Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the Russian Federation *

1.The Committee considered the seventh periodic report of the Russian Federation at its 34th and 35th meetings, held on 9 and 10 September 2025, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 58th meeting, held on 26 September 2025.

A.Introduction

2.The Committee welcomes the submission by the State Party of its seventh periodic report and the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues. The Committee appreciates the constructive nature of the dialogue held with the State Party’s delegation and welcomes its engagement throughout the discussions.

B.Positive aspects

3.The Committee welcomes the legislative, institutional and policy measures taken to increase the protection of economic, social and cultural rights in the State Party, such as the adoption of Federal Act No. 565-FZ of 12 December 2023 and subsequent amendments thereto, aimed at improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, the 2023 adoption of the national action plan for the second phase of adaptation to climate change, and the 2019 ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), and other measures mentioned in the present concluding observations.

C.Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the context of armed conflict

4.The Committee expresses deep concern regarding the impact of the ongoing armed conflict between the State Party and Ukraine on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. It notes with particular concern reports of the destruction of civilian infrastructure, disruption of livelihoods, shortages of essential services and of food and water, and damage to cultural heritage in areas affected by the hostilities. The Committee is also concerned about allegations of violations of rights under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in territories under the State Party’s effective control.

5. The Committee recalls that, under article 2 (1) of the Covenant, the State Party is required to take steps to progressively realize the rights enshrined in the Covenant with respect to all persons subject to its jurisdiction, including in territories under its effective control . The Committee reminds the State Party that the Covenant appl ies in the context of armed conflict concurrently with international humanitarian law. The Committee also reminds the State Party that no derogation from the Covenant can be made, and that limitations on the rights under the Covenant must comply with the requirements established under article 4. Therefore, t he Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Ensure that any action by the State Party’s authorities or agents is fully consistent with its obligations under the Covenant;

(b) Take all measures necessary to fully comply with its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights, including in situations of armed conflict.

Domestic application of the Covenant

6.While welcoming the information provided by the State Party regarding the status of the Covenant within the domestic legal order, the Committee remains concerned about the limited number of documented cases in which its provisions have been directly invoked or applied by domestic courts, which raises questions regarding the justiciability of Covenant rights and the effective availability of legal remedies.

7. The Committee recalls its previous recommendation that the State Party enhance training for judges, lawyers and public officials on the Covenant and undertake awareness-raising campaigns among them about the obligation to give effect to Covenant rights. In this regard, the Committee recalls its general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant.

National human rights institution

8.The Committee is concerned about reports suggesting that the institutional arrangements governing the Office of theCommissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation may not provide full guarantees of functional independence (art. 2 (1)).

9. The Committee recommends that the State Party take measures to bring the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation into full compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles).

Independence of the judiciary

10.The Committee is concerned about reports that the procedures for the appointment, promotion, disciplining and dismissal of judges do not fully ensure their institutional and functional independence, which is essential to ensuring judicial protection of economic, social and cultural rights.

11. The Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Take all appropriate legislative and institutional measures to safeguard, both in law and in practice, the independence and impartiality of judges and prosecutors, and to ensure their protection from undue influence, including pressure or disciplinary measures from any quarter, inconsistent with the principles of judicial independence;

(b) Ensure that the procedures for the appointment, election, promotion or removal of judges and prosecutors are transparent and fully aligned with the Covenant and relevant international standards, including the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and the Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors.

Human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers working on economic, social and cultural rights

12.The Committee is concerned about reports indicating that human rights defenders, including those working on environmental issues, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and economic, social and cultural rights, as well as journalists and lawyers, have been subjected to various forms of pressure and retaliatory measures, including arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, in connection with their professional or advocacy activities. The Committee is also concerned that Federal Act No. 121-FZ of 20 July 2012 (the “foreign agent law”) and subsequent amendments have reportedly been used in ways that unduly restrict the work of civil society actors.

