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22 August 2000
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CESCR
23rd session
22 August 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon finished its review of the initial report on how Sudan complies with the rights embodied in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Following the discussion, the Committee experts continued their meeting in closed session to discuss their final observations and recommendations which will be issued toward the end of the Committee's three-week session, which concludes on 1 September.
Responding to questions from the experts, a Government delegation explained that a bombing attack that occurred two weeks ago in an area in which there were humanitarian workers stemmed from a surprise rebel attack. There had been a cease-fire in the area, but after the rebel attack, the Government responded with force. The United Nations had temporarily suspended its humanitarian effort, but last week, after a representative for the Secretary-General met with the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the peacekeeping effort resumed.
Earlier, Committee experts had asked the panel about the educational system in Sudan. The delegation said there were specialized schools for nomads and for girls, as well as schools for displaced persons. Illiteracy had declined significantly in the past 20 years, dropping from 72 per cent in 1980 to 42 per cent in 1999. This year, the Government had set a goal of making sure more than one million people learned to read and write.
Asked about the teaching of religion, the delegation said Muslim pupils received religious instruction. There was also Christian education for non-Muslims, and there were specialized religious schools as well. In areas where there was a prevalence of languages other than Arabic, teaching in other languages also existed.
With regards to university education, the panel said attendance rates had increased in all universities. However, the universities could not help all of those who had university degrees and could not find jobs.
In the south, the delegation said, the rebels had destroyed over 1,000 primary schools. They had also destroyed 180 of 252 secondary schools, leaving many students with no school to go to. The intention of the rebels was to recruit the students who had nowhere to go to school.
The delegation also spoke about freedom of the press and efforts to combat malaria.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 23 August, it will begin its consideration of the initial report of Kyrgyzstan.
Discussion
Asked about a bombing attack two weeks ago, the delegation said there was a cease-fire in an area where there were humanitarian workers, but rebels decided to launch an attack on a major city in the area, along a railway. The Government forces were forced to respond. Unfortunately, the United Nations decided to stop its humanitarian effort, although not a single aeroplane was affected. Within a week, the whole humanitarian effort had resumed. Last Friday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs met the President and the Minister of Foreign Relations, and it was hoped that things were going normally.
Responding to questions asked by experts this morning, the delegation said promotion of culture was guaranteed by the Constitution, and it meant all cultures, not just the majority culture. There were 18 television stations representing the various cultures of the various regions. There were also local groups that worked in local languages.
On restrictions on the press, the delegation said there was a law stipulating freedom of the press for all individuals. There were no restrictions.
On education, there were specialized schools for nomads and for girls. There were also schools for displaced persons -- there were schools that were opened at night.
Illiteracy declined from 72 per cent in 1980 to 42 per cent in 1999. This year, the Government wanted to ensure that more than one million people learned to read and write.
As for the teaching of religion, Muslim pupils receive religious instruction. There was also Christian education for Christians, and there were specialized religious schools as well. In areas where there was a prevalence of languages other than Arabic, teaching in other languages also existed.
With regards to university education, attendance rates had increased in all universities. However, the universities could not aid all of those who had university degrees and could not find jobs.
In the south, the rebels had destroyed over 1,000 primary schools. They had also destroyed 180 of 252 secondary schools, leaving many students with no school to go to. The intention of the rebels was to recruit the students who had nowhere to go to school.
Concerning malaria, Sudan was losing a large portion of its most talented work power because of malaria. A Government Committee had convened, and it decided to seek international assistance. Help was needed from the international community.
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23rd session
22 August 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon finished its review of the initial report on how Sudan complies with the rights embodied in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Following the discussion, the Committee experts continued their meeting in closed session to discuss their final observations and recommendations which will be issued toward the end of the Committee's three-week session, which concludes on 1 September.
Responding to questions from the experts, a Government delegation explained that a bombing attack that occurred two weeks ago in an area in which there were humanitarian workers stemmed from a surprise rebel attack. There had been a cease-fire in the area, but after the rebel attack, the Government responded with force. The United Nations had temporarily suspended its humanitarian effort, but last week, after a representative for the Secretary-General met with the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the peacekeeping effort resumed.
Earlier, Committee experts had asked the panel about the educational system in Sudan. The delegation said there were specialized schools for nomads and for girls, as well as schools for displaced persons. Illiteracy had declined significantly in the past 20 years, dropping from 72 per cent in 1980 to 42 per cent in 1999. This year, the Government had set a goal of making sure more than one million people learned to read and write.
Asked about the teaching of religion, the delegation said Muslim pupils received religious instruction. There was also Christian education for non-Muslims, and there were specialized religious schools as well. In areas where there was a prevalence of languages other than Arabic, teaching in other languages also existed.
With regards to university education, the panel said attendance rates had increased in all universities. However, the universities could not help all of those who had university degrees and could not find jobs.
In the south, the delegation said, the rebels had destroyed over 1,000 primary schools. They had also destroyed 180 of 252 secondary schools, leaving many students with no school to go to. The intention of the rebels was to recruit the students who had nowhere to go to school.
The delegation also spoke about freedom of the press and efforts to combat malaria.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 23 August, it will begin its consideration of the initial report of Kyrgyzstan.
Discussion
Asked about a bombing attack two weeks ago, the delegation said there was a cease-fire in an area where there were humanitarian workers, but rebels decided to launch an attack on a major city in the area, along a railway. The Government forces were forced to respond. Unfortunately, the United Nations decided to stop its humanitarian effort, although not a single aeroplane was affected. Within a week, the whole humanitarian effort had resumed. Last Friday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs met the President and the Minister of Foreign Relations, and it was hoped that things were going normally.
Responding to questions asked by experts this morning, the delegation said promotion of culture was guaranteed by the Constitution, and it meant all cultures, not just the majority culture. There were 18 television stations representing the various cultures of the various regions. There were also local groups that worked in local languages.
On restrictions on the press, the delegation said there was a law stipulating freedom of the press for all individuals. There were no restrictions.
On education, there were specialized schools for nomads and for girls. There were also schools for displaced persons -- there were schools that were opened at night.
Illiteracy declined from 72 per cent in 1980 to 42 per cent in 1999. This year, the Government wanted to ensure that more than one million people learned to read and write.
As for the teaching of religion, Muslim pupils receive religious instruction. There was also Christian education for Christians, and there were specialized religious schools as well. In areas where there was a prevalence of languages other than Arabic, teaching in other languages also existed.
With regards to university education, attendance rates had increased in all universities. However, the universities could not aid all of those who had university degrees and could not find jobs.
In the south, the rebels had destroyed over 1,000 primary schools. They had also destroyed 180 of 252 secondary schools, leaving many students with no school to go to. The intention of the rebels was to recruit the students who had nowhere to go to school.
Concerning malaria, Sudan was losing a large portion of its most talented work power because of malaria. A Government Committee had convened, and it decided to seek international assistance. Help was needed from the international community.
* *** *