Human Rights
Committee meets to examine International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
> BY SACHA SHIVDASANI
Copyright © 2002 by The Earth Times. All rights reserved

The seven countries are among the 145 States that have ratified or accepted to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The treaty, which entered into force in 1976, recognizes a variety of universal human rights, including the rights to work, to form and join trade unions, to social security, to the widest possible protection and assistance for the family, to an adequate standard of living, to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and to education and participation in cultural life.

In accordance with the treaty, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee on how the rights enshrined in the Covenant are implemented within the country. The 18-member Committee is composed of human rights experts. Over the course of the meeting the members will make observations and recommendations on improving the promotion and protection of the rights outlined in the document.

The Committee is scheduled to review Nepal's first periodic report August 22 to 23.

Senegal will present its second periodic report on Tuesday, August 14. The Committee had previously expressed concern that the Senegalese government had not taken adequate measures to promote the rights of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. After Senegal's initial report in December 1993, the Committee recommended that Senegal undertake a thorough review of its policies with regard to education and vocational training.

After reviewing the second periodic report of Syria in September 1991, the Committee stated that the written information and the replies of the representative of Syria did not fully reflect the actual situation in Syria regarding implementation of the Covenant. The review of Syria's third report is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 15. Panama and Japan's second periodic reports will be reviewed on August 16 and 21, respectively.

Among the subjects of concern raised after the Ukraine's third periodic report in November 1995 was the sharp decline of purchasing power of the great majority of the population and the subsequent deterioration of the standard of living. The Ukraine report discussion is scheduled to take place on Monday, August 20.

Following Germany's third periodic report in November 1998, the Committee recommended that in its next report, Germany provide more precise statistics and data regarding unemployment and the number and situation of poverty stricken people and social security recipients. Germany is scheduled to present its fourth periodic report on August 24.