Thirty-ninth session (5 to 23 November 2007)

Belgium	Third periodic report	E/C.12/BLG/3
Costa Rica	Combined second, third and fourth periodic reports	E/C.12/CRI/4
Paraguay	Combined initial, second and third periodic reports	E/C.12/PRY/3
Sweden	Fifth periodic report	E/C.12/SWE/5
Ukraine	Fifth periodic report	E/C.12/UKR/5

CHAPTER II

Overview of the present working methods of the Committee

21.This chapter of the Committee’s report aims at providing a concise and up-to-date overview and explanation of the ways in which the Committee carries out its various functions, including information about recent developments in its working methods. It is designed to make the Committee’s current practice more transparent and readily accessible so as to assist States parties and others interested in the implementation of the Covenant.

22.Since its first session, in 1987, the Committee has made a concerted effort to devise appropriate working methods that adequately reflect the nature of the tasks with which it has been entrusted. In the course of its 37 sessions it has sought to modify and develop these methods in the light of its experience. These methods will continue to evolve.

A. General reporting guidelines

23.The Committee attaches major importance to the need to structure the reporting process and the dialogue with each State party’s representatives in such a way as to ensure that the issues of principal concern to it are dealt with in a methodical and informative manner. For this purpose, the Committee has adopted detailed reporting guidelines with a view to assisting States in the reporting process and improving the effectiveness of the monitoring system as a whole.

B. Examination of States parties’ reports

1. Work of the pre-sessional working group

24.A pre-sessional working group meets for five days prior to each of the Committee’s sessions. It is composed of five members of the Committee nominated by the Chairperson, taking account of the desirability of a balanced geographical distribution and other relevant factors.

25.The principal purpose of the working group is to identify in advance the questions that will constitute the principal focus of the dialogue with the representatives of the reporting States. The aim is to improve the efficiency of the system and to ease the task of States’ representatives by facilitating more focused preparations for the discussion.

26.It is generally accepted that the complex nature and diverse range of many of the issues raised in connection with the implementation of the Covenant constitute a strong argument in favour of providing States parties with the possibility of preparing in advance to answer some of the principal questions arising out of their reports. Such an arrangement also enhances the likelihood that the State party will be able to provide precise and detailed information.

27.With regard to its own working methods, the working group, in the interests of efficiency, allocates to each of its members initial responsibility for undertaking a detailed review of a specific number of reports and for putting before the working group a preliminary list of issues. The decision as to how the reports should be allocated for this purpose is based in part on the areas of expertise of the member concerned. Each draft by a country rapporteur is then revised and supplemented on the basis of observations by the other working group members and the final version of the list is adopted by the working group as a whole. This procedure applies equally to both initial and periodic reports.

28.In preparation for the pre-sessional working group, the Committee has asked the secretariat to place at the disposal of its members a country analysis as well as all pertinent documents containing information relevant to each of the reports to be examined. For this purpose, the Committee invites all concerned individuals, bodies and non-governmental organizations to submit relevant and appropriate documentation to the secretariat. It has also asked the secretariat to ensure that certain types of information are regularly placed in the country files.

29.The lists of issues drawn up by the working group are given directly to a representative of the State concerned, along with a copy of the Committee’s most recent report and with a note stating the following:

The list is not intended to be exhaustive and it should not be interpreted as limiting or in any other way prejudging the type and range of questions which members of the Committee might wish to ask. However, the Committee believes that the constructive dialogue which it wishes to have with the representatives of the State party is greatly facilitated by making the list available in advance of the Committee’s session. In order to improve the dialogue that the Committee seeks, it strongly urges each State party to provide in writing its replies to the list of issues and to do so sufficiently in advance of the session at which its report will be considered to enable the replies to be translated and made available to all members of the Committee.

30.In addition to the task of formulating the lists of issues, the pre-sessional working group is also entrusted with a variety of other tasks designed to facilitate the work of the Committee as a whole. These have included: discussing the most appropriate allocation of time for the consideration of each State report; considering the issue of how best to respond to supplementary reports containing additional information; examining draft general comments; considering how best to structure the day of general discussion; and other relevant matters.

2. Consideration of the reports

31.In accordance with the established practice of each of the United Nations human rights treaty monitoring bodies, representatives of the reporting States should be present at the meetings of the Committee when their reports are examined in order to ensure a constructive dialogue with the Committee. The following procedure is generally observed: the representative of the State party is invited to introduce the report by making brief introductory comments and introducing any written replies to the list of issues drawn up by the pre-sessional working group. The Committee then considers the report by clusters of articles (usually articles 1-5, 6-9, 10-12 and 13-15), taking particular account of the replies furnished in response to the list of issues. The Chairperson will normally invite questions or comments from Committee members in relation to each issue and then invite the State party representatives to reply immediately to questions that do not require further reflection or research. Any remaining questions are taken up at a subsequent meeting or, if necessary, may be the subject of additional information provided to the Committee in writing. Members of the Committee are free to pursue specific issues in the light of the replies thus provided, although the Committee has urged them not to (a)raise issues outside the scope of the Covenant; (b)repeat questions already posed or answered; (c)add unduly to an already long list on a particular issue; or (d)speak for more than five minutes in any one intervention. Representatives of relevant specialized agencies and other international bodies may also be invited to contribute at any stage of the dialogue.

32.The final phase of the Committee’s examination of the report consists of the drafting and adoption of its concluding observations. For this purpose, the Committee usually sets aside a brief period in closed session immediately after the conclusion of the dialogue to enable its members to express their preliminary views. The country rapporteur then prepares, with the assistance of the secretariat, a draft set of concluding observations for consideration by the Committee. The agreed structure of the concluding observations is as follows: introduction, positive aspects, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant, principal subjects of concern and suggestions and recommendations. At a later stage, the Committee then discusses the draft, again in private session, with a view to adopting it by consensus.

33.The concluding observations, once formally adopted, are generally made public on the final day of the session. They are forwarded as soon as possible to the State party concerned and included in the Committee’s report. If it so wishes, the State party may address any of the Committee’s concluding observations in the context of any additional information that it provides to the Committee.

34.In general, the Committee devotes three meetings (of three hours each) to its public examination of States parties’ reports. In addition, it generally devotes between two and three hours towards the end of the session, in private, to its discussion of each set of concluding observations.

3. Comments by States parties on concluding observations

35.Once the Committee has adopted its concluding observations on the report of a State party, and if the latter submits any comments thereon to the Committee, these are made public, as submitted, as Committee documents and mentioned in the annual report. Comments from States parties are published for information purposes only.

4. Postponement of the consideration of reports

36.Last-minute requests by States to postpone the consideration of a report that has been scheduled for examination at a particular session are extremely disruptive for all concerned and have in the past caused major problems for the Committee. Accordingly, the Committee’s long‑standing policy is not to grant such requests and to proceed with its consideration of all scheduled reports, even in the absence of a representative of the State party concerned.

C. Follow-up procedure in relation to the consideration of reports

37.At its twenty-first session, the Committee decided that:

(a)In all concluding observations, the Committee would request the State party to inform the Committee, in its next periodic report, about steps taken to implement the recommendations in the concluding observations;

(b)Where appropriate, the Committee may, in its concluding observations, make a specific request to a State party to provide more information or statistical data at a time prior to the date that the next periodic report is due to be submitted;

(c)Where appropriate, the Committee may, in its concluding observations, ask the State party to respond to any pressing specific issue identified in the concluding observations prior to the date that the next report is due to be submitted;

(d)Any information provided in accordance with (b)and (c)above would be considered by the next meeting of the Committee’s pre-sessional working group;

(e)In general, the working group could recommend that the Committee take one of the following measures:

That the Committee take note of such information;

That the Committee adopt specific additional concluding observations in response to that information;

That the matter be pursued through a request for further information; or

That the Chairperson of the Committee be authorized to inform the State party, in advance of the next session, that the Committee would take up the issue at its next session and that, for that purpose, the participation of a representative of the State party in the work of the Committee would be welcome;

(f)If the information requested in accordance with (b)and (c) above is not provided by the specified date, or is patently unsatisfactory, the Chairperson, in consultation with the members of the Bureau, could be authorized to follow up the matter with the State party.

38.In situations in which the Committee considers that it is unable to obtain the information it requires on the basis of the above-mentioned procedures, it may decide to adopt a different approach. In particular, the Committee may request that the State party concerned accept a visit from one or two members of the Committee. The purposes of such an on-site visit would be: (a)to collect the information necessary for the Committee to continue its constructive dialogue with the State party and to enable it to carry out its functions in relation to the Covenant; and (b) to provide a more comprehensive basis upon which the Committee might exercise its functions in relation to articles 22 and 23 of the Covenant concerning technical assistance and advisory services. The Committee would state specifically the issue(s) with respect to which its representative(s) would seek to gather information from all available sources. The representative(s) would also have the task of considering whether the programme of advisory services administered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights could be of assistance in connection with the specific issue at hand.

39.At the conclusion of the visit, the representative(s) would report to the Committee. In the light of the report presented by its representative(s), the Committee would then formulate its own conclusions. Those conclusions would relate to the full range of functions carried out by the Committee, including those relating to technical assistance and advisory services, to be provided by the Office of the High Commissioner.

40.This procedure has already been applied in relation to two States parties and the Committee considers the experience to have been a very positive one in both instances. In a case where the State party concerned does not accept the proposed mission, the Committee will consider making whatever recommendations might be appropriate to the Economic and Social Council.

D. Procedure in response to non-submitted and considerably overdue reports

41.The Committee believes that a situation of persistent non-reporting by States parties undermines one of the foundations of the Covenant.

42.Accordingly, the Committee resolved at its sixth session to begin in due course to consider the situation concerning the implementation of the Covenant in respect of each State party whose reports are very significantly overdue. At its seventh session it resolved to begin scheduling consideration of such reports at its future sessions and to notify the States parties concerned. At its thirty-sixth session, the Committee adopted the following procedure:

(a)To review three lists of States parties whose reports are overdue:

States parties with reports that were due within the past 8 years;

States parties with reports that were due from 8 to 12 years ago;

States parties with reports that were due more than 12 years ago.

(b)To send reminders to States parties as follows:

The first letter will be sent to all States parties about the dates on which their reports are due; those with overdue reports will be reminded of and requested to submit those reports as soon as possible;

A second letter will be sent to States parties with the most outstanding and overdue reports that do not respond to the reminder, informing them that the Committee plans to consider the overdue report(s) at a specific session in the future, and requesting that those reports be submitted in sufficient time to allow a constructive dialogue to take place;

A third letter will be sent if no response is received to the second letter, confirming that the Committee will proceed to review the implementation of the Covenant in the State party at the session communicated in the earlier letter in light of all available information.

(c)In situations where the State party concerned indicates that a report will be provided to the Committee and upon a request from the State party, the Chairperson may decide to defer consideration of implementation of the Covenant in the State party for one session.

E.Action by the Committee with regard to information on economic, social and cultural rights received from sources other than the States parties

1.Information provided in connection with the consideration by the Committee of a State party report

43.The Committee also takes into account the information provided to it by sources other than the State party in connection with its consideration of a State party’s report. That information, being an integral part of the Committee’s constructive dialogue with a State party, is made available by the secretariat to the State party concerned in advance of the Committee’s consideration of the report of that State party (see paragraphs 52-54 below).

2.Information received following consideration by the Committeeof a State party report and adoption of concluding observations

44.On various occasions in the past, the Committee has received information, mainly from non‑governmental organizations, after consideration of the State party’s report and adoption of concluding observations thereon. In fact this was follow-up information on the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations. Not being in a position to consider and act upon such information without reopening its dialogue with a State party (except in cases specifically addressed in concluding observations), the Committee will consider and act upon the information received from sources other than a State party only in cases where such information has been specifically requested in its concluding observations.

45.The Committee considers that, following its consideration of the State party report and adoption of concluding observations, the primary responsibility for their implementation lies with the national Government, which is bound to report on measures taken in this respect to the Committee in its next periodic report. Therefore, the Committee recommends that information referred to in the preceding paragraph be submitted by authors directly to national competent authorities with a view to assisting them in implementing the Committee’s concluding observations.

3. Information provided with respect to non-reporting States parties

46.The Committee has also been receiving information from international and national non‑governmental organizations on the status of the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights by:

(a)States parties that have not submitted any report at all since ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and its entry into force;

(b)States parties with long overdue periodic reports.

47.In both cases the States parties’ failure to comply with their obligations under the Covenant, and in particular with their reporting obligations, had made it impossible for the Committee to monitor effectively the implementation by those States of the economic, social and cultural rights set forth in the Covenant in accordance with the mandate conferred on the Committee by the Economic and Social Council.

48.At its thirtieth session in 2003, the Committee, in a spirit of open and constructive dialogue with States parties, decided that in both cases referred to above, it might take the following action on a case‑by-case basis:

(a)The Committee might informally bring to the attention of the State party concerned the information received and urge the State party to submit its overdue report without further delay;

(b)The Committee might formally - through a letter from the Chairperson - bring to the attention of the State party concerned the information received and urge the State party to submit its overdue report without further delay. The Committee might formally request the State party to provide it with information addressing issues raised in the submissions of non-governmental organizations and to submit its overdue report without further delay. That letter would also be made available to the non‑governmental organizations concerned upon request.

F. Day of general discussion

49.At each session, the Committee devotes one day, usually the Monday of the third week, to a general discussion of a particular right or of a particular aspect of the Covenant. The purpose is threefold: such a general discussion assists the Committee in developing in greater depth its understanding of the relevant issues; it enables the Committee to encourage inputs into its work from all interested parties; and helps the Committee to lay the basis for a future general comment. The issues that have been the focus of discussions held to date by the Committee may be found in annex VI to the present report.

G. Other consultations

50.The Committee has sought to coordinate its work with that of other bodies to the greatest extent possible and to draw as widely as it can on available expertise in the fields of its competence. The Committee has also sought to draw on the expertise of the relevant specialized agencies and United Nations bodies, both in its work as a whole and, more particularly, in the context of its general discussions. It has also consistently invited individuals such as special rapporteurs of the Commission on Human Rights and of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, chairpersons of Commission working groups and others to address it and engage in discussions.

51.In addition, the Committee has invited a variety of experts who have a particular interest in, and knowledge of, some of the issues under review to contribute to its discussions. These contributions have added to its understanding of some aspects of the questions arising under the Covenant.

H.Participation of non-governmental organizations in the work of the Committee

52.In order to ensure that the Committee is as well informed as possible, it provides opportunities for non-governmental organizations to submit relevant information to it. They may do this in writing at any time prior to the consideration of a given State party’s report. The Committee’s pre-sessional working group is also open to the submission of information in person or in writing from any non-governmental organization, provided that it relates to matters on the agenda of the working group. In addition, the Committee sets aside part of the first afternoon at each of its sessions to enable representatives of non‑governmental organizations to provide oral information. Such information should: (a)focus specifically on the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; (b)be of direct relevance to matters under consideration by the Committee; (c)be credible; (d) not be abusive. The relevant meeting is open and provided with interpretation and press services, but is not covered by summary records.

53.The Committee has requested the secretariat to ensure that written information formally submitted to it by non-governmental organizations in relation to the consideration of a specific State party report is made available as soon as possible to the representatives of the State party concerned. Prior to a session, this is normally done through posting on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and direct delivery to the representatives of the concerned State party during the dialogue. The Committee therefore assumes that if any of this information is referred to during the dialogue with the State party, the latter will already be aware of the information.

54.In an effort to secure the most effective and widest possible participation of non‑governmental organizations in its activities, the Committee adopted, at its twenty‑fourth session in 2000, a document that explains the modalities of their participation in the Committee’s work and provides detailed guidelines for non-governmental organizations with a view to facilitating their cooperation with the Committee. 4

I. General comments

55.In response to an invitation addressed to it by the Economic and Social Council, the Committee decided to begin, as from its third session, the preparation of general comments based on the various articles and provisions of the Covenant, in particular with a view to assisting the States parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Covenant. As of 24 November 2006, the Committee had adopted 18 general comments (see annex IV to the present report).

56.By the end of its thirty-seventh session (24 November 2006), the Committee and the governmental expert sessional working group, which existed prior to the creation of the Committee, had examined partial reports concerning rights covered by articles 6 to 9, 10 to 12 or 13 to 15 of the Covenant, and comprehensive reports covering all the substantive articles, submitted by 112 of the 152 States parties to the Covenant which had reports due by then. The total number of States parties to the Covenant reached 155 by the end of the thirty-seventh session. They represented all regions of the world, with different political, legal, socio-economic and cultural systems. The reports submitted to date have illustrated many of the problems that might arise in implementing the Covenant.

57.Through its general comments, the Committee endeavours to make the experience gained through the examination of States’ reports available for the benefit of all States parties in order to assist and promote their further implementation of the Covenant; to draw the attention of the States parties to insufficiencies disclosed by a large number of reports; to suggest improvements in the reporting procedures; and to stimulate the activities of the States parties, international organizations and the specialized agencies concerned in achieving progressively and effectively the full realization of the rights recognized in the Covenant. Whenever necessary, the Committee may, in the light of the experience of States parties and of the conclusions drawn therefrom, revise and update its general comments.

58.At its twenty-first session, the Committee adopted the outline for drafting general comments on specific rights enshrined in the Covenant. The Committee agreed that the subject matter of a particular general comment would influence the overall structure of that comment and observed that the outline was not intended to be strictly adhered to. However, the outline provided useful signposts, a checklist of issues to be considered in the process of drafting a general comment. In this respect, the outline would assist in ensuring consistency in the content, format and ambit of general comments to be adopted by the Committee. The Committee emphasized the importance of ensuring that general comments are reader‑friendly, of reasonable length and readily understandable to a broad range of readers, primarily States parties to the Covenant. The outline will assist in ensuring consistency and clarity in the structure of the general comments, thus promoting their accessibility, and strengthening the authoritative interpretation of the Covenant provided by the Committee through its general comments.

J. Statements adopted by the Committee

59.With a view to assisting States parties to the Covenant, the Committee adopts statements to clarify and confirm its position with respect to major international developments and issues bearing upon the implementation of the Covenant. As of 24 November 2006, the Committee had adopted 15 statements (see annex V to the present report).

CHAPTER III

Submission of reports by States parties under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant

60.In accordance with rule 58 of its rules of procedure, the Committee, at its 31st meeting on 6 November 2006, considered the status of submission of reports under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant.

61.In that connection, the Committee had before it the following documents:

(a)Note by the Secretary-General on the revised general guidelines regarding the form and contents of reports to be submitted by States parties (E/C.12/1991/1);

(b)Draft annual report of the Committee, annex I, on the States parties to the Covenant and the status of submission of reports as at 4 October 2006 (E/2007/22/CRP.4);

(c)Note by the secretariat on follow-up to the consideration of reports under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant (E/C.12/2003/3).

62.The Secretary-General informed the Committee that, in addition to the reports scheduled for consideration by the Committee at its thirty-seventh session (see paragraph 65 below), he had received, from 25 November 2005 to 24 November 2006, the following reports submitted under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant by States parties:

The initial reports of Latvia (E/1990/5/Add.70) and San Marino (E/C.12/SMR/1); the combined initial, second and third periodic report of Paraguay (E/C.12/PRY/3); the second periodic report of Nepal (E/C.12/NPL/2); the combined second, third and fourth periodic report of Costa Rica (E/C.12/CRI/4); the combined second, third, fourth and fifth periodic report of India (E/C.12/IND/5); third periodic reports of Belgium (E/C.12/BEL/3), the Netherlands Antilles (E/C.12/ANT/3) and Hungary (E/C.12/HUN/3); the fourth periodic report of Chile (E/C.12/CHL/4); and the fifth periodic reports of Finland (E/C.12/FIN/5), Sweden (E/C.12/SWE/5) and Ukraine (E/C.12/UKR/5).

63.At its thirty-second session the Committee decided to schedule for consideration in 2005 the status of implementation of the Covenant by San Marino, a non-reporting State. The Covenant entered into force for San Marino on 18 January 1986 and its consolidated initial report was due on 30 June 1990. By note verbale dated 17 October 2005, the State party requested the Committee to postpone its consideration of the status of implementation of the Covenant in San Marino until after the submission by the State party of its initial report to the Committee and assured the Committee that it would submit its initial report by 31 May 2006. At its thirty-fifth session, on 7 November 2005, the Committee decided to grant the State party’s request. The report was received on 6 November 2006.

64.At its thirty-sixth session, the Committee decided to consider the status of implementation of the Covenant by another non-reporting State, Angola. The Covenant entered into force for Angola on 10 April 1992 and the initial report was due on 30 June 1994. In a note verbale dated 22 March 2006, the State party was informed that the Committee had decided to consider the implementation of the Covenant in the State party at its thirty-seventh session in November 2006. The State party was requested to indicate the date by when it planned to submit the report. Through a note verbale dated 3 May 2006, the Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations Office at Geneva explained the work under way in Angola to prepare a common core document and requested that the Committee postpone its consideration of the initial report of Angola to 2007, following the completion of the common core document. At its thirty-sixth session, the Committee agreed to postpone its consideration of Angola’s report until its forty‑first session in November 2008. As is its established practice, the Committee will examine the report in advance through a pre-sessional working group, with a view to adopting a list of issues on the report. Through a note verbale dated 12 June 2006, the State party was requested, in view of the time required for processing and translation, to submit its initial report by no later than 15 December 2007.

CHAPTER IV

Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant

65.At its thirty-sixth session, the Committee examined the following reports submitted by four States parties under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant:

Initial reports

LiechtensteinE/1990/5/Add.66MonacoE/1990/5/Add.64

Third periodic reports

MoroccoE/1994/104/Add.29

Fourth periodic reports

CanadaE/C.12/4/Add.15MexicoE/C.12/4/Add.16

Fifth periodic reports

CanadaE/C.12/CAN/5

66.At its thirty-seventh session, the Committee considered the following reports submitted by five States parties under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant:

Initial reports

AlbaniaE/1990/5/Add.67TajikistanE/C.12/TJK/1The former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaE/C.12/MKD/1

Second periodic reports

El SalvadorE/1990/6/Add.39

Third periodic reports

The NetherlandsE/1994/104/Add.30

67.In accordance with rule 62 of the Committee’s rules of procedure, representatives of all States submitting a report were invited to participate in Committee meetings at which their reports were considered. All States parties whose reports were considered by the Committee sent representatives to participate in the consideration of their respective reports. In accordance with a decision adopted by the Committee at its second session, the names and positions of the members of each State party’s delegation are listed in annex VII to the present report.

68.At its eighth session, the Committee had decided to discontinue its practice of including in its annual report summaries of the consideration of country reports. Reference is made, in this regard, to the relevant summary records of the meetings of the Committee at which the reports were considered. In accordance with modified rule 57 of the Committee’s rules of procedure, the annual report should include the Committee’s concluding observations relating to each State party’s report. Accordingly, the following paragraphs, arranged on a country‑by‑country basis according to the sequence followed by the Committee in its consideration of the reports, contain the concluding observations adopted by the Committee with respect to the States parties’ reports considered at its thirty‑sixth and thirty‑seventh sessions. In accordance with established Committee practice, members do not take part in either the drawing up or the adoption of the concluding observations relating to their own country’s report.

Thirty‑sixth session

MONACO

69.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of Monaco on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1990/5/Add.64) at its 3rd and 4th meetings, held on 2 May 2006, and adopted, at its 19th meeting, held on 19 May 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

70.The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of the State party and its written replies to the list of issues to be considered. It also welcomes the frank and constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party. The Committee takes note of the additional information supplied by the State party in the form of an amended report. However, it regrets that the amended report was submitted only on the eve of the session at which the report was to be considered, which made it difficult to take the additional information into account.

B. Positive aspects

71.The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of the Act of 15 July 2005 on freedom of public expression, which criminalizes insults of a racial, ethnic or religious nature and insults based on real or supposed sexual orientation.

72.The Committee welcomes the State party’s accession in March 2005 to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

73.The Committee notes with satisfaction that unemployment is virtually non-existent in the State party.

74.The Committee notes with satisfaction the major efforts made by the State party to modernize its legislation, including by amending the Civil Code so as to ban any discrimination between children born in or out of wedlock or of adulterous or incestuous relationships. It welcomes the fact that the Civil Code now refers only to “children” or “descendants”. It also welcomes the replacement in the Code of the concept of paternal authority with that of parental authority.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

75.The Committee notes that there are no major factors or difficulties impeding the effective implementation of the Covenant in Monaco.

D. Principal subjects of concern

76.The Committee expresses concern at the interpretative declarations and reservations, particularly with regard to article 2, paragraph 2, and articles 6, 9 and 13, entered by the State party when it ratified the Covenant.

77.While the Committee welcomes the adoption of Act No. 1296 of 12 May 2005 on the transmission of Monegasque nationality from mothers to their children, it remains concerned about the restrictions that prevent naturalized women from transmitting Monegasque nationality to their children in the event of a divorce.

78.The Committee is concerned that non-Monegasques continue to be subject to a five-year residence requirement which prevents them from enjoying the right to housing and access to social welfare and medical treatment (articles 2, paragraph 2, and 11 of the Covenant).

79.While taking note of the amendments made to the Civil Code, the Committee is concerned at the fact that there are different legal requirements for men and women wishing to acquire Monegasque nationality (article 3 of the Covenant).

80.The Committee notes that there is an effective social security system for salaried employees. It regrets, however, that family benefits are not included in the social security regime applicable to the self-employed (article 9 of the Covenant).

81.The Committee notes with concern the health problems affecting young people, resulting in particular from drug use and drug addiction (articles 10 and 12 of the Covenant).

82.The Committee is concerned at the lack of specific legislation on domestic violence against women (articles 10 and 12 of the Covenant).

83.The Committee notes with concern that abortion is illegal in all circumstances in the State party’s legal system (art. 12).

E. Suggestions and recommendations

84.The Committee recommends that the State party withdraw its interpretative declarations and reservations. The Committee encourages the State party to review them, especially those that have become or are becoming obsolete or pointless, including those relating to article 2, paragraph 2, and articles 6, 9 and 13 of the Covenant, in the light of developments in the State party.

85.The Committee encourages the State party to adopt legislation that provides for equality at law in respect of the transmission of nationality to children by Monegasque women, regardless of the manner in which nationality was acquired.

86.The Committee recommends that the State party reduce the five-year residence requirement for non-Monegasques to enjoy the right to housing and access to social welfare and medical treatment.

87.The Committee recommends that the rules on acquisition of nationality should be the same for men and for women.

88.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the social security system provides adequate protection to all categories of workers and their families.

89.The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to combat and prevent drug addiction, particularly among young people, and that it adopt specific legislation in that regard.

90.The Committee recommends that the State party consider adopting specific legislation making domestic violence a criminal offence, and establish judicial procedures to protect women who are victims of domestic violence.

91.The Committee recommends that the State party review its legislation on abortion and that it consider making exceptions to the general ban on abortion where there are therapeutic reasons for so doing and in cases where pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

92.The Committee encourages the State party to establish an independent national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (General Assembly resolution 48/134), with a mandate to protect and promote all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights.

93.The Committee recommends that the State party bring its legislation relating specifically to economic, social and cultural rights into line with the amended Civil Code.

94.The Committee encourages the State party to join the International Labour Organization (ILO) and sign and ratify those ILO conventions that relate to the provisions of the Covenant.

95.The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that human rights education is provided in schools at all levels and to raise awareness about human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights, among State officials and the judiciary.

96.The Committee encourages the State party to accede to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention against Discrimination in Education.

97.The Committee encourages the State party to raise its level of aid funding to the minimum recommended by the United Nations, namely 0.7 per cent of gross national product (GNP).

98.The Committee requests the State party to provide disaggregated data relating to the implementation of the Covenant, and particularly on the incidence of work-related illness and the frequency of review of the minimum wage, and refers the State party in this regard to its general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standards of health (art. 12), particularly paragraphs 43 and 44 on core obligations. It also recommends that this information should be used to strengthen policies, programmes and monitoring with regard to the Covenant.

99.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate widely the present concluding observations at all levels of society and to inform the Committee in its next periodic report about all steps taken to implement them. It also encourages the State party to engage non‑governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

100.Finally, the Committee requests the State party to submit its second and third periodic reports as a single document by 30 June 2009.

LIECHTENSTEIN

101.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of Liechtenstein on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1990/5/Add.66) at its 6th and 7th meetings, held on 3 and 4 May 2006, and adopted, at its 29th meeting held on 19 May 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

102.The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Liechtenstein, which was prepared in general conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, and the written replies to its list of issues.

103.The Committee welcomes the constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which included a number of representatives from various government offices, as well as the delegation’s answers to the questions asked by the Committee.

B. Positive aspects

104.The Committee appreciates the favourable position of the State party concerning the elaboration of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

105.The Committee notes that the State party has elaborated a national action plan for the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Xenophobia and Intolerance held in Durban in 2001, as well as annual plans to give effect to the Platform for Action adopted at the World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995.

106.The Committee welcomes the recent establishment of an Office of Equal Opportunity with a broad mandate to combat discrimination based on gender, religion, disability, national origin and sexual orientation.

107.The Committee welcomes the adoption in 1999 of a Gender Equality Act introducing a shift of the burden of proof to the employer in cases of gender-based discrimination.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

108.The Committee notes the absence of any factors or difficulties preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party.

D. Principal subjects of concern

109.The Committee notes with concern that, although the Covenant forms part of the domestic law and is directly applicable in the courts of the State party, there are no court decisions which contain references to, or confirm the direct applicability of, the provisions of the Covenant.

110.The Committee expresses its concern about the persistence in the State party of xenophobia and intolerance against persons of different ethnic origin or religion, particularly against Muslims and persons of Turkish origin.

111.The Committee notes with concern that the equal protection clause in article 31 of the Liechtenstein Constitution only applies to citizens, while the equal enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of “foreigners” is only indirectly protected by reference to international treaties.

112.The Committee expresses its concern that the Office of Equal Opportunity, which replaced the Office of Gender Equality, may not have sufficient means to ensure that its work will continue to have a strong gender focus, in addition to its new responsibilities in the fields of integration of foreigners, disability, age, religion and sexual orientation.

113.The Committee is concerned that women are reportedly overrepresented in low-paid employment in the State party.

114.The Committee notes with concern that the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent, nationality or ethnic origin in article 46 (a) of the Employment Contracts Act only applies to the termination of a contractual employment, without covering the areas of recruitment, remuneration and promotion.

