Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Armenia *

The Committee considered the fourth periodic report of Armeniaat its 46th and 47thmeetings,held on 4 and 5 October 2023, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 60th meeting, held on 13 October 2023.

A.Introduction

The Committee welcomes the submission by the State party of its fourth periodic report and the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues.The Committee expresses appreciation for the open and constructive dialogue that it held with the State party’s delegation.

B.Positive aspects

The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 13 October 2020.

The Committee also 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 the Government Programme for the period 2021–2026, which provides for a comprehensive labour and social protection strategy, as well as the other measures mentioned in the present concluding observations.

C.Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Domestic application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

While noting that the Covenant forms an integral part of the national legal framework, according to the Constitution, and that courts have the competence to refer to the Covenant, the Committee is concerned about the lack of information on cases in which the provisions of the Covenant have been invoked before and/or by the courts.

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take measures to ensure the applicability of all the rights enshrined in the Covenant at all levels of the justice system and before all administrative authorities and facilitate access to effective remedies for victims of violations of those rights;

(b) P rovide training for judges, prosecutors and lawyers on the provisions of the Covenant and the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights;

(c) R aise awareness of economic, social and cultural rights among all actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant;

(d) B e guided by the Committee ’ s general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant.

Legal aid

While noting the information provided by the State party, the Committee is concerned that access to free legal aid remains very limited, owing in particular to the lack of awareness of its availability and the application procedure, making it difficult for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals to claim their economic, social and cultural rights.

The Committee recommends that the State party raise public awareness about the availability of free legal aid and the application procedure, with targeted and tailored outreach for those who are most disadvantaged.

National human rights institution

The Committee welcomes the fact that the Human Rights Defender has retained A status following reaccreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the increase in the budget allocated to the institution between 2020 and 2021. The Committee is, however, concerned about reports that the Human Rights Defender does not have the human, technical and financial resources necessary to implement its mandate fully and effectively.

The Committee recommends that the State party provide the Human Rights Defender with the human, technical and financial resources necessary to discharge its mandate effectively and independently, including to promote and protect the economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in the Covenant, in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) .

Climate change

The Committee notes the measures taken by the State party to mitigate the effects of climate change, including the approval of its nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement for the period 2021–2030. However, the Committee is concerned about the adverse effects of mining and illegal logging activities on the environment.

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) T ake measures to stop practices of illegal logging and, to the extent possible, other non-sustainable uses of natural resources ;

(b) P romote alternative and renewable energy sources, including by restructuring the mineral mining sector;

(c) C onsider the Committee ’ s statement on climate change and the Covenant.

Human rights defenders

The Committee is concerned about reports that human rights defenders, including those assisting individuals and communities to assert their economic, social and cultural rights, are threatened, harassed and subjected to intimidation, including by law enforcement officers, and are prosecuted.

The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary for the protection of human rights defenders against any threats, retaliation, pressure or arbitrary action as a consequence of their activities relating to economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee also recommends that the State party improve human rights training for law enforcement officials, in particular police officers, and ensure that all allegations of human rights violations are promptly and thoroughly investigated by an independent body with the power to prosecute perpetrators. The Committee draws attention to its statement on human rights defenders and economic, social and cultural rights.

Business and human rights

The Committee is concerned about the lack of information on the regulatory framework in place to ensure that business entities respect the rights under the Covenant and apply human rights due diligence throughout their operations. The Committee is also concerned about the absence of a national action plan on business and human rights.

The Committee recommends that the State party develop and implement a regulatory framework and adopt a national action plan on responsible business conduct and human rights, which should include a requirement for human rights due diligence for business entities, an obligation to hold business entities operating in the State party or domiciled in its jurisdiction and acting abroad accountable for violations of economic, social and cultural rights and an obligation to ensure access to an effective remedy. The Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 24 (2017) on State obligations under the Covenant in the context of business activities.

Maximum available resources

The Committee is concerned about: (a) the lack of progressivity in personal income taxes in the wider context of an unequal distribution of wealth; and (b) the insufficient resources allocated to key sectors, such as social security, health, housing and education, which are vital for the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, despite the high level of public expenditure allocated to the military (art. 2 (1)).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Review its tax policy, characterized by low progressivity, and implement fiscal policy with a view to improving its redistributive effect in both rural and urban areas;

(b) Reprioritize its allocation of resources and steadily increase the share of the public budget allocated to social security, health, housing, agriculture, education and other areas relating to Covenant rights.