13. Recalling its statement on human rights defenders and economic, social and cultural rights, the Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Strengthen the protection of human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers working on economic, social and cultural rights, as well as their family members;

(b) In order to avoid impunity, e nsure that all violations are promptly, effectively and impartially investigated , prosecuted, sanctioned and remedied;

(c) Ensure that legislation is not used to unduly limit and repress activities of government critics, human rights defenders and journalists, who are indispensable for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights.

Business and economic, social and cultural rights

14.The Committee notes with concern the absence of a comprehensive national action plan on business and human rights, and the limited scope of legal obligations requiring companies under the State Party’s jurisdiction to conduct effective human rights due diligence. The Committee is also concerned about reports that environmental and social impact assessments, as well as consultation processes with affected local communities, in particular Indigenous Peoples, including in the context of extractive activities, may not always be conducted in a manner that effectively prevents adverse impacts on the enjoyment of rights under the Covenant. The Committee is also concerned about reports indicating that companies under the jurisdiction of the State Party have been involved in activities abroad that have had serious adverse impacts on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (arts. 2 (1) and 11–15).

15. The Committee recalls that, pursuant to article 2 (1) of the Covenant, the State Party is required to take appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to ensure that non-State actors operating under its jurisdiction or effective control do not undermine the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. This includes ensuring that companies domiciled in the State Party and/or operating under its jurisdiction are subject to effective regulation and oversight, in particular when their operations have a foreseeable impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights , including in situations where such impact occurs outside the State Party’s territory . Recalling its general comment No. 24 (2017) on State obligations under the Covenant in the context of business activities and its previous recommendations , the Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Adopt a national action plan on business and human rights;

(b) Ensure that business entities, including their suppliers, are held accountable for violations of economic, social and cultural rights, paying particular attention to Indigenous Peoples’ rights, environmental impacts and arbitrary expropriation, including in the context of extractive activities;

(c) Ensure that business entities domiciled in the State Party and/or operating under its jurisdiction, including those acting abroad, are held accountable for their violations of economic, social and cultural rights, including by considering adopting a binding legal framework requiring companies to conduct human rights due diligence, and establish mechanisms ensuring civil, administrative or criminal accountability for violations of Covenant rights, including those occurring extraterritorially;

(d) Ensure that victims of such violations have access to effective complaint mechanisms and affordable and effective remedies, including judicial remedies and adequate reparation.

Rights of Indigenous Peoples

16.While noting the information provided by the State Party regarding measures taken since the previous review of the State Party, in 2017, the Committee is concerned about:

(a)The insufficient upholding of the right to free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples for any change to the use of their lands and territories and the insufficient representation of Indigenous Peoples in local decision-making bodies;

(b)The limited access of Indigenous Peoples to healthcare, education and other basic services (arts. 1, 2 (1), 12 and 13).

17. Recalling its general comment No. 26 (2022) on land and economic, social and cultural rights, its previous recommendations , and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples , the Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Expedite efforts to guarantee the right of Indigenous Peoples to own, use, control and develop the lands, territories and resources that they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired ;

(b) Take all measures necessary to guarantee that prior consultations are conducted in a systematic and transparent manner in order to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in the context of decisions likely to affect them, notably before the granting of licences for business activities in the lands and territories that they have traditionally possessed, occupied or used;

(c) Take all measures necessary to ensure the full access of Indigenous Peoples to healthcare, education and other basic services;

(d) Consider ratifying the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169).

Climate change mitigation

18.The Committee is concerned that the State Party’s continued reliance on natural gas and oil exports as major sources of revenue may present it with challenges in meeting its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement. The Committee is also concerned about the potentially severe and disproportionate impacts of climate change in the Arctic region, which may affect other parts of the State Party’s territory and have significant consequences for the enjoyment of Covenant rights, in particular by Indigenous Peoples and other affected communities (art. 1).

19. The Committee recommends that the State Party take measures to achieve its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement by, inter alia, reviewing the 2023 Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation ; aligning its mitigation policies with the temperature pathway required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement; introducing carbon pricing instruments, such as taxation on emissions ; and expanding the production and use of renewable energy . It also recommends that the State Party phase out carbon emissions from fossil fuels as fast as possible in order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In this regard, the Committee recalls its statement on climate change and the Covenant.

