health
		Ms. Teresa Guzelf Director Department of Social Insurance Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
		Ms. Krystyna Wiaderny-Bidzinska Director Department of the European Union and International Organizations Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
		Ms. Krystyna Wyrwicka Director Department of Social Assistance Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
		Ms. Liliana Pindor Deputy Director Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled Persons
		Ms. Elzbieta Szemplinska Head of Section Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
		Ms. Ewa Rybicka Senior Expert Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
		Mr. Igor Struminski Senior Expert Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
		Mr. Tomasz Wach Senior Expert Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
GEORGIA	Representative:	Mr. Akaki Zoidze Deputy State Minister of Georgia
	Advisers:	Ms. Rusudan Beridze Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia on Human Rights Issues
		Mr. Amiran Kavadze Ambassador Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Manoni Khachidze Deputy Minister of Labour, Health Care and Social Protection
		Mr. Alexander Kavsadze Consultant Minister Plenipotentiary Permanent Mission of Georgia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Alexander Nalbandov Deputy Head Office of the Protection of Human Rights National Security Council of Georgia
ESTONIA	Representative:	Ms. Marina Kaljurand Deputy Under-Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	Advisers:	Mr. Clyde Kull Ambassador Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Mai Hion Director of Human Rights Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs
		Mr. Rasmus Lumi Assistant to the Permanent Under-Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs
		Ms. Piret Lilleväli Deputy Secretary-General on Labour Ministry of Social Affairs
		Ms. Merle Malvet Head of Social Security Department Ministry of Social Affairs
		Mr. Ain Aaviksoo Acting Head of Public Health Department Ministry of Social Affairs
		Ms. Kirke Kraav Third Secretary Permanent Mission of Estonia to the United Nations Office at Geneva

Annex XII

A. List of documents of the Committee at its twenty-eighth session

E/1990/5/Add.47	Initial reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant:Czech Republic
E/1990/5/Add.48	Idem: Benin
E/1990/6/Add.29	Second periodic reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: Ireland
E/1990/6/Add.30	Idem: Trinidad and Tobago
E/C.12/4/Add.5,7 and 8	Fourth periodic reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17	Report of the Committee on its twenty-fifth, twenty‑sixth and twenty-seventh sessions
E/C.12/1	Concluding observations of the Committee on reports submitted by States parties in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/1989/L.3/Rev.3	Note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/1990/4/Rev.1	Rules of procedure of the Committee
E/C.12/1993/3/Rev.4	Status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and reservations, withdrawals, declarations and objections under the Covenant: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/2002/1	Provisional agenda and annotations: note by the Secretary‑General
E/C.12/2002/2	States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the status of the submission of reports in accordance with the programme established by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1988/4 and article 58 of the rules of procedure of the Committee: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/2002/3	Follow-up to the consideration of reports under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant: note by the secretariat
E/C.12/2002/L.1	Draft programme of work: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/2002/L.1/Rev.1	Programme of work: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/2002/SA/1	Note by the Secretary-General: twenty-ninth report of the International Labour Organization
E/C.12/2002/SA/2	Document submitted by UNESCO: “The constitutional provisions on the right of education and modernizing/ developing national legislation in keeping with the State obligation/government responsibility under the Dakar Framework for Action”
E/C.12/2002/SA/3	Document submitted by UNESCO: “Preparation, implementation and evaluation of the national action plans as provided for in the Dakar Framework for Action and their relation with the general comments on articles 13 and 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”
E/C.12/2002/SA/4	Document submitted by UNESCO: “Preparation of UNESCO’s monitoring report on the implementation of the Dakar Framework for Action and possible contribution by the Committee in developing conceptual framework”
E/C.12/2002/4	Background paper submitted by Ms. Ingrid Westendorp, lecturer in law at the University of Maastricht (the Netherlands): “Women’s right to adequate housing”
E/C.12/2002/5	Background paper submitted by Ms. Marsha A. Freeman, Director, International Women’s Rights Action Watch (United States of America): “Equality and rights: article 3 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”
E/C.12/2002/6	Background paper submitted by Ms. Leilani Farha, Programme Manager, Women’s Housing and Poverty and staff lawyer, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (Toronto, Canada): “Re/conceiving the human right to housing”
E/C.12/2002/7	Background paper submitted by the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (United States of America): “Equal enjoyment of the right to health”
E/C.12/2002/8	Background paper submitted by Ms. Krisztina Morvai, Associate Professor of Law, Eötvös Loránd University School of Law and Head of Women’s Rights and Children’s Rights Research and Training Center, Budapest (Hungary): “Domestic violence - an ‘equal rights issue’; a history and analysis of Economic and Social Council and other United Nations documents on the prevention of and response to violence against women in the family”
E/C.12/Q/CZE/1	List of issues: Czech Republic
E/C.12/Q/BEN/1	Idem: Benin
E/C.12/Q/IRE/2	Idem: Ireland
E/C.12/Q/T&T/1	Idem: Trinidad and Tobago
E/C.12/Q/UK/2	Idem: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
E/C.12/1/Add.76	Concluding observations of the Committee: Czech Republic
E/C.12/1/Add.77	Idem: Ireland
E/C.12/1/Add.78	Idem: Benin
E/C.12/1/Add.79	Idem: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
E/C.12/1/Add.80	Idem: Trinidad and Tobago
E/C.12/2002/SR.1-27and E/C.12/2002/SR.1-27/Corrigendum	Summary records of the twenty-eighth session (1st to 27th meetings) of the Committee

B. List of documents of the Committee at its twenty‑ninth session

E/1990/5/Add.49	Initial reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: Slovakia
E/1990/5/Add.50	Idem: Solomon Islands
E/1990/5/Add.51	Idem: Estonia
E/1990/6/Add.31	Second periodic reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: Georgia
E/C.12/4/Add.9	Fourth periodic reports by States parties to the Covenant: Poland
E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17	Report of the Committee on its twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh sessions
E/C.12/1	Concluding observations of the Committee on reports submitted by States parties in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/1989/L.3/Rev.3	Note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/1990/4/Rev.1	Rules of procedure of the Committee
E/C.12/1993/3/Rev.4	Status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and reservations, withdrawals, declarations and objections under the Covenant: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/2002/3	Follow-up to the consideration of reports under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant: note by the secretariat
E/C.12/2002/9	Provisional agenda and annotations: note by the Secretary‑General
E/C.12/2002/10	States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the status of the submission of reports in accordance with the programme established by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1988/4 and article 58 of the rules of procedure of the Committee: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/2002/11	General comment no. 15 (2002): on the right to water (arts. 11 and 12 of the Covenant)
E/C.12/2002/SA/5	Note by the Secretary-General: thirtieth report of the International Labour Organization
E/C.12/2002/L.2/Rev.1	Programme of work: note by the Secretary-General
E/C.12/Q/EST/1	List of issues: Estonia
E/C.12/Q/GEO/2	Idem: Georgia
E/C.12/Q/POL/2	Idem: Poland
E/C.12/Q/SLO/1	Idem : Slovakia
E/C.12/Q/SOL/1	Idem: Solomon Islands
E/C.12/1/Add. 81	Concluding observations of the Committee: Slovakia
E/C.12/1/Add. 82	Idem: Poland
E/C.12/1/Add. 83	Idem: Georgia
E/C.12/1/Add. 84	Idem: Solomon Islands
E/C.12/1/Add. 85	Idem: Estonia
E/C.12/2002/SR.28-56 andE/C.12/2002/SR.28-56/Corrigendum	Summary records of the twenty-ninth session (28th to 56th meetings) of the Committee

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