Corruption

The Committee takes note of the measures taken to combat corruption, such as the approval of the Anti-Corruption Strategy for the period 2019–2022 and the related action plan and the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Court in 2021. The Committee is, however, concerned about the lack of information on the effectiveness of those measures and the tangible results of their application. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of an effective legal framework to prevent corruption in the private sector and illicit financial flows and about reports of persistent corruption,which continues to impede the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee is further concerned about the inadequate legal framework for the protection of whistle-blowers (art. 2 (1)).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) C ontinue to address, as a matter of priority, the root causes of corruption and ensure the strict application of anti-corruption measures with a view to effectively combating impunity for corruption;

(b) S trengthen its legal framework and step up its efforts to combat corruption in the private sector, including by addressing illicit financial flows;

(c) M onitor the effectiveness of its anti-corruption machinery, including by improving the collection of data relating to the enforcement of corruption offences, and take measures to protect whistle-blowers.

Non-discrimination

The Committee notes the information provided by the State party on the prohibition of discrimination under the Constitution and the wider legislative framework and on the development of the bill on equality before the law. However, the Committee is concerned about the delays in the adoption of the bill and the absence of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and a comprehensive policy framework to address all grounds of discrimination in all areas covered by the Covenant. It is also concerned about the persistent discrimination faced by disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (art. 2 (2)).

Reiterating its previous recommendation, the Committee urges the State party:

(a) T o ensure that its laws effectively prohibit and provide for effective remedies for direct and indirect discrimination on any ground and in all areas covered by the Covenant, including by adopting the pending anti-discrimination legislation without delay;

(b) T o strengthen the enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation and improve the system in place to collect data on discrimination on the basis of prohibited grounds, allowing for the development of targeted policies and programmes;

(c) T o take into account the Committee ’ s general comment No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights.

Refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons

While the Committee notes the challenges faced by the State party owing to the large influx of refugees and the evolving humanitarian situation in the country, the Committee is concerned about the limited enjoyment of certain economic, social and cultural rights, in particular insufficient access to adequate housing, health care, education and other basic services. It is particularly concerned about the high level of poverty among asylum-seekers, refugees and internally displaced persons. In this regard, the Committee is also concerned about the specific obstacles faced by persons with disabilities, women, children and older persons and the insufficient measures taken to address their specific needs (arts. 2 (2) and 11–14).

The Committee recommends that the State party pursue its efforts to protect refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons and guarantee their enjoyment of the Covenant rights, in particular by ensuring the provision of adequate housing, health care, education and other basic services. The Committee also recommends that the State party pay special attention to the needs of persons with disabilities, women, children and older persons and remove the barriers that they face with regard to access to shelters, health-care services and psychosocial counselling.

Equal rights of men and women

The Committee notes the efforts made by the State party to promote gender equality through, inter alia, the implementation of the 2019–2023 Gender Policy Strategy. However, the Committee remains concerned about the persistence of stereotypes about the roles of men and women in society and discrimination against women, which results in women bearing a disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work, thereby hindering their full participation in the labour market and limiting their representation in decision-making positions. The Committee is concerned about the concentration of women in traditionally female-dominated professions, which contributes to the gender pay gap (arts. 3 and 7).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue to promote the increased representation of women at all levels of public administration, in particular in decision-making positions, and their appointment to management roles in the private sector, including through the development of incentives for private companies;

(b) Ensure that unpaid work, such as care work and domestic work, which is disproportionally performed by women, is appropriately recognized and compensated;

(c) Redouble its efforts to address gender disparities, improve efforts to increase the participation of women in the labour market, review its social and fiscal policies and address factors that discourage women from continuing their careers or taking on full-time positions, including through the adoption of measures that support an appropriate work-life balance;

(d) Take effective measures to close the persistent gender pay gap, including by addressing vertical and horizontal gender-based segregation in the labour market;

(e) Take into consideration and apply the guidance provided in the Committee ’ s general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights.

Right to work

Despite the measures taken by the State party to promote employment, the Committee is concerned about the high rate of unemployment and the lack of access to decent work, in particular among young people, women and persons with disabilities. The Committee is also concerned about the high number of persons who work in the informal economy and do not enjoy labour protections or access to social security (art. 6).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) I ncrease its efforts to reduce unemployment and improve access to decent work, paying particular attention to young people, women and persons with disabilities;

(b) R eview vocational and university programmes to ensure that they are tailored to the needs of the labour market;

(c) T ake all measures necessary to ensure that workers in the informal economy are adequately protected under labour laws;

(d) T ake into account the Committee ’ s general comment No. 18 (2005) on the right to work.