Maximum available resources

20.The Committee is concerned about reports that the increase in the proportion of public expenditure allocated to defence and internal security in recent years appears to have coincided with a decline in public spending on key social sectors, such as social protection, housing, healthcare and education. The Committee is concerned that this trend may affect the State Party’s capacity to fulfil its obligations under article 2 (1) of the Covenant to the maximum of its available resources, which exacerbates inequalities and has a disproportionate impact on individuals and groups in disadvantaged or marginalized situations (art. 2 (1)).

21. The Committee recommends that the State Party undertake a comprehensive review of its public spending priorities to ensure that the realization of economic, social and cultural rights is not undermined. It also recommends that the State Party increase budget allocations to healthcare, education, housing and social protection, and that it conduct systematic human rights impact assessments of its fiscal and macroeconomic policies, in line with article 2 (1) of the Covenant and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Corruption

22.While noting the information provided by the State Party regarding the anti-corruption bodies in the State Party, the Committee is concerned about reports of corruption in the State Party and its reported normalization at all levels of government and public administration (art. 2 (1)).

23. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation that the State Party intensify its anti-corruption measures, adopt all legislative and administrative measures necessary to ensure transparency in public administration and ensure the effective protection of victims of corruption, whistle-blowers and their lawyers.

Non-discrimination

24.The Committee is concerned about the absence of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, and that Federal Act No. 135-FZ of 29 June 2013, which introduced amendments to certain legislative acts “for the purpose of protecting children from information promoting the denial of traditional family values”, and Federal Act No. 478-FZ of 5 December 2022 have been used in a manner that discriminates against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The Committee is also concerned about reports of widespread and normalized violence against persons based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, particularly in the North Caucasus area of the State Party (art. 2 (2)).

25. The Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Re-examine the provisions of current laws and ensure that they are compatible with the State Party’s international human rights obligations;

(b) Consider adopting a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that explicitly prohibits discrimination on all grounds, and ensure that there are accessible, independent and effective complaint mechanisms;

(c) Take all measures necessary, in law and in practice, to prevent discrimination, stigmatization, hate speech, violence and other human rights violations, as well as persecution , including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity;

(d) Systematically collect disaggregated data on access to education, health, housing and employment by minorit ies and marginalized groups and publish these data regularly, and adopt all measures necessary to ensure their enjoyment of the rights to education, health, housing and employment on an equal basis with others.

Equal rights of men and women

26.While welcoming the information provided by the State Party regarding the National Strategy for Women for 2023–2030, the Committee is concerned about the persistence of gender disparities, in particular the gender pay gap, the disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work borne by women, and that a number of professions remain prohibited for women. The Committee is also concerned about women’s underrepresentation in senior positions in the public and private sectors (arts. 3, 6, 7 and 10).

27. The Committee recalls its general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights and recommends that the State Party:

(a) Intensify its efforts to close the gender pay gap, including by addressing gender-based segregation in the labour market, reviewing its social and tax policies and addressing the factors that discourage women from continuing their careers or taking up full-time employment;

(b) Consider developing and implementing a comprehensive national care policy aimed at redistributing unpaid care responsibilities, with a view to alleviating the disproportionate care burden on women. Such a system should ensure adequate support for children, persons with disabilities and older persons, and for self-care, in line with the principles of gender equality and social protection;

(c) Review the provisions of the Labour Code prohibiting women from a range of professions, to allow for work opportunities for women equal to those for men;

(d) Enhance women’s participation in senior positions in the public and private sectors, including by considering the introduction of quotas.

Right to work

28.While welcoming the historically low unemployment rate in the State Party, the Committee is concerned that a substantial part of the workforce remains in the informal economy or in non-standard forms of employment, in particular in rural and peripheral areas (art. 6).

29. The Committee recommends that the State Party take the measures necessary to facilitate the transition of workers from the informal to the formal sector, paying special attention to rural and peripheral areas.

30.The Committee is concerned about reports that persons in areas under its effective control are banned from working in the public sector and from registering and opening businesses if they have not accepted Russian nationality (arts. 2 (2) and 6).