115.The Committee is concerned about the absence of a legal minimum wage and about the recent withdrawal of numerous enterprises from the Liechtenstein Chamber of Trade and Commerce, resulting in their non-participation in the collective negotiation of wages.

116.The Committee notes that the right to strike is not explicitly recognized in the Liechtenstein Constitution and labour legislation.

117.The Committee expresses its concern about the persistence of domestic violence, especially against women, in the State party.

118.The Committee is concerned about reports that persons of different ethnic origin, especially asylum-seekers and women of immigrant origin, encounter difficulties in renting accommodation.

119.The Committee expresses its concern about the high rates of tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as the abuse of illicit drugs such as cannabis, especially among minors.

120.The Committee notes with concern that immigrant children tend to perform poorly in school in comparison to children of Liechtenstein origin, that they are likely to attend the lower‑level secondary school and that they are underrepresented in tertiary education.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

121.The Committee recommends that the State party consider the establishment of an independent national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (General Assembly resolution 48/134, annex), and the adoption of a national plan of action for the promotion and protection of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights.

122.The Committee requests the State party to ensure that the provisions of the Covenant are given effect by its domestic courts, that legal and judicial training take full account of all Covenant rights, as defined in the Committee’s general comments, and that it promote the use of the Covenant as a source of domestic law. In this regard, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant.

123.The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

124.The Committee calls on the State party to continue and intensify its efforts to promote ethnic and religious tolerance, e.g. by including this subject in school curricula and through training of teachers and public awareness campaigns, and to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the integration of persons of a different ethnic origin or religion.

125.The Committee recommends that the State party consider adopting legislative measures, with a view to extending the application of the constitutional equal protection clause to the human rights of foreigners, in particular their economic, social and cultural rights.

126.The Committee encourages the State party to adopt the proposed amendment to the Gender Equality Act extending the shift of the burden of proof to the employer also to cases of sexual harassment.

127.The Committee requests the State party to take adequate measures to ensure that the work of the Office of Equal Opportunity will continue to have a strong gender focus.

128.The Committee urges the State party to implement the principle of equal treatment of men and women in access to employment and promotion, to intensify its efforts in the field of qualification programmes for women working in low-paid employment and unemployed women, and to enforce the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value. It invites the State party to include statistical data on the participation of women in the workforce, disaggregated by age, wage, part-time/full-time work and ethnic origin in its next periodic report.

129.The Committee recommends that the State party consider amending the Employment Contracts Act, with a view to ensuring that the prohibition of racial and ethnic discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment and promotion.

130.The Committee recommends that the State party consider introducing a legal minimum wage or ensure that wages negotiated in collective agreements are applicable to all employers and employees of an economic sector or a profession, irrespective of membership in the Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and that it secure workers and employees a decent living for themselves and their families, in accordance with article 7 (a) (ii) of the Covenant.

131.The Committee recommends that the State party explicitly recognize the right to strike in its domestic legislation and define the permissible limitations on that right. It encourages the State party to proceed with its initiative to repeal the prohibition of the right to strike for civil servants in the Civil Servants Act.

132.The Committee encourages the State party to continue its efforts to reform the social security system through “socially acceptable” measures, as referred to by the State party, such as reintegration of persons with disabilities into the workplace to ease the financial burden on disability insurance. The Committee requests the State party to provide detailed information on the social security reform in its next periodic report, bearing in mind its obligations under article 9 of the Covenant.

133.The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its assistance to victims of domestic violence, marital rape and child abuse, as well as its information campaigns and training of law enforcement and medical personnel on the criminal nature of such acts, and to include information on the results of these measures and on the number of victims, perpetrators, convictions, and the types of sanctions imposed, in its next periodic report.

134.The Committee invites the State party to continue to collect statistical data on the situation of non-citizens in the field of housing and to include these data, as well as information on the measures adopted on the basis of such data, in its next periodic report.

135.The Committee requests the State party to continue its education campaigns, in particular for minors, on the risks of tobacco, alcohol and drug consumption and to ensure that adequate counselling services are available to all persons affected by tobacco, alcohol and drug addiction. It invites the State party to identify disaggregated indicators and national benchmarks, on an annual basis, in relation to the target groups addressed in its multi-year addiction prevention campaign and to include information on the process of identifying such indicators and benchmarks in its next periodic report.

136.The Committee encourages the State party to continue reducing linguistic barriers through intensive German-language training for immigrant children, to offer appropriate catch‑up classes, and to increase family awareness about the importance of education for future professional careers. It also encourages the State party to raise the age at which pupils are assigned to one of the three different levels of secondary school from the current 11 years to a later age, with a view to ensuring that children have reached a sufficient stage of development when that decision is taken.

137.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society, particularly among government officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report. It also encourages the State party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

138.The Committee requests the State party to submit its combined second and third periodic reports by 30 June 2011.

CANADA

139.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the fourth and fifth periodic reports of Canada on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/4/Add.15 and E/C.12/CAN/5) at its 9th to 12th meetings, held on 5 and 8 May 2006, and adopted, at its 29th meeting, held on 19 May 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

140.The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth and fifth periodic reports of the State party, as well as the written responses provided in advance to the Committee’s lists of issues (E/C.12/Q/CAN/2 and E/C.12/CAN/Q/5). The Committee also welcomes the dialogue with the State party’s delegation, composed of experts in the various fields covered by the Covenant, as well as of representatives from some provinces and territories of the State party. The Committee notes, however, that the submission of the fifth periodic report at a time when the fourth periodic report had not yet been considered did not facilitate the consideration of the situation in the State party.

B. Positive aspects

141.The Committee notes that Canada still ranks near the top of the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Programme. On the average, Canadians enjoy a high standard of living and Canada has the capacity to achieve a high level of realization of all Covenant rights.

142.The Committee welcomes the relatively low level of unemployment in the State party, and the decrease in the proportion of persons living below the Low-Income Cut-Off (as defined by Statistics Canada) from 13.7 per cent in 1998 to 11.2 per cent in 2004.

143.The Committee notes with appreciation the reduction in disparities between Aboriginal people and the rest of the population in the State party with regard to infant mortality and secondary education.

144.The Committee welcomes the measures taken by the State party in the area of equal pay for equal work, in particular the payment of retroactive adjustments to women who had suffered discrimination.

145.The Committee welcomes the extension of maternity and parental benefits from six months to one year.

146.The Committee notes with satisfaction the numerous health programmes conducted by the State party, such as the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care and the launch of the Public Health Agency.

147.The Committee notes that Canada’s level of official development assistance was raised from about 0.27 per cent of GDP in 2004 to a current estimated level of 0.33 per cent of GDP.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

148.The Committeenotes the absence of any factors or difficulties preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party.

D. Principal subjects of concern

149.The Committee regrets that most of its 1993 and 1998 recommendations in relation to the second and third periodic reports have not been implemented, and that the State party has not addressed in an effective manner the following principal subjects of concern, which are still relevant:

(a)The State party’s restrictive interpretation of its obligations under the Covenant, in particular its position that it may implement the legal obligations set forth in the Covenant by adopting specific measures and policies rather than by enacting legislation specifically recognizing economic, social and cultural rights, and the consequent lack of awareness, in the provinces and territories, of the State party’s legal obligations under the Covenant;

(b)The lack of legal redress available to individuals when governments fail to implement the Covenant, resulting from the insufficient coverage in domestic legislation of economic, social and cultural rights, as spelled out in the Covenant; the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms for these rights; the practice of governments of urging upon their courts an interpretation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms denying protection of Covenant rights, and the inadequate availability of civil legal aid, particularly for economic, social and cultural rights;

(c)The absence of a legally enforceable right to adequate social assistance benefits for all persons in need on a non-discriminatory basis and the negative impact of certain workfare programmes on social assistance recipients;

(d)The disparities that still persist between Aboriginal peoples and the rest of the Canadian population in the enjoyment of Covenant rights, as well as the discrimination still experienced by Aboriginal women in matters of matrimonial property;

(e)The absence of an official poverty line;

(f)The insufficiency of minimum wage and social assistance to ensure the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living for all;

(g)The authorization given to provinces and territories to deduct the amount of the child benefit under the National Child Benefit Scheme from the amount of social assistance received by parents on welfare.

150.The Committee is concerned that, despite the consultations and sharing of information between federal, provincial and territorial governments through the federal/provincial/territorial Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights, effective procedures to follow up on the Committee’s concluding observations have not been developed.

151.The Committee, while noting the State party’s Court Challenges Program, regrets that this programme has not been extended to permit funding with respect to challenges to provincial and territorial legislation and policies, as previously recommended by the Committee.

152.The Committee notes with concern the cuts in financial support to civil legal aid services with regard to economic, social and cultural rights in a number of jurisdictions of the State party. This leads to a situation where poor people, in particular poor single women, who are denied benefits and services to which they are entitled under domestic law, cannot access domestic remedies. The drastic cuts in British Columbia raise particular concern in this regard.

153.The Committee is concerned that, despite Canada’s economic prosperity and the reduction of the number of people living below the Low-Income Cut-Off, 11.2 per cent of its population still lived in poverty in 2004, and that significant differences in levels of poverty persist between provinces and territories. The Committee also notes with particular concern that poverty rates remain very high among disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups such as Aboriginal peoples, African Canadians, immigrants, persons with disabilities, youth, low-income women and single mothers. In a number of jurisdictions, including British Columbia, poverty rates have increased among single mothers and children in the period between 1998 and 2003. The Committee is also concerned by the significant disparities still remaining between Aboriginal people and the rest of the population in areas of employment, access to water, health, housing and education, and by the failure of the State party to fully acknowledge the barriers faced by African Canadians in the enjoyment of their rights under the Covenant.

154.The Committee, while noting that the State party has withdrawn, since 1998, the requirement for an express reference to extinguishment of Aboriginal rights and titles either in a comprehensive claim agreement or in the settlement legislation ratifying the agreement, remains concerned that the new approaches, namely the “modified rights model” and the “non‑assertion model”, do not differ much from the extinguishment and surrender approach. It further regrets not having received detailed information on other approaches based on recognition and coexistence of rights, which are currently under study.

155.The Committee notes with concern that the long-standing issues of discrimination against First Nations women and their children, in matters relating to Indian status, band membership, and matrimonial property on reserve lands have still not been resolved. The Committee notes that such discrimination has had a negative impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of some First Nations women and their children under the Covenant.

156.The Committee notes with concern that the minimum wages in all provinces and territories of the State party are below the Low-Income Cut-Off and are insufficient to enable workers and their families to enjoy a decent standard of living.

157.The Committee is concerned that some categories of workers, such as public servants and employees of Crown corporations, public school teachers and college and university professors, are excluded from the right to strike in Canada. The Committee considers that the explanation provided by the State party that these workers provide essential services, is not satisfactory under articles 4 and 8 of the Covenant.

158.The Committee reiterates its concern that federal transfers for social assistance and social services to provinces and territories still do not include standards in relation to some of the rights set forth in the Covenant, including the right to social security. The Committee is also concerned that while the federal Government has increased its contribution to the costs of health care through the Canada Health Transfer, its support for post-secondary education, social assistance and social services through the Canada Social Transfer has not been restored to 1994-1995 levels, in spite of the sustained economic growth in the State party during these last years.

159.The Committee is concerned that the State party has not provided detailed information as to whether current provincial and territorial social assistance rates allow recipients to enjoy an adequate standard of living. It notes with concern that in most provinces and territories, social assistance benefits are lower than a decade ago, that they do not provide adequate income to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter, and that welfare levels are often set at less than half the Low-Income Cut-Off.

160.The Committee expresses concern about the significantly low proportion of unemployed workers eligible for receiving insurance benefits, and notes that the State party has not provided detailed responses to the Committee’s previous concerns on this issue. The Committee notes with concern that in 2001, only 39 per cent of unemployed Canadians were eligible for benefits; that in some provinces, such as Ontario, eligibility rates are even lower; that the number of youth receiving employment insurance benefits has decreased; that migrant workers and many part‑time workers, predominantly women, contribute to the plan but have great difficulties in accessing benefits; and that the replacement rate of income which has been reduced to 55 per cent in 1997, is the lowest ever.

161.The Committee is deeply concerned by the discriminatory impact of the National Child Benefit “clawback system” on the poorest families in Canada, in particular single-mother-led families.

162.The Committee notes with concern that low-income families, single-mother-led families and Aboriginal and African Canadian families, are overrepresented in families whose children are relinquished to foster care. The Committee is also concerned that women continue to be forced to relinquish their children into foster care because of inadequate housing.

163.The Committee regrets that domestic violence as a specific offence has not been included in the Criminal Code.

164.The Committee notes with concern that women are prevented from leaving abusive relationships due to the lack of affordable housing and inadequate assistance.

165.The Committee notes with concern that about 7.4 per cent of the population, amounting to about 2.3 million people, suffer from food insecurity in the State party, that about 40 per cent of food bank users are children and young people, and that about 51 per cent of food bank users while receiving social assistance benefits in 2005, still had to resort to food banks because of the insufficient level of these benefits.

166.The Committee, while welcoming the National Homelessness Initiative and the adoption of numerous measures on housing, regrets that the information provided was not sufficient to assess the results of such measures. In particular, the Committee is concerned that the estimated number of homeless persons in Canada still ranges from 100,000 to 250,000. The Committee, while welcoming the decrease in the proportion of households with core housing need, notes with concern that in 2001 such households still represented about 13.7 to 16 per cent of all households. The Committee is further concerned that shelter allowances and social assistance rates continue to fall far below average rental costs, and that waiting lists for subsidized housing remain very long, for example, in Hamilton and Montreal.

167.The Committee notes with particular concern that many evictions occur on account of minimal arrears of rent, without due consideration of the State party’s obligations under the Covenant.

168.The Committee regrets that the State party does not recognize the right to water as a legal entitlement, which is implicitly provided for under articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant, as outlined in the Committee’s general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant).

169.The Committee, while noting that scholarships, bursaries, loans and other types of support are provided to disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, expresses concern about the discriminatory impact of tuition fee increases on low-income persons in many provinces and territories since 1998.

170.The Committee is concerned about information that African Canadian students face difficulties in accessing education and that they experience a disproportionately high drop-out rate from secondary school.

171.The Committee, while noting the numerous programmes adopted to preserve Aboriginal languages in the State party, as well as the studies conducted in the area of the protection of traditional knowledge, regrets that no time frame has been set up for the consideration and implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, and that no concrete measures have been adopted in the area of intellectual property for the protection and promotion of ancestral rights and traditional knowledge of Aboriginal peoples.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

172.The Committee calls upon the State party to address the specific subjects of concern that date back to its second and third periodic reports and strongly reiterates that the State party should consider implementing the Committee’s suggestions and recommendations in this regard.

173.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the federal Government take concrete steps to ensure that provinces and territories are made aware of the State party’s legal obligations under the Covenant, that the Covenant rights should be enforceable within provinces and territories through legislation or policy measures, and that independent and appropriate monitoring and adjudication mechanisms be established in this regard. In particular, the State party should establish transparent and effective mechanisms, involving all levels of government as well as civil society, including indigenous peoples, with the specific mandate to follow up on the Committee’s concluding observations.

174.The Committee recalls that, within the limits of the appropriate exercise of their functions of judicial review, courts should take account of Covenant rights where this is necessary to ensure that the State party’s conduct is consistent with its obligations under the Covenant, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant (see for example Chaoulli v. Quebec - Attorney Genera l).

175.The Committee urges the State party to re-examine its policies and practices towards the inherent rights and titles of Aboriginal peoples, to ensure that policies and practices do not result in extinguishment of those rights and titles.

176.The Committee strongly recommends that the State party resume negotiations with the Lubicon Lake Band, with a view to finding a solution to the claims of the Band that ensures the enjoyment of their rights under the Covenant. The Committee also strongly recommends that the State party conduct effective consultation with the Band prior to the grant of licences for economic purposes in the disputed land, and to ensure that such activities do not jeopardize the rights recognized under the Covenant.

177.The Committee recommends that federal, provincial and territorial legislation be brought in line with the State party’s obligations under the Covenant, and that such legislation should protect poor people in all jurisdictions from discrimination because of their social or economic status.

178.The State party should take immediate steps, including legislative measures, to create and ensure effective domestic remedies for all Covenant rights in all relevant jurisdictions.

179.The Committee, drawing the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant, reiterates its recommendation that the federal, provincial and territorial governments promote interpretations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and other domestic law in a way consistent with the Covenant.

180.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party extend the Court Challenges Programme to permit funding of challenges with respect to provincial and territorial legislation and policies.

181.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that civil legal aid with regard to economic, social and cultural rights is provided to poor people in the provinces and territories, and that it be adequate with respect to coverage, eligibility and services provided.

182.The Committee recommends that the State party fully abide by its obligations under article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant to take all possible measures to the maximum of its available resources to ensure the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights for all and reminds the State party, in line with its general comment No. 3 (1990) on the nature of States parties obligations (article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant), that steps to that end “should be deliberate, concrete and targeted as clearly as possible towards meeting the obligations recognized in the Covenant”. The Committee also recommends that the State party eliminate gaps in the area of poverty as a matter of priority, bearing in mind the immediate nature of the obligations contained in articles 2 and 3 of the Covenant. The Committee further recommends that the State party assess the extent to which poverty is a discrimination issue in Canada, and ensure that measures and programmes do not have a negative impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, especially for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups.

183.The Committee recommends that the State party, in consultation with First Nations and including Aboriginal women’s groups, adopt measures to combat discrimination against First Nations women and their children in matters relating to Indian status, band membership and matrimonial property. In particular, the Committee urges the State party to repeal section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which prevents First Nations people from filing complaints of discrimination before a human rights commission or tribunal. The Committee also urges the State party to amend the Indian Act to remove any residual discrimination against First Nations women and their children.

184.The Committee recommends that the State party take into consideration the right to work of women and the need of parents to balance work and family life, by supporting their care choices through adequate childcare services.

185.The Committee urges the State party to adopt all necessary measures to ensure that minimum wages are increased throughout Canada to a level enabling workers and their families to enjoy a decent standard of living.

186.The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to ensure access to employment insurance benefits, enjoyment of trade union rights and effective protection by labour standards for workers in precarious, part-time and temporary low wage jobs in the State party, particularly women.

187.The Committee urges the State party to adopt effective measures, legislative or otherwise, to eliminate exploitation and abuse of migrant domestic workers who are under the federal Live‑in Caregiver Program.

188.The Committee recommends that legislation be adopted at the provincial and territorial levels, where necessary, to ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value in both the public and private sectors. In this regard, the Committee reminds the State party that the principle of non-discrimination provided for in article 2, paragraph 2, is an immediate obligation.

189.The Committee strongly recommends that the compatibility of restrictions on the right to strike imposed at the federal, provincial and territorial levels with articles 4 and 8 of the Covenant be re-examined. Such restrictions should be eliminated where they are not strictly necessary for the promotion of the general welfare in a democratic society, for the protection of the interests of national security or public safety, public order, public health or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, and where no other alternative can be found.

190.The Committee recommends that the State party undertake a detailed assessment of the impact of the reduction of federal transfers for social assistance and social services to provinces and territories, on the standard of living of people depending on social welfare, in particular women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, African Canadians and members of other minorities. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party reconsider all retrogressive measures adopted in 1995.

191.The Committee urges the State party to establish social assistance at levels which ensure the realization of an adequate standard of living for all.

192.The Committee recommends that the State party reassess the Employment Insurance scheme with a view to providing greater access and improved benefit levels to all unemployed workers.

193.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the National Child Benefit Scheme be amended so as to prohibit provinces and territories from deducting child benefit from social assistance entitlements.

194.The Committee recommends that the State party gather disaggregated statistical data in relation to the relinquishment to foster care of children belonging to low-income families, single‑mother-led families, and Aboriginal and African Canadian families in order to accurately assess the extent of the problem. The Committee further recommends that, in accordance with the provisions of article 10 of the Covenant on the protection of families, the federal, provincial and territorial governments undertake all necessary measures including through financial support, where necessary, to avoid such relinquishment.

195.The Committee recommends that the State party give special attention to the difficulties faced by homeless girls, who are more vulnerable to health risks and social and economic deprivation, and that it take all necessary measures to provide them with adequate housing and social and health services.

196.The Committee recommends that domestic violence be included as a specific offence in the Criminal Code.

197.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that low-income women and women trying to leave abusive relationships can access housing options and appropriate support services in keeping with the right to an adequate standard of living.

198.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party establish an official poverty line. The Committee also recommends that the State party integrate economic, social and cultural rights in its poverty reduction strategies. In this regard, the State party is referred to the Committee’s statement onpoverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2001/10), adopted in May 2001.

199.The Committee recommends that the State party significantly intensify its efforts to address the issue of food insecurity and hunger in Canada. In this regard, the Committee reminds the State party of its core obligation to fulfil (provide) the right to food when disadvantaged and marginalized individuals or groups are, for reasons beyond their control, unable to realize these rights for themselves through all means possible at their disposal.

200.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the federal, provincial and territorial governments address homelessness and inadequate housing as a national emergency by reinstating or increasing, where necessary, social housing programmes for those in need, improving and properly enforcing anti-discrimination legislation in the field of housing, increasing shelter allowances and social assistance rates to realistic levels, and providing adequate support services for persons with disabilities. The Committee urges the State party to implement a national strategy for the reduction of homelessness that includes measurable goals and timetables, consultation and collaboration with affected communities, complaints procedures, and transparent accountability mechanisms, in keeping with Covenant standards.

201.The Committee strongly recommends that, before forced evictions are carried out, the State party take appropriate measures, legislative or otherwise, to ensure that those affected by forced evictions are provided with alternative accommodation and thus do not face homelessness, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant): forced evictions.

202.The Committee strongly recommends that the State party review its position on the right to water, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant), so as to ensure equal and adequate access to water for people living in the State party, irrespective of the province or territory in which they live or the community to which they belong.

203.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure by every appropriate means that higher education be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity.

204.The Committee recommends that an overall assessment of the situation of African Canadians be conducted, particularly in the area of education, in order to adopt and effectively implement a targeted programme of action to realize their rights under the Covenant.

205.The Committee recommends that the State party undertake the adoption and implementation of concrete plans, with relevant benchmarks and time frames, for the consideration and implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, as well as in the area of intellectual property for the protection and promotion of ancestral rights and traditional knowledge of Aboriginal peoples.

206.The Committee reminds the State party that, although trade liberalization has a wealth‑generating potential, such liberalization does not necessarily create and lead to a favourable environment for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the State party consider ways in which the primacy of Covenant rights may be ensured in trade and investment agreements, and in particular in the adjudication of investor-State disputes under chapter XI of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

207.The Committee requests the State party to include in its sixth periodic report, detailedinformation on any measures taken and progress made, particularly with regard to the suggestions and recommendations made by the Committee in the present concluding observations.

208.The Committee requests that the succeeding State party’s reports focus primarily on its follow-up to the Committee’s previous concluding observations, and structured by articles of the Covenant. The Committee also requests the State party to provide, in addition to information on measures adopted, details on the substantive impact of such measures on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. In this regard, the Committee also wishes to receive comparative statistical data disaggregated by year, as well as information on percentages of budget allocations to programmes relevant under the Covenant.

209.The Committee encourages the State party to actively engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in a meaningful process of discussions, at the federal, provincial and territorial levels, prior to the submission of its next periodicreport to the Committee.

210.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society, particularly among government officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report.

211.The Committee requests the State party to submit its sixth periodic report by 6 June 2010.

MEXICO

212.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the fourth periodic report of Mexico on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/4/Add.16) at its 13th, 14th and 15th meetings, held on 9 and 10 May 2006, and adopted, at its 29th meeting, held on 19 May 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

213.The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth periodic report of Mexico, which was prepared in general conformity with the Committee’s guidelines and includes a section on follow-up to the Committee’s concluding observations in relation to the third periodic report of Mexico (E/C.12/1/Add.41), as well as the written replies to its list of issues.

214.The Committee welcomes the constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which included a number of representatives from various government departments, as well as the delegation’s answers to the questions asked by the Committee.

B. Positive aspects

215.The Committee appreciates the State party’s support for the elaboration of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

216.The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s cooperation with the country office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which was established in 2002 in the State party and has elaborated a “Diagnosis on the human rights situation in Mexico” covering also economic, social and cultural rights.

217.The Committee welcomes the establishment in 2001 of the National Institute for Women (Inmujeres) mandated to create a culture free from violence and discrimination against women and to promote the equal enjoyment of all rights by men and women.

218.The Committee welcomes the establishment in 2001 of a Technical Committee for the Measurement of Poverty in Mexico, which has defined thresholds for measuring trends in the proportion of the population below certain poverty levels, i.e. the “nutritional poverty threshold”, the “capacities development threshold” and the “patrimony development threshold”.

219.The Committee notes with appreciation that since 2003, antiretroviral medicines are accessible free of charge for all HIV/AIDS patients in the State party.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

220.The Committee notes the absence of any major factors or difficulties impeding the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party.

D. Principal subjects of concern

221.The Committee is concerned about reports that members of indigenous and local communities opposing the construction of the La Parota hydroelectric dam or other projects under the Plan Puebla-Panama are not properly consulted and are sometimes forcefully prevented from participating in local assemblies concerning the implementation of these projects. It is also concerned that the construction of the La Parota dam would cause the flooding of 17,000 hectares of land inhabited or cultivated by indigenous and local farming communities, that it would lead to environmental depletion and reportedly displace 25,000 people. It would also, according to the Latin American Water Tribunal, violate the communal land rights of the affected communities, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights.

222.The Committee regrets the absence of a federal gender equality act and of laws on sexual harassment in 14 of the 32 federated states of the State party. The Committee expresses its concern about discriminatory provisions in the civil codes of a number of states, such as provisions requiring the consent of the husband for a woman to work or authorizing the husband to decide about his wife’s abode.

223.The Committee notes with concern that approximately 40 per cent of the active working population are reportedly employed in the informal sector.

224.The Committee is concerned about the low minimum wages in the State party, especially as regards women and indigenous workers.

225.The Committee is deeply concerned about the poor working conditions of indigenous workers, who are frequently underpaid or not paid at all, receive no social security benefits or paid vacations, and often work on daily contracts or as unpaid family members.

226.The Committee reiterates its concern about the practice of employers in the maquiladora (textile) industry to require women to present non-pregnancy certificates in order to be hired or to avoid being dismissed.

227.The Committee expresses its concern about the severe restrictions in the Federal Labour Law and in the Federal Law for State Workers on the right to form and join trade unions, such as trade union monopolies, exclusionary clauses, minimum age and membership requirements and provisions on the cancellation of trade unions in the public sector. The Committee is also concerned about restrictions on the right of trade unions to establish national federations or confederations and on the right to strike.

228.The Committee is concerned that the State party’s unemployment benefit scheme only covers cessation of employment at an “advanced age”.

229.The Committee notes with concern that, in spite of the Seguro Popular programme, approximately half of the population of the State party is not entitled to social security or social assistance.

230.The Committee, while acknowledging the various legislative projects and policies that are currently under adoption in the State party to combat domestic violence, remains deeply concerned about the high rate of domestic violence against women and children and about the fact that the definition of incest in the laws of a number of federated states does not adequately protect victims of incest, especially children.

231.The Committee notes the absence of disaggregated information in the State party’s report concerning the incidence of trafficking of women and children in Mexico.

232.The Committee notes with concern that the minimum age for marriage in many states of the State party is 14 years for girls and 16 years for boys, subject to the parents’ consent, and that the age of sexual consent is only 12 years for girls and boys.

233.The Committee is concerned about the high percentage of children below the age of 16 who are engaged in child labour, primarily in the agricultural and industrial sectors where they reportedly often work under poor and hazardous conditions.

234.The Committee reiterates its deep concern that, despite the State party’s efforts to reduce poverty, more than 40 million people continue to live in poverty, in particular members of indigenous communities and other disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, such as indigenous women, agricultural workers, workers in the informal sector, and older persons. The Committee is equally concerned about the unequal distribution of wealth between the northern and southern states of the State party and between rural and urban areas.

235.The Committee notes with concern that existing housing programmes do not adequately address the housing needs of the poor. It reiterates its concern about the absence in the State party’s report of any statistical information on the number of forced evictions and on the extent of homelessness in the country.

236.The Committee is concerned about the high rate of maternal mortality caused by unsafe abortions, in particular as regards girls and young women, about reports on obstruction of access to legal abortion after rape, e.g. by misinformation, lack of clear guidelines, abusive behaviour directed at pregnant rape victims by public prosecutors and health personnel, and legal impediments in cases of incest, and about the lack of access to reproductive health services and education, especially in rural areas and in indigenous communities.

237.The Committee expresses its concern about the lack of teachers in primary and secondary schools, especially in indigenous and remote areas, the low school attendance by indigenous children, their comparatively poor school performance, the high illiteracy rate among the indigenous population and the limited access to education for, in particular, indigenous and migrant children and agricultural workers under the age of completion of compulsory education. The Committee is also concerned about the reduction in the budget allocated to intercultural and bilingual education.

238.The Committee notes with concern that the collective authorship of indigenous peoples of their traditional knowledge and cultural heritage is not protected by the Federal Copyright Act or in other legislation of the State party.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

239.The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the indigenous and local communities affected by the La Parota hydroelectric dam project or other large-scale projects on the lands and territories which they own or traditionally occupy or use are duly consulted, and that their prior informed consent is sought, in any decision-making processes related to these projects affecting their rights and interests under the Covenant, in line with ILO Convention No. 169 (1989) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. The Committee also urges the State party to recognize the rights of ownership and possession of indigenous communities to the lands traditionally occupied by them, to ensure that adequate compensation and/or alternative accommodation and land for cultivation are provided to the indigenous communities and local farmers affected by the construction of the La Parota dam or other construction projects under the Plan Puebla‑Panama, and that their economic, social and cultural rights are safeguarded. In this regard, the State party is referred to the Committee’s general comments No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health (art. 12) and No. 15 (2002) on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant).

240.The Committee encourages the State party to consider adopting legislation on gender equality at the federal and state levels. It calls on the State party to ensure that all federated states adopt and effectively implement laws on sexual harassment and that any provisions contrary to article 3 of the Covenant are repealed in federal and state legislation.

241.The Committee recommends that the State party gradually regularize the situation of workers employed in the informal sector and to continue and intensify its job placement programmes and financial support for persons seeking employment.