Right to just and favourable conditions of work

The Committee is concerned about the limited capacity and resources to conduct labour inspections and the lack of clear data on those that have been carried out, the sanctions imposed and the remedies provided. The Committee is also concerned about the absence of a comprehensive framework for providing adequate protection in the area of occupational safety and health and industrial accidents (art. 7).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) E nsure that the labour inspectorate is equipped with the capacity, resources and mandate necessary to initiate and carry out inspections more effectively in all workplaces across all sectors, including in the informal economy;

(b) A dopt a comprehensive policy on occupational safety and health and ensure that all workers, including those in the informal sector, are adequately protected against workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

Minimum wage

The Committee is concerned about the lack of information onwhether the minimum wage enables workers and their families to enjoy a decent living and on the measures taken to enforce the minimum wage in all sectors of the economy (art. 7).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) T ake measures to ensure that the national minimum wage applies to all workers, all sectors and all forms of employment;

(b) R egularly adjust the minimum wage to the cost of living so as to guarantee a decent living for workers and their families;

(c) E nsure full compliance with the minimum wage among employers;

(d) T ake into account the Committee ’ s general comment No. 23 (2016) on the right to just and favourable conditions of work.

Trade union rights

While noting that the State party has introduced amendments to article 74 of the Labour Code, which relates to the right to strike, the Committee is concerned that the provisions of the Law on Trade Unions restrict a wide range of workers from exercising their right to establish and join trade union organizations. In particular, it is concerned that workers in non-regular forms of employment, including self-employed workers and workers in the informal economy, who make up a significant proportion of the labour force in the State party, are not authorized to form or join trade unions (art. 8).

The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to make the necessary legislative amendments to guarantee the right of all persons to form and join trade unions freely and to exercise their trade union rights, including the right to strike, which are protected under article 8 of the Covenant.

Right to social security

While noting that the State party has made efforts to expand the coverage of social security benefits, including by introducing a new vulnerability assessment for social assistance, the Committee is concerned about: (a) the fact that a significant number of the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families do not receive social assistance; (b) the lack of unemployment insurance; and (c) gaps in social security coverage, in particular for workers in new forms of employment, informal workers and persons providing unpaid care (art. 9).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) E nsure that persons in need of social assistance receive social security benefits that afford them a decent living, by allocating the necessary budget for social assistance;

(b) E xpand the coverage of social security benefits, in particular for self-employed workers, informal workers, workers in new forms of employment and persons providing unpaid care, and ensure that those benefits provide them and their families with a decent living, including by collecting data on their situation;

(c) T ake the policy and legislative measures necessary to guarantee income security for all workers in the event of unemployment, such as the establishment of an unemployment insurance scheme;

(d) R efer to the Committee ’ s 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.

Child marriage

While noting that child marriage is not authorized by law in the State party, the Committee is concerned about its prevalence among the Yazidi and Molokan communities and its devastating effects on the enjoyment by children of their economic, social and cultural rights, including their right to health and education (art. 10).

The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to prevent child marriage and its devastating effects on the victims, increase awareness-raising efforts to encourage the abandonment of the practice and provide platforms and opportunities for discussion within communities and families on the benefits of ensuring that girls receive an education. The Committee also recommends that the State party establish penalties for those who perform or facilitate child marriage and ensure access to effective remedies and other forms of necessary protection for the victims.

Domestic violence

While noting the information provided during the dialogue with the State party, the Committee is concerned about the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence and the fact that the State party has not yet ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (art. 10).

The Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to combat all forms of sexual and domestic violence and ensure strong and effective enforcement of the legal framework in place to combat violence against women and girls . The Committee also recommends that the State party consider ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.

Protection of the family and children

The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of child labour in the State party, in particular in the informal economy, and the lack of legislative provisions to address the issue. The Committee is also concerned about the persistent institutionalization of children in situations of vulnerability, including children with disabilities and children in situations of poverty (art. 10).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) A dopt legislative provisions to combat child labour, increase labour inspections in the informal economy and carry out awareness-raising campaigns to eradicate child labour;

(b) I ntensify its efforts to prevent and combat child labour by ensuring that legal provisions on economic exploitation are vigorously enforced, strengthening child labour inspection mechanisms and ensuring that employers are held accountable for violations of employment legislation;

(c) I ncrease its efforts to facilitate and promote the deinstitutionalization of children and ensure periodic reviews of placements of children in foster care and institutions;

(d) S upport and facilitate the provision of care for children in their families of origin, including single-parent families, implement mechanisms to expand and promote the reintegration of children into their families, encourage foster families to adopt children regardless of their age or disability status and provide the training and support necessary to enable suitable families to provide appropriate care for children with disabilities.