31. The Committee recommends that the State Party refrain from enforcing the re quirement of Russian nationality as a prerequisite for being a public employee or obtaining a licence to operate a business in areas under its effective control.

32.The Committee is concerned about reports that foreign nationals, migrants, prisoners, and other people in vulnerable positions are being coerced and/or misled into signing military service contracts by law enforcement officers and other authorities(arts. 2 (2) and 6).

33. The Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Take measures to ensure that its recruitment practices for the armed forces are in line with article 6 of the Covenant;

(b) Review the policy of paying cash bonuses to law enforcement officers for each detainee that they recruit for military service.

34.The Committee is concerned about reports of persistent discrimination and xenophobia affecting ethnic and religious minorities, including in the North Caucasus, in access to employment. It is also concerned about the limited availability of effective remedies for victims of such discrimination (arts. 2 (2) and 6).

35. The Committee recommends that the State Party prevent and eliminate discrimination and xenophobia in access to employment for ethnic and religious minorities, including in the North Caucasus, including by strengthening comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and its implementation and ensuring accessible remedies and sanctions for violations.

Right to just and favourable conditions of work

36.The Committee is concerned about reports that migrant workers face excessive working hours, wage violations, harassment and discrimination, and that effective complaint mechanisms, labour inspections and remedies remain limited (arts. 2 (2), 6 and 7).

37. The Committee recommends that the State Party strengthen legislative and enforcement measures to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers; enhance labour inspections in sectors employing them; ensure that there are accessible complaint mechanisms, with the provision of interpretation services, legal aid and protection against retaliation; and guarantee the equal treatment of migrant workers with nationals in respect of wages, working hours, and occupational safety and health.

38.The Committee is concerned about the poor and substandard working conditions in certain sectors and in the informal economy, in particular the reported prevalence of occupational injuries and fatalities due to unsafe working conditions in the construction and manufacturing industries. The Committee is also concerned about reports that employers are pressuring workers in armaments industries to work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays, as well as disregarding labour safety laws to increase production (art. 7).

39. Recalling its general comment No. 23 (2016) on the right to just and favourable conditions of work, the Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Intensify its efforts to carry out labour inspections aimed at monitoring compliance with labour legislation, in particular occupational health and safety standards, working time regulations and fair remuneration rules, and ensure the prompt investigation of complaints brought by workers ;

(b) Impose effective sanctions on employers who fail to guarantee working conditions in compliance with the regulations, including regarding occupational health and safety, and ensure that all victims have effective access to remedies;

(c) Consider ratifying the ILO Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 (No. 121), Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), Night Work Convention, 1990 (No. 171) and Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189).

Trade union rights

40.While welcoming the information provided by the State Party regarding the constitutional right to strike, the Committee is concerned about reports that the legal requirement for unions to register with the Federal Registration Service is often a lengthy and cumbersome process, and that trade union rights remain constrained by intimidation and harassment of workers engaged in union activities (art. 8).

41. The Committee recommends that the State Party review its domestic legal and administrative framework regulating trade union rights with a view to ensur ing its full conformity with the Covenant, as well as with relevant ILO standards , including by simplifying registration procedures and protecting workers from intimidation and harassment .

Right to social security

42.While welcoming the information provided by the State Party regarding increases in social spending, the Committee is still concerned about the reportedly inadequate allocation of public funds for social security, and about reports that some of the working age population in the State Party neither receive employment-based entitlements nor are eligible for social assistance, either because they cannot access contributory social security schemes due to their legal status (migrants, asylum-seekers and stateless persons) or to not being registered in formal employment, or because they are not covered by the non-contributory social security schemes (art. 9).

43. Recalling its general comment No. 19 (2007) on the right to social security and its statement on social protection floors as an essential element of the right to social security and of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Allocate sufficient budgetary resources to social security;

(b) Guarantee universal coverage and provide sufficient and equitable social protection for all persons, including those in the informal economy, those in non-standard forms of work, and those belonging to the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including low-income families, persons with disabilities, children, refugees, asylum ‑seekers and stateless persons.