242.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that wages fixed by the National Wages Commission or negotiated between workers and employers secure for all workers and employees, in particular women and indigenous workers, a decent living for themselves and their families, in accordance with article 7 (a) (ii) of the Covenant.

243.The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to improve the working conditions of indigenous workers by, inter alia, adopting and/or implementing relevant legislation, enforcing the Federal Act for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination and corresponding state legislation, increasing the number and effectiveness of labour inspections in indigenous communities, and by sanctioning employers who violate minimum labour standards.

244.The Committee urges the State party to amend the Federal Labour Act or other legislation, with a view to prohibiting the practice of requiring non-pregnancy certificates from women as a condition of employment and to sanction employers who fail to comply with these provisions.

245.The Committee recommends that the State party review its labour legislation with a view to removing any restrictions on trade union rights other than those necessary in a democratic society in the interest of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. It reiterates its request that the State party consider withdrawing its interpretative statement to article 8 of the Covenant and ratifying ILO Convention No. 98 (1949) on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining. The Committee urges the State party to implement the judgements of the Supreme Court of Mexico declaring illegal the imposition of a trade union monopoly in the public sector and the “exclusionary clause” providing that only members of the existing union at the workplace may be hired by public or private employers. It also recommends that the State party extend the competence of the National and State Human Rights Commissions to include considering alleged violations of labour rights, and to implement the recommendations concerning trade union freedom contained in the “Diagnosis on the human rights situation in Mexico” elaborated by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico.

246.The Committee recommends that the State party undertake a careful evaluation of the modifications proposed to the current retirement system through the Act concerning the Social Security and Services Institute for State Workers and of future modifications to other social security systems. This should ensure that such modifications do not lead to job insecurity for future pensioners nor to a decrease in the amount of their future pensions that would preclude them from enjoying an adequate standard of living.

247.The Committee urges the State party to extend the eligibility criteria for access to unemployment benefits in order to include all unemployed persons.

248.The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to provide social assistance to those who are presently without any protection, with a view to enabling persons and families in need, including informal sector workers and other disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families, to live a life in dignity.

249.The Committee urges the State party to proceed with the adoption of the General Act establishing a National System for Prevention, Protection, Assistance and Eradication of Violence against Women and Girls, of the envisaged amendments to the Constitution, the Federal Criminal Code, the Federal Civil Code, the Federal Act for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination and the Social Assistance Act and of other legislative projects, with a view to (a) providing adequate counselling and medical, psychological, as well as legal assistance to victims of domestic violence; (b) defining the offences of domestic violence and incest, as well as the sentences for perpetrators of such acts; and (c) providing for banning orders against perpetrators, as well as for compensation and alimony payments to victims, of domestic violence. The Committee also calls on the State party to ensure the harmonization and promulgation of legislation on domestic violence and incest in all its states, to strengthen and upgrade shelters for battered women and children and to intensify its awareness-raising campaigns and training of judges, prosecutors, police and medical personnel on the criminal nature of such acts. The Committee invites the State party to include information on the results of these measures and on the number of victims, perpetrators, convictions, the types of sanctions imposed and the assistance provided to victims in its next periodic report.

250.The Committee requests the State party to include, in its fifth periodic report, statistical information on the number of victims of trafficking, disaggregated on an annual basis by sex, age and national or ethnic origin, as well as on perpetrators, convictions, the types of sanctions imposed and the assistance provided to victims.

251.The Committee recommends that the State party raise and equalize the minimum age for marriage for boys and girls, as well as the age of sexual consent, at the federal and state levels.

252.The Committee recommends that the State party consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 (1973) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and that it accordingly raise the minimum working age from 14 years to the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, to no less than 15 years. The Committee also recommends that the State party invite representatives of Mexican civil society sector to participate in this evaluation process.

253.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the full integration of economic, social and cultural rights in its social development and poverty reduction strategies, specifically address the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and allocate sufficient funds for the implementation of these strategies. In this regard, the State party is referred to the Committee’s statement on “Poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights” (E/C.12/2001/10). The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to address the wide disparities between rich and poor, North and South, and between rural and urban areas. The Committee also recommends that the State party further develop indicators and benchmarks, disaggregated by sex, age, urban/rural population and social and ethnic group, for monitoring the progress achieved in combating poverty, and that it report on such progress in its next report.

254.The Committee recommends that the State party adopt comprehensive national housing legislation, including legislation on rent control, and that it promote affordable rental housing and invest in social housing in order to meet the needs of the poor and of low-paid workers. It reiterates its request for detailed information in the State party’s next periodic report on the number of forced evictions, the manner in which these are carried out and on the remedial measures, legislative and otherwise, taken by the State party in relation to forced evictions, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant): forced evictions. The Committee also requests the State party to include statistical information on the extent of homelessness in the State party, disaggregated by age, sex, urban/rural population and ethnic group, in its next report.

255.The Committee recommends to the State party to ensure and monitor the full access of rape victims to legal abortion, to implement the Equal Start in Life Programme in all of its states, to ensure full access by everyone, especially by girls and young women, to reproductive health services and education, especially in rural areas and in indigenous communities, and to allocate sufficient resources for these purposes.

256.The Committee urges the State party to increase the number of primary and secondary school teachers, especially in indigenous and remote areas, as well as the budget for education, in particular for intercultural and bilingual education, to strengthen and upgrade schooling programmes for indigenous and migrant children, child workers and children belonging to other disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in particular girls, and to report on the progress made in achieving universal access to compulsory primary and secondary education in its next report.

257.The Committee recommends that the State party consider the adoption of legislation to recognize, register and protect the collective authorship of indigenous peoples of their traditional knowledge and cultural heritage and to prevent the unauthorized use of scientific, literary and artistic productions of indigenous peoples by third parties, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 17 (2005) on 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 or she is the author (art. 15).

258.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society, particularly among government officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report. It also encourages the State party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

259.The Committee requests the State party to submit its combined fifth and sixth periodic reports by 30 June 2012.

MOROCCO

260.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the third periodic report of Morocco on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1994/104/Add.29) at its 16th, 17th and 18th meetings, held on 10 and 11 May 2006, and made public, at its 29th meeting, held on 19 May 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

261.The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of the State party, which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines. It notes with satisfaction the written replies to the list of issues (E/C.12/Q/MAR/2). It regrets, however, that one section of the written replies was not transmitted in time to be translated into the Committee’s other working languages.

262.The Committee welcomes the constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party.

B. Positive aspects

263.The Committee acknowledges Morocco’s efforts to protect human rights and welcomes the legislative reforms to improve the status of women, particularly certain provisions of the new Family Code of 2004.

264.The Committee notes with satisfaction the restructuring of the Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH) and the establishment of the Diwan Al Madhalim, the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), and the Equity and Reconciliation Commission.

265.The Committee notes with appreciation the National Disability Survey undertaken by the State party in 2004 with support from the European Union and the National Programme for Community-based Rehabilitation 2006-2008, intended to help disabled persons, which was developed with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

266.The Committee notes with satisfaction that the age of consent to marriage has been set at 18 for men and women alike, and is interested to note that the State party has developed a national plan of action for children for the decade 2005-2015.

267.The Committee takes note with satisfaction of the adoption of the new Labour Code in 2003.

268.The Committee is pleased that human rights are taught to students at all stages of the school system, and that members of the national legal service and public officials, including law enforcement officers, receive human rights training.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

269.The Committee notes that certain traditions, customs and cultural practices in Morocco continue to prevent women from fully exercising their rights under the Covenant.

270.The Committee notes the disastrous effects of earthquakes in some regions of the State party, such as Al-Hoceima, on the rights enshrined in the Covenant, particularly the right to housing, a problem which affects women and children in particular.

271.The Committee notes that the Moroccan national human rights institution is connected to the Ministry of Justice, which could impede its independence.

D. Principal subjects of concern

272.The Committee notes with regret that important points raised in its concluding observations in 1994 (E/C.12/1994/5) and in 2000 (E/C.12/1/Add.55) have not been taken into consideration, and that the State party has not effectively addressed the main concerns raised during the consideration of its initial report and its second periodic report, which still need to be addressed, namely:

(a)The lack of data and statistics on the homeless, evictions, access to drinking water and electricity, women’s employment and the status of the Amazigh people;

(b)The fact that no clear solution has yet been found to the question of self‑determination for the people of Western Sahara. The Committee notes with concern reports of the straitened circumstances endured by people displaced by the conflict in Western Sahara, particularly women and children, who apparently suffer multiple violations of their rights under the Covenant;

(c)Obstacles to the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in article 8 of the Covenant, such as the cumbersome administrative formalities for setting up trade unions;

(d)The continued restrictions on the right to strike stemming from article 288 of the Criminal Code, which contravene article 8 of the Covenant;

(e)The large number of children living on the street;

(f)The persistently high rate of maternal mortality, despite the State party’s efforts.

273.The Committee is concerned at the lack of legal remedies available to victims of violations of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

274.The Committee notes with regret that polygamy, despite the restrictions placed on it by the new Family Code, continues to be practised in Morocco. The Committee recalls that polygamy is a violation of a woman’s dignity and constitutes discrimination against women.

275.The Committee continues to be concerned that, despite the progress made in the new Family Code, particularly with regard to the procedure for divorce by mutual consent, the abolition of compulsory matrimonial guardianship for women and restrictions on one-sided divorce, Moroccan legislation still contains some discriminatory provisions, particularly with regard to inheritance and criminal matters.

276.The Committee notes with concern that domestic servants and agricultural workers are not protected by the 2003 Labour Code and are thus exposed to exploitation.

277.While acknowledging the measures taken by the State party to promote employment, the Committee remains concerned at the alarmingly and persistently high level of unemployment in Morocco, particularly among the young. In this respect, it notes with concern that scant employment opportunities and low salaries lead to the emigration of individuals of working age.

278.The Committee is concerned at the lack of effective remedies for workers in cases of unfair dismissal and at the refusal by employers to pay termination indemnities.

279.The Committee is concerned at the inadequate provision of occupational medical care in private companies in Morocco and at the lack of statistics on conditions of employment and occupational health and safety in such companies.

280.The Committee notes with concern that coverage under the social security system in Morocco remains inadequate and unequally distributed between rural and urban areas and among the regions.

281.The Committee notes with concern that the minimum retirement pension of 500 dirhams paid by the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) does not guarantee an adequate standard of living for retirees and their families.

282.The Committee acknowledges the efforts made by the State party to combat domestic violence, but notes with concern that the State party’s Criminal Code contains no specific provision making domestic violence a punishable offence.

283.The Committee observes that sexual harassment in the workplace is regarded as serious misconduct under the State party’s Labour Code, but remains concerned that such conduct is not an offence under the Criminal Code.

284.The Committee takes note with concern of the situation of unaccompanied migrant children who are repatriated.

285.The Committee takes note with concern of the privatization of public services such as water and electricity in urban centres in Morocco, the effect of which is to impose an additional economic burden on families living in shanty towns and thus aggravate their poverty.

286.The Committee is particularly concerned at reports of poor housing conditions in Morocco for displaced persons, minorities and, particularly, people dwelling in shanty towns, where the population density is said to hamper the effective enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee notes with concern that the State party has not done enough to counter the adverse effects of earthquakes in regions such as Al-Hoceima on the right to housing.

287.The Committee reiterates its concern at the fact that, despite the State party’s efforts to reduce poverty, 17 per cent of the population is still living in poverty and 70 per cent of the poor live in rural areas.

288.The Committee is concerned at the possible adverse effects of free-trade agreements which entered into force in 2006. It appears that these agreements, which raise the costs of medical supplies and drugs, could impinge on the rights enshrined in the Covenant, particularly the right to health.

289.The Committee notes with concern that the State party has a two-speed education system with a striking difference in level between public and private education which denies equal opportunities to low-income sectors of society. It is also concerned at the disparities in school enrolment rates between girls and boys and between rural and urban areas. It is also concerned that primary and secondary education is given in Arabic whereas higher education in scientific subjects is available only in French, making it difficult for pupils from the public sector to enrol.

290.The Committee takes note of the State party’s efforts to implement literacy programmes. It regrets, however, that such programmes are conducted only in Arabic, thereby preventing adult, non-Arabic-speaking Amazigh people from becoming literate in their mother tongue.

291.The Committee takes note of the action taken by the State party to promote Amazigh culture. It is nevertheless concerned that Amazigh names are not accepted by municipal registry offices. It also observes that, since Arabic is the only official language in the State party, the Amazigh population, which makes up a large part of the Moroccan population, is denied the right to use its mother tongue in official business, and that the right of the Amazigh people to their cultural identity is not fully respected.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

292.The Committee recommends that the State party follow up the specific concerns raised in connection with its initial report and its second periodic report, and urges it to act on the Committee’s suggestions and recommendations in that regard.

293.The Committee recommends that the State party establish a reliable database so that it can monitor, over time, the realization of each of the rights enshrined in the Covenant, and extract information for the Committee about the exercise of those rights.

294.The Committee again encourages the State party to make every effort to find a clear and definitive solution to the issue of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. The Committee calls on the State party to take steps to protect the rights of persons displaced by the conflict in Western Sahara and to ensure their safety.

295.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party should take legislative and other measures to give effect to all the provisions of the Covenant.

296.The Committee urges the State party to provide in its fourth periodic report accurate and detailed information on, and real-life examples of, the legal remedies available to victims of violations of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

297.The Committee encourages the State party to step up its efforts to respect and protect the rights of women, and recommends that it abolish polygamy once and for all.

298.The Committee encourages the State party to bring its national legislation fully into line with the Covenant, by abolishing any discriminatory provisions and guaranteeing equal treatment for men and women in the effective enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights.

299.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party should take legislative and other measures to regulate the working and employment conditions of domestic servants in order to guarantee enjoyment of their rights and social protection.

300.The Committee recommends that the State party implement a plan of action specifically to combat youth unemployment, based on vocational training, apprenticeships and any other measure that could facilitate young people’s access to employment.

301.The Committee urges the State party to establish effective remedies for workers who have been unfairly dismissed and to launch publicity campaigns to make workers aware of their rights under the Covenant.

302.The Committee requests the State party to take steps to ensure that private companies actually have occupational medical officers available and to provide information and statistics on conditions of employment and occupational health and safety in such companies.

303.The Committee again urges the State party to bring its labour legislation into line with article 8 of the Covenant by amending article 288 of the Criminal Code.

304.The Committee encourages the State party to remove the administrative obstacles to the exercise of the right to organize, including through the prompt issuance of an acknowledgement of receipt for an application to form a trade union. It also invites the State party to expedite ratification of ILO Convention No. 87 (1948) concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize.

305.The Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to ensure that coverage under the social security system, including unemployment, sickness, maternity and family benefits, is equally distributed between rural and urban areas and among the regions. In this connection, the Committee recommends that the State party consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 102 (1952) concerning Social Security (Minimum Standards) and ILO Convention No. 118 (1962) concerning Equality of Treatment of Nationals and Non-Nationals in Social Security.

306.The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that the national plan of action for children for the decade 2005-2015 emphasizes the reintegration of street children in society, to take tougher action against child abandonment, and to ensure that neglected or abandoned children receive appropriate care and rehabilitation. The State party should take effective steps to address the underlying causes of the neglect and abandonment of children by, in particular, making greater assistance available to families with children.

307.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that unaccompanied migrant children who are repatriated are adequately assisted, rehabilitated and protected.

308.The Committee recommends that the State party increase the minimum retirement pension to enable retirees and their families to enjoy an adequate standard of living.

309.The Committee invites the State party to step up its efforts to combat domestic violence by making such violence an offence under the Criminal Code and by providing law enforcement personnel and judges with training on the criminal nature of domestic violence.

310.The Committee urges the State party to take such action as is necessary to improve housing conditions in shanty towns and elsewhere. It exhorts the State party to provide assistance to earthquake victims, particularly women and children, and to take preventive action to ensure that housing is built in accordance with the rules applicable to earthquake-prone areas. The State party should redouble its efforts to rehouse the disaster-struck population of Al-Hoceima.

311.The Committee invites the State party to take the necessary legislative measures to make sexual harassment in the workplace an offence under the Criminal Code.

312.The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to ensure that families living in poverty in shanty towns have access to public services. It recommends that the State party take due account of its general comments No. 3 (1990), on the nature of States parties’ obligations (article 2, paragraph 1 of the Covenant), No. 7 (1997), on the right to adequate housing (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant): forced evictions, and No. 15 (2002), on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant).

313.The Committee encourages the State party to pursue its efforts to combat maternal mortality and redouble its efforts to improve the effectiveness of programmes addressing this problem.

314.The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party should step up its efforts to reduce poverty, including in rural areas, and improve its social development strategies, which should cover economic, social and cultural rights. In this respect, the Committee refers the State party to its statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted by the Committee on 4 May 2001 (E/C.12/2001/10). The Committee requests the State party to include in its next periodic report disaggregated comparative data on the number of people living in poverty and on the progress made in combating poverty.

315.The Committee strongly recommends that the State party take into account, in negotiations and bilateral agreements, all the obligations incumbent upon it under the Covenant, so as not to impinge upon economic, social and cultural rights. It recommends that the State party evaluate the impact of the free-trade agreements that entered into force in 2006 on the economic, social and cultural rights of the people of Morocco, especially the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

316.The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary steps to bolster the public schooling system and achieve equality in education between girls and boys and between rural and urban areas. The Committee encourages the State party to take the necessary steps to ensure that higher education in scientific subjects is also available in Arabic.

317.The Committee recommends that the State party set up literacy programmes in the Amazigh language. It also invites the State party to provide free schooling in Amazigh at all levels.

318.The Committee invites the State party to consider making Amazigh an official language under the Constitution. It encourages the State party to take the necessary steps to enable parents to give their children an Amazigh name. It also urges the State party to take the necessary steps to guarantee fully the right of the Amazigh community to exercise its own cultural identity, in accordance with article 15, paragraph 1 (a), of the Covenant, which establishes the right to take part in cultural life.

319.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society and, in particular, among State officials and the judiciary, and to inform the Committee in its fourth periodic report about all steps taken to implement them. It invites the State party to involve non-governmental organizations in the formulation of that report.

320.Lastly, the Committee requests the State party to submit its fourth periodic report by 2009, and to provide therein detailed information on all action it has taken in response to the recommendations made in these concluding observations.

Thirty-seventh session

ALBANIA

321.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of Albania on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1990/5/Add.67) at its 45th, 46th and 47th meetings, held on 15 and 16 November 2006, and adopted, at its 55th meeting held on 22 November 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

322.The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Albania, albeit late, which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, and the written replies to its list of issues.

323.The Committee welcomes the constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which included a number of representatives from various government departments, as well as the delegation’s answers to the questions asked by the Committee.

B. Positive aspects

324.The Committee notes with satisfaction that the Covenant has been incorporated into domestic law and can be invoked in the country’s courts.

325.The Committee notes with satisfaction the ratification of ILO Convention No. 102 (1952) on Social Security (Minimum Standards), in January 2006.

326.The Committee notes with satisfaction the enactment of a law aimed at strengthening the authority of the People’s Advocate (the Ombudsman), in May 2005.

327.The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Law on Gender Equality, in 2004.

328.The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of the National Strategy on the Improvement of the Living Conditions of the Roma Community, in 2004.

329.The Committee welcomes the adoption of the National Education Action Plan 2005-2015 on Pre-university Education, in 2004.

330.The Committee notes with appreciation the amendment to the Labour Code of the State party, improving the labour conditions of pregnant and breastfeeding women, in 2003.

331.The Committee notes with satisfaction that the Labour Code enshrines the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace.

332.The Committee appreciates the favourable position of the State party concerning the elaboration of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

333.The Committee notes the absence of any factors or difficulties preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party.

D. Principal subjects of concern

334.The Committee is concerned about the existing gap between legislation in the field of economic, social and cultural rights and its actual implementation and regrets that the report as a whole does not contain sufficient information on the practical implementation of the Covenant.

335.The Committee notes with regret that, although the Covenant forms part of the domestic law and is directly applicable in the courts of the State party, no information was provided on specific decisions which contain references to, or confirm the direct applicability of, the provisions of the Covenant.

336.The Committee is concerned about the reported lack of independence, security and training of the judiciary in the State party.

337.The Committee is deeply concerned that the State party has not been able to effectively address the widespread and serious problem of corruption and preferential treatment based on family ties within all areas of government and public administration.

338.The Committee is concerned that the data-collection methods of the State party do not seem to be fully reliable, including statistics on poverty, unemployment and migration. The Committee is concerned that lack of reliable data may entail serious implications for the effectiveness of government policies and programmes designed to address the needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

339.The Committee is concerned that lack of registration of places of residence and other identity documents places practical limitations on the enjoyment of rights, including social security, health services and education. The Committee is concerned about reports that the high civil registration fees can be prohibitive for many disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families, and that the Roma also face particular difficulties in obtaining personal identification documents, including registration of residence.

340.The Committee is concerned that ethnic minorities in Albania, in particular the Roma and the Egyptian communities, suffer from discrimination and serious disadvantages in access to services and only enjoy limited protection of their economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee is also seriously concerned about reports of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by law enforcement officials vis-à-vis these persons, notwithstanding the explanation provided by the State party that they are isolated incidents.

341.The Committee, while noting the position of the State party, remains concerned that unlike other minority groups such as Greeks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, the Roma and the Vlach, the State party has not granted the Egyptian community in Albania the status of a minority group, thus denying them the same guarantees and protective measures enjoyed by other minority groups.

342.The Committee notes with concern the continued unequal status of women in Albania, in part owing to the legacies of the customary law (the kanun). The Committee is also concerned that the Committee for Gender Equality (CGE), under the authority of the Council of Ministers, is not equipped with sufficient authority, mandate or resources to be able to carry out its functions effectively. The Committee notes with regret that the National Platform for Gender Equality (2002-2005) was never approved nor financed by central Government.

343.The Committee expresses its concern about the high levels of unemployment that continue to persist in the State party, especially in rural areas and among members of ethnic minorities, including the Roma and Egyptian communities.

344.The Committee is concerned that the current minimum wage, applicable only to the public sector, is insufficient to provide an adequate standard of living for workers and their families. The Committee is further concerned about the absence of a legal minimum wage in the private sector.

345.The Committee, while noting that the Labour Code prohibits employment of persons under 16 except for light labour, notes with concern the high percentage of children below the age of 16 who work, sometimes in hazardous conditions. The Committee is particularly concerned about children, many of them Roma, who work in the streets and are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

346.The Committee is concerned that the prohibition by the State party of strikes by civil servants who do not provide essential services constitutes a restriction of the activities of trade unions that is beyond the scope of article 8 (2) of the Covenant. The Committee also considers the legal requirement for 30 days of mediation prior to initiating a strike, to be an excessive restriction of the workers’ right to collective bargaining.

347.The Committee regrets the lack of information provided by the State party about the extent to which social assistance benefits the most disadvantaged and marginalized persons and families in practice, including those living in rural areas and the Roma. The Committee is concerned that the amount of financial assistance awarded is not sufficient vis-à-vis the real cost of living. The Committee is also concerned that it did not receive sufficient assurances during the dialogue regarding equality of access to social assistance, particularly in the face of reports of corruption and favouritism within the public administration.

348.The Committee is gravely concerned about the pervasiveness of domestic violence and other forms of abuse and ill-treatment against women and children in the State party, which often go unreported. While welcoming the information that a draft law on domestic violence is being prepared by the Parliament, the Committee remains concerned about the absence of a coherent strategy to support victims of domestic violence.

349.The Committee is gravely concerned by the legacy of the Kanun (customary law) and the persistence of the “vendetta” or honour killings, particularly in the north and the north-eastern parts of the country. The Committee deplores the destructive effect of these blood feuds and killings on family life.

350.While welcoming the amendment to the Penal Code by the State party in 2001 to include anti-trafficking articles which increased the punishment for trafficking in persons, the Committee remains concerned that internal and cross-border trafficking in persons continues to be a serious problem in the State party. The Committee is also concerned that the victims of trafficking in persons are penalized, due to the Criminal Code provision which punishes anyone who engages in the act of prostitution. The Committee is also concerned by the lack of appropriate care for such victims.

351.While noting the progress made by the State party to combat poverty through the National Strategy on Social and Economic Development and the Poverty Strategy, the Committee remains concerned about the extent of poverty in the State party, especially in rural areas and among the Roma and members of other ethnic minorities. The Committee is also concerned that the resettlement measures from rural to urban areas has led to the concentration of government programmes to develop infrastructure, education, health care and other essential facilities in urban areas to the detriment of the rural population. The Committee is also concerned that the strategies of the State party to alleviate poverty do not sufficiently address the regional disparities that affect the equal enjoyment by all of economic, social and cultural rights in the State party.

352.The Committee is concerned about the reports of discriminatory treatment by the authorities against members of Roma and Egyptian communities by the State party with respect to forced evictions and in the provision of alternative accommodation or compensation. The Committee regrets the lack of sufficient information concerning forced evictions and the specific conditions under which they can occur. The Committee also expresses concern about the housing conditions in which the rural population, the Roma and the Egyptian community live, which is aggravated by the lack of basic infrastructure and access to basic services.

353.The Committee is concerned that the budget allocation on health, including public health, is declining. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of basic health services in rural areas.

354.The Committee is concerned about the very high incidence of infant and maternal mortality, and the prevalence of illegal abortions.

355.The Committee is concerned that the planned closures of psychiatric hospitals will leave mentally ill patients without adequate protection, unless alternative measures are taken before the closure.

356.The Committee regrets the lack of sufficient information regarding the quality of education in the State party in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 13 (1999) on the right to education (art. 13), albeit welcoming information on the planned reform of the educational system. The Committee is particularly concerned about: the decreasing budget allocation for education and its impact on the quality of education; the poor infrastructure in schools; and the low salaries for teachers. The Committee also regrets the lack of specific information provided by the State party about measures taken to address the situation of children in rural areas and children prevented from attending school due to threats of “vendetta” violence. The Committee is further concerned about the increasing predominance of private educational service providers and the consequent negative implications for access to education by lower‑income groups.

357.The Committee regrets the lack of information provided by the State party on educational measures taken to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all groups, in line with article 13 of the Covenant.

358.The Committee is concerned that a high percentage of Roma children, especially girls, are not enrolled in school, or drop out at a very early stage of their schooling, despite the measures undertaken by the State party to increase educational opportunities for them, including the “Second Chance” Project.

359.The Committee is concerned that the current budget allocation for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is insufficient for a full-fledged participation in, and development of, cultural life in the State party. The Committee also regrets the lack of information on measures taken by the State party to preserve, protect and promote minority languages and cultures.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

360.The Committee requests that the State party submit in its next periodic report comparative statistical data on an annual basis, disaggregated by sex, age and urban/rural residence, paying particular attention to the disadvantaged and marginalized groups of society.

361.The Committee urges the State party to include detailed information on the practical implementation of the Covenant in its next periodic report.

362.The Committee recommends that the State party should consider adopting a national action plan in the field of human rights, in accordance with paragraph 71 of the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Furthermore, the Committee strongly recommends that the State party provide more support and resources to the office of the People’s Advocate (the Ombudsman).

363.The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

364.The Committee urges the State party to ensure the justiciability of the Covenant rights in domestic courts and draws its attention to general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant. It invites the State party to include information concerning case law on the application of the Covenant in its next periodic report.

365.The Committee stresses the importance of an independent judiciary for the enjoyment of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee strongly urges the State party to take all necessary measures to ensure the independence, integrity, security and training of the judiciary.

366.The Committee strongly urges the State party to take effective measures to combat corruption and preferential treatment based on family ties within all areas of government and public administration and, in particular, to increase transparency and consultations at all levels of decision-making.

367.The Committee emphasizes that a human rights approach to government actions must begin with a proper understanding of the actual situation in respect of each right, accurate identification of the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups, and the formulation of appropriate laws, programmes and policies. It urges the national statistical agency and relevant ministries to review the ways in which data relating to all rights are collected in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant.

368.The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the lack of registration and other personal identity documents do not become an obstacle to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights including social security, health services and education. In this regard, the Committee also recommends the State party to undertake public awareness campaigns on the importance of birth and other forms of civil registration, and consider lowering the registration fees.

369.The Committee calls on the State party to intensify its efforts to promote ethnic tolerance, e.g. by including this subject in school curricula and through training of teachers and public awareness campaigns, and to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the integration of persons of a different ethnic origin. The Committee also urges the State party to provide specific training to law enforcement officers to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour, national or ethnic origin. Incidents of police violence should be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators promptly brought to justice.

370.The Committee invites the State party to reconsider its position with regard to the recognition of the Egyptian community in accordance with recognized international standards, including the 1995 Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to which Albania is a party.

371.The Committee recommends that the State party step up the necessary measures, legislative or otherwise, to promote equality between men and women, as required by article 2, paragraph 2, and article 3 of the Covenant. In this regard, the Committee invites the State party to consider establishing an independent mechanism for the coordination and evaluation of all activities relating to gender equality. Such a body should be given a strong mandate and equipped with sufficient human and financial resources to carry out its coordinating role effectively.

372.The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to combat unemployment through special targeted programmes, including programmes aimed at reducing unemployment among disadvantaged and marginalized groups. The Committee, also noting the high levels of rural to urban migration, recommends that the State party take measures to stimulate rural development, inter alia, through local employment initiatives. The Committee invites the State party to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 2 (1919) on Unemployment and Convention No. 122 (1964) on Employment Policy.

373.The Committee invites the State party to consider introducing a legal minimum wage that is applicable to all workers irrespective of their employment in the private or the public sectors. The Committee further encourages the State party to establish an effective system of indexation and regular adjustment of the minimum wage to the cost of living and to ensure that the minimum wage enables workers and their families to enjoy an adequate standard of living, in accordance with article 7 (a) (ii) of the Covenant.

374.The State party is urged to take all necessary measures to ensure that legislation protecting minors against economic and social exploitation and their right to education are rigorously enforced, and that employers are duly sanctioned in cases of violation.

375.The Committee reminds the State party that the provisions of article 8 guarantee for all persons the right to freely form and join trade unions, the right to engage in collective bargaining through trade unions for the promotion and protection of their economic and social interests, as well as the right to strike. The Committee recommends that the State party take appropriate measures to amend the Labour Code so as to liberalize the existing limitations on the right to strike and to ensure that the prohibition against striking for civil servants does not exceed the ILO definition of essential services.