Climate change adaptation

The Committee notes the approval of a national action plan on adaptation to climate change and accompanying list of actions for the period 2021–2025, as well as adaptation plans for the energy, agricultural, tourism and health sectors. Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned that the environmental consequences of climate change, including the increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, worsening desertification and land degradation, have a considerable impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the State party, affecting the livelihoods and increasing the vulnerability of persons in rural areas. The Committee is also concerned about the high level of air pollution and its impact on health conditions, in particular among those in the most vulnerable situations (art. 11).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) T ake all measures necessary to adapt to climate change and to protect the environment, and address environmental desertification and land degradation accordingly, taking into account their effects on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, in particular by the most affected and marginalized groups;

(b) E nsure that effective human rights and environmental impact assessments and meaningful consultations with affected local communities are carried out as part of the process of granting permits for all energy, mining, transportation and infrastructure projects;

(c) R edouble its efforts to address air pollution and improve the framework for ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, taking into account the most recent World Health Organization air quality guidelines in order to strengthen air quality standards.

Right to adequate housing

The Committee is concerned about the lack of adequate housing available, which is worsened by the increasing influx of refugees and internally displaced persons into the State party. In this regard, the Committee is also concerned that the ability of the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups to afford adequate housing is threatened by rising prices (art. 11).

The Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to ensure that its national housing policy prioritizes the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups who lack access to adequate housing and basic facilities and amenities and to allocate sufficient resources to the effective implementation of the policy. The Committee also recommends that the State party increase the availability of adequate and affordable housing, in particular by expanding the supply of social housing and increasing housing subsidies for those unable to access affordable housing. In this regard, the Committee recalls its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing.

Poverty

The Committee notes the information provided by the State party on its efforts to reduce poverty, including through the national government plan. However, the Committee is concerned about the high rates of poverty among disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families in the State party, in particular those living below the national poverty line (art.11).

The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat poverty, including through a comprehensive analysis of the needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families and the adoption of concrete and targeted measures to address them. The Committee also recommends that the State party review its fiscal policy with a view to reducing the at-risk-of-poverty rate and making fiscal policy sufficiently progressive to reduce inequalities.

Right to adequate food

While noting the approval of the food security strategy and its action plan for the period 2023–2026, the Committee is concerned about the prevalence of food insecurity and the high rates of malnutrition and obesity in the State party, in particular among children, women and persons in rural areas.The Committee is concerned about reports of the impact of mining activities on access to safe drinking water, in particular the pollution of Lakes Jermuk and Sevan, which has resulted in violations of the right to water, the right to adequate food and the right to health in affected communities, as well as harm to the environment (arts.11 and 12).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Redouble its efforts to tackle food insecurity, obesity and malnutrition in an effective and comprehensive manner, in particular in rural areas, and to promote a healthier diet with a view to reducing problems of malnutrition and obesity;

(b) Intensify its efforts to ensure that its water resources are duly protected and that it takes the measures necessary to ensure that the mining industry does not jeopardize access to safe drinking water, in particular for the communities that might be affected;

(c) Take appropriate measures to ensure the proper treatment of mining wastewater;

(d) Refer to the Committee ’ s general comments No. 15 (2002) on the right to water and No. 26 (2022) on land and economic, social and cultural rights.

Right to health

While noting that a comprehensive health insurance system is to be introduced in 2024, the Committee is concerned about the high cost and limited availability of quality health care. The Committee is also concerned about the high incidence of deaths related to non-communicable diseases. The Committee is further concerned about the lack of training for medical personnel on treating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and persons living with HIV/AIDS, who continue to face stigmatization in the health-care system, including with regard to issues of confidentiality (art. 12).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) P ursue its efforts to allocate sufficient resources to the health-care sector with a view to guaranteeing and improving the accessibility, availability and quality of health-care services and ensure that measures are taken to alleviate public health concerns;

(b) T ake effective measures to address the risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases, improve the early detection of such diseases and provide effective and timely treatment;

(c) E nsure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and persons living with HIV/AIDS have access to health care without discrimination, including by establishing adequate training programmes for medical personnel at different levels in order to combat stereotyping and stigmatization and providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to offer adequate care to persons living with HIV/AIDS, including with regard to the protection of their privacy.

Mental health

The Committee notes the information provided by the State party on the measures adopted to improve the mental health-care system.However, the Committee is concerned about reports of problems with the availability, accessibilityand quality of mental health-care services, in particular forthose who live close to conflict-affected areas (art. 12).

The Committee urges the State party to i ntensify its efforts to ensure that mental health care is available, accessible and provided in a timely fashion and guarantee the quality of professional mental health-care services, especially for conflict-affected populations, in particular through the provision of adequate training for mental health professionals.

Right to education

Despite the reforms carried out by the State party, including the reform of the national development strategy for the period 2014–2025, the Committee is concerned about shortcomings in the quality of school infrastructure and materials, the lack of resources and the insufficient number of teachers, in particular in rural areas. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of availability of inclusive education, the lack of infrastructure adapted to the needs of children with disabilities and the fact that therapeutic, pedagogical and psychological support is not always available. The Committee is further concerned about the high dropout rates in primary and secondary schools, in particular among the most disadvantaged and marginalized children (arts. 13 and 14).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) A dopt all measures necessary to improve the quality of education by allocating sufficient resources to the sector, increasing the number of qualified teachers and their salaries and improving infrastructure and teaching materials, in particular in rural areas;

(b) C ontinue to expand inclusive education opportunities for children with disabilities, including by improving educational infrastructure to ensure the accessibility of all schools and universities to persons with disabilities and the availability of therapeutic, pedagogical and psychological support provided by trained professionals;

(c) S trengthen the measures and programmes in place to address the problem of access to education for children in disadvantaged and marginalized situations, in particular children from families living in poverty, girls, children with disabilities, children belonging to national minorities and children living in urban or remote rural areas;

(d) T ake urgent measures to reduce the high dropout rates in primary and secondary schools, in particular among Molokan and Yazidi children ;

(e) T ake due account of the Committee ’ s general comments No. 13 (1999) on the right to education and No. 25 (2020) on science and economic, social and cultural rights.

Impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on education

The Committee is concerned about the deepening educational inequalities disproportionately affecting children from households living in poverty, children with disabilities and children living in rural areas owing to school closures and distance learning during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic(arts. 12–14).

The Committee recommends that the State party take the measures necessary to compensate for the learning opportunities that disadvantaged and marginalized children lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent further disruption to education.

Academic freedom

The Committee is concerned that it has not received any information regarding guarantees of academic freedom (arts. 13 and 14).

The Committee recommends that the State party provide information in its next periodic report on measures taken to ensure respect for academic freedom, freedom of thought and opinion in universities and freedom of scientific research and creative activity.

Cultural rights

The Committee is concerned about the lack of information on the practical measures adopted to preserve and protect cultural and religious heritage sites in the State party, in particular those of cultures at risk of disappearance. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of adequate financial support for cultural institutions working to maintain religious and cultural identity, in particular the cultural identity of national minorities (art. 15).

The Committee recommends that the State party adopt the measures necessary to enhance the protection and preservation of cultural and religious heritage sites, including by increasing financial support for cultural institutions, increasing investment and ensuring that it preserves and maintains the cultural identity of heritage sites, including with regard to their names.

Minority languages

While noting the information provided by the State party’s delegation about support for the teaching of minority languages, the Committee is concerned that current language policies in the State party may have a discriminatory impact on persons belonging to minorities with respect to their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (arts. 2 (2), 13 and 15 (1) (a)).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) C onsider revising its language policies and laws in the area of education in order to promote the teaching of minority languages and to ensure that such policies and laws do not give rise to direct or indirect discrimination against persons belonging to minority groups, do not impede the ability of persons belonging to minority groups to find employment in the public and private sectors and do not negatively affect the educational performance of children belonging to minority groups;

(b) T ake the measures necessary to monitor compliance with national language policies and laws, including through a census that identifies students who study in Assyrian, Kurdish or Yazidi, and the number of schools in which teaching is carried out in those languages.

D.Other recommendations

The Committee recommends that the State party consider ratifying the core human rights instrument to which it is not yet a party, namely the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

The Committee 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, including in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with international assistance and cooperation when needed. 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 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.

The Committee requests that the State party disseminate the present concluding observations widely at all levels of society, including at the provincial ( marz ) and community 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 the 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 Human Rights Defender, 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.

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 (by 31 October 2025), information on the implementation of the recommendations contained in paragraphs 22 (a) (non ‑ discrimination), 36 (a) (right to social security) and 62 (cultural rights) above.

The Committee requests the State party to submit its fifth periodic report in accordance with article 16 of the Covenant by 31 October 2028 , 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.