Protection of the family and children

44.The Committee is concerned about the absence of a comprehensive system to address the needs of victims of domestic violence. The Committee is also concerned that non-aggravated battery against family or household members was decriminalized and made an administrative offence in 2017 (art. 10).

45. The Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Re-criminalize non-aggravated battery against family or household members;

(b) Ensure that there is an accessible complaint process for victims, that all cases of domestic violence are investigated and that perpetrators are prosecuted and, if convicted, punished with sanctions commensurate with the gravity of the offence;

(c) Provide victims with access to effective remedies, protection and support services, such as shelters;

(d) Strengthen the training of relevant public officials, including law enforcement officials, judges, lawyers and prosecutors, on cases of domestic violence.

46.The Committee is concerned about reports of the ongoing practice of so-called honour killings, whereby women are killed by male relatives to “restore family honour”, particularly in the North Caucasus, as well as reports of widespread impunity, with perpetrators said to frequently receive lenient sentences or acquittals based on the supposed “immorality” of the victim’s behaviour (arts. 2 (2), 3 and 10–12).

47. The Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Ensure that all cases of crimes against persons motivated by so-called honour are promptly and thoroughly investigated, that perpetrators and accomplices are prosecuted and, if convicted, punished with penalties commensurate with the gravity of the offence and that victims receive full reparation ;

(b) Conduct awareness-raising and information programmes on harmful practices, gender stereotypes, norms and beliefs for government officials, including judges, prosecutors and law enforcement authorities, the media and the general public, including comprehensive awareness-raising activities with a view to combating so-called honour killings.

Poverty

48.The Committee is concerned about the persistence of poverty in the State Party, and that the rates of poverty and extreme poverty remain particularly high among Indigenous Peoples and among disadvantaged and marginalized populations, as well as the disparities in living standards between urban and rural and/or remote areas (arts. 2 (2), 9 and 11).

49. The Committee recommends that the State Party intensify its efforts to combat poverty, in particular extreme poverty, by, inter alia , increasing the resources allocated to undertaking a thorough evaluation of existing programmes and strategies in order to identify obstacles to meeting, and make the changes necessary to meet, poverty reduction targets, with a particular focus on Indigenous Peoples, people living in rural and deprived urban areas, women and girls, persons with disabilities and ethnic and religious minorities, while ensuring the integrati on of a human rights -based approach . In this regard, the Committee recalls its statement on poverty and the Covenant.

Right to housing

50.While noting the information provided by the State Party regarding the scale of housing construction, the Committee remains concerned about the shortage of social and affordable housing. The Committee also remains concerned about the poor housing conditions of Roma, most of whom live in illegal settlements lacking access to basic services, as well as the punitive approach that the State Party continues to take towards Roma illegal settlements, as manifested by house demolitions and forced evictions (arts. 2 (2) and 11).

51. Recalling its general comments No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing and No. 7 (1997) on forced evictions, the Committee reiterates its previous recommendations that the State Party continue, and step up, its efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing, paying particular attention to low-income families, and allocate the necessary resources for the effective implementation of the family housing programme, and that the State Party pursue a comprehensive approach, guided by international human rights law, for the development of adequate housing conditions for Roma.

52.The Committee is concerned about reports of seizure of the private property and forced evictions of ethnic Ukrainians in areas under the effective control of the State Party (arts. 2 (2) and 11).

53. The Committee recommends that the State Party expeditiously investigate reports of confiscation of the private property and forced evictions of ethnic Ukrainians in areas under its effective control and, if it is established that such acts have taken place, return the seized property to the victims and, where housing has been demolished, pay adequate compensation.

Climate change adaptation

54.While welcoming the information provided by the State Party regarding various climate adaptation measures, such as the Unified National System for Monitoring Climate Modifiers, as well as reforestation projects, the Committee is concerned that the State Party’s measures may be insufficient to counter its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and forest fires, long-term changes from shifts in rainfall patterns, permafrost thaw, and increasing temperatures, in particular in the Arctic region, disproportionately affecting Indigenous Peoples, as well as other residents of the North, Siberia and the Far East (arts. 1 and 11).