376.The Committee calls upon the State party to ensure that targeted social assistance depending on family income is guaranteed to all disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families, and that such assistance does not fall below the subsistence level. It also requests the State party to review its institutional arrangements within the public administration to ensure that those responsible for social assistance payments comply with criteria of equal treatment and transparency. The Committee further recommends the State party to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 117 (1962) on Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) and Convention No. 118 (1962) on Equality of Treatment (Social Security).

377.The Committee requests the State party to provide in its next periodic report detailed information on the extent of domestic violence, and the legislative measures and policies adopted by the State party to address that phenomenon, including facilities and remedies provided for victims. The Committee recommends the State party to adopt, without delay, the law on domestic violence. The Committee urges the State party to undertake information campaigns in order to increase public awareness and to provide training to law enforcement officials and judges on the serious and criminal nature of domestic violence. The Committee further recommends that the State party allocate resources to ensure that crisis centres are available where victims of domestic violence can obtain safe lodging and necessary assistance.

378.The Committee, while underlining the obligation of the State party under article 10 of the Covenant, strongly recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to eliminate the practice of “vendetta” killings and other forms of violence which originate from the Kanun which endanger family life, and the lives of women and children. The Committee recommends that the State party take rigorous measures to prosecute those who engage or collaborate in these killings and other forms of violence, and undertake extensive and far-reaching public awareness campaign on the destructive effect of this violence on the physical and moral integrity of families and in particular women and children.

379.The Committee calls on the State party to strengthen its measures to combat trafficking in persons, with particular emphasis on the protection of victims and ensuring that those responsible for such trafficking are duly prosecuted. The Committee strongly recommends the State party review its Criminal Code with a view to addressing the needs of victims of trafficking. The State party is encouraged to undertake training programmes for law enforcement officials and the judiciary to ensure that they are sensitized to the rights and the needs of victims to provide better protection and appropriate care for such victims, and to ensure that they can claim redress before courts of law.

380.The Committee urges the State party to ensure the full integration of economic, social and cultural rights in its social development and poverty reduction strategies, and allocate sufficient funds for the implementation of these strategies. In this regard, the Committee refers the State party to the statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2001/10) which the Committee adopted on 4 May 2001. The Committee encourages the State party to develop indicators and benchmarks on an annual basis, disaggregated by gender, age, urban-rural population and ethnic background for the purpose of specifically assessing the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and requests that this information be included in the next periodic report. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that its resettlement programmes from rural to urban areas do not lead to a concentration of infrastructure, education, health care and other essential facilities in favour of urban areas to the detriment of the rural population; and to take all remedial measures to address the regional disparities that affect the equal enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

381.The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to provide evicted persons with adequate compensation or with alternative accommodation, in accordance with the guidelines set out in general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant): forced evictions by the Committee. The State party should also ensure that adequate housing is available to disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant). The Committee recommends that the State party consider enacting legislation that ensures the right to housing, and adopting a national plan of action on housing, with particular attention to low-income families. The Committee also encourages the State party to take necessary steps to legalize the existing Roma and Egyptian settlements, removing the constant threat of eviction under which they live.

382.The Committee urges the State party to undertake the necessary measures to improve its health services, by, inter alia, increasing the budgetary allocations to the health sector and extending basic health services to rural areas. The Committee invites the State party to identify disaggregated indicators on the right to health and appropriate national benchmarks in relation to such indicators, in accordance with the Committee’s general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health (art. 12), and to include, in its next periodic report, information and comparative statistical data on the progress made, on an annual basis, with particular attention to rural areas.

383.The Committee urges the State party to allocate sufficient resources to ensure that reproductive health services and education, as well as adequate perinatal and post-natal health‑care services are available and fully accessible to women and girls, including those in rural areas.

384.The Committee requests the State party to provide information on any vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures undertaken and the results achieved, including relevant data, in its next periodic report.

385.The Committee encourages the State party to consider alternative forms of mental health treatment, including outpatient treatment.

386.The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to allocate the required resources to improve the quality of education offered in schools at all levels, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 13 (1999) on the right to education (art. 13). The Committee recommends that the State party conducts a re-examination of the functions and quality of the public education system relative to private education, with a view to strengthening the former and easing the burden on low-income groups imposed by the latter; a study of accessibility of schools at all levels and specific actions to be taken to ensure equal and safe access by all sectors of society.

387.The Committee recommends the State party to carry out a reassessment of the curricula at all levels of instruction directed at promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to include information in this regard in its next periodic report.

388.The Committee urges the State party to continue to take effective measures to increase school attendance by Roma children, especially girls, including at the secondary level, including, inter alia, through the grant of scholarships and the reimbursement of expenses for schoolbooks and travel to attend school, and recruiting additional school personnel from among members of the Roma community.

389.The Committee encourages the State party to consider increasing the proportion of budget allocated to cultural development and participation in cultural life in line with article 15 of the Covenant. The Committee requests the State party to include in its next periodic report information on measures taken to preserve, protect and promote minority cultures and languages.

390.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society, particularly among government officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report. It also encourages the State party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

391.The Committee invites the State party to update its core document in accordance with the 2006 harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties.

392.The Committee requests the State party to submit its combined second and third periodic reports by 30 June 2009.

EL SALVADOR

393.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the second periodic report of El Salvador on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1990/6/Add.39) at its 36th and 37th meetings, held on 8 and 9 November 2006, and at its 53rd meeting, held on 21 November 2006, adopted the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

394.The Committee welcomes with satisfaction the second periodic report of the State party and its written replies to the list of issues. It regrets, however, that, as was also the case in 1996, its written replies were not submitted sufficiently in advance to allow them to be translated into the Committee’s other working languages.

395.The Committee is pleased with the frank and constructive dialogue that it held with the delegation of the State party.

B. Positive aspects

396.The Committee notes with satisfaction that, during the period covered by the second periodic report, the State party ratified a number of international instruments, in particular the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Protocol of San Salvador) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize of 1948 and ILO Convention No. 98 concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organize and to Bargain Collectively of 1949.

397.The Committee notes with satisfaction the State party’s various plans and measures, such as the Presidential Programme on Opportunities, the Plan and National Council for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, the labour inspections carried out by the Directorate-General for Labour Inspection, and the various measures to assist Salvadoran migrants in other countries.

398.The Committee welcomes the Domestic Violence Act adopted in 1996 and article 200 of the new Criminal Code of 1998, which criminalizes domestic violence.

399.The Committee welcomes the fact that the National Housing Policy, adopted in June 2005, explicitly recognizes the right to housing as a human right.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

400.The Committee notes that, during the period covered by the report, the State party was struck by a number of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Mitch in 1998, earthquakes in 2001, Tropical Storm Stan and the eruption of Santa Ana volcano in 2005, which impeded the full implementation of the Covenant.

D. Principal subjects of concern

401.The Committee notes with concern that, according to information it has received, some members of the Office of the Procurator for the Protection of Human Rights, including the Procurator herself, have received threats in the exercise of their duties. The Committee is also concerned at the apparent lack of coordination and communication between this institution and the Government.

402.Although it welcomes the establishment of the Salvadoran Institute for the Advancement of Women in 1996, the Committee notes with concern the discrimination faced by women in El Salvador, which is perpetuated by prejudices and traditional social conditions, in spite of the considerable number of legal instruments and programmes that have been adopted by the State party.

403.The Committee notes with concern that, although the unemployment rate in El Salvador has declined in recent years, the number of people working in the informal sector continues to be alarming.

404.The Committee is concerned at the insufficient level of the minimum wage, which does not allow workers and their families to live adequately in accordance with article 7 of the Covenant.

405.The Committee notes with concern that, although freedom of association and the right to strike are recognized in the Constitution and the Labour Code, in practice the exercise of these rights faces a series of obstacles. The Committee is disturbed at the fact that, as a consequence of the restrictions on the right to strike, most strikes have been declared illegal.

406.While it notes that labour inspections have increased in El Salvador, the Committee is concerned at the precarious labour status of certain persons, particularly women who work in maquiladoras (in-bond assembly and finishing plants), many of which do not respect the employment regulations and working conditions established in the Labour Code.

407.The Committee notes with concern reports that the social security system adopted in El Salvador in 1998 entrusted the administration of the pension fund to private organizations, dispensing with the principle of solidarity of the redistributive system. The Committee is also disturbed by the fact that this system does not establish the mechanisms necessary to guarantee that agricultural workers and domestic employees have access, and is not equally beneficial to men and women. The Committee regrets that it did not receive a reply to the oral questions that it put to the delegation on this matter.

408.The Committee notes with concern that the minimum coverage provided for in the new social security system is not sufficient to guarantee a decent standard of living and does not enable pensioners and their families to acquire the basic food basket.

409.While it notes that the State party has taken some steps to combat poverty, such as the poverty map, and a series of plans of action focusing on specific sectors of the population, the Committee deplores the great inequality in wealth distribution in El Salvador and the growing polarization between rich and poor. The Committee is also concerned at the inequality that exists between rural and urban areas, particularly with regard to medical services, education, wages and the quality of the basic food basket.

410.The Committee is concerned that, despite the constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples, their economic, social and cultural rights are not guaranteed in practice. It is particularly concerned that, since 1930 the State party has not carried out a census of indigenous peoples, and that the lack of statistics makes it difficult to evaluate these peoples’ effective exercise of the rights established by the Covenant.

411.The Committee notes with concern the adverse effects of the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in El Salvador on 1 March 2006, on the exercise of the rights established in the Covenant by the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

412.The Committee is concerned at the precarious situation of a growing number of families who do not have decent housing in El Salvador and who settle, for example, along the railway or rivers, or in volcanic areas.

413.The Committee notes with concern that, owing to a lack of economic opportunities, nearly one out of every three Salvadorans emigrates, and that this has negative consequences, such as the disintegration of the family, lack of protection for families, particularly women, who are forced to be heads of single-parent families, and children and adolescents, who do not receive adequate care, as well as the increase in violence and the spread of youth gangs (maras).

414.The Committee is concerned that, in spite of the País Seguro (Safe Country) plan, violence in El Salvador has increased, and that women have been the principal victims. It also notes with concern that the youth gangs (maras) are composed mainly of socially and economically marginalized young men, and that most of the gangs have arisen owing to problems such as unemployment, the use of child labour, urban violence and family disintegration.

415.The Committee regrets that, despite the State party’s efforts to eliminate child labour, particularly in the sugar cane sector, this practice persists in El Salvador, particularly in domestic service. The Committee is particularly alarmed at reports that girls, including very young girls, are employed as domestic workers, and regrets that it has not received any information in this regard from the State party.

416.The Committee considers that the budget allocated for the health sector is insufficient in order to provide adequate coverage for the population, in particular for vulnerable groups. It notes that access to health services is limited owing to the lack of financial means allocated by the State party to the public sector, and by the preference for a private-sector approach to the management, financing and provision of services, to the detriment of those who are unable to pay for such services.

417.The Committee notes with concern that, under the State party’s legal system, abortion is illegal in all circumstances, even when the life of the mother is in danger, and that clandestine abortions and HIV/AIDS are among the principal causes of women’s death.

418.The Committee notes with concern that the families of primary schoolchildren are obliged to pay fees even in the public system, and that the fact that secondary and higher education is mainly provided by private centres may increase the school dropout rate.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

419.The Committee encourages the State party to carry out investigations to identify and punish the authors of the threats received by the members of the Office of the Procurator for the Protection of Human Rights. It also recommends that the State party adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the proper functioning of this institution, for example by providing adequate financing and strengthening cooperation between the Office of the Procurator and the Government, including through the exchange of information.

420.The Committee requests the State party to ensure the equality of men and women in all spheres of life, in particular by taking effective measures to combat discrimination in the education of girls and young women, to facilitate their access to employment, to uphold the principle of equal pay for equal work and to ensure adequate working conditions. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a law on equal opportunities for men and women and ensure that the activities of the Salvadoran Institute for the Advancement of Women (ISDEMU) have an impact on women’s lives.

421.The Committee invites the State party to take effective measures, such as an employment action plan, to ensure the gradual reduction of the percentage of employment in the informal sector and of the unemployment rate.

422.The Committee urges the State party to take the necessary measures to ensure that the minimum wage enables workers and their families to enjoy an adequate standard of living.

423.The Committee encourages the State party to take the necessary steps to guarantee freedom of association and to remove administrative obstacles to the exercise of the right to strike. The Committee recommends that the restrictions on strikes should not become general practice.

424.The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that labour inspections are carried out regularly in places of work, particularly in the maquiladoras, and to ensure that victims of violations are provided with fair and satisfactory working conditions and with the means and information necessary to report violations to which they have been subjected.

425.The Committee recommends that the State party conduct an evaluation of the social security system adopted in 1998. The Committee requests the State party to establish the mechanisms necessary to guarantee that social coverage extends to agricultural and domestic workers and persons who have not been covered, and to grant equal benefits to men and women. The Committee requests the State party, in its next periodic report, to provide information on progress made in this regard.

426.The Committee requests the State party to take the necessary measures to establish effective mechanisms to guarantee that the minimum social security coverage allows pensioners and their families, who are members of the previous social security system or the new one, to have a decent standard of living.

427.The Committee calls upon the State party to take all necessary measures to reduce poverty and to improve its social development strategies, including coordination measures among the various institutions, as well as evaluations to assess the impact of plans and identify their shortcomings. Such measures should guarantee that the rights established in the Covenant are enjoyed to the same extent in both rural and urban areas. In this respect, the Committee invites the State party to take into consideration its statement on “Poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”, adopted on 4 May 2001 (E/C.12/2001/10).

428.The Committee encourages the State party to develop indicators and set annual objectives, disaggregated by sex, age, urban and rural population and ethnic group, in order to determine the specific needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and requests that this information be included in its next periodic report.

429.The Committee encourages the State party to conduct a census of the indigenous population, which will make it possible to ascertain the current situation with regard to the effective exercise of economic, social and cultural rights by indigenous peoples, and to provide, in its next periodic report, information on progress made in this area.

430.The Committee strongly recommends that the State party, in its negotiations and bilateral agreements, take account of all its obligations under the Covenant, and that such negotiations and agreements do not impinge on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee recommends that the State party assess the impact of the Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 1 March 2006, on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by its population, particularly the most vulnerable sectors, and adopt remedial measures, as required. The Committee also recommends that the State party consider the possibility of re‑establishing the Forum for Economic and Social Consultation, bearing in mind its inspiring principles. The Committee requests the State party, in its third periodic report, to provide precise and detailed information on this subject.

431.The Committee encourages the State party to take the necessary steps to guarantee the right to housing, paying special attention to risk areas. It calls upon the State party to take effective preventive measures, ensuring that housing is constructed in accordance with the standards for resisting earthquakes and cyclones, and to adopt a national territorial classification plan, avoiding construction in areas prone to natural disasters. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comments No. 4 (1991), concerning the right to adequate housing, and No. 7 (1997), concerning the right to adequate housing: forced evictions (article 11, paragraph 1, of the Covenant).

432.The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to encourage the population to remain in the country, through the creation of jobs and the payment of fair salaries. The Committee urges the State party to provide assistance to women who are heads of single-parent families, and to implement support programmes for children and adolescents whose parents have emigrated.

433.The Committee encourages the State party to redouble its efforts to combat violence and adopt integration and development measures for children and young people from broken families, identifying them from an early age. The Committee requests the State party to take the necessary measures to protect victims of violence, particularly women, and to conduct an assessment of the impact of the País Seguro programme. It further requests that the State party include information on this subject in its next periodic report.

434.The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to combat child labour, in particular in domestic service. It encourages it to take appropriate measures, including the provision of financial assistance, for families living in poverty in order to enable them to provide adequate care and protection for such children. The Committee requests the State party to provide information on this question in its next periodic report.

435.The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to consolidate a national health system based on equity and accessibility, in accordance with article 12 of the Covenant, guaranteeing essential health services for the entire population, in particular for vulnerable groups, by increasing the budget allocated for such purposes.

436.The Committee urges the State party to reform its abortion legislation and to consider exceptions to the general prohibition of abortion, in cases of therapeutic abortion and pregnancy resulting from rape or incest. It strongly encourages it to take the necessary measures to combat HIV/AIDS and to guarantee adequate medical treatment for persons with this illness. The Committee recommends that school curricula openly address the subjects of sex education and family planning in order to spread information on early pregnancy and the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

437.The Committee requests the State party to take effective measures to guarantee the right to education to all sectors of the population without discrimination, and to provide detailed information in this respect in its next periodic report, including disaggregated statistics on the school dropout rate.

438.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate widely the present concluding observations at all levels of society and to inform the Committee in its next periodic report about all steps taken to implement them. It also encourages the State party to engage non‑governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level, prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

439.The Committee calls upon the State party to update its core document in accordance with the harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties.

440.The Committee requests the State party to submit its third, fourth and fifth periodic reports as a single document by 1 December 2010 at the latest.

TAJIKISTAN

441.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of Tajikistan on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/TJK/1) at its 39th, 40th and 41st meetings, held on 10 and 13 November 2006, and adopted, at its 58th meeting, held on 23 November 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

442.The Committee welcomes the submission, albeit late, of the initial report of Tajikistan, which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines. The Committee notes with appreciation the written replies to its list of issues. In particular, it welcomes the frank manner in which both documents address the problems encountered by the State party in implementing the rights recognized in the Covenant, and the participation of non-governmental organizations in the preparation of the report.

443.The Committee also welcomes the constructive dialogue with the high-level delegation of the State party, which included experts in the various fields covered by the Covenant.

B. Positive aspects

444.The Committee welcomes the adoption of the 2004 Act on Equal Rights and Opportunities for Men and Women and the National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women and the Enhancement of Their Status and Role for the period 1998-2005. The Committee also welcomes the establishment of the Government Committee for Women’s and Family Affairs.

445.The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption in 2002 of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and the efforts made by the State party to alleviate poverty, ensure an equitable distribution of the benefits of the economic growth and improve the standard of living of the most vulnerable groups of the population.

446.The Committee takes note of the recent ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the approval of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan and the participation of the State party in the Anti-Corruption Network for Transition Economies. In this regard, the Committee welcomes the adoption of the 2005 Anti-Corruption Act for the creation of a new anti-corruption department in the Procurator’s office, as well as the organization of training, awareness-raising programmes, and quarterly press conferences of the ministries.

447.The Committee welcomes the adoption of the 2004 Act on Trafficking in Persons, as well as the various steps undertaken to implement it, including cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Tajik NGOs in facilitating the return to Tajikistan of women who have been victims of trafficking.

448.The Committee notes with satisfaction the efforts made by the State party in cooperation with international institutions and specialized agencies, as well as with other States, to solve the problem of anti-personnel landmines and other explosives left in the territory of the State party during and after the end of the civil war.

449.The Committee welcomes the State party’s ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

450.The Committee, while recognizing that the State party is still suffering from effects of the civil war (1992-1997), notes that there are no significant factors and difficulties impeding its ability to meet its minimum obligations for the progressive realization of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

D. Principal subjects of concern

451.The Committee is concerned at the low level of awareness of the State party’s civil servants, including judges and law enforcement officials, about the domestic and international human rights commitments and the insufficient coordination between State authorities which are responsible for their implementation in the State party. The Committee also notes with concern that, although the Covenant forms part of the domestic law and is directly applicable in the courts of the State party, there are no court decisions which contain references to, or confirm the direct applicability of, the provisions of the Covenant.

452.The Committee is concerned at the lack of independence of the judiciary in the State party, as reflected inter alia in the process of appointment and dismissal of judges as well as in their economic status. The Committee also notes with concern that public prosecutors have a predominant position in relation to judges.

453.The Committee notes with concern that despite the efforts made by the State party, corruption and nepotism continue to be widespread, preventing the equal enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

454.The Committee is concerned that there is no systematic and comprehensive anti‑discrimination legislation in the State party.

455.The Committee is concerned over the serious difficulties faced by refugees in finding employment, in many cases due to the lack of the necessary documents and to the restrictions introduced by governmental resolutions No. 325 and 328, according to which refugees and asylum-seekers are not allowed to reside in Dushanbe and Khujand. The Committee also expresses its serious concern about the fact that according to article 10 of the Tajik Refugee Law, asylum-seekers are not allowed to work.

456.The Committee is concerned over reports that several Afghan asylum-seekers were deported to Afghanistan without being given access to lawyers or the opportunity to appeal the decision, as provided by law. The Committee is also concerned that despite legislation allowing Afghan refugees to resettle in the country and to obtain citizenship, to date no Afghan refugee has been granted citizenship.

457.The Committee is deeply concerned that despite the conclusion of regional and bilateral agreements aimed at protecting the rights of migrant workers, Tajik citizens working in other countries - and in particular those without valid documents and work permits - continue to be subject to abusive practices and infringement of their rights, in particular with regard to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

458.The Committee is concerned that traditional stereotypes in relation to the role of women in society are increasing in the State party, particularly in rural areas, and are manifested in practices such as polygamy, customary marriages and early marriages arranged by family members and acquaintances, often accompanied by physical threats.

459.The Committee is concerned at persistent gender inequalities in the State party, particularly in the fields of employment, equal remuneration, education and equal participation in the political and public life of the State party.

460.The Committee regrets the inadequacy of information about the unemployment rate and on the size of the informal sector.

461.The Committee is concerned at the wage gap between women and men for work of equal value, and the fact that 60-70 per cent of women work in sectors with the lowest wages in the State party.

462.The Committee notes with concern that the current minimum wage is insufficient to provide an adequate standard of living for workers and their families, in accordance with article 7 of the Covenant.

463.The Committee is concerned that sexual harassment in the workplace is not classified as a specific offence, thus denying adequate protection for the victims.

464.The Committee is concerned that the trade unions in the State party are not fully independent. The Committee is also concerned that the State party’s laws do not provide for the right to strike as a last resort in the settlement of collective disputes.

465.The Committee is concerned that the low level of social pensions and unemployment benefits are not sufficient to guarantee an adequate standard of living.

466.The Committee notes with concern that more than half of children living in State institutions or under trusteeship or guardianship do not receive any pension, usually due to the fact that trustees and guardians are not aware of the right of orphans to receive a pension for the death of the breadwinner and of the procedures to exercise this right.

467.The Committee expresses its concern about the persistence of domestic violence - especially against women - in the State party, resulting in a high number of murders and suicides among women. The Committee is concerned that the State party provides no specific legal mechanisms to deal with domestic violence, particularly violence against women, and consequently victims of such violence may not be adequately protected by current legislation and practice.

468.The Committee is concerned that due to a lack of programmes to support single mothers, foster care or other forms of family-based alternative care, a large number of children live in boarding institutions and children’s homes, which usually provide them with very low quality housing, food, clothing and care. The Committee is in particular disturbed by reports that children living in such institutions are deprived of the opportunity to attend school and to participate in social and cultural life outside the institutions.

469.The Committee notes with concern that notwithstanding the general prohibition stipulated in the Labour Code, a large number of children still drop out of school and take up work, especially in the informal sector. The Committee is particularly concerned that many of these children work in hazardous conditions harmful to their health, with little or no training on safety precautions, and are exposed to various forms of violence. The Committee is particularly concerned about forced labour of children, mostly in the cotton harvest on collective farms, which is generally tolerated by local authorities.

470.The Committee is deeply concerned that notwithstanding the adoption of the 2004 Act on Trafficking in Persons, a high number of women and children continue to be trafficked from or through the State party for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of reliable information, including statistics, on the extent of the problem.

471.The Committee is deeply concerned that despite the efforts made by the State party to raise real income levels and improve living standards, 64 per cent of the population - older persons, pensioners, single parents and large families - live below the poverty line and are unable to meet their basic food needs.

472.The Committee is concerned at the lack of social housing units and the absence of a national housing strategy to address the housing needs of the population, with particular regard to the rapidly growing number of persons that are currently moving to Dushanbe.

473.The Committee regrets the lack of information about forced evictions in the State party. The Committee is concerned about reports that evicted persons generally do not obtain adequate compensation for lost housing or alternative accommodation.

474.The Committee is concerned at the lack of sufficient access to safe drinking water in many households in Dushanbe, and the insufficient monitoring of water quality.

475.The Committee is concerned that annual Government expenditure on public health has been in sharp decline in recent years, from 6 per cent of GDP in 1992 to 1 per cent in 2006. The Committee is in particular concerned that the lack of public health facilities and their poor quality may impact negatively on low-income groups and the rural population.

476.The Committee is deeply concerned at the high mortality rate of children and mothers, which is the highest among OSCE countries, and the decrease in life expectancy.

477.The Committee is concerned at the increased consumption of illicit drugs in the State party, which in addition to being a country of transit has also become a country of final destination for these drugs.

478.The Committee is concerned at the rapid spread of HIV in the State party, in particular among drug users, prisoners, sex workers and migrant workers returning to the country. The Committee notes that factors such as a lack of basic knowledge about the disease and its transmission (particularly among rural women), breaches of confidentiality relating to medical information, and lack of appropriate training for health-care workers contribute to the significant stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease and, ultimately, the spread of HIV.

479.The Committee is deeply concerned at the increase of tuberculosis infections and tuberculosis-related deaths, especially among prisoners, due to poor hygienic conditions, the lack of medical personnel and shortages of anti-tuberculosis diagnostic tools and medicines.

480.The Committee is concerned over the frequent use of confinement in psychiatric institutions in the State party, as a means of treatment of mental health problems, without periodic review processes and effective judicial control of psychiatric confinement.

481.The Committee is deeply concerned about the decline in the budget for education. The Committee notes that the quality of education has deteriorated in recent years, especially in rural areas, due to the lack of adequate school infrastructure, i.e. furniture and supplies, textbooks, heating and fresh drinking water. The Committee also notes with concern the shortage of teachers who are increasingly forced to look for jobs outside the school system, due to low salaries.

482.The Committee is seriously concerned at the sharp decline in attendance rates at primary and secondary schools, especially with regard to girls, children living in rural areas, children belonging to national minorities and children with disabilities.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

483.The Committee requests the State party to ensure that the provisions of the Covenant are given effect to by its domestic courts, that legal and judicial training takes full account of the justiciable elements of all Covenant rights, as defined in the Committee’s general comments, and that it promotes the use of the Covenant as a domestic source of law. In this regard, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant. The Committee invites the State party to include information concerning case law on the application of the Covenant in its next periodic report.

484.The Committee recommends that the State party consider the establishment of an independent national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles (General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993), and the adoption of a comprehensive national human rights action plan.

485.The Committee stresses the importance of an independent judiciary for the enjoyment of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee urges the State party to take immediate steps to guarantee the full independence and impartiality of the judiciary, particularly through introducing a system of appointing judges for an indefinite period.

486.The Committee recommends that the State party prioritize developing and pursuing a comprehensive set of measures to combat corruption and nepotism as well as impunity for these phenomena. The Committee requests the State party to provide detailed information about progress made, and obstacles encountered, in combating corruption and nepotism in its next periodic report.

487.The Committee calls on the State party to adopt, in consultation with civil society, specific anti-discrimination legislation and a plan of action to combat discrimination. The Committee also urges the State party to increase awareness about international anti-discrimination standards among judges and other members of the legal profession.

488.The Committee calls on the State party to strengthen the protection afforded to refugees and asylum-seekers, inter alia by facilitating the procedures necessary to obtain personal documents, including birth certificates, identity cards and work booklets, to enable them to enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee urges the State party to consider withdrawing governmental resolutions No. 325 and No. 328 and to revise its refugee law in order to grant asylum-seekers the right to work.

489.The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to promote and protect the economic, social and cultural rights of Tajik citizens working abroad, inter alia by concluding bilateral agreements with relevant host countries and ensuring that migrant workers and members of their families receive sufficient information on their rights and obligations under international law and under the law and practice of the host country.

490.The Committee calls upon the State party to take effective measures, including implementation of existing laws and through the use of media and education, to overcome traditional stereotypes regarding the status of women in the public and private spheres and to ensure in practice equality between men and women in all fields of life, as provided for in article 2, paragraph 2, and article 3 of the Covenant. In this regard, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights (art. 3). The Committee requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, detailed information, including disaggregated data, on the progress made in the field of gender equality.

491.The Committee urges the State party to promote targeted active employment policies to decrease unemployment. The Committee requests the State party to provide disaggregated data in its next periodic report on progress made in the field of employment stimulation. The Committee recommends that the State party consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 2 (1919) on unemployment.

492.The Committee urges the State party to implement the principle of equal treatment of men and women with regard to wages, working conditions, access to employment and promotion, and to intensify its efforts in the field of qualification programmes for women working in low-paid jobs and unemployed women. It invites the State party to include disaggregated data on the participation of women in the workforce.

493.The Committee calls upon the State party to adopt a minimum wage that would enable workers and their families to enjoy an adequate standard of living and to ensure that the minimum wage standard is thoroughly enforced. In this regard, the Committee encourages the State party to provide and regularly update statistical data regarding the basket of consumer goods as a basis for calculating what is required for a minimum standard of living.

494.The Committee urges the State party to undertake measures to combat sexual harassment in the workplace including by adopting specific legislation rendering it a criminal offence.

495.The Committee urges the State party to ensure the right of all workers to form trade unions, join trade unions of their choice, and exercise the right to strike in accordance with the provisions of article 8.

496.The Committee encourages the State party to strengthen the role of pensions as a safety net for pensioners living alone and for those who have no other source of income, by increasing minimum State social insurance pension amounts. The Committee also encourages the State party to increase personal coverage of unemployment benefits. The State party is also encouraged to undertake periodic reviews of the amounts of both pensions and unemployment benefits to bring them into line with the cost of living. The Committee recommends that the State party consider ratifying ILO Conventions No. 102 (1952) on minimum standards of social security and No. 118 (1962) on equality of treatment of nationals and non-nationals in social security.

497.The Committee recommends that the State party take appropriate steps to ensure the effective realization of the right of orphans to receive a pension, inter alia by ensuring that trustees and guardians receive appropriate information with regard to the right of the orphan to receive a pension for the death of the breadwinner and on the procedures to claim this right.

498.The Committee urges the State party to adopt - as a matter of priority - a law on domestic violence and to render it a criminal offence. The Committee encourages the State party to take all necessary measures to protect victims of domestic violence, inter alia by setting up prevention and early assistance centres, counselling services and temporary shelters, and to promote information campaigns and training of law enforcement and medical personnel on the criminal nature of such acts. The Committee requests the State party to include information on the results of these measures and on the number of victims, perpetrators, convictions, and the types of sanctions imposed, in its next periodic report.

499.The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures, including the adoption of strategies and awareness-raising activities, to promote the family as providing the best environment for the child, through counselling, allocation of family allowances, and community-based programmes to assist parents to keep children at home. In cases where placement of children is necessary, it recommends that the State party provide, promote and strengthen, as much as possible, alternatives to institutionalization, such as foster care and family-type foster homes. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that sufficient funds be allocated to improve existing infrastructure, as well as the quality of food, clothing and care for children living in institutions.

500.The Committee urges the State party to take all the necessary measures, including undertaking information campaigns to inform and sensitize the general public, to ensure the protection of minors from economic and social exploitation and to enable them to fully enjoy their right to education and an adequate standard of living. The Committee recommends the State party to undertake a national survey on the nature and extent of child labour, and include information on progress made in combating child labour in its next periodic report.

501.The Committee recommends that the State party provide labour inspections with adequate human and financial resources, to enable them to effectively combat abuses of workers’ rights.

502.The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to implement the 2004 Act on Trafficking in Persons, inter alia by sensitization of law enforcement officials and the judiciary to the rights and needs of victims, and the provision of medical, psychological and legal support for victims. The Committee further requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, disaggregated data on trafficking in persons.

503.The Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to integrate economic, social and cultural rights into its Poverty Reduction Strategy, and to allocate sufficient funds for its implementation. In this regard, the Committee draws the State party’s attention to its statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2001/10), and to continue to seek international technical assistance, as provided for in article 2, paragraph 1, and article 23, of the Covenant. In this connection, the Committee calls upon the State party to ensure that its international human rights obligations are fully observed when it enters into technical cooperation and other arrangements with international organizations.

504.The Committee recommends that the State party take all the necessary measures, including the adoption of a national housing strategy, to guarantee the right to adequate housing to all persons residing under its jurisdiction and to address the problem of the lack of adequate social housing units. In this connection, the Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant). The Committee requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, disaggregated data on persons on waiting lists for social housing and information on progress made to improve this situation.

505.The Committee requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, detailed information on the number and nature of forced evictions and on the extent of homelessness in the State party. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to provide all evicted persons with adequate compensation for lost housing or with alternative accommodation, in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Committee and its general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant): forced evictions.

506.The Committee recalls the State party’s obligation to ensure access to safe drinking water within, or in the immediate vicinity, of each household. It invites the State party to identify disaggregated indicators and appropriate national benchmarks in relation to the right to water, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant), and to include information on the process of identifying such indicators and benchmarks in its next report.

507.The Committee urges the State party to take all appropriate steps to improve its health services, inter alia by allocating increased resources and adopting measures to address the significant rural and urban disparities in health-care provision. The Committee also requests the State party to include in its next periodic report information on progress made in ensuring universal access to affordable primary health care, in particular in rural areas.

508.The Committee urges the State party to take all effective measures to combat the high mortality rate of children and mothers and improve child and maternal health, inter alia through measures aimed at introducing sexual and reproductive health-related education and information, including family planning. The Committee also recommends the State party to take steps to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, including hygienic conditions in hospitals, prenatal and post-natal care, and emergency obstetric services.

509.The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to combat the inflow and consumption of illicit drugs and to provide adequate treatment and rehabilitation for drug users.

510.The Committee recommends to the State party to conduct education campaigns on HIV/AIDS through the media, school curricula and other means, aimed at ensuring that individuals (particularly those belonging to high-risk groups) have the necessary information to protect themselves from the disease, and at reducing the stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease and the groups most affected by it, such as injection drug users, prisoners, commercial sex workers and returning migrants. The Committee also recommends that the State party establish time-bound targets for extending the provision of free testing services, free treatment for HIV and harm reduction services to all parts of the country.

511.The Committee calls upon the State party to take measures to improve hygienic conditions, especially in prison institutions, and to ensure that the right to health of all detainees in the State party is respected.

512.The Committee encourages the State party to provide alternative forms of mental health treatment, in particular outpatient treatment and community-based rehabilitation. In cases where confinement in a psychiatric institution is the only alternative, the Committee calls upon the State party to ensure full respect for human rights of those interned, through a periodic review process on a case-by-case basis, and effective judicial control of psychiatric confinement.

513.The Committee recommends that the State party take all the necessary measures to guarantee the right of everyone to participate in cultural life. In this regard, the Committee requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, detailed information on the implementation of the 1997 Culture Act, in particular with regard to measures taken to effectively implement the right of persons belonging to national and ethnic minorities to use their languages before the courts and other public authorities, as well as in schools, public television and radio broadcast, newspapers and magazines.

514.The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to allocate greater human and financial resources to implement effectively the equal right of everyone to education, as set out in article 13 of the Covenant. The Committee encourages the State party to seek technical assistance from, inter alia, UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO.

515.The Committee recommends that the State party review existing policies and practice in relation to access to education for children with disabilities, taking due account of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96) and of general comment No. 5 (1994) on persons with disabilities. The Committee further encourages the State party to take all appropriate measures to eliminate continuing discrimination on the grounds of gender in the field of access to education, taking due account of its general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights (art. 3).

516.The Committee encourages the State party to develop indicators and benchmarks on an annual basis, disaggregated by gender, age, urban-rural population and ethnic background for the purpose of specifically assessing the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and requests that this information be included in the next periodic report.

517.The Committee invites the State party to update its core document in accordance with the 2006 harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties.

518.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report. It also encourages the State party to continue engaging non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

519.Finally, the Committee requests the State party to submit its combined second and third periodic reports by 30 June 2011.

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

520.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/MKD/1) at its 42nd, 43rd and 44th meetings, held on 13 and 14 November 2006, and adopted, at its 56th meeting, held on 22 November 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

521.The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report, albeit late, of the State party which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, and of the written replies to its list of issues.

522.The Committee welcomes the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which included a number of experts from various Government departments, as well as the detailed, well-structured and frank answers to the questions asked by the Committee.

B. Positive aspects

523.The Committee notes with satisfaction the recent adoption of an Electoral Law introducing a quota system requiring one-third representation of women in Parliament and of a Law on Equal Opportunities of Men and Women establishing Gender Equality Commissions in several cities and providing for the appointment of gender coordinators in all local self-government units in the State party.

524.The Committee notes the proposed constitutional amendment envisaging compulsory secondary education, as well as the recent introduction of one year of compulsory preschooling.

525.The Committee welcomes the favourable position of the State party concerning the elaboration of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

526.The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s recent ratification of several human rights treaties, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the European Social Charter and Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

527.The Committee notes the absence of any significant factors or difficulties preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party.

D. Principal subjects of concern

528.The Committee is concerned that, although the Human Rights Ombudsman is competent to investigate complaints about alleged violations of economic, social and cultural rights, the Ombudsman’s requests for information and recommendations relating to such complaints have not always been acted upon.

529.The Committee regrets the absence of court decisions directly applying the rights recognized in the Covenant.

530.The Committee notes with concern that areas such as housing, health care and access to services are not covered by specific anti-discrimination legislation and that existing anti-discrimination provisions are often vague, fail to specify the consequences in case of violations, are rarely invoked in court, or stipulate undue citizenship requirements.

531.The Committee is concerned at reports that Roma face widespread discrimination in access to employment, social assistance, health care and education, that Roma and Albanian applicants sometimes experience difficulties in obtaining citizenship, and that a certain number of Roma lack personal documents, such as identity cards, birth certificates and medical insurance or employment cards, which are necessary for them to access social insurance, health care and other benefits.

532.The Committee notes with concern that women, in particular Roma women and women living in rural areas, only have limited economic opportunities and frequently work in the informal or low-paid sectors or are employed in lower positions and receive lower salaries than men, irrespective of their qualifications.

533.The Committee notes the absence of a law specifically addressing sexual harassment, as well as the lack of information on registered cases of sexual harassment in the workplace.

534.The Committee is deeply concerned at the exceptionally high unemployment rate in the State party, in particular among women, Roma and other minorities and persons with disabilities, and about the large number of persons working in the informal sector.

535.The Committee notes with concern that, although the Law on Labour Relations provides that the salary of a full-time employee may not be lower than the lowest salary established by law or by collective agreement, no national minimum wage has been established by the State party for the private sector.

536.The Committee is concerned at the far-reaching limitations on the right to strike in the State party and about the possibility under the Law on Labour Relations for employers to temporarily release up to 2 per cent of their workers during a strike if they are considered to be potentially violent or disruptive.

537.The Committee notes with concern that unemployment benefits and the minimum levels of pensions and social assistance are insufficient to ensure an adequate standard of living and that, under the Law on Social Protection, unemployed persons can be excluded from receiving unemployment benefits on excessive grounds.

538.The Committee is deeply concerned at the high incidence of domestic violence against women and children in the State party, the reluctance of victims to report cases of domestic violence and spousal rape, the frequent failure of the police to investigate complaints and prosecute perpetrators of such violence, and the requirement of proof of penetration and active resistance by victims for convictions of rape.

539.The Committee is concerned that, in spite of the State party’s efforts to address this problem, the number of internally trafficked women and girls has increased, assistance for victims of trafficking is reportedly inadequate, court procedures are lengthy and sentences for perpetrators lenient, and that the funds allocated to support anti-trafficking activities are insufficient.

540.The Committee is deeply concerned at the fact that hundreds of children in cities, primarily Roma, live on the streets and do not attend school or benefit from adequate health care.

541.The Committee notes with deep concern that 30 per cent of the population live below the poverty line in the State party.

542.The Committee is deeply concerned at reports that 70 per cent of the Roma live in informal settlements, which often lack basic infrastructure and services such as electricity, adequate water, sewage removal, garbage collection or paved roads, and that most Roma are without legal title to the places where they reside and are exposed to a constant threat of eviction.

543.While acknowledging that most internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their pre-conflict places of residence, the Committee is concerned that many remaining IDPs are unable to return to their homes on account of, inter alia, their difficult economic situation and security concerns, live in collective centres often under inadequate hygienic conditions and face constant pressure to leave these centres.

544.The Committee notes with concern that the infant mortality rate has increased over the last years and that the perinatal mortality rate remains high in the State party.

545.The Committee expresses concern at the limited access of young persons to sexual and reproductive health services, especially in rural areas, the limited use of contraceptives and the significant number of abortions and undesired teenage pregnancies, in particular among Roma girls.

546.The Committee is deeply concerned at the high dropout rate in primary and secondary education, especially at the stage of transition from primary to secondary school, low school enrolment and attendance in rural areas and among Roma children, Roma and Ashkali refugee children, girls from certain Albanian communities, and children with disabilities, as well as about the high illiteracy rate in the State party.

547.The Committee notes with concern reports on the refusal of parents to send their children to ethnically mixed schools, clashes between Macedonian and Albanian pupils over the introduction of additional classes in Albanian and the functioning of ethnically mixed schools, segregation of Roma and other minority or refugee children in separate schools, the lack or poor quality of classes in minority languages and the lack of textbooks, as well as inadequate training of teachers in minority languages.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

548.The Committee recommends that the State party respond to information requests and act on all recommendations of the Ombudsman’s Office relating to the investigation of complaints about alleged violations of economic, social and cultural rights. It invites the State party to provide detailed information in its next periodic report on the outcome of, and follow-up to, such complaints, including complaints about the failure of State ministries and mayors to sign “take-over contracts” for public employees, the allocation of housing for persons with low income, and the denial of access to health insurance and health-care facilities.

549.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the provisions of the Covenant are given effect by its domestic courts, that legal and judicial training take full account of all Covenant rights, as defined in the Committee’s general comments, and that it promote the use of the Covenant as a source of domestic law. It draws the attention of the State party to general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant and invites the State party to include, in its next periodic report, information on court decisions giving effect to Covenant rights.

550.The Committee recommends that the State party consider the adoption of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation covering also indirect discrimination and without undue citizenship requirements. It requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, information on court decisions applying anti-discrimination provisions in the fields of civil, administrative and criminal law.

551.The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat discrimination against Roma in all fields covered by the Covenant, urgently process pending citizenship claims from Roma, Albanian and other minority applicants, and take immediate steps, e.g. by removing administrative obstacles, to issue all Roma applicants with personal documents, with a view to ensuring their equal access to social insurance, health care and other benefits.

552.The Committee recommends that the State party adopt temporary special measures to ensure that women, in particular Roma and other minority women as well as women living in rural areas, have the same access to the regular labour market as men, including to senior positions, and that the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value is implemented in practice.

553.The Committee recommends that the State party consider adopting a special law on sexual harassment and include, in its next periodic report, detailed information on the number of registered complaints about sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as on the measures taken to investigate and pursue such complaints and their effectiveness.

554.The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to combat unemployment through specifically targeted measures, including programmes aimed at reducing unemployment among women and disadvantaged and marginalized groups, and to gradually regularize the situation of persons working in the informal sector. It requests the State party to include, in its next periodic report, updated statistical data on unemployment, disaggregated by gender, age, ethnic group, disability or other status and urban/rural population, as well as on the concrete measures taken to create employment, and their effectiveness, including measures taken under the National Action Plans on Employment, Gender Equality and Roma Employment and under the Law on Employment of Disabled Persons.

555.The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that a national minimum wage for the private sector be established by law or by collective agreement. It further recommends that the minimum wages for the private and public sectors be determined at a sufficient level to provide workers with a decent standard of living for themselves and their families, in accordance with article 7 (a) (ii) of the Covenant.

556.The Committee recommends that the State party consider repealing any limitations on the right to strike which are incompatible with article 8 of the Covenant, as well as the possibility for employers to temporarily release potentially violent or disruptive workers during a strike.

557.The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts and use all available resources to increase, to the extent possible, the amount of unemployment benefits, minimum pensions, including disability pensions, and social assistance benefits, with a view to ensuring an adequate standard of living for recipients of such pensions and benefits. It also recommends that the State party consider repealing its existing legislation regarding excessive grounds for excluding unemployed persons from receiving unemployment benefits.

558.The Committee urges the State party to enact a specific law criminalizing domestic violence; provide mandatory training for police, prosecutors, judges and staff of the Social Work Centres on the application of provisions relating to domestic violence and civil restraining orders; encourage reporting of domestic violence through enhanced victim assistance and sensitization of health and other professionals working with victims of domestic violence, in particular women and children; broaden the definition of violence against children and establish a system for identifying, recording and referring cases; and provide updated data on the number and nature of reported cases of domestic violence, convictions and the type of sanctions imposed in its next periodic report. The Committee also recommends that the State party consider amending its Criminal Code, with a view to removing the requirement of proof of penetration and active resistance by victims for convictions of rape.

559.The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat trafficking in persons, especially women and girls, by allocating sufficient funds for assisting and rehabilitating victims, as well as for witness protection programmes, providing mandatory training on trafficking for police, prosecutors and judges, and by effectively implementing the National Strategy and Action Plan on Human Trafficking and the proposed National Trafficking in Children Action Plan.

560.The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to combat the phenomenon of street children and to protect their families, inter alia, by constructing low-cost housing and providing basic infrastructure and amenities; relocating waste disposal sites from Roma settlements; providing job opportunities; opening additional day centres for street children, in cooperation with non-governmental organizations, as well as outpatient clinics; and providing medical counselling and basic medication to these children and their families.

561.The Committee recommends that the State party urgently proceed with the revision of, and ensure the integration of economic, social and cultural rights in, its poverty reduction strategy, specifically address the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and allocate sufficient funds for the implementation of the strategy. In this regard, the State party is referred to the Committee’s statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2001/10).

562.The Committee urges the State party to ensure, by legalizing and improving the infrastructure and amenities of existing Roma settlements or through social housing programmes, that all Roma have access to adequate and affordable housing, security of tenure, electricity, adequate drinking water, sanitation and other essential services, including safe access to roads. It also urges the State party to ensure that adequate alternative housing is provided whenever forced evictions take place, in line with the Committee’s general comment No. 7 (1997) on adequate housing (article 11 (1) of the Covenant): forced evictions, and to include updated statistical data on an annual basis on the number of forced evictions, arrangements for alternative housing and the extent of homelessness, as well as information on the measures taken to legalize and improve the infrastructure and amenities of Roma settlements, in its next periodic report.

563.The Committee recommends that the State party provide financial assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in order to replace basic household and farming items that were destroyed during the conflict, ensure the safety and sustainability of the return of IDPs, provide adequate alternative housing to IDPs when collective centres are vacated, and settle pending compensation claims of IDPs.

564.The Committee recommends that the State party increase the number of mandatory visits of patronage nurses per child, incorporate a family nursing approach in its national health strategy, and allocate sufficient funds towards the implementation of the national preventive programme on mother and child health.

565.The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to educate children and adolescents on sexual and reproductive health and to enhance the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services, including gynaecological and counselling services, in particular in rural areas and in communities where Roma and other disadvantaged and marginalized individuals or groups live.

566.The Committee urges the State party to ensure free primary education for all children and gradually reduce the costs of secondary education, e.g. through subsidies for textbooks, school kits and aids, and increased scholarships, in particular for disadvantaged and marginalized children, in accordance with the Committee’s general comment No. 13 (1999) on the right to education (art. 13); promote universal school attendance through intensified awareness‑raising campaigns for parents on the importance of education and their obligation to send their children, including girls, to school and catch-up classes and other special programmes to address the specific needs of less performing pupils; and conduct literacy campaigns for adults.

567.The Committee recommends that the State party end the practice of segregating Roma and other minority and refugee children in separate schools; ensure, to the extent possible, adequate opportunities for minority children to receive instruction in their native languages by effectively monitoring the quality of minority language instruction; providing textbooks and increasing the number of teachers instructing in minority languages; and intensify its efforts to promote respect for the cultural values of ethnic communities and the right of everyone to take part in cultural life, in order to enhance understanding, tolerance and mutual respect among the different ethnic groups in the State party.

568.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society, particularly among government officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report. It also encourages the State party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

569.The Committee invites the State party to update its core document in accordance with the 2006 harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties.

570.Finally, the Committee requests the State party to submit its combined second to fourth periodic reports by 30 June 2008.

THE NETHERLANDS

571.The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the third periodic report of the Netherlands on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1994/104/Add.30) at its 33rd to 35th meetings, held on 7 and 8 November 2006, and adopted, at its 50th meeting held on 17 November 2006, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

572.The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of the State party, which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, and the written replies to its list of issues.

573.The Committee welcomes the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, which includedrepresentatives from various government offices, as well as the delegation’s answers to the questions asked by the Committee.

B. Positive aspects

574.The Committee welcomes the fact that the State party provided in its report information on the implementation of the Committee’s concluding observations made pursuant to the examination of the second periodic report.

575.The Committee notes with satisfaction the low unemployment rate in the State party, and the fact that the minimum wage complies with the requirement of article 7 of the Covenant.

576.The Committee welcomes the policy and legislative initiatives taken by the State party to encourage older people to remain active in the labour market.

577.The Committee welcomes the information provided by the delegation that secondary school fees have been abolished, meaning that now both primary and secondary education are free.

578.The Committee welcomes the fact that the State party takes a human rights based approach to its development cooperation policy and does so in close cooperation with United Nations institutions, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

579.The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party allocates 0.8 per cent of its GDP to its development cooperation policy, which is more than the percentage (0.7 per cent) set by the United Nations for official development assistance.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant

580.The Committee notes the absence of any factors or difficulties preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party.

D. Principal subjects of concern

581.The Committee is concerned that the courts in the State party apply the provisions of the Covenant only to the extent that they consider that these are directly applicable and that most provisions of the Covenant cannot be applied directly.

582.The Committee is concerned at the rise in the dissemination of racial and discriminatory material through Internet websites in the State party.

583.The Committee is concerned at the low level of employment among women in ethnic minorities.

584.The Committee is concerned that trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation remains a problem within the State party.

585.The Committee expresses its concern about the persistence of domestic violence and child abuse in the State party and notes the lack of specific legislation concerning domestic violence.

586.The Committee is concerned about the occurrence of sexual exploitation of children and child pornography in the State party.

E. Suggestions and recommendations

587.The Committee encourages the State party to consider giving its support to the process of discussion and future adoption of the Covenant’s Optional Protocol on an individual communications procedure.

588.The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

589.The Committee recommends that the State party reassess the extent to which the provisions of the Covenant might be considered to be directly applicable. It urges the State party to ensure that the provisions of the Covenant are given effect by its domestic courts, as defined in the Committee’s general comment No. 3 (1990) on the nature of States parties’ obligations (article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant), and that it promotes the use of the Covenant as a domestic source of law. It invites the State party to include, in its fourth periodic report, information on case law concerning the rights recognized in the Covenant.

590.The Committee recommends that the State party make full use of information and communication technology, including the Internet, to promote the dissemination of practical and easily understandable information on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, especially for vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups.

591.The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to prevent the dissemination of racist propaganda, including by enforcing appropriate legislation, and providing education on and awareness-raising of this phenomenon.

592.The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen its measures to overcome the obstacles faced by ethnic minority women in accessing the labour market. It invites the State party to provide, in its next report, an assessment of the impact of the measures taken.

593.The Committee encourages the State party to implement adopted measures to support the participation of women, including women from ethnic groups, in the workforce and to continue in its efforts to mainstream gender equality across all public policies. It invites the State party to provide, in its next report, detailed information, including an assessment of the measures taken, in particular on the results of the work-life balance projects and of the Child Care Act under which the number of day-care places for children will increase from September 2007.

594.The Committee urges the State party to strengthen the ongoing evaluation of the consequences of the Work and Social Assistance Act, so as to ensure adequate entitlement and duration of social assistance benefits for vulnerable members of society, as well as support during the administrative procedure of entitlement to the benefit. The Committee requests the State party to provide detailed information on this evaluation in its next periodic report.

595.The Committee would welcome information in the next report on the outcome and assessment of the State party’s Strategy Plan for Social Relief, launched this year, which aims at gradually integrating all homeless people into the system over a period of seven years.

596.The Committee urges the State party to continue and strengthen its efforts to combat the problems of trafficking in persons and the commercial sexual exploitation of women and children, and requests the State party to provide in its next periodic report detailed information on the progress achieved and difficulties encountered in the implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.

597.The Committee urges the State party to adopt specific legislation on domestic violence. It also urges the State party to strengthen social, psychological and legal measures taken within the framework of the domestic violence strategy programme (Private Violence, Public Issue). It invites the State party to provide in its next report disaggregated data on the number of incidents of domestic violence reported to the police.

598.The Committee recommends the State party to continue to strengthen its efforts to combat child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children.

599.The Committee invites the State party in its next periodic report to provide information on the implementation of the plan entitled, A Healthier Life 2004-2007.

600.The Committee encourages the State party to continue in its efforts to reduce the waiting time for the receipt of health-care services.

601.The Committee urges the State party to reconsider continuing the allowance for contraception under the National Health Service for women over the age of 21.

602.The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society, particularly among government officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee on all steps taken to implement them in its next periodic report. It also encourages the State party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in the process of discussion at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

603.The Committee invites the State party to update its core document in accordance with the requirements of the common core document in the harmonized guidelines on reporting, recently approved by the international human rights treaty bodies.

604.The Committee requests the State party to submit its combined fourth and fifth periodic reports by 30 June 2007.

Additional information received from States partiesfollowing examination of their report at previoussessions of the Committee

605.Following its consideration of the initial report of Uzbekistan on 11 and 14 November 2005 (thirty-fifth session), the Committee received additional information from the Government of Uzbekistan (E/C.12/UZB/CO/1/Add.1) concerning the matters raised in the concluding observations adopted by the Committee (E/C.12/UZB/CO/1).

CHAPTER V

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

A.Cooperation with specialized agencies: Fourth meeting of the Joint ExpertGroup UNESCO (Committee on Conventions and Recommendations)/Economic and Social Council (Committee on Economic, Social andCultural Rights) on the Monitoring of the Right to Education

606.The UNESCO (Committee on Conventions and Recommendations)/ECOSOC (Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Joint Expert Group on the Monitoring of the Right to Education held its fourth meeting on 12 and 13 May 2006 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, during the thirty-sixth session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). Opening the meeting, Ms. Virginia Bonoan-Dandan, Chairperson of CESCR, welcomed Ambassador Olabiyi B.J. Yai, member of the UNESCO Committee on Conventions and Recommendations (CR), and other participants from UNESCO. She stressed the importance accorded to the Joint Expert Group in the work of her Committee and to its collaboration with UNESCO in promoting the right to education. Mr. Yai chaired the meeting. In his introductory statement, he underlined the importance of giving effect to the right to education, which is at the heart of UNESCO’s mandate and critical in achieving Education for All (EFA).

B.Day of general discussion: The right to social security (article 9 of the Covenant)

Introduction

607.At its thirty-fifth session (7-25 November 2005), the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights decided to elaborate a general comment on the right to social security (article 9 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). To this end, it decided to organize a day of general discussion at its thirty-sixth session (1-19 May 2006) on this topic.

608.At the 21st and 22nd meetings of its thirty-sixth session, on 15 May 2006, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights held its day of general discussion on the right to social security. The aim of the day of general discussion was to review the draft general comment prepared by the Rapporteurs of the Committee entrusted with this responsibility, Mr. Eibe Riedel and Ms. Maria Virginia Bras Gomes, in the light of the comments and suggestions made by Committee members, experts in the field, and other participants during the discussion.

609.The following experts were invited to participate in the thematic debate:

Mr. German Lopez Morales, Coordinator for International Social Security Standards, International Labour Standards Department, International Labour Organization (ILO);

Mr. Yannick D’haene, Acting Secretary General, International Social Security Association (ISSA);

Mr. Jean-Michel Belorgey, President, European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR);

Ms. Lucie Lamarche, Professor of Law, Université du Quebec à Montreal, Canada;

Mr. Malcolm Langford, senior legal officer, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE);

Ms. Angelika Nussberger, member, ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations;

Ms. Anna Biondi, Director of the Geneva office, International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICFTU);

Mr. Michel Barde, Vice-President for Europe, International Organisation of Employers (IOE);

Mr. Christian Courtis, legal officer, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ);

Ms. Pauline Barrett-Reid, Deputy Director, Social Security Department, International Labour Organization (ILO);

Mr. Vijay Nagaraj, Assistant Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

610.States parties, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations also attended the day of general discussion.

Morning session

Session 1: International Organizations

10.00-10.05	Welcome by the chairperson of the Committee
10.05-10.10	Welcome by a representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
10.10-10.20	Mr. German Lopez Morales, Coordinator for International Social Security Standards, International Labour Standards Department, ILO
10.20-10.30	Mr. Yannick D’haene, Acting Secretary General, International Social Security Association
10.30-11.30	Discussion
Session 2: International Experts
11.30-11.40	Mr. Jean-Michel Belorgey, President, European Committee of Social Rights
11.40-11.50	Prof. Lucie Lamarche, Université du Quebec à Montreal, Canada
11.50-12.00	Mr. Malcolm Langford, senior legal officer, COHRE
12.00-13.00	Discussion
~ Lunch Break ~
Afternoon session
Session 3: Official non-State actors in ILO system
15.00-15.10	Welcome by the Chairperson of the Committee
15.10-15.20	Prof. Angelika Nussberger, ILO Committee of Experts
15.20-15.30	Ms. Anna Biondi, International Confederation of Trade Unions
15.30-15.40	Mr. Michel Barde, Vice-President for Europe, International Organisation of Employers
15.40-16.30	Discussion
Session 4: Regional perspectives
16.30-16.40	Mr. Christian Courtis, International Commission of Jurists
16.40-16.50	Mr. Vijay Nagaraj, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
16.50-18.00	Discussion

CHAPTER VI

Additional decisions adopted and matters discussed by the Committee at its thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh sessions

A. Consolidation of reports

611.In addition to the decisions taken by the Committee relating to its methods of work, which are reflected in Chapter II of the present report, at its 55th meeting, held on 22 November 2006 (thirty-seventh session), the Committee reviewed the situation of overdue reports, including recent submissions of several long overdue reports, and decided as follows:

(a)The Committee will accept from States parties that have never submitted a report under the Covenant, a one-time submission of up to three reports consolidated in a single document, in order to bring them up to date with their reporting obligations.

(b)A consolidated report should contain a general overview of important developments in relation to the implementation of the Covenant over the entire period covered by the reports submitted and present detailed information on the present situation.

B. Participation in intersessional meetings

612.At its thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh sessions, the Committee decided that the following members would represent the Committee in the various intersessional meetings that would take place over the course of the year:

(a)Eighteenth meeting of chairpersons (19-21 June 2006) and fifth inter-committee meeting (22-23 June 2006): Ms. Virginia Bonoan-Dandan (as Chairperson), Mr. Eibe Riedel, and Ms. Maria Virginia Bras Gomes;

(b)Inter-Committee Working Group on Reservations, mandated by the fourth inter‑committee meeting and the seventeenth meeting of chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies to review the approach of the treaty bodies to reservations and make proposals thereon (14-15 December 2006): Mr. Philippe Texier;

(c)Inter-committee Working Group on Harmonized Guidelines, mandated by the fifth inter-committee meeting to review a draft by the secretariat of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for proposed guidelines for an expanded common core document (8-9 December 2005 and 15-17 February 2006): Ms. Maria Virginia Bras Gomes, Mr. Philippe Texier;

(d)Second brainstorming meeting on reform of the human rights treaty bodies organized jointly by OHCHR and the Government of Liechtenstein (Malbun II, 14‑16 July 2006): Mr. Azzouz Kerdoun;

(e)Inter-Committee Working Group on the Harmonization of Working Methods, mandated by the fifth inter-committee meeting to review the working methods of the treaty bodies (27-28 November 2006 and 17-18 April 2007): Ms. Maria Virginia Bras Gomes.

C. Future general comments

613.At its 55th meeting, held on 22 November 2006 (thirty-seventh session), the Committee decided that, following the completion of the two draft general comments currently under preparation on articles 2.2 and 9 of the Covenant (on non-discrimination and the right to social security), it would embark on the elaboration of a general comment on article 15 (the right to participate in cultural life). As the Committee’s leading experts in the field, Mr. Jaime Marchan Romero and Ms. Virginia Bonoan-Dandan were requested, and accepted, to serve as the Rapporteurs for this endeavour.

D. Reporting guidelines

614.In light of the acceptance of new guidelines for the preparation of common core documents by the chairpersons of the human rights treaty-monitoring bodies and the inter-committee meeting in June 2006 and the Committee’s experience in considering State party reports over the 15 years since the last revision of its reporting guidelines, at its thirty-seventh session, the Committee decided to review its reporting guidelines. A member, Ms. Bras Gomes, was appointed as Rapporteur for this task. At the thirty-seventh session in November 2006, the Committee was informed that Ms. Bras Gomes was reviewing the typical questions asked in its lists of issues, the relevant conclusions contained in its concluding observations, and the new guidelines for common core documents. On this basis, the Committee embarked on preliminary discussions about the nature of the revisions deemed to be necessary. Work on the treaty-specific guidelines will continue in 2007 for consideration and adoption by the Committee.

CHAPTER VII

Adoption of the report

615.At its 59th meeting, held on 24 November 2006, the Committee considered its draft report to the Economic and Social Council on the work of its thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh sessions (E/2007/22/CRP.1-5). The Committee adopted the report as amended during the discussions.

ANNEXES

Annex I

States parties to the Covenant and status of submission of reports

State party/ entry into force	Reports examined	Report(s) to be examined
Reporting round	Date(s) of examination	Report symbol	Summary record(s)	Concluding observations	Reporting round	Date due	Date received	Report symbol
Afghanistan - Core document not submitted
24.04.83	1	25.11.91	E/1990/5/Add.8	E/C.12/1991/SR.2	E/C.12/1991/4,	2	30.06.95
		26.11.91		E/C.12/1991/SR.4	paras. 55-94	3	30.06.00
		27.11.91		E/C.12/1991/SR.5		4	30.06.05
		28.11.91		E/C.12/1991/SR.6
				E/C.12/1991/SR.8
Albania - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.124
04.01.92	1	15.11.06	E/1990/5/Add.67	E/C/12/2006/SR.45	E/C.12/ALB/CO/1	2	30.06.04
		16.11.07		E/C/12/2006/SR.46
				E/C/12/2006/SR.47
Algeria - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.127
12.12.89	1	30.11.95	E/1990/5/Add.22	E/C.12/1995/SR.46	E/C.12/1995/17	3	30.06.06
		01.12.05		E/C.12/1995/SR.47
				E/C.12/1995/SR.48
	2	15.11.01	E/1990/6/Add.26	E/C.12/2001/SR.65	E/C.12/1/Add.71
				E/C.12/2001/SR.66
Angola - Core document not submitted
10.04.92						1	30.06.94
						2	30.06.99
						3	30.06.04
Argentina - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.74
08.11.86	1	26.01.90	E/1988/5/Add.4	E/C.12/1990/SR.18	E/C.12/1990/3,	3	30.06.01
		29.01.90		E/C.12/1990/SR.19	paras. 235-254	4	30.06.06
				E/C.12/1990/SR.20
	1	22.11.94	E/1990/5/Add.18	E/C.12/1994/SR.30	E/C.12/1994/14
		24.11.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.31
				E/C.12/1994/SR.32
Argentina ( cont’d )
	2	17.11.99	E/1990/6/Add.16	E/C.12/1999/SR.33	E/C.12/1/Add.38
		18.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.34
		19.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.35
				E/C.12/1999/SR.36
Armenia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.57
13.12.93	1	22.11.99	E/1990/5/Add.36	E/C.12/1999/SR.38/Add.1	E/C.12/1/Add.39	2	30.06.00
		23.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.39		3	30.06.05
				E/C.12/1999/SR.40
Australia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.44
10.03.76	1	21.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.15	E/1980/WG.1/SR.12	E/1980/WG.1/SR.12	4	30.06.05
				E/1980/WG.1/SR.13	E/1980/WG.1/SR.13
	1	27.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.22	E/1981/WG.1/SR.18	E/1981/WG.1/SR.18
	1	15.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.9	E/1982/WG.1/SR.13	E/1982/WG.1/SR.13
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.14	E/1982/WG.1/SR.14
	2	02.05.85	E/1984/7/Add.22	E/1985/WG.1/SR.17	E/1985/WG.1/SR.17
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.18	E/1985/WG.1/SR.18
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.21	E/1985/WG.1/SR.21
	2	21.04.86	E/1986/4/Add.7	E/1986/WG.1/SR.10	E/1986/WG.1/SR.10
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.11	E/1986/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.13	E/1986/WG.1/SR.13
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.14	E/1986/WG.1/SR.14
	2	24.05.93	E/1990/7/Add.13	E/C.12/1993/SR.13	E/C.12/1993/9
		25.05.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.15
	3	24.08.00	E/1994/104/Add.22	E/C.12/2000/SR.45	E/C.12/1/Add.50
		25.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.46
				E/C.12/2000/SR.47
Austria - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.8
10.12.78	1	17.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.19	E/1981/WG.1/SR.8	E/1981/WG.1/SR.8	4	30.06.01
	2	16.04.86	E/1986/4/Add.8 and Corr.1	E/1986/WG.1/SR.4 E/1986/WG.1/SR.7	E/1986/WG.1/SR.4 E/1986/WG.1/SR.7
	1	08.02.88	E/1982/3/Add.37 E/1984/6/Add.17	E/C.12/1988/SR.3 E/C.12/1988/SR.4	E/C.12/1988/Add.4, paras. 23-61
Austria ( cont’d )
	3	09.11.05 10.11.05	E/1994/104/Add.27	E/C.12/2005/SR.35 E/C.12/2005/SR.36 E/C.12/2005/SR.37	E/C.12/AUT/CO/3
Azerbaijan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.117
13.11.92	1	25.11.97	E/1990/5/Add.30	E/C.12/1997/SR.39	E/C.12/1/Add.20	3	30.06.09
		26.11.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.40
				E/C.12/1997/SR.41
	2		E/1990/6/Add.37	E/C.12/2004/SR.41	E/C.12/1/Add.104
				E/C.12/2004/SR.42
				E/C.12/2004/SR.43
Bangladesh - Core document not submitted
05.01.99						1	30.06.00
Barbados - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.64/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	27.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.24	E/1983/WG.1/SR.14	E/1983/WG.1/SR.14	2	30.06.91
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.15	E/1983/WG.1/SR.15	3	30.06.96
						4	30.06.01
						5	30.06.06
Belarus - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.70
03.01.76	1	23.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.19	E/1980/WG.1/SR.16	E/1980/WG.1/SR.16	4	30.06.99
	1	27.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.18	E/1981/WG.1/SR.16	E/1981/WG.1/SR.16
	1	12.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.3	E/1982/WG.1/SR.9	E/1982/WG.1/SR.9
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.10	E/1982/WG.1/SR.10
	2	25.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.8	E/1984/WG.1/SR.13	E/1984/WG.1/SR.13
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.15	E/1984/WG.1/SR.15
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add.19	E/1986/WG.1/SR.10	E/1986/WG.1/SR.10
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.11	E/1986/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.12	E/1986/WG.1/SR.12
	2	23.11.92	E/1990/7/Add.5	E/C.12/1992/SR.2	E/C.12/1992/SR.2
		24.11.92		E/C.12/1992/SR.3	E/C.12/1992/SR.3
	3	21.11.96	E/1994/104/Add.6	E/C.12/1996/SR.34	E/C.12/1/Add.7/Rev.1
		22.11.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.35
				E/C.12/1996/SR.36
Belgium - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.1/Rev.1
21.07.83	1	11.05.94	E/1990/5/Add.15	E/C.12/1994/SR.15	E/C.12/1994/7	3	30.06.05	15.05.06	E/C.12/BLG/3
		13.05.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.16/Add.1		4	30.06.10
				E/C.12/1994/SR.17
	2	17.11.00	E/1990/6/Add.18	E/C.12/2000/SR.64	E/C.12/1/Add.54
		20.11.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.65
				E/C.12/2000/SR.66
Benin - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.85
12.06.92	1	02.05.02	E/1990/5/Add.48	E/C.12/2002/SR.8	E/C.12/1/Add.78	2	30.06.07
		03.05.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.9
				E/C.12/2002/SR.10
Bolivia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.54/Rev.1
12.11.82	1	02.05.01	E/1990/5/Add.44	E/C.12/2001/SR.15	E/C.12/1/Add.60	2	30.06.05	30.01.07	E/C.12/BOL/2
		03.05.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.16		3	30.06.10
				E/C.12/2001/SR.17
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.89/Rev.1
06.03.92	1	14.11.05	E/1990/5/Add.65	E/C.12/2005/SR.41	E/C.12/BIH/CO/1	2	30.06.10
		15.11.05		E/C.12/2005/SR.42
				E/C.12/2005/SR.43
Brazil - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.53/Rev.1
24.04.92	1	08.05.03	E/1990/5/Add.53	E/C.12/2003/SR.8	E/C.12/1/Add.87	2	30.06.06
		09.05.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.9
				E/C.12/2003/SR.10
Bulgaria - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.81
03.01.76	1	21.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.24	E/1980/WG.1/SR.12	E/1980/WG.1/SR.12	4	30.06.99
	1	12.04.82	E/1980/6/Add.29	E/1982/WG.1/SR.8	E/1982/WG.1/SR.8	5	30.06.04
	1	26.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.23	E/1983/WG.1/SR.11	E/1983/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.12	E/1983/WG.1/SR.12
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.13	E/1983/WG.1/SR.13
	2	26.04.85	E/1984/7/Add.18	E/1985/WG.1/SR.9	E/1985/WG.1/SR.9
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.10	E/1985/WG.1/SR.10
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.11	E/1985/WG.1/SR.11
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add.20	E/C.12/1988/SR.17	E/C.12/1988/4,
				E/C.12/1988/SR.18	paras. 304-335
				E/C.12/1988/SR.19
Bulgaria ( cont’d )
	3	16.11.99	E/1994/104/Add.16	E/C.12/1999/SR.30	E/C.12/1/Add.37
		17.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.31
		30.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.32
				E/C.12/1999/SR.50
				E/C.12/1999/SR.51
Burkina Faso - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.30
04.04.99						1	30.06.00
Burundi - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.16/Rev.1
09.08.90						1	30.06.92
						2	30.06.97
						3	30.06.02
Cambodia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.94
26.08.92						1	30.06.94
						2	30.06.99
Cameroon - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.109
27.09.84	1	23.11.99	E/1990/5/Add.35	E/C.12/1999/SR.41/Add.1	E/C.12/1/Add.40	2	30.06.01
		24.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.42/Add.1
		02.12.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.43
				E/C.12/1999/SR.54
Canada - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.91
19.08.76	1	05.04.82	E/1978/8/Add.32	E/1982/WG.1/SR.1	E/1982/WG.1/SR.1	6	30.06.10
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.2	E/1982/WG.1/SR.2
	1	17.04.84	E/1980/6/Add.32	E/1984/WG.1/SR.4	E/1984/WG.1/SR.4
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.6	E/1984/WG.1/SR.6
	1	22.04.86	E/1982/3/Add.34	E/1986/WG.1/SR.13	E/1986/WG.1/SR.13
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.15	E/1986/WG.1/SR.15
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.16	E/1986/WG.1/SR.16
	2	06.02.89	E/1984/7/Add.28	E/C.12/1989/SR.8	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.11	paras. 79-112
	2	17.05.93	E/1990/6/Add.3	E/C.12/1993/SR.5	E/C.12/1993/5
		18.05.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.6
	3	26.11.98	E/1994/104/Add.17	E/C.12/1998/SR.46	E/C.12/1/Add.31
		27.11.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.47
				E/C.12/1998/SR.48
Canada ( cont’d )
	4	05.05.06	E/C.12/4/Add.15	E/C.12/2006/SR.9	E/C.12/CAN/CO/4
		08.05.06		E/C.12/2006/SR.10	E/C.12/CAN/CO/5
				E/C.12/2006/SR.11
				E/C.12/2006/SR.12
	5	05.05.06	E/C.12/CAN/5	E/C.12/2006/SR.9	E/C.12/CAN/CO/4
		08.05.06		E/C.12/2006/SR.10	E/C.12/CAN/CO/5
Cape Verde - Core document not submitted
06.11.93						1	30.06.95
						2	30.06.00
Central African Republic - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.100
08.08.81						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
Chad - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.88
09.09.95						1	30.06.97
						2	30.06.02
						3	30.06.07
Chile - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.103
03.01.76	1	17.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.10	E/1980/WG.1/SR.8	E/1980/WG.1/SR.8	4	30.06.09	31.01.06	E/C.12/CHL/4
				E/1980/WG.1/SR.9	E/1980/WG.1/SR.9	5	30.06.14
	1	17.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.4	E/1981/WG.1/SR.7	E/1981/WG.1/SR.7
	1	08.02.88	E/1982/3/Add.40	E/C.12/1988/SR.12	E/C.12/1988/4,
				E/C.12/1988/SR.13	paras. 184-218
				E/C.12/1988/SR.16
	2	24.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.1	E/1984/WG.1/SR.11	E/1984/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.12	E/1984/WG.1/SR.12
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add .18	E/C.12/1988/SR.12	E/C.12/1988/4,
				E/C.12/1988/SR.13	paras. 184-218
				E/C.12/1988/SR.16
	3	18.11.04	E/1994/104/Add.27	E/C.12/2004/SR.44	E/C.12/1/Add.105
				E/C.12/2004/SR.45
				E/C.12/2004/SR.46
China - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.21/Rev.2
27.06.01	1	27.04.05	E/1990/5/Add.59	E/C.12/2005/SR.6	E/C.12/1/Add.107	2	30.06.10
				E/C.12/2005/SR.7
				E/C.12/2005/SR.8
				E/C.12/2005/SR.9
				E/C.12/2005/SR.10
Colombia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.56/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	24.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.17	E/1980/WG.1/SR.15	E/1980/WG.1/SR.15	5	30.06.06
	1	17.04.86	E/1986/3/Add.3	E/1986/WG.1/SR.6	E/1986/WG.1/SR.6
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.9	E/1986/WG.1/SR.9
	1	23.04.86	E/1982/3/Add.36	E/1986/WG.1/SR.15	E/1986/WG.1/SR.15
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.21	E/1986/WG.1/SR.21
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.22	E/1986/WG.1/SR.22
	2	29.04.86	E/1984/7/Add.21/	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22
			Rev.1	E/1984/WG.1/SR.25	E/1984/WG.1/SR.25
	2	15.01.90	E/1986/4/Add.25	E/C.12/1990/SR.12	E/C.12/1990/3,
				E/C.12/1990/SR.14	paras. 169-211
				E/C.12/1990/SR.17
	2	25.11.91	E/1990/7/Add.4	E/C.12/1991/SR.17	E/C.12/1991/4,
				E/C.12/1991/SR.18	paras. 294-322
				E/C.12/1991/SR.25
	3	21.11.95	E/1994/104/Add.2	E/C.12/1995/SR.32	E/C.12/1995/12
		22.11.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.33	E/C.12/1995/18,
				E/C.12/1995/SR.35	paras. 173-202
	4	14.11.01	E/C.12/4/Add.6	E/C.12/2001/SR.61	E/C.12/1/Add.74
		29.11.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.62
Congo - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.79
05.01.84						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Costa Rica - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.104
03.01.76	1	04.12.90	E/1990/5/Add.3	E/C.12/1990/SR.38	E/C.12/1990/8,	2, 3, 4	30.06.93	05.05.06
		07.12.90		E/C.12/1990/SR.40	paras. 159-195	5	30.06.08
				E/C.12/1990/SR.43
Côte d’Ivoire - Core document not submitted
26.06.92						1	30.06.94
						2	30.06.99
						3	30.06.04
Croatia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.32/Rev.1
08.10.91	1	19.11.01	E/1990/5/Add.46	E/C.12/2001/SR.69	E/C.12/1/Add.73	2	30.06.06
		20.11.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.70
		28.11.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.71
Cyprus - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.28/Rev.2
03.01.76	1	23.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.21	E/1980/WG.1/SR.17	E/1980/WG.1/SR.17	4	30.06.99
	1	16.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.3	E/1981/WG.1/SR.6	E/1981/WG.1/SR.6	5	30.06.04
	1	22.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.19	E/1983/WG.1/SR.7	E/1983/WG.1/SR.7
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.8	E/1983/WG.1/SR.8
	2	27.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.13	E/1984/WG.1/SR.18	E/1984/WG.1/SR.18
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.22	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22
	2	15.01.90	E/1986/4/Add.2	E/C.12/1990/SR.2	E/C.12/1990/3,
			E/1986/4/Add.26	E/C.12/1990/SR.3	paras. 50-84
				E/C.12/1990/SR.5
	3	18.11.98	E/1994/104/Add.12	E/C.12/1998/SR.34	E/C.12/1/Add.28
		19.11.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.35
				E/C.12/1998/SR.36
Czech Republic - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.71/Rev.2
01.01.93	1	30.04.02	E/1990/5/Add.47	E/C.12/2002/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.76	2	30.06.07
		01.05.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.4
				E/C.12/2002/SR.5
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.108/Rev.1
14.12.81	1	09.03.87	E/1984/6/Add.7	E/C.12/1987/SR.21	E/C.12/1987/5,	3	30.06.08
			E/1986/3/Add.5	E/C.12/1987/SR.22	paras. 260-297
	1	25.11.91	E/1988/5/Add.6	E/C.12/1991/SR.6	E/C.12/1991/4,
				E/C.12/1991/SR.8	paras. 140-157
				E/C.12/1991/SR.10
	2	19.11.03	E/1990/6/Add.35	E/C.12/2003/SR.44	E/C.12/1/Add.95
		20.11.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.45
				E/C.12/2003/SR.46
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Core document not submitted
01.02.77	1	08.02.88	E/1982/3/Add.41	E/C.12/1988/SR.16	E/C.12/1988/4,	2	30.06.92
			E/1984/6/Add.18	E/C.12/1988/SR.17	paras. 270-303	3	29.06.97
			E/1986/3/Add.7	E/C.12/1988/SR.18		4	29.06.02
				E/C.12/1988/SR.19		5	29.06.07
Denmark - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.58
03.01.76	1	18.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.13	E/1980/WG.1/SR.10	E/1980/WG.1/SR.10	5	30.06.09
	1	23.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.15	E/1981/WG.1/SR.12	E/1981/WG.1/SR.12
	1	22.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.20	E/1983/WG.1/SR.13	E/1983/WG.1/SR.13
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.14	E/1983/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.15	E/1983/WG.1/SR.15
	2	27.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.11	E/1984/WG.1/SR.17	E/1984/WG.1/SR.17
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.21	E/1984/WG.1/SR.21
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add.16	E/C.12/1988/SR.8	E/C.12/1988/SR.8
				E/C.12/1988/SR.9	E/C.12/1988/SR.9
	3	03.05.99	E/1994/104/Add.15	E/C.12/1999/SR.11	E/C.12/1/Add.34
		04.05.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.12
				E/C.12/1999/SR.13
	4	10.11.04	E/C.12/4/Add.12	E/C.12/2004/SR.34	E/C.12/1/Add.102
				E/C.12/2004/SR.35
				E/C.12/2004/SR.36
Djibouti - Core document not submitted
05.02.03						1	05.02.04
Dominica - Core document not submitted
17.09.93						1	30.06.95
						2	30.06.00
Dominican Republic - Core document not submitted
04.04.78	1	26.11.90	E/1990/5/Add.4	E/C.12/1990/SR.43	E/C.12/1990/8,	3	30.06.99	13.11.06	E/C.12/DOM/3
				E/C.12/1990/SR.44	paras. 213-250	4	30.06.04
				E/C.12/1990/SR.45
				E/C.12/1990/SR.47
	2	03.12.96	E/1990/6/Add.7	E/C.12/1996/SR.29	E/C.12/1/Add.6
		18.11.97		E/C.12/1996/SR.30	E/C.12/1/Add.16
		19.11.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.29
				E/C.12/1997/SR.30
				E/C.12/1997/SR.31
				E/C.12/1997/SR.51
Ecuador - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.7
03.01.76	1	15.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.1	E/1980/WG.1/SR.4	E/1980/WG.1/SR.4	3	30.06.09	25.10.02	E/1994/104/Add.26
				E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5
	1	26.11.90	E/1986/3/Add.14	E/C.12/1990/SR.37	E/C.12/1990/8,
			E/1988/5/Add.7	E/C.12/1990/SR.38	paras. 130-158
				E/C.12/1990/SR.39
				E/C.12/1990/SR.42
	2	30.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.12	E/1984/WG.1/SR.20	E/1984/WG.1/SR.20
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.22	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22
	2	05.05.04	E/1994/104/Add.26	E/C.12/2004/SR.15	E/C.12/1/Add.100
		06.05.04		E/C.12/2004/SR.16
				E/C.12/2004/SR.17
Egypt - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.19
14.04.82	1	02.05.00	E/1990/5/Add.38	E/C.12/2000/SR.12	E/C.12/1/Add.44	2	30.06.95
		03.05.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.13		3	30.06.00
		12.05.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.14		4	30.06.05
				E/C.12/2000/SR.26
El Salvador - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.34/Rev.2
29.02.80	1	09.05.96	E/1990/5/Add.25	E/C.12/1996/SR.15	E/C.12/1/Add.4	3, 4, 5	30.06.10
		10.05.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.16
				E/C.12/1996/SR.18
	2	08.11.06	E/1990/6/Add.39	E/C.12/2006/SR.36	E/C.12/SLV/CO/2
		09.11.04		E/C.12/2006/SR.37
Equatorial Guinea - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.126
25.12.87						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Eritrea - Core document not submitted
17.07.01						1	30.06.03
Estonia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.50/Rev.1
21.01.92	1	19.11.02	E/1990/5/Add.51	E/C.12/2002/SR.41	E/C.12/1/Add.85	2	30.06.07
		20.11.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.42
				E/C.12/2002/SR.43
Ethiopia - Core document not submitted
11.09.93						1	30.06.95
						2	30.06.00
						3	30.06.05
Finland - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.59/Rev.2
03.01.76	1	16.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.14	E/1980/WG.1/SR.6	E/1980/WG.1/SR.6	5	30.06.05	10.10.05	E/C.12/5/2
	1	21.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.11	E/1981/WG.1/SR.10	E/1981/WG.1/SR.10	6	30.06.10
	1	19.04.84	E/1982/3/Add.28	E/1984/WG.1/SR.7	E/1984/WG.1/SR.7
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.8	E/1984/WG.1/SR.8
	2	27.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.14	E/1984/WG.1/SR.17	E/1984/WG.1/SR.17
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.18	E/1984/WG.1/SR.18
	2	18.04.86	E/1986/4/Add.4	E/1986/WG.1/SR.8	E/1986/WG.1/SR.8
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.9	E/1986/WG.1/SR.9
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.11	E/1986/WG.1/SR.11
	2	25.11.91	E/1990/7/Add.1	E/1991/WG.1/SR.11	E/1991/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1991/WG.1/SR.12	E/1991/WG.1/SR.12
				E/1991/WG.1/SR.16	E/1991/WG.1/SR.16
	3	25.11.96	E/1994/104/Add.7	E/C.12/1996/SR.37	E/C.12/1/Add.8
				E/C.12/1996/SR.38
				E/C.12/1996/SR.40
	4	15.11.00	E/C.12/4/Add.1	E/C.12/2000/SR.61	E/C.12/1/Add.52
		16.11.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.62/Add.1
				E/C.12/2000/SR.63
France - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.17/Rev.1
04.02.81	1	24.04.85	E/1982/3/Add.30	E/1985/WG.1/SR.5	E/1985/WG.1/SR.5	3	30.06.06	06.03.07	E/C.12/FRA/3
			E/1982/3/Add.30/ Corr.1	E/1985/WG.1/SR.7	E/1985/WG.1/SR.7	4	30.06.11
	1	25.04.86	E/1984/6/Add.11	E/1986/WG.1/SR.18	E/1986/WG.1/SR.18
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.19	E/1986/WG.1/SR.19
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.21	E/1986/WG.1/SR.21
	1	06.02.89	E/1986/3/Add.10	E/C.12/1989/SR.12	E/C.12/1989,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.13	paras. 131-161
	2	16.11.01	E/1990/6/Add.27	E/C.12/2001/SR.67	E/C.12/1/Add.72
		23.11.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.68
Gabon - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.65/Rev.1
21.04.83						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Gambia - Core document not submitted
29.03.79						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Georgia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.90/Rev.1
03.08.94	1	26.04.00	E/1990/5/Add.37	E/C.12/2000/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.42	3	30.06.07
		27.04.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.4
				E/C.12/2000/SR.5
	2	14.11.02	E/1990/6/Add.31	E/C.12/2002/SR.35	E/C.12/1/Add.83
		15.11.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.36
Germany - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.75/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	17.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.8	E/1980/WG.1/SR.8	E/1980/WG.1/SR.8	5	30.06.06
		18.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.11	E/1980/WG.1/SR.10	E/1980/WG.1/SR.10
		20.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.6	E/1981/WG.1/SR.8	E/1981/WG.1/SR.8
		21.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.10	E/1981/WG.1/SR.10	E/1981/WG.1/SR.10
	1	19.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.14	E/1982/WG.1/SR.17	E/1982/WG.1/SR.17
		21.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.15	E/1982/WG.1/SR.18	E/1982/WG.1/SR.18
			E/1982/3/Add.15/	E/1983/WG.1/SR.5	E/1983/WG.1/SR.5
			Corr.1	E/1983/WG.1/SR.6	E/1983/WG.1/SR.6
	2	30.04.85	E/1984/7/Add.24	E/1986/WG.1/SR.22	E/1986/WG.1/SR.22
		29.04.86	E/1984/7/Add.24/ Corr.1	E/1986/WG.1/SR.23	E/1986/WG.1/SR.23
			E/1984/7/Add.3	E/1986/WG.1/SR.25	E/1986/WG.1/SR.25
			E/1984/7/Add.23	E/1985/WG.1/SR.12	E/1985/WG.1/SR.12
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.16	E/1985/WG.1/SR.16
	2	09.03.87	E/1986/4/Add.10	E/C.12/1987/SR.11	E/C.12/1987/5,
			E/1986/4/Add.11	E/C.12/1987/SR.12	paras. 115-149,
				E/C.12/1987/SR.14	221 ‑259
				E/C.12/1987/SR.19
				E/C.12/1987/SR.20
Germany ( cont’d )
	2	30.11.93	E/1990/7/Add.12	E/C.12/1993/SR.35	E/C.12/1993/17
		01.12.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.36
	3	23.11.98	E/1994/104/Add.14	E/C.12/1998/SR.40	E/C.12/1/Add.29
		24.11.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.41/Add.1
				E/C.12/1998/SR.42
	4	24.08.01	E/C.12/4/Add.3	E/C.12/2001/SR.48	E/C.12/1/Add.68
				E/C.12/2001/SR.49
Ghana - Core document not submitted
07.12.00						1	30.06.03
Greece - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.121
16.08.85	1	28.04.2004	E/1990/5/Add.56	E/C.12/2004/SR.6	E/C.12/1/Add.97	2	30.06.09
		29.04.2004		E/C.12/2004/SR.7
				E/C.12/2004/SR.8
Grenada - Core document not submitted
06.12.91						1	30.06.93
						2	30.06.98
						3	30.06.03
Guatemala - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.47
19.08.88	1	07.05.96	E/1990/5/Add.24	E/C.12/1996/SR.11	E/C.12/1/Add.3	3	30.06.08
		08.05.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.12
				E/C.12/1996/SR.13
				E/C.12/1996/SR.14
	2	14.11.03	E/1990/6/Add.34	E/C.12/2003/SR.37	E/C.12/1/Add.93
			E/1990/6/Add.34/ Rev.1	E/C.12/2003/SR.38
Guinea - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.80/Rev.1
24.04.78						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Guinea-Bissau - Core document not submitted
02.10.92						1	30.06.94
						2	30.06.99
						3	30.06.04
Guyana - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.61
15.05.77	1	30.04.97	E/1990/5/Add.27	E/1984/WG.1/SR.20	E/1984/WG.1/SR.20	2	30.06.00
	1	25.04.85	E/1982/3/Add.5	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22	3	30.06.05
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.6	E/1985/WG.1/SR.6
Honduras - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.96
17.05.81	1	25.04.01	E/1990/5/Add.40	E/C.12/2001/SR.5	E/C.12/1/Add.57	2	30.06.06
		26.04.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.6
				E/C.12/2001/SR.7
Hungary - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.11
03.01.76	1	16.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.7	E/1980/WG.1/SR.7	E/1980/WG.1/SR.7	3	30.06.94	29.09.05	E/1994/104/Add.32
	1	15.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.10	E/1982/WG.1/SR.14	E/1982/WG.1/SR.14	4	30.06.99
	1, 2	17.04.86	E/1980/6/Add.37	E/1986/WG.1/SR.6	E/1986/WG.1/SR.6	5	30.06.04
			E/1986/4/Add.1	E/1986/WG.1/SR.7	E/1986/WG.1/SR.7
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.9	E/1986/WG.1/SR.9
	2	30.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.15	E/1984/WG.1/SR.19	E/1984/WG.1/SR.19
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.21	E/1984/WG.1/SR.21
	2	23.11.92	E/1990/7/Add.10	E/C.12/1992/SR.9	E/C.12/1992/2,
				E/C.12/1992/SR.12	paras. 133-154
				E/C.12/1992/SR.21
Iceland - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.26
22.08.79	1	25.11.93	E/1990/5/Add.6	E/C.12/1993/SR.29	E/C.12/1993/15	4	30.06.08
		26.11.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.30
				E/C.12/1993/SR.31
	2	27.04.99	E/1990/6/Add.15	E/C.12/1/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.32
		28.04.99		E/C.12/1/SR.4
				E/C.12/1/SR.5
	3	13.05.03	E/1994/104/Add.25	E/C.12/2003/SR.14	E/C.12/1/Add.89
		14.05.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.15
				E/C.12/2003/SR.16
India - Core document not submitted
10.07.79	1	18.04.84	E/1980/6/Add.34	E/1984/WG.1/SR.6	E/1984/WG.1/SR.6	2, 3, 4, 5	30.06.91	23.10.06	E/C.12/IND/5
			E/1980/6/Add.34/ Corr.1	E/1984/WG.1/SR.6	E/1984/WG.1/SR.6	6	30.06.11
	1	28.04.86	E/1984/6/Add.13	E/1986/WG.1/SR.20	E/1986/WG.1/SR.20
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.24	E/1986/WG.1/SR.24
India ( cont’d )
	1	15.01.90	E/1988/5/Add.5	E/C.12/1990/SR.16	E/C.12/1990/3,
				E/C.12/1990/SR.17	paras. 212-234
				E/C.12/1990/SR.19
Indonesia - Core document not submitted
23.05.06						1	30.06.08
Iran (Islamic Republic of) - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.106
03.01.76	1	26.11.90	E/1982/3/Add.43	E/C.12/1990/WG.1/SR.42	E/C.12/1990/8,	2	30.06.95
				E/C.12/1990/WG.1/SR.43	paras. 196-212	3	30.06.00
				E/C.12/1990/WG.1/SR.45		4	30.06.05
	1	18.05.93	E/1990/5/Add.9	E/C.12/1993/SR.7	E/C.12/1993/7
		19.05.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.8
				E/C.12/1993/SR.9
Iraq - Core document not submitted
03.01.76	1	23.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.14	E/1981/WG.1/SR.12	E/1981/WG.1/SR.12	4	30.06.00
	1	23.04.85	E/1984/6/Add.3	E/1985/WG.1/SR.3	E/1985/WG.1/SR.3	5	30.06.05
			E/1982/3/Add.26	E/1985/WG.1/SR.4	E/1985/WG.1/SR.4
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.8	E/1985/WG.1/SR.8
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.11	E/1985/WG.1/SR.11
	2	18.04.86	E/1986/4/Add.3	E/1986/WG.1/SR.8	E/1986/WG.1/SR.8
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.11	E/1986/WG.1/SR.11
	2	09.05.94	E/1990/7/Add.15	E/C.12/1994/SR.11	E/1995/22,
		10.05.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.14	paras. 125-143
	3	20.11.97	E/1994/104/Add.9	E/C.12/1997/SR.33	E/C.12/1/Add.17
		21.11.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.34
				E/C.12/1997/SR.35
				E/C.12/1997/SR.51
Ireland - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.15/Rev.1
08.03.90	1	04.05.99	E/1990/5/Add.34	E/C.12/1999/SR.14	E/C.12/1/Add.35	3	30.06.07
		05.05.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.15/Add.1
				E/C.12/1999/SR.16
	2	01.05.02	E/1990/6/Add.29	E/C.12/2002/SR.6	E/C.12/Add.77
		02.05.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.7
Israel - Core document not submitted
03.01.92	1	17.11.98	E/1990/5/Add.39	E/C.12/1998/SR.31	E/C.12/1/Add.27	3	30.06.08
		18.11.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.32
				E/C.12/1998/SR.33
	2	15.05.03	E/1990/6/Add.32	E/C.12/2003/SR.17	E/C.12/1/Add.90
		16.05.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.18
				E/C.12/2003/SR.19
Italy - Core document not submitted
15.12.78	1	06.04.82	E/1978/8/Add.34	E/1982/WG.1/SR.3	E/1982/WG.1/SR.3	5	30.06.09
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.4	E/1982/WG.1/SR.4
	1	17.04.84	E/1980/6/Add.31	E/1984/WG.1/SR.3	E/1984/WG.1/SR.3
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.5	E/1984/WG.1/SR.5
	2	23.11.92	E/1990/6/Add.2	E/C.12/1992/SR.13	E/C.12/1992/2,
				E/C.12/1992/SR.14	paras. 155-193
	3	27.04.00	E/1994/104/Add.19	E/C.12/2000/SR.6	E/C.12/1/Add.43
		28.04.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.7
				E/C.12/2000/SR.8
	4	15.11.04	E/C.12/4/Add.13	E/C.12/2004/SR.38	E/C.12/1/Add.103
				E/C.12/2004/SR.39
				E/C.12/2004/SR.40
Jamaica - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.82
03.01.76	1	25.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.27	E/1980/WG.1/SR.20	E/1980/WG.1/SR.20	3	30.06.03
	1, 2	22.01.90	E/1986/3/Add.12	E/C.12/1990/SR.10	E/C.12/1990/3,
		24.01.90	E/1988/5/Add.3	E/C.12/1990/SR.11	paras. 134-168
			E/1984/7/Add.30	E/C.12/1990/SR.12
				E/C.12/1990/SR.15
	2	21.11.01	E/1990/6/Add.28	E/C.12/2001/SR.73	E/C.12/1/Add.75
Japan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.111
21.09.79	1	14.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.7	E/1982/WG.1/SR.12	E/1982/WG.1/SR.12	3	30.06.06
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.13	E/1982/WG.1/SR.13
	1	23.04.84	E/1984/6/Add.6	E/1984/WG.1/SR.9	E/1984/WG.1/SR.9
			E/1984/6/Add.6/ Corr.1	E/1984/WG.1/SR.10	E/1984/WG.1/SR.10
	1	28.04.86	E/1986/3/Add.4	E/1986/WG.1/SR.20	E/1986/WG.1/SR.20
			E/1986/3/Add.4/	E/1986/WG.1/SR.21	E/1986/WG.1/SR.21
			Corr.1	E/1986/WG.1/SR.23	E/1986/WG.1/SR.23
Japan ( cont’d )
	2	21.08.01	E/1990/6/Add.21	E/C.12/2001/SR.42	E/C.12/1/Add.67
		30.08.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.43
Jordan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.18/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	09.03.87	E/1984/6/Add.15	E/C.12/1987/SR.6	E/C.12/1987/5,	3	30.06.03
				E/C.12/1987/SR.7	paras. 36-66
				E/C.12/1987/SR.8
	1	09.03.87	E/1986/3/Add.6	E/C.12/1987/SR.8	E/C.12/1987/5,
					paras. 67-85
	1	28.11.90	E/1982/3/Add.38/ Rev.1	E/C.12/1990/SR.30	E/C.12/1990/8, paras. 56-86
		29.11.90		E/C.12/1990/SR.31
				E/C.12/1990/SR.32
	2	15.08.00	E/1990/6/Add.17	E/C.12/2000/SR.30	E/C.12/1/Add.46
		16.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.31
Kazakhstan - Core document not submitted
24.04.06						1	30.06.08
Kenya - Core document not submitted
03.01.76	1	17.05.93	E/1990/5/Add.17	E/C.12/1994/SR.12	E/1995/22,	1	06.09.06	07.09.06	E/C.12/KEN/1
		27.05.93			paras. 159-164	2	30.06.00
						3	30.06.05
Kuwait - Core document not submitted
21.08.96	1	30.04.04	E/1990/5/Add.57	E/C.12/2004/SR.9	E/C.12/1/Add.98	2	30.06.09
		03.05.04		E/C.12/2004/SR.10
				E/C.12/2004/SR.11
Kyrgyzstan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.101
07.10.94	1	23.08.00	E/1990/5/Add.42	E/C.12/2000/SR.42	E/C.12/1/Add.49	2	30.06.05
		24.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.43
				E/C.12/2000/SR.44
Lao People’s Democratic Republic - Core document not submitted
13.05.07						1	30.06.09
Latvia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.123
14.07.92						1	30.06.94	12.08.05	E/1990/5/Add.70
						2	30.06.99
						3	30.06.04
Lebanon - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.27/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	25.05.93	E/1990/5/Add.16	E/C.12/1993/SR.14	E/C.12/1993/10	2	30.06.95
		26.05.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.16		3	30.06.00
		28.05.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.21		4	30.06.05
Lesotho - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.98
09.12.92						1	30.06.94
						2	30.06.99
						3	30.06.04
Liberia - Core document not submitted
22.12.04						1	30.06.06
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.77
03.01.76	1	28.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.6	E/1983/WG.1/SR.16	E/1983/WG.1/SR.16	3	30.06.07
			E/1982/3/Add.25	E/1983/WG.1/SR.17	E/1983/WG.1/SR.17
	1	13.05.97	E/1990/5/Add.26	E/C.12/1997/SR.20	E/C.12/1/Add.15
	2	16.11.05		E/C.12/1997/SR.21
		17.11.05	E/1990/6/Add.38	E/C.12/2005/SR.44	E/C.12/LYB/CO/2
				E/C.12/2005/SR.45
				E/C.12/2005/SR.46
Liechtenstein - Core document not submitted
10.03.99	1	04.10.04	E/1990/5/Add.66	E/C.12/2006/SR.6	E/C.12/LIE/CO/1	2, 3	30.06.11
				E/C.12/2006/SR.7
Lithuania - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.97
20.02.92	1	27.04.04	E/1990/5/Add.55	E/C.12/2004/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.96	2	30.06.09
		28.04.04		E/C.12/2004/SR.4
				E/C.12/2004/SR.5
Luxembourg - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.10/Rev.1
18.11.83	1	29.11.90	E/1990/5/Add.1	E/C.12/1990/SR.33	E/1991/23,	4	30.06.08
		30.11.90		E/C.12/1990/SR.34	paras. 87-129
		03.12.90		E/C.12/1990/SR.35
				E/C.12/1990/SR.36
	2	09.12.96	E/1990/6/Add.9	E/C.12/1997/SR.48	E/C.12/1/Add.22
		02.12.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.49
		05.12.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.54
	3	07.05.03	E/1994/104/Add.24	E/C.12/2003/SR.5	E/C.12/1/Add.86
				E/C.12/2003/SR.6
Madagascar - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.31/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	15.04.86	E/1980/6/Add.39	E/1986/WG.1/2, 3, 5	E/1986/WG.1/2, 3, 5	2	30.06.90
						3	30.06.95
						4	30.06.00
						5	30.06.05
Malawi - Core document not submitted
22.03.94						1	30.06.96
						2	30.06.01
						3	30.06.06
Maldives - Core document not submitted
19.12.06						1	30.06.08
Mali - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.87
03.01.76						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Malta - Core document not submitted
13.12.90	1	09.11.04	E/1990/5/Add.58	E/C.12/2004/SR.32-33	E/C.12/1/Add.101	2	30.06.09
Mauritania - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.112
17.02.05						1	30.06.07
Mauritius - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.60/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	27.11.95	E/1990/5/Add.21	E/C.12/1995/SR.40	E/C.12/1995/14	2	30.06.95
		28.11.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.41	E/C.12/1995/18,	3	30.06.00
				E/C.12/1995/SR.43	paras. 228-247	4	30.06.05
Mexico - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.12/Rev.1
23.06.81	1	15.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.8	E/1982/WG.1/SR.14	E/1982/WG.1/SR.14	5	30.06.07
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.15	E/1982/WG.1/SR.15
	1	30.04.86	E/1984/6/Add.2	E/1986/WG.1/24	E/1986/WG.1/24
			E/1984/6/Add.10	E/1986/WG.1/26	E/1986/WG.1/26
				E/1986/WG.1/28	E/1986/WG.1/28
	1	15.01.90	E/1986/3/Add.13	E/C.12/1990/SR.6	E/C.12/1990/3,
				E/C.12/1990/SR.7	paras. 85-112
				E/C.12/1990/SR.9
	2	29.11.93	E/1990/6/Add.4	E/C.12/1993/SR.32	E/C.12/1993/16
		30.11.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.33
				E/C.12/1993/SR.34
				E/C.12/1993/SR.35
Mexico ( cont’d )
	3	25.11.99	E/1994/104/Add.18	E/C.12/1999/SR.44	E/C.12/1/Add.41
		26.11.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.45
		02.12.99		E/C.12/1999/SR.46
				E/C.12/1999/SR.54
	4	30.06.02	E/C.12/MEX/CO/4	E/C.12/2006/SR.13	E/C.12/MEX/CO/4
				E/C.12/2006/SR.14
				E/C.12/2006/SR.15
Moldova - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.114
26.04.93	1	11.11.03	E/1990/5/Add.52	E/C.12/2003/SR.32	E/C.12/1/Add.91	2	30.06.08
		12.11.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.33
				E/C.12/2003/SR.34
Monaco - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.118
28.11.97	1	13.04.04	E/1990/5/Add.64	E/C.12/2006/SR.3	E/C.12/MCO/CO/1	2, 3	30.06.09
				E/C.12/2006/SR.4
Mongolia - Core document not submitted
03.01.76	1	16.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.6	E/1980/WG.1/SR.7	E/1980/WG.1/SR.7	4	30.06.03
	1	20.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.7	E/1981/WG.1/SR.8	E/1981/WG.1/SR.8	5	30.06.08
				E/1981/WG.1/SR.9	E/1981/WG.1/SR.9
	1	16.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.11	E/1982/WG.1/SR.15	E/1982/WG.1/SR.15
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.16	E/1982/WG.1/SR.16
	2	26.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.6	E/1984/WG.1/SR.16	E/1984/WG.1/SR.16
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.18	E/1984/WG.1/SR.18
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add.9	E/C.12/1988/SR.5	E/C.12/1988/4,
				E/C.12/1988/SR.7	paras. 62-89
	3	17.08.00	E/1994/104/Add.21	E/C.12/2000/SR.34	E/C.12/1/Add.47
		18.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.35
		28.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.36
				E/C.12/2000/SR.49
Montenegroa - Core document not submitted
03.06.06						1	30.06.08
Morocco - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.23/Rev.1
03.08.79	1	05.06.94	E/1990/5/Add.13	E/C.12/1994/SR.8	E/C.12/1994/5	4	30.06.09
		06.06.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.9
		10.06.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.10
	2	22.11.00	E/1990/6/Add.20	E/C.12/2000/SR.70	E/C.12/1/Add.55
		23.11.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.71
		30.11.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.72
	3	10.05.04	E/1994/104/Add.29	E/C.12/2006/SR.16	E/C.12/MAR/CO/3
		11.05.04		E/C.12/2006/SR.17
				E/C.12/2006/SR.18
Namibia - Core document not submitted				E/C.12/2006/SR.18
28.02.95	1	30.06.97
	2	30.06.02
Nepal - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.42
14.08.91	1	22.08.01	E/1990/5/Add.45	E/C.12/2001/SR.44	E/C.12/1/Add.66	2	30.06.06	30.06.06	E/C.12/NEP/2
		23.08.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.45		3	30.06.11
		29.08.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.46
Netherlands - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.66				E/C.12/2001/SR.46
11.03.79	1	17.04.84	E/1980/6/Add.33	E/1984/WG.1/SR.4	E/1984/WG.1/SR.4	4, 5	30.06.07
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.5	E/1984/WG.1/SR.5
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.6	E/1984/WG.1/SR.6
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.8	E/1984/WG.1/SR.8
	1	23.04.86	E/1982/3/Add.35	E/1984/WG.1/SR.14	E/1984/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.18	E/1984/WG.1/SR.18
	1, 2	06.02.89	E/1984/6/Add.20	E/C.12/1989/SR.14	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.15	paras. 193-228
	2	05.05.98	E/1990/6/Add.11	E/C.12/1998/SR.13	E/C.12/1/Add.25
		06.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.14
		07.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.15
				E/C.12/1998/SR.16
				E/C.12/1998/SR.17
	3	07.11.06	E/1994/104/Add.30	E/C.12/2006/SR.33	E/C.12/NLD/CO/3
		08.11.06		E/C.12/2006/SR.34
				E/C.12/2006/SR.35
Netherlands ( cont’d )
(Antilles)	1	09.03.87	E/1984/6/Add.14	E/C.12/1987/SR.5	E/C.12/1987/5,	3	30.06.97	05.08.05	E/1994/104/Add.30
				E/C.12/1987/SR.6	paras. 23-35
	1	06.02.89	E/1982/3/Add.44	E/C.12/1989/SR.14	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.15	paras. 229-240
	2	05.05.98	E/1990/6/Add.12	E/C.12/1998/SR.13	E/C.12/1/Add.25
		06.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.14
		07.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.15
				E/C.12/1998/SR.16
				E/C.12/1998/SR.17
(Aruba)	2	05.05.98	E/1990/6/Add.13	E/C.12/1998/SR.13	E/C.12/1/Add.25
		06.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.14
		07.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.15
				E/C.12/1998/SR.16
				E/C.12/1998/SR.17
New Zealand - Core document: HRI/CORE/NZL/2006
28.03.79	1	23.11.93	E/1990/5/Add.5	E/C.12/1993/SR.24	E/C.12/1993/13	3	30.06.08
		24.11.93	E/1990/5/Add.11	E/C.12/1993/SR.25
			E/1990/5/Add.12	E/C.12/1993/SR.26
	2	12.05.03	E/1990/6/Add.33	E/C.12/2003/SR.11	E/C.12/1/Add.88
				E/C.12/2003/SR.12
Nicaragua - Core document not submitted
12.06.80	1	01.05.85	E/1982/3/Add.31	E/1985/WG.1/SR.15	E/1985/WG.1/SR.15	2	30.06.95
			E/1982/3/Add.31/ Corr.1			3	30.06.00
	1	24.04.86	E/1984/6/Add.9	E/1986/WG.1/SR.16	E/1986/WG.1/SR.16	4	30.06.05
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.17	E/1986/WG.1/SR.17
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.19	E/1986/WG.1/SR.19
	1	24.11.93	E/1986/3/Add.15	E/C.12/1993/SR.27	E/C.12/1993/14
		25.11.93	E/1986/3/Add.16	E/C.12/1993/SR.28
Niger - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.45/Rev.1
07.06.86						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Nigeria - Core document not submitted
29.10.93	1	29.04.98	E/1990/5/Add.31	E/C.12/1998/SR.6	E/C.12/1/Add.23	2	30.06.00
		01.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.7		3	30.06.05
				E/C.12/1998/SR.8
				E/C.12/1998/SR.9
Norway - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.6
03.01.76	1	15.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.12	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	5	30.06.10
	1	24.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.5	E/1981/WG.1/SR14	E/1981/WG.1/SR.14
	1	16.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.12	E/1982/WG.1/SR.16	E/1982/WG.1/SR.16
	2	30.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.16	E/1984/WG.1/SR.19	E/1984/WG.1/SR.19
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.22	E/1984/WG.1/SR.22
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add.21	E/C.12/1988/SR.14	E/C.12/1988/4,
				E/C.12/1988/SR.15	paras. 219-239
	2	23.11.92	E/1990/7/Add.7	E/C.12/1992/SR.4	E/C.12/1992/2,
				E/C.12/1992/SR.5	paras. 80-107
				E/C.12/1992/SR.12
	3	22.11.95	E/1994/104/Add.3	E/C.12/1995/SR.34	E/C.12/1995/13
		23.11.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.36
				E/C.12/1995/SR.37
	4	03.05.05	E/C.12/4/Add.14	E/C.12/2005/SR.14-15	E/C.12/1/Add.109
Panama - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.14/Rev.1
08.06.77	1	07.04.82	E/1980/6/Add.20	E/1982/WG.1/SR.5	E/1982/WG.1/SR.5	3	30.06.04
			E/1980/6/Add.23
	1	25.11.91	E/1984/6/Add.19	E/C.12/1991/SR.3	E/C.12/1991/4,
			E/1988/5/Add.9	E/C.12/1991/SR.5	paras. 95-139
			E/1986/4/Add.22	E/C.12/1991/SR.8
	2	16.08.01	E/1990/6/Add.24	E/C.12/2001/SR.36	E/C.12/1/Add.64
		27.08.01
Paraguay - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.24
10.09.92	1	30.04.96	E/1990/5/Add.23	E/C.12/1996/SR.1	E/C.12/1/Add.1	2, 3	30.06.99	31.08.06	E/C.12/PRY/3
		01.05.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.2		4	30.06.09
				E/C.12/1996/SR.4
Peru - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.43/Rev.1
28.07.78	1	24.04.84	E/1984/6/Add.5	E/1984/WG.1/SR.11	E/1984/WG.1/SR.11	2	30.06.95
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.18	E/1984/WG.1/SR.18	3	30.06.00
Peru ( cont’d )
	1	07.05.97	E/1990/5/Add.29	E/C.12/1997/SR.5	E/C.12/1/Add.14	4	30.06.05
		09.05.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.16
				E/C.12/1997/SR.17
				E/C.12/1997/SR.26
Philippines - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.37
03.01.76	1	18.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.4	E/1980/WG.1/SR.11	E/1980/WG.1/SR.11	2, 3, 4	30.06.95	18.12.06	E/C.12/PHL/4
	1	15.01.90	E/1988/5/Add.2	E/C.12/1990/SR.8	E/C.12/1990/3,	5	30.06.10
				E/C.12/1990/SR.98	paras. 113-133
				E/C.12/1990/SR.11
	1	08.05.95	E/1986/3/Add.17	E/C.12/1995/SR.11	E/C.12/1995/7
		09.05.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.2
				E/C.12/1995/SR.14
Poland - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.25/Rev.2
18.06.77	1	24.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.23	E/1980/WG.1/SR.18	E/1980/WG.1/SR.18	5	30.06.07
				E/1980/WG.1/SR.19	E/1980/WG.1/SR.19
	1	22.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.12	E/1981/WG.1/SR.11	E/1981/WG.1/SR.11
	1	25.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.21	E/1983/WG.1/SR.9	E/1983/WG.1/SR.9
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.10	E/1983/WG.1/SR.10
	2	30.04.86	E/1984/7/Add.26	E/1986/WG.1/SR.25	E/1986/WG.1/SR.25
			E/1984/7/Add.27	E/1986/WG.1/SR.26	E/1986/WG.1/SR.26
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.27	E/1986/WG.1/SR.27
	2	06.02.89	E/1986/4/Add.12	E/C.12/1989/SR.5	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.6	paras. 28-52
	2	23.11.92	E/1990/7/Add.9	E/C.12/1992/SR.6	E/C.12/1992/2,
				E/C.12/1992/SR.7	paras. 108-132
				E/C.12/1992/SR.15
	3	04.05.98	E/1994/104/Add.13	E/C.12/1998/SR.10	E/C.12/1/Add.26
		05.05.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.11
				E/C.12/1998/SR.12
	4	13.11.02	E/C.12/4/Add.9	E/C.12/2002/SR.33	E/C.12/1/Add.82
		14.11.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.34
Portugal - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.20
31.10.78	1	23.04.85	E/1980/6/Add.35/	E/1985/WG.1/SR.2	E/1985/WG.1/SR.2	4	30.06.05
			Rev.1	E/1985/WG.1/SR.4	E/1985/WG.1/SR.4
Portugal ( cont’d )
	1	25.04.85	E/1982/3/Add.27/	E/1985/WG.1/SR.6	E/1985/WG.1/SR.6
			Rev.1	E/1985/WG.1/SR.9	E/1985/WG.1/SR.9
	2	04.05.95	E/1990/6/Add.6	E/C.12/1995/SR.7	E/C.12/1995/4
		05.05.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.8
				E/C.12/1995/SR.10
	3	14.11.00	E/1994/104/Add.20	E/C.12/2000/SR.58	E/C.12/1/Add.53
		15.11.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.59
		24.11.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.60
				E/C.12/2000/SR.74
(Macau)	2	20.11.96	E/1990/6/Add.8	E/C.12/1996/SR.31	E/C.12/1/Add.9
		21.11.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.33
		05.12.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.33
Republic of Korea - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.125
10.07.90	1	02.05.95	E/1990/5/Add.19	E/C.12/1995/SR.3	E/C.12/1995/3	3	30.06.06
		03.05.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.4
				E/C.12/1995/SR.6
	2	30.04.01	E/1990/6/Add.23	E/C.12/2001/SR.12	E/C.12/1/Add.59
		01.05.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.13
		09.05.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.14
Romania - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.13/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	23.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.20	E/1980/WG.1/SR.16	E/1980/WG.1/SR.16	3	30.06.94
				E/1980/WG.1/SR.17	E/1980/WG.1/SR.17	4	30.06.99
	1	16.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.1	E/1981/WG.1/SR.5	E/1981/WG.1/SR.5	5	30.06.04
	1	19.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.13	E/1982/WG.1/SR.17	E/1982/WG.1/SR.17
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.18	E/1982/WG.1/SR.18
	2	29.04.85	E/1984/7/Add.17	E/1985/WG.1/SR.10	E/1985/WG.1/SR.10
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.13	E/1985/WG.1/SR.13
	2	29.04.85	E/1986/4/Add.17	E/C/12/1988/SR.6	E/C.12/1988/4,
					paras. 90-116
	2	04.05.94	E/1990/7/Add.14	E/C.12/1994/SR.5	E/C.12/1994/4
		05.05.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.7	E/1995/22,
		10.05.94		E/C.12/1994/SR.13	paras. 83-100
Russian Federation - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.52/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	22.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.16	E/1980/WG.1/SR.14	E/1980/WG.1/SR.14	5	30.06.08
	1	24.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.17	E/1981/WG.1/SR.14	E/1981/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1981/WG.1/SR.15	E/1981/WG.1/SR.15
	1	14.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.1	E/1982/WG.1/SR.11	E/1982/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.12	E/1982/WG.1/SR.12
	2	23.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.7	E/1984/WG.1/SR.9	E/1984/WG.1/SR.9
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.10	E/1984/WG.1/SR.10
	2	09.03.87	E/1986/4/Add.14	E/C.12/1987/SR.16	E/C.12/1987/5,
				E/C.12/1987/SR.17	paras. 170-220
				E/C.12/1987/SR.18
	3	05.05.97	E/1994/104/Add.8	E/C.12/1997/SR.11	E/C.12/1/Add.13
		06.05.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.12
		07.05.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.13
				E/C.12/1997/SR.14
	4	17.11.03	E/C.12/4/Add.10	E/C.12/2003/SR.4	E/C.12/1/Add.94
		18.11.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.42
				E/C.12/2003/SR.43
Rwanda - Core document not submitted
03.01.76	1	23.04.84	E/1984/6/Add.4	E/1984/WG.1/SR.10	E/1984/WG.1/SR.10	2	30.06.90
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.12	E/1984/WG.1/SR.12	3	30.06.95
	1	24.04.86	E/1986/3/Add.1	E/1986/WG.1/SR.16	E/1986/WG.1/SR.16	4	30.06.00
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.19	E/1986/WG.1/SR.19	5	30.06.05
	1	06.02.89	E/1982/3/Add.42	E/C.12/1989/SR.10	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.11	paras. 162-192
				E/C.12/1989/SR.12
	2	06.02.89	E/1984/7/Add.29	E/C.12/1989/SR.10	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.11	paras. 162-192
				E/C.12/1989/SR.12
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.36
09.02.82						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
San Marino - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.119
18.01.86						1	30.06.90	06.11.06	E/C.12/SMR/1
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Senegal - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.51/Rev.1
13.05.78	1	22.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.13/ Rev.1	E/1981/WG.1/SR.11	E/1981/WG.1/SR.11	3	30.06.03
	1	27.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.17	E/1983/WG.1/SR.14	E/1983/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.15	E/1983/WG.1/SR.15
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.16	E/1983/WG.1/SR.16
	1	01.12.93	E/1984/6/Add.22	E/C.12/1993/SR.37	E/C.12/1993/18
		02.12.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.38
	2	14.08.01	E/1990/6/Add.25	E/C.12/2001/SR.32	E/C.12/1/Add.62
		28.08.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.33
(Serbia and Montenegrob)
24.04.92	2 (as Yugoslavia)	28.11.00	E/1990/6/Add.22	E/C.12/2000/SR.68	E/2001/22, paras. 496 ‑511 (preliminary recommendations)	2	30.06.10
	1	02.05.05,	E/1990/5/Add.61	E/C.12/2005/SR.5	E/C.12/1/Add.108
	(as Serbia	03.05.05		E/C.12/2005/SR.11
	and Montenegro)			E/C.12/2005/SR.12 E/C.12/2005/SR.13 E/C.12/2000/SR.69
Serbiac- Core document not submitted
03.06.06						1	30.06.08
Seychelles - Core document not submitted
05.08.92						1	30.06.94
						2	30.06.99
						3	30.06.04
Sierra Leone - Core document not submitted
23.11.96						1	30.06.98
						2	30.06.03
Slovakia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.120
28.05.93	1	12.11.02	E/1990/5/Add.49	E/C.12/2002/SR.30	E/C.12/1/Add.81	2	30.06.07
		13.11.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.31
				E/C.12/2002/SR.32
Slovenia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.35
06.07.92	1	07.11.05	E/1990/5/Add.62	E/C.12/2005/SR.32	E/C.12/SVN/CO/1	2	30.06.10
		08.11.05		E/C.12/2005/SR.33
				E/C.12/2005/SR.34
Solomon Islands - Core document not submitted
17.03.82	1	18.12.02	E/1990/5/Add.50	E/C.12/2002/SR.38	E/C.12/1/Add.84	2	30.06.05
				E/C.12/2002/SR.30
Somalia - Core document not submitted
24.04.90						1	30.06.92
						2	29.06.97
						3	29.06.02
						4	29.06.07
Spain - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.2/Rev.2
27.07.77	1	25.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.26	E/1980/WG.1/SR.20	E/1980/WG.1/SR.20	5	30.06.09
	1	08.04.82	E/1980/6/Add.28	E/1982/WG.1/SR.7	E/1982/WG.1/SR.7
	1	25.04.83	E/1982/3/Add.22	E/1983/WG.1/SR.10	E/1983/WG.1/SR.10
				E/1983/WG.1/SR.11	E/1983/WG.1/SR.11
	2	02.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.2	E/1984/WG.1/SR.12	E/1984/WG.1/SR.12
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.14	E/1984/WG.1/SR.14
	2	21.04.86	E/1986/4/Add.6	E/1986/WG.1/SR.10	E/1986/WG.1/SR.10
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.13	E/1986/WG.1/SR.13
	2	25.04.91	E/1990/7/Add.3	E/C.12/1991/SR.13	E/C.12/1991/4,
				E/C.12/1991/SR.14	paras. 260-293
				E/C.12/1991/SR.16
				E/C.12/1991/SR.22
Spain - ( cont’d )
	3	01.05.96	E/1990/104/Add.5	E/C.12/1996/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.2
		03.05.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.5
				E/C.12/1996/SR.6
				E/C.12/1996/SR.7
	4	03.04.04	E/C.12/4/Add.11	E/C.12/2004/SR.12	E/C.12/1/Add.99
		04.04.04		E/C.12/2004/SR.13
				E/C.12/2004/SR.14
Sri Lanka - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.48
11.09.80	1	28.04.98	E/1990/5/Add.32	E/C.12/1998/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.24	2	30.06.95
		29.04.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.4		3	30.06.00
				E/C.12/1998/SR.5		4	30.06.05
Sudan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.99/Rev.1
18.06.86	1	21.08.00	E/1990/5/Add.41	E/C.12/2000/SR.38	E/C.12/1/Add.48	2	30.06.03
		22.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.39
		30.08.00		E/C.12/2000/SR.40
				E/C.12/2000/SR.41
				E/C.12/2000/SR.53
Suriname - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.39/Rev.1
28.03.77	1	08.12.94	E/1990/5/Add.20	E/C.12/1994/SR.54	E/C.12/1994/18	2	30.06.95
				E/C.12/1994/SR.55	E/C.12/1995/6	3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Swaziland - Core document not submitted
26.06.04						1	30.06.05
Sweden - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.4/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	22.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.5	E/1980/WG.1/SR.15	E/1980/WG.1/SR.15	5	30.06.06	26.07.06	E/C.12/SWE/5
	1	20.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.8	E/1981/WG.1/SR.9	E/1981/WG.1/SR.9	6	30.06.11
	1	20.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.2	E/1982/WG.1/SR.19	E/1982/WG.1/SR.19
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.20	E/1982/WG.1/SR.20
	2	25.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.5	E/1984/WG.1/SR.14	E/1984/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.16	E/1984/WG.1/SR.16
	2	08.02.88	E/1986/4/Add.13	E/C.12/1988/SR.10	E/C.12/1988/4,
				E/C.12/1988/SR.11	paras. 134-151
	2	25.11.91	E/1990/7/Add.2	E/C.12/1991/SR.11	E/C.12/1991/4,
				E/C.12/1991/SR.12	paras. 222-259
				E/C.12/1991/SR.13
				E/C.12/1991/SR.18
Sweden ( cont’d )
	3	09.05.95	E/1994/104/Add.1	E/C.12/1995/SR.13	E/C.12/1995/5
		10.05.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.15
				E/C.12/1995/SR.16
	4	13.11.01	E/C.12/4/Add.4	E/C.12/2001/SR.61	E/C.12/1/Add.70
		22.11.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.62
Switzerland - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.29/Rev.1
18.09.92	1	20.11.98	E/1990/5/Add.33	E/C.12/1998/SR.37	E/C.12/1/Add.30	2	30.06.99
		23.11.98		E/C.12/1998/SR.38		3	30.06.04
				E/C.12/1998/SR.39
Syrian Arab Republic - Core document not submitted
03.01.76	1	19.04.83	E/1978/8/Add.25	E/1983/WG.1/SR.2	E/1983/WG.1/SR.2	4	30.06.06
			E/1978/8/Add.31
	1	15.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.9	E/1981/WG.1/SR.4	E/1981/WG.1/SR.4
	1	25.11.91	E/1990/6/Add.1	E/C.12/1994/SR.7	E/C.12/1991/4,
				E/C.12/1994/SR.11
	2	15.08.01	E/1994/104/Add.23	E/C.12/2001/SR.35	E/C.12/1/Add.63
				E/C.12/2001/SR.36
	3	15.10.01	E/1994/104/Add.23	E/C.12/2001/SR.35	E/C.12/1/Add.63
		16.08.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.35
		28.08.01
Tajikistan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.128
04.04.99	1	10.11.06	E/C.12/TJK/1	E/C.12/2006/SR.39	E/C.12/TJK/CO/1	2, 3	30.06.11
		13.11.06		E/C.12/2006/SR.40
				E/C.12/2006/SR.41
Thailand - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.78
05.12.99						1	30.06.02
						2	30.06.07
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.83
18.01.94	1	13.11.06	E/1990/5/Add.69	E/C.12/2006/SR.42	E/C.12/MKD/CO/1	2, 3, 4	30.06.08
		14.11.06		E/C.12/2006/SR.43
				E/C.12/2006/SR.44
Timor-Leste - Core document not submitted
16.07.03						1	30.06.05
Togo - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.38/Rev.1
24.08.84						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Trinidad and Tobago - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.110
08.03.79	1		E/1984/6/Add.21	E/C.12/1989/SR.17	E/C.12/1989/5,
			E/1986/3/Add.11	E/C.12/1989/SR.18	paras. 267-309
			E/1988/5/Add.1	E/C.12/1989/SR.19
	2	08.05.02	E/1990/6/Add.30	E/C.12/2002/SR.15	E/C.12/1/Add.80	3	30.06.07
				E/C.12/2002/SR.16
Tunisia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.46
03.01.76	1	15.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.3	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	3	30.06.00
				E/1980/WG.1/SR.6	E/1980/WG.1/SR.6	4	30.06.05
	1	06.02.89	E/1986/3/Add.9	E/C.12/1989/SR.9	E/C.12/1989/5,
					paras. 113-130
	2	06.05.99	E/1990/6/Add.14	E/C.12/1/SR.17	E/C.12/1/Add.36
		07.05.99		E/C.12/1/SR.18
				E/C.12/1/SR.19
Turkey - Core document: HRI/CORE/TUR/2007
23.12.03						1	30.06.05
Turkmenistan - Core document not submitted
01.08.97						1	30.06.99
						2	30.06.04
Uganda - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.69
21.04.87						1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Ukraine - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.63/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	24.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.22	E/1980/WG.1/SR.18	E/1980/WG.1/SR.18	5	30.06.06	12.06.06	E/C.12/UKR/5
	1	07.04.82	E/1980/6/Add.24	E/1982/WG.1/SR.5	E/1982/WG.1/SR.5	6	30.06.11
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.6	E/1982/WG.1/SR.6
	1	14.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.4	E/1982/WG.1/SR.11	E/1982/WG.1/SR.11
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.12	E/1982/WG.1/SR.12
Ukraine ( cont’d )
	2	25.04.84	E/1984/7/Add.9	E/1984/WG.1/SR.13	E/1984/WG.1/SR.13
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.14	E/1984/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1984/WG.1/SR.15	E/1984/WG.1/SR.15
	2	09.03.87	E/1986/4/Add.5	E/C.12/1987/SR.9	E/C.12/1987/5,
				E/C.12/1987/SR.10	paras. 86-114
				E/C.12/1987/SR.11
	3	28.11.95	E/1994/104/Add.4	E/C.12/1995/SR.42	E/C.12/1995/15
		29.11.95		E/C.12/1995/SR.44
				E/C.12/1995/SR.45
	4	20.08.01	E/C.12/4/Add.2	E/C.12/2001/SR.40	E/C.12/1/Add.65
		29.08.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.41
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.5/Rev.2
20.08.76	1	24.04.80	E/1978/8/Add.9	E/1980/WG.1/SR.19	E/1980/WG.1/SR.19	5	30.06.07
	1	27.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.16	E/1981/WG.1/SR.16	E/1981/WG.1/SR.16
			E/1980/6/Add.16/ Corr.1	E/1981/WG.1/SR.17	E/1981/WG.1/SR.17
			E/1980/6/Add.25
			E/1980/6/Add.25/ Corr.1
			E/1980/6/Add.26
	1	05.04.82	E/1978/8/Add.30	E/1982/WG.1/SR.1	E/1982/WG.1/SR.1
	1	20.04.82	E/1982/3/Add.16	E/1982/WG.1/SR.19	E/1982/WG.1/SR.19
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.20	E/1982/WG.1/SR.20
				E/1982/WG.1/SR.21	E/1982/WG.1/SR.21
	2	01.05.85	E/1984/7/Add.20	E/1985/WG.1/SR.14	E/1985/WG.1/SR.14
				E/1985/WG.1/SR.17	E/1985/WG.1/SR.17
	2	06.02.89	E/1986/4/Add.23	E/C.12/1989/SR.16	E/C.12/1989/5,
				E/C.12/1989/SR.17	paras. 241-266
	3	24.11.97	E/1994/104/Add.11	E/C.12/1997/SR.36	E/C.12/1/Add.19
		25.11.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.37
				E/C.12/1997/SR.38
	4	06.05.02	E/C.12/4/Add.7	E/C.12/2002/SR.11	E/C.12/1/Add.79
		07.05.02		E/C.12/2002/SR.12
				E/C.12/2002/SR.13
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ( cont’d )
(Hong Kong)	2	23.11.94	E/1986/4/Add.27	E/C.12/1994/SR.33	E/C.12/1994/19
		25.11.94	E/1986/4/Add.28	E/C.12/1994/SR.34
			E/1990/7/Add.16	E/C.12/1994/SR.36
				E/C.12/1994/SR.37
	3	26.11.96	E/1994/104/Add.10	E/C.12/1996/SR.39
		27.11.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.41
		28.11.96		E/C.12/1996/SR.42
				E/C.12/1996/SR.44
United Republic of Tanzania - Core document not submitted
11.09.76	1	16.04.81	E/1980/6/Add.2	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	E/1980/WG.1/SR.5	1	30.06.90
						2	30.06.95
						3	30.06.00
						4	30.06.05
Uruguay - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.9/Rev.1
03.01.76	1	03.05.94	E/1990/5/Add.7	E/C.12/1994/SR.3	E/C.12/1994/3	3	30.06.00
				E/C.12/1994/SR.4		4	30.06.05
				E/C.12/1994/SR.6
				E/C.12/1994/SR.13
	2	27.11.97	E/1990/6/Add.10	E/C.12/1997/SR.42	E/C.12/1/Add.18
		28.11.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.43
				E/C.12/1997/SR.44
Uzbekistan - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.129
28.12.95	1	11.11.05	E/1990/5/Add.63	E/C.12/2005/SR.38	E/C.12/UZB/CO/1	2	30.06.10
		14.11.05		E/C.12/2005/SR.39
				E/C.12/2005/SR.40
Venezuela - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.3/Rev.1
10.08.78	1	19.04.84	E/1984/6/Add.1	E/1984/WG.1/SR.7	E/1984/WG.1/SR.7	3	30.06.06
			E/1984/6/Add.1/	E/1984/ WG.1/SR.8	E/1984/ WG.1/SR.8
			Corr.1	E/1984/ WG.1/SR.10	E/1984/ WG.1/SR.10
	1	15.04.86	E/1980/6/Add.38	E/1986/WG.1/SR.2	E/1986/WG.1/SR.2
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.5	E/1986/WG.1/SR.5
	1	22.04.86	E/1982/3/Add.33	E/1986/WG.1/SR.12	E/1986/WG.1/SR.12
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.17	E/1986/WG.1/SR.17
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.18	E/1986/WG.1/SR.18
Venezuela ( cont’d )
	2	24.04.01	E/1990/6/Add.19	E/C.12/2001/SR.3	E/C.12/1/Add.56
		25.04.01		E/C.12/2001/SR.4
				E/C.12/2001/SR.5
Viet Nam - Core document not submitted
24.12.82	1	19.05.93	E/1990/5/Add.10	E/C.12/1993/SR.9	E/C.12/1993/8	2	30.06.95
		21.05.93		E/C.12/1993/SR.10		3	30.06.00
				E/C.12/1993/SR.11		4	30.06.05
Yemen - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.115
09.05.87	1	12.11.03	E/1990/5/Add.54	E/C.12/2003/SR.33	E/C.12/1/Add.92	2	30.06.08
		13.11.03		E/C.12/2003/SR.34
				E/C.12/2003/SR.35
Zambia - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.22/Rev.1
10.07.84	1	16.04.86	E/1986/3/Add.2	E/1986/WG.1/SR.4	E/1986/WG.1/SR.4	2	30.06.10
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.5	E/1986/WG.1/SR.5
				E/1986/WG.1/SR.7	E/1986/WG.1/SR.7
	1	26.04.05	E/1990/5/Add.60	E/C.12/2005/SR.4	E/C.12/1/Add.106
				E/C.12/2005/SR.4
				E/C.12/2005/SR.5
Zimbabwe - Core document: HRI/CORE/1/Add.55
13.08.91	1	02.05.97	E/1990/5/Add.28	E/C.12/1997/SR.8	E/C.12/1/Add.12	2	30.06.98
		05.05.97		E/C.12/1997/SR.9		3	30.06.03
		07.05.97		E/C.12/19 97/SR.10
				E/C.12/1997/SR.14
				E/C.12/1997/SR.25

Annex II

Members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Name of member	Country of Nationality	Term expires on 31 December
Mr. Mohamed Ezzeldin ABDEL-MONEIM	Egypt	2008
Mr. Clément ATANGANA	Cameroon	2010
Ms. Rocío BARAHONA RIERA	Costa Rica	2008
Ms. Virginia BONOAN-DANDAN	Philippines	2010
Ms. Maria Virginia BRAS GOMES	Portugal	2010
Ms. Arundhati GHOSE	India	2006
Mr. Azzouz KERDOUN	Algeria	2010
Mr. Yuri KOLOSOV	Russian Federation	2010
Mr. Jaime MARCHAN ROMERO	Ecuador	2010
Mr. Sergei MARTYNOV	Belarus	2008
Mr. Ariranga Govindasamy PILLAY	Mauritius	2008
Mr. Eibe RIEDEL	Germany	2010
Mr. Andrzej RZEPLINSKI	Poland	2008
Mr. Waleed M. SADI	Jordan	2008
Mr. Philippe TEXIER	France	2008
Mr. Alvaro TIRADO MEJIA	Colombia	2010
Mr. Giorgio MALINVERNI*	Switzerland	2008
Mr. Yongxiang SHEN*	China	2008

Annex III

Agendas of the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh sessions of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

A. Agenda of the thirty-sixth session of the Committee (1-19 May 2006)

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 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 the Covenant;

(b)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 thirty-seventh session of the Committee(6-24 November 2006)

1.Adoption of the agenda.

2.Organization of work.

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

4.Follow-up to the 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 the Covenant;

(b)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.Adoption of the annual report.

10.Miscellaneous matters.

Annex IV

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 annual reports of the Committee:*

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 (article 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 (article 2, paragraph 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 (article 11, paragraph 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 (article 11, paragraph 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 (article 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 (article 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 (article 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 (article 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 (articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant)(twenty‑ninth session; E/2003/22‑E/C.12/2002/13, annex IV);

No. 16 (2005) : on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights (article 3 of the Covenant) (thirty-fourth session; E/200 6/22 ‑E/C.12/2005/5, annex VIII);

No. 17 (2005) : on 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 (article 15 (1) (c) of the Covenant) (thirty-fifth session; E/2006/22-E/C.12/2005/5, annex IX) ;

No. 18 (2005) : on the right to work (article 6 of the Covenant) (thirty-fifth session; E/2006/22-E/C.12/2005/5, annex X) .

Annex V

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 annual 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, 6-8 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 VI

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 (article 3 of the Covenant) (twenty‑eighth session, 2002);

18.The right to work (article 6 of the Covenant) (thirty‑first session, 2003);

19.The right to social security (article 9 of the Covenant) (thirty-sixth session, 2006).

A nnex VII

A. List of States parties’ delegations which participated in the consideration of their respective reports by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its thirty-sixth session

MONACO	Representative:	Mr. Philippe BlanchiAmbassadorPermanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations at Geneva
	Advisers:	Mr. Didier GamerdingerDirector GeneralDepartment of the Interior
		Mr. Bernard GastaudAdviser on Legal and International AffairsDepartment of Foreign Relations
		Ms. Dominique PastorLegal CounsellorDepartment of Social Affairs and Health
		Ms. Carole LanteriCounsellorDeputy Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Jean-Philippe BertaniFirst SecretaryPermanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Alexandre JahlanThird SecretaryPermanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations Office at Geneva
LIECHTENSTEIN	Representative:	Mr. Norbert FrickAmbassadorPermanent RepresentativePermanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations Office at Geneva
	Advisers:	Mr. Patrick RitterDeputy Permanent RepresentativePermanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations in New York
		Mr. Guido WolfingerHead of Office of Education
		Mr. Hans Peter WalchHead of Immigration and Passport Office
		Mr. Hanspeter RöthlisbergerHead of Labour DivisionOffice of Economic Affairs
		Mr. Robert HasslerWorker Safety BureauOffice of Economic Affairs
		Mr. Hugo RischDeputy Head of Office of Social Affairs
		Mr. Rainer GstöhlInternal Services DivisionOffice of Social Affairs
		Ms. Christine LinggSecond SecretaryOffice for Foreign Affairs
		Ms. Isabel FrommeltSecond SecretaryPermanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the United Nations Office at Geneva
CANADA	Representative:	Mr. Alan KesselHead of DelegationLegal AdviserDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
		Mr. John HannafordAlternative Head of DelegationDirector of the United NationsHuman Rights and Economic Law DivisionDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
	Advisers:	Mr. Don CookeDirector GeneralNational Operations BranchIndian and Northern Affairs Canada
		Mr. Jean-François TremblayExecutive DirectorFirst Nations and Inuit Health BranchHealth Canada
		Ms. Lenore Duff DirectorEconomic SecuritySocial Policy BranchHuman Resources and Social Development Canada
		Mr. Robert A. CoulterDirectorInternational InitiativesHuman Resources and Social Development Canada
		Ms. Christine NassrallahDirectorPolicy, Research and Human RightsMulticulturalism and Human Rights BranchPatrimoine Canada/Canadian Heritage
		Ms. Teresa EdwardsSenior Policy AnalystStatus of Women Canada
CANADA (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Ms. Johanne LevasseurGeneral Counsel/SpecialistHuman Rights Law SectionDepartment of Justice
		Ms. Calie McPheeManagerHuman Rights ProgramPatrimoine Canada/Canadian Heritage
		Ms. Jeanette SautnerLegal OfficerDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
		Ms. Sylviane FortinSenior Policy AnalystHuman Resource and Social Development Canada
		Ms. Nadia StuewerThird SecretaryPermanent Mission of Canada
		Ms. Catherine ChevrierHuman Rights OfficerHuman Rights, Gender Equality, Health and Population DivisionDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
		Mr. Nicolas St-PierreLegal OfficerDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
		Ms. Marie-Josée DesmaraisCounsellorInternational Organizations DepartmentMinistry of International RelationsGovernment of Quebec
		Mr. Gérard LescotDeputy General DirectorMinistry of Employment and Social SolidarityGovernment of Quebec
CANADA (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Ms. Mary McCarthy MandvilleSolicitorDepartment of JusticeGovernment of Newfoundland & Labrador
		Mr. Abiodun LewisCounselPolicy DivisionMinistry of the Attorney GeneralGovernment of Ontario
		Ms. Maria LodgePolicy CounselDepartment of JusticeGovernment of Nunavut
MOROCCO	Representative:	Mr. Mohamed BouzoubaaHead of DelegationMinister of Justice
	Advisers:	Mr. Mohammed LoulichkiAmbassadorPermanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Abdelmajid GhemijaDirector of Studies, Cooperation and ModernizationMinistry of Justice
		Mr. Jamal AghmaniDirector of Prevention, Communication and CooperationOffice of the Secretary of State for the Family and Solidarity
		Mr. Idriss NajemCounsellorOffice of the Minister of Justice
		Mr. Khalid El MokhtariCounsellorMinistry of Justice
MOROCCO (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Mr. Ibrahim BastaouiChief, Public Liberties DivisionDepartment of Regulations and Public LibertiesMinistry of the Interior
		Mr. Othman AbouzaidCounsellorChief, Legal Affairs DivisionMinistry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries
		Mr. Abdelwahab ZirariChief, Mother and Child Health DivisionPopulation DepartmentMinistry of Health
		Mr. Ahmed LarakiChief, Adult Education DivisionOffice of the Secretary of State for Literacy and Non-Formal Education
		Mr. Abdelali AlmaalamiCounsellorMember, Human Rights and Citizenship Education CommitteeMinistry of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research
		Mr. Mohamed ElkadmiriChief, Budget ServiceMinistry of Finance and Privatization
		Mr. Nawal BatitiCounsellor, Legal Affairs and Litigation DepartmentMinistry of Health
		Mr. Mohsin EljirariChiefEmployment ServiceMinistry of Employment and Professional Training
MOROCCO (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Mr. Azzeddine FarhaneCounsellor at the Mission
		Mr. Omar KadiriFirst Secretary at the Mission
MEXICO	Representative:	Ms. María del Refugio GonzálezHead of DelegationOffice of Multilateral Relations and Human RightsMinistry of Foreign Affairs
	Advisers:	Mr. Félix Vélez Fernández-VarelaForecasting, Planning and Evaluation OfficeMinistry of Social Development
		Mr. Luis Alfonso de Alba AmbassadorPermanent Representative of Mexico to Geneva
		Mr. Pablo MacedoDeputy Permanent RepresentativePermanent Mission of Mexico to Geneva
		Mr. Rodrigo Labardini FloresDirector General for Human Rights and DemocracyMinistry of Foreign Affairs
		Mr. Socorro RovirosaPermanent Mission of Mexico to Geneva
		Mr. Luis Javier CampuzanoPermanent Mission of Mexico to Geneva
		Mr. José Antonio González PérezDirector General for Finance National Health and Welfare CommissionMinistry of Health
		Mr. Germán PalafoxDeputy Director General for PlanningMinistry of Social Development
MEXICO (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Mr. Gustavo A. Torres CisnerosInternational Affairs AdviserNational Commission for Indigenous Development
		Ms. Carolina Gómez VinalesDirector for Communication and Social InvolvementNational Health and Welfare CommissionMinistry of Health
		Mr. Carlos Gracia NavaDirectorFinancial Calculation and AnalysisNational Health and Welfare CommissionMinistry of Health
		Ms. Elía SosaFirst SecretaryPermanent Mission of Mexico to Geneva

B. List of States parties’ delegations which participated in the consideration of their respective reports by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its thirty-seventh session

NETHERLANDS	Representative:	Mr. Piet de KlerkHead of DelegationAmbassador at Large for Human RightsMinistry of Foreign Affairs
	Advisers:	Ms. Marion Kappeyne van de CoppelloDeputy Permanent RepresentativePermanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Robbert MoreeSenior Policy Adviser Directorate for International AffairsMinistry of Social Affairs and Employment
NETHERLANDS (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Ms. Suzanne KoelmanLegal Adviser on Constitutional Affairs Constitutional and Legal Affairs DepartmentMinistry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
		Mr. Martin KuijerSenior Legal Adviser on human rights lawDirectorate of LegislationMinistry of Justice
		Ms. Frieda NicolaiSenior Policy Adviser Directorate for International AffairsMinistry of Health, Welfare and Sport
		Mr. Peter van der VlietHead of Political and Legal Affairs Division, UN and IFI’s Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs
		Ms. Marielle van KesterenFirst SecretaryPermanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations Office at Geneva
EL SALVADOR	Representative:	Mr. Byron Fernando Larios LopezHead of DelegationAmbassadorPermanent Representative Permanent Mission of El Salvador to Geneva
	Advisers:	Ms. Ana Elizabeth Cubias Medina Deputy Director General for Comprehensive Social DevelopmentMinistry of Foreign Affairs
		Ms. Carolina RamirezGeneral DirectorMinistry of Education
		Mr. Ricado LaraExecutive DirectorMinistry of Health and Social Welfare
TAJIKISTAN	Representative:	Mr. Khalifabobo HomidovHead of DelegationMinister of Justice
	Advisers:	Mr. Radzhabmad AmirovMinister of Culture
		Mr. Mergan ShabozovChairman of State Committee on Statistics
		Mr. Bakhtiyor KhudoyorovChief of Department on Constitutional guarantee of citizens Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan
		Mr. Faizullo KhushvaqtovFirst Deputy Minister of Education
		Mr. Abdumuslim TemurovFirst Deputy Minister of Health
		Mr. Alimurod MakhmadalievDeputy Minister of Labour
		Mr. Sherali JononovChief of Legal DepartmentMinistry of Foreign Affairs
		Mr. Rakhmonjon Bakhronov Ministry of Economy and Trade
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA	Representative:	Mr. Ljupco MeskovHead of DelegationMinister of Labour and Social Policy
	Advisers:	Mr. Georgi AvramcevAmbassadorPermanent Representative of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Vlado AvramovskiState CounsellorMinistry of Labour and Social Policy
		Mr. Fedzri SelmaniDirectorNational Inspectorate for Labour
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (cont’d)	Advisers: (cont’d)	Mr. Dusko UzunovskiMinister CounsellorPermanent Mission of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Ms. Mabera KamberiHead of DepartmentMinistry of Labour and Social Policy
		Ms. Mirjana AleksoskaHead of DepartmentMinistry of Labour and Social Policy
		Mr. Agim SakiriMinistry of Labour and Social Policy
		Ms. Violeta SpasevskaHead of DepartmentAgency for Employment
		Ms. Nadica JanevaMinistry of Health
		Ms. Dragana KurkcioskaAssistant Head of DepartmentMinistry of Culture
		Ms. Elena GrozdanovaHead of UnitMinistry of Labour and Social Policy
		Mr. Zoran TodorovHuman Rights UnitMinistry of Foreign Affairs
		Mr. Aleksander KolekeskiAdviserMinistry of Education and Science
		Ms. Daniela BrajkovskaMinistry of Foreign Affairs
		Ms. Jasna VrtevaInterpreterMinistry of Labour and Social Policy
ALBANIA	Representative:	Mr. Ferit HoxhaHead of DelegationSecretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	Advisers:	Mr. Sejdi QerimajAmbassadorPermanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations Office at Geneva
		Mr. Qirjako QirkoHead of the Office of MinoritiesMinistry of Foreign Affairs
		Mr. Olsi KristoAdviserMinistry of Health
		Ms. Enina BaliliSpecialistForeign Relations Department Ministry of Education and Science
		Ms. Ana ShkëmbiSpecialistIntegration and Foreign Relations DepartmentMinistry of Justice
		Mr. Stefan KoçiSpecialistJuridical and Foreign Relations DepartmentMinistry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports
		Ms. Ilda PodaSpecialistDepartment of Social Policies Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
		Ms. Migena LeskovikuDirectorJuridical ServicesMinistry of Interior
		Mr. Ervin NinaSecond SecretaryPermanent Mission of Albania to the United Nations Office at Geneva

Annex VIII

A. List of documents before the Committee at its thirty-sixth session

E/C.12/36/1/CRP.1 and Corr.1	Draft Programme of Work of the thirty-sixth session of the Committee
E/C.12/36/2 and Corr.1	Provisional agenda and annotations
E/C.12/1990/4/Rev.1	Rules of procedure of the Committee
E/C.12/1991/1	Revised general guidelines
HRI/GEN/1/Rev.8 and Add.1	Compilation of general comments
E/C.12/4/Add.15	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: fourth periodic report of Canada
E/C.12/CAN/5	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: fifth periodic report of Canada
E/1990/5/Add.66	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: initial report of Liechtenstein
E/C.12/4/Add.16	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: fourth periodic report of Mexico
E/1990/5/Add.64	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: initial report of Monaco
E/1994/104/Add.29	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: third periodic report of Morocco
HRI/CORE/1/Add.91	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Canada
HRI/CORE/MEX/2005	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Mexico
HRI/CORE/1/Add.118	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Monaco
HRI/CORE/1/Add.23/Rev.1 and Corr.1	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Morocco
E/C.12/Q/CAN/2	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fourth periodic report of Canada
E/C.12/CAN/Q/5	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fifth periodic report of Canada
E/C.12/Q/LIE/1	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Liechtenstein
E/C.12/Q/MCO/1	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Monaco
E/C.12/MEX/Q/4	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fourth periodic report of Mexico
E/C.12/Q/MAR/2	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the third periodic report of Morocco
E/C.12/Q/CAN/2/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fourth periodic report of Canada
E/C.12/CAN/Q/5/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fifth periodic report of Canada
E/C.12/Q/LIE/1/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Liechtenstein
E/C.12/Q/MCO/1/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Monaco
E/C.12/MEX/Q/4/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the fourth periodic report of Mexico
E/C.12/Q/MAR/2/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the third periodic report of Morocco
E/C.12/1/Add.31	Concluding observations of the Committee on the third periodic report of Canada
E/C.12/1/Add.41	Concluding observations of the Committee on the third periodic report of Mexico
E/C.12/1/Add.55	Concluding observations of the Committee on the second periodic report of Morocco
A/60/278	Report of the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies on their seventeenth meeting
E/CN.4/2006/47	Report of the Open-ended Working Group to consider options regarding the elaboration of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its third session (1-17 February 2006)
E/CN.4/2005/52	Report of the Open-ended Working Group to consider options regarding the elaboration of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its second session (10-21 January 2005)
HRI/MC/2006/2	Concept paper on the High Commissioner’s proposal for a unified standing treaty body: report by the Secretariat

B. List of documents before the Committee at its thirty-seventh session

E/C.12/37/2	Draft programme of work of the thirty-seventh session of the Committee
E/C.12/37/1 and Corr.1	Provisional agenda and annotations
E/C.12/1990/4/Rev.1	Rules of procedure of the Committee
E/C.12/1991/1	Revised general guidelines
HRI/GEN/1/Rev.8	Compilation of general comments
HRI/MC/2006/3 and Corr.1	Harmonized guidelines for the preparation of a common core document
E/1990/6/Add.39	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: second periodic report of El Salvador
E/1990/5/Add.67	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: initial report of Albania
E/C.12/TJK/1	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: initial report of Tajikistan
E/C.12/MKD/1	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: initial report of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
E/1994/104/Add.30	Reports submitted by States parties to the Covenant: third periodic report of the Netherlands
HRI/CORE/1/Add.34/Rev.2	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: El Salvador
HRI/CORE/1/Add.124	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Albania
HRI/CORE/1/Add.128	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Tajikistan
HRI/CORE/1/Add.83	Core document forming part of the reports of States parties: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
E/C.12/Q/SLV/2	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the second periodic report of El Salvador
E/C.12/Q/ALB/1	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Albania
E/C.12/TJK/Q/1	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Tajikistan
E/C.12/MKD/Q/1	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
E/C.12/NLD/Q/3	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the third periodic report of the Netherlands
E/C.12/Q/SLV/2/Add.1	List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the second periodic report of El Salvador
E/C.12/Q/ALB/1/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Albania
E/C.12/TJK/Q/1/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Tajikistan
E/C.12/MKD/Q/1/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
E/C.12/NLD/Q/3/Add.1	Replies to the list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the third periodic report of The Netherlands
E/C.12/1/Add.4	Concluding observations of the Committee on the initial report of El Salvador
E/C.12/1/Add.25	Concluding observations of the Committee on the second periodic report of the Netherlands
A/61/385	Report of the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies on their eighteenth meeting
E/CN.4/2006/47	Report of the Open-ended Working Group to consider options regarding the elaboration of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its third session (1-17 February 2006)
E/CN.4/2005/52	Report of the Open-ended Working Group to consider options regarding the elaboration of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its second session (10-21 January 2005)
E/CN.4/2004/44	Report of the Open-ended Working Group to consider options regarding the elaboration of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its first session (23 February-5 March 2004)
HRI/MC/2006/2	Concept paper on the High Commissioner’s proposal for a unified standing treaty body: Report by the Secretariat

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