55. The Committee recommends that the State Party ensure that its various climate change adaptation measures adequately take into account the needs of marginalized and disadvantaged groups, in particular Indigenous Peoples , residents of the North, Siberia and the Far East, and other affected communities, and respect economic, social and cultural rights.

Right to health

56.The Committee is concerned about the relatively low level of budget allocated to healthcare compared with the gross domestic product of the State Party, the disparities in the quality and availability of healthcare services between urban areas and rural regions and between Indigenous Peoples and the general population, the significant gender gap in life expectancy, and generally inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The Committee is also concerned about reports that access to healthcare in areas under its effective control is often made conditional on accepting Russian nationality (arts. 1, 2 (2) and 12).

57. Recalling its general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, the Committee recommends that the State Party:

(a) Decrease disparities in healthcare by improving the coverage and quality of essential health services, in particular for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups living in rural and remote areas, as well as paying particular attention to the causes of death for men;

(b) Take measures to improve the healthcare budget and infrastructure, in particular in rural and remote regions, including through renovation, upgrading and subsequent ongoing maintenance;

(c) Ensure a regulatory and institutional framework to guarantee adequate health services for LG B T I+ people, including gender-affirming care;

(d) Take immediate measures to cease the practice of making access to healthcare in areas under its effective control conditional on acceptance of Russian nationality.

58.While noting the information provided by the State Party regarding the Strategy for the State Anti-Drug Policy until 2030, the Committee is concerned about the negative impact on the right to health that the punitive approach to drug use and the absence of harm reduction programmes may have(art. 12).

59. Recalling its previous recommendations, the Committee recommends that the State Party review its drug policies and legislation to adopt a human rights-based approach to drug use , including by:

(a) Conducting preventive awareness-raising on the serious health risks associated with drug abuse, in particular among young people;

(b) Ensuring the treatment of drug use disorders and the provision of healthcare services, psychological support, rehabilitation services and harm reduction programmes for persons who use drugs, and considering the adoption of alternatives to punitive approaches and criminal penalties for drug use.

60.The Committee is concerned about reports that access to sexual and reproductive health information and services remains limited in rural areas, including as a result of infrastructure gaps and healthcare provider shortages, as well as about reports of instances of female genital mutilation in Dagestan (arts. 3 and 12).

61. Recalling its general comment No. 22 (2016) on the right to sexual and reproductive health, the Committee recommends that the State Party improve the accessibility, availability and quality of sexual and reproductive health services, including access to affordable, safe and effective contraception and to emergency contraceptives, including for adolescents, particularly in rural areas, and strengthen efforts to prosecute cases of female ge nital mutilation.

Right to education

62.While noting the information provided by the State Party, the Committee is concerned about reports that school access, attendance, retention and completion rates at all levels, including at the secondary general and secondary vocational levels, are significantly lower for Roma children, children from other minorities, and children of Indigenous Peoples compared with the population as a whole (arts. 2 (2), 13 and 14).

63. Recalling its general comment No. 13 (1999) on the right to education, the Committee recommends that the State Party strengthen its efforts to reduce the school dropout rate and increase school access, paying particular attention to ensuring that Roma children, children of minorities and children of Indigenous peoples enjoy equal opportunities in access to quality education. The Committee also recommends that the State Party review educational materials, practices and curricula to ensure that they foster mutual understanding and are fully consistent with the Covenant.

Cultural rights

64.While noting the information provided by the State Party, the Committee is concerned about reports that people in areas under the effective control of the State Party continue to face severe restrictions in the realization of their right to take part in cultural life, including the right to use and teach minority languages and to teach their history and culture. The Committee is also concerned about reports of a large-scale campaign to systematically erase Ukrainian history, culture and cultural identity and the Ukrainian language, rewriting history curricula and repressing local cultural symbols, as well as the general undermining of the linguistic identity of ethnic minorities in areas under the effective control of the State Party (arts. 2 (2) and 13–15).

65. Recalling its g eneral c omment No. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to take part in cultural life, the Committee recommends that the State Party take the following measures in areas under its effective control:

(a) Avoid involuntary cultural assimilation, ensure access by people to education in their native languages, including Ukrainian, and uphold the right to cultural participation;

(b) Take all measures necessary to ensure the full and unrestricted enjoyment by all peoples, including minorities, of their right to enjoy fully their own cultural identity and take part in cultural life and to ensure the use of their language and practice of their culture;

(c) Refrain from measures that may have an adverse impact on the rights of all segments of the population to take part in cultural life .

66.The Committee remains concerned about the risk of extinction of many Indigenous languages. It also remains concerned about reports of arbitrary restrictions imposed on Indigenous Peoples’ traditional and culturally rooted subsistence activities, such as hunting and fishing (arts. 1, 2(1) and (2) and 15).

67. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation that the State Party step up its efforts to promote and preserve Indigenous languages and that it repeal or amend any restrictions that could result in hampering Indigenous Peoples from sustaining their traditional and culturally rooted subsistence activities, including hunting and fishing.

68.While noting the information provided during the dialogue with the State Party, the Committee is concerned about widespread censorship, including blocks on global search engines, which severely limit the content available when accessing the Internet, and about the imposition of fines for searching for prohibited materials, including the use of virtual private networks to bypass restrictions. The Committee is also concerned about widespread and growing content restrictions on and bans of messaging applications (art. 15).

69. Emphasizing that the freedom indispensable for scientific research and creative activity, protected under article 15 (3) of the Covenant, includes unhindered access to information, online knowledge repositories and scientific communication tools, the Committee recommends that the State Party review its practices concerning restrictions on digital access, content filtering and the penalization of search practices with a view to ensur ing that such measures do not impede the right to benefit from scientific progress.

D.Other recommendations

70. The Committee encourages the State Party to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

71. The Committee recommends that the State Party consider ratifying the core human rights instruments to which it is not yet a Party, namely the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

72. The Committee also recommends that the State Party take fully into account its obligations under the Covenant and ensure the full enjoyment of the rights enshrined therein in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the national level. Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals would be significantly facilitated by the State Party establishing independent mechanisms to monitor progress and treating beneficiaries of public programmes as rights holders who can claim entitlements. Moreover, the Committee recommends that the State Party support the global commitment of the decade of action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Implementing the Goals on the basis of the principles of participation, accountability and non-discrimination would ensure that no one is left behind. In this regard, the Committee draws the State Party’s attention to its statement on the pledge to leave no one behind.

73. The Committee further recommends that the State Party take steps to progressively develop and apply appropriate indicators on the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in order to facilitate the assessment of progress achieved by the State Party in complying with its obligations under the Covenant for various segments of the population. In that context, the Committee refers the State Party to, inter alia, the conceptual and methodological framework on human rights indicators developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

74. The Committee requests that the State Party disseminate the present concluding observations widely at all levels of society, including at the federal district and federal subject levels, in particular among parliamentarians, public officials and judicial authorities, and that it inform the Committee in its next periodic report about the steps taken to implement them. The Committee emphasizes the crucial role that parliament plays in implementing the present concluding observations and encourages the State Party to ensure its involvement in future reporting and follow-up procedures. The Committee encourages the State Party to continue engaging with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society, in the follow-up to the present concluding observations and in the process of consultation at the national level prior to the submission of its next periodic report.

75. In accordance with the procedure on follow-up to concluding observations adopted by the Committee, the State Party is requested to provide, within 24 months of the adoption of the present concluding observations ( 30 September 202 7), information on the implementation of the recommendations contained in paragraphs 15 (a) ( business and economic, social and cultural rights) , 27 (c) ( equal rights of men and women) and 65 (a) (cultural rights) above.

76. The Committee requests the State Party to submit its eighth periodic report in accordance with article 16 of the Covenant by 30 September 2030, unless otherwise notified as a result of a change in the review cycle. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 68/268, the word limit for the report is 21,200 words. In addition, it invites the State Party to update its common core document, as necessary, in accordance with the harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties.