Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Press releases Treaty bodies
Default title
20 April 2000
Share
BACKGROUND RELEASE
HR/ESC/00/01
20 April 2000
Committee Scheduled to Consider Efforts of Georgia, Italy, Portugal,
Egypt, Jordan and the Republic of the Congo
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will meet at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 25 April to 12 May 2000 to examine the measures taken by Georgia, Italy, Portugal, Egypt, Jordan and the Republic of the Congo to realize these rights.
The seven countries are among the 143 States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The treaty, which entered into force in 1976, recognizes, among other things, 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 health and to an education.
In acceding to the treaty, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee on how they give effect to the provisions of the Covenant. The panel, now in its twenty-second session, evaluates the reports and makes observations and recommendations on improving the promotion and protection of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.
In the absence of scheduled reports, the Committee may review the implementation of the treaty in a given country based on available information. In this session, the Committee will review the implementation of the Covenant by the Republic of the Congo, which has not submitted any report since ratifying the Covenant in 1984. The other six countries being considered are presenting reports.
At the opening of the session, the panel will discuss other substantive issues arising in the implementation of the Covenant, an exercise during which it is scheduled to hear from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
On 8 May, the Committee will hold a day-long general discussion on the right to health -- article 12 of the Covenant.
Article 12 of the Covenant says States parties recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Parties agreed to take steps to reduce stillbirth and infant mortality rates, and to work towards the healthy development of the child, as well as improving all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene, the prevention, treatment and control of epidemics, and the creation of conditions which would assure medical services and medical attention in the event of sickness.
The Committee will also consider reports from specialized agencies of the United Nations system on the progress made in States parties in achieving the observance of the provisions of the Covenant falling within the scope of their activities. The following specialized agencies, United Nations organs and financial institutions have been invited to send representatives to the twenty-second session on Tuesday 25 April: International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Committee’s concluding observations and recommendations on the last reports submitted by Italy, Portugal and Jordan
In its concluding observations following consideration of the second periodic report of Italy in 1992, the Committee noted the substantial efforts that were made by the Government to reduce unemployment and to integrate foreign workers, both from within and outside of the European Community. The Committee also mentioned the falling numbers of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. It said, however, that the policy of privatization and the abolition of the sliding scale system entailed certain risks for the social protection of all the sectors of the population.
Following its consideration of the second periodic report of Portugal in May 1995, the Committee cited as positive aspects the Government’s efforts to tackle unemployment from various angles, as well as the positive measures undertaken with regard to the protection of economic, social and cultural rights of women, elderly workers and disabled persons. The Committee noted with concern, however, that despite existing legislative provisions, de facto discrimination existed against women with regard to the right to equal treatment at work and the right to equal remuneration. Among other recommendations, the Committee suggested the Government seek to ensure a gradual increase in the minimum wage.
After Jordan presented its initial report to the Committee in 1991, the Committee cited significant advances which had taken place in the field of education. Members also noted with satisfaction the efforts being made to integrate Palestinians and refugees within the educational framework. The Committee expressed concern that the crisis in the Gulf may have consequences on the effective realization of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee did conclude that a simple listing of constitutional principles and the description of national education policy was not sufficient for giving the Committee an adequate sense of education in the country.
This session features the first periodic reports of Georgia and Egypt.
Provisional Timetable for Consideration of Reports
Wednesday, 26 April
Morning Georgia, initial report (E/1990/5/Add.37)
Afternoon Georgia (continued)
Thursday, 27 April
Morning Georgia (continued)
Afternoon Italy, third periodic report (E/1994/104/Add.19)
Friday, 28 April
Morning Italy (continued)
Afternoon Italy (continued)
Monday, 1 May
Morning Portugal, third periodic report (E/1994/104/Add.20)
Afternoon Portugal (continued)
Tuesday 2 May
Morning Portugal (continued)
Afternoon Egypt, initial report (E/1990/5/Add.38)
Wednesday, 3 May
Morning Egypt (continued)
Afternoon Egypt (continued)
Thursday, 4 May
Morning Jordan, second periodic report (E/1990/6/Add.17)
Afternoon Jordan (continued)
Friday, 5 May
Morning Jordan (continued)
Afternoon Republic of the Congo, review implementation of the Covenant (without report)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The General Assembly adopted and opened the Covenant for signature, ratification and accession in 1966. It entered into force on 3 January 1976.
Article 1 of the Covenant states that the right to self-determination is universal and calls upon States to promote the realization and respect of that right. Article 3 reaffirms the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all human rights and enjoins States to make that principle a reality. Article 5 provides safeguards against the destruction or undue limitation of any human right or fundamental freedom, and against misinterpretation of any provision of the Covenant as a means of justifying infringement of a right or freedom or its restriction to a greater extent than provided in the Covenant. It also prevents States from limiting rights already enjoyed within their territories on the ground that such rights are not recognized, or recognized to a lesser extent, in the Covenant.
Articles 6 to 15 recognize the right to work; to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work; to form and join trade unions; to social security, including social insurance; to the widest possible protection and assistance for the family, mothers, children and younger persons; to an adequate standard of living; to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to an education and to take part in cultural life.
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Economic and Social Council established the Committee in 1985. Elected by secret ballot from a list of persons nominated by State parties to the Covenant, its 18 members are human-rights experts serving in their personal capacity.
The Committee is composed of the following experts: Mahmoud Samir Ahmed (Egypt), Ivan Antanovich (Belarus), Clement Atangana (Cameroon), Virginia Bonoan-Dandan (Philippines), Dumitru Ceausu (Romania), Oscar Ceville (Panama), Abdessatar Grissa (Tunisia), Paul Hunt (New Zealand), María de los Ángeles Jiménez Butragueño (Spain), Valeri I. Kouznetsov (the Russian Federation), Jaime Marchán Romero (Ecuador), Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay (Mauritius), Kenneth Osborne Rattray (Jamaica), Eibe Reidel (Germany), Walid M. Sa’di (Jordan), Philippe Texier (France), Nutan Thapalia (Nepal), and Javier Wimer Zambrano (Mexico).
States Parties to the Covenant
The Covenant has been ratified or acceded to by 143 States: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
HR/ESC/00/01
20 April 2000
Committee Scheduled to Consider Efforts of Georgia, Italy, Portugal,
Egypt, Jordan and the Republic of the Congo
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will meet at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 25 April to 12 May 2000 to examine the measures taken by Georgia, Italy, Portugal, Egypt, Jordan and the Republic of the Congo to realize these rights.
The seven countries are among the 143 States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The treaty, which entered into force in 1976, recognizes, among other things, 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 health and to an education.
In acceding to the treaty, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee on how they give effect to the provisions of the Covenant. The panel, now in its twenty-second session, evaluates the reports and makes observations and recommendations on improving the promotion and protection of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.
In the absence of scheduled reports, the Committee may review the implementation of the treaty in a given country based on available information. In this session, the Committee will review the implementation of the Covenant by the Republic of the Congo, which has not submitted any report since ratifying the Covenant in 1984. The other six countries being considered are presenting reports.
At the opening of the session, the panel will discuss other substantive issues arising in the implementation of the Covenant, an exercise during which it is scheduled to hear from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
On 8 May, the Committee will hold a day-long general discussion on the right to health -- article 12 of the Covenant.
Article 12 of the Covenant says States parties recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Parties agreed to take steps to reduce stillbirth and infant mortality rates, and to work towards the healthy development of the child, as well as improving all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene, the prevention, treatment and control of epidemics, and the creation of conditions which would assure medical services and medical attention in the event of sickness.
The Committee will also consider reports from specialized agencies of the United Nations system on the progress made in States parties in achieving the observance of the provisions of the Covenant falling within the scope of their activities. The following specialized agencies, United Nations organs and financial institutions have been invited to send representatives to the twenty-second session on Tuesday 25 April: International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Committee’s concluding observations and recommendations on the last reports submitted by Italy, Portugal and Jordan
In its concluding observations following consideration of the second periodic report of Italy in 1992, the Committee noted the substantial efforts that were made by the Government to reduce unemployment and to integrate foreign workers, both from within and outside of the European Community. The Committee also mentioned the falling numbers of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. It said, however, that the policy of privatization and the abolition of the sliding scale system entailed certain risks for the social protection of all the sectors of the population.
Following its consideration of the second periodic report of Portugal in May 1995, the Committee cited as positive aspects the Government’s efforts to tackle unemployment from various angles, as well as the positive measures undertaken with regard to the protection of economic, social and cultural rights of women, elderly workers and disabled persons. The Committee noted with concern, however, that despite existing legislative provisions, de facto discrimination existed against women with regard to the right to equal treatment at work and the right to equal remuneration. Among other recommendations, the Committee suggested the Government seek to ensure a gradual increase in the minimum wage.
After Jordan presented its initial report to the Committee in 1991, the Committee cited significant advances which had taken place in the field of education. Members also noted with satisfaction the efforts being made to integrate Palestinians and refugees within the educational framework. The Committee expressed concern that the crisis in the Gulf may have consequences on the effective realization of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee did conclude that a simple listing of constitutional principles and the description of national education policy was not sufficient for giving the Committee an adequate sense of education in the country.
This session features the first periodic reports of Georgia and Egypt.
Provisional Timetable for Consideration of Reports
Wednesday, 26 April
Morning Georgia, initial report (E/1990/5/Add.37)
Afternoon Georgia (continued)
Thursday, 27 April
Morning Georgia (continued)
Afternoon Italy, third periodic report (E/1994/104/Add.19)
Friday, 28 April
Morning Italy (continued)
Afternoon Italy (continued)
Monday, 1 May
Morning Portugal, third periodic report (E/1994/104/Add.20)
Afternoon Portugal (continued)
Tuesday 2 May
Morning Portugal (continued)
Afternoon Egypt, initial report (E/1990/5/Add.38)
Wednesday, 3 May
Morning Egypt (continued)
Afternoon Egypt (continued)
Thursday, 4 May
Morning Jordan, second periodic report (E/1990/6/Add.17)
Afternoon Jordan (continued)
Friday, 5 May
Morning Jordan (continued)
Afternoon Republic of the Congo, review implementation of the Covenant (without report)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The General Assembly adopted and opened the Covenant for signature, ratification and accession in 1966. It entered into force on 3 January 1976.
Article 1 of the Covenant states that the right to self-determination is universal and calls upon States to promote the realization and respect of that right. Article 3 reaffirms the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all human rights and enjoins States to make that principle a reality. Article 5 provides safeguards against the destruction or undue limitation of any human right or fundamental freedom, and against misinterpretation of any provision of the Covenant as a means of justifying infringement of a right or freedom or its restriction to a greater extent than provided in the Covenant. It also prevents States from limiting rights already enjoyed within their territories on the ground that such rights are not recognized, or recognized to a lesser extent, in the Covenant.
Articles 6 to 15 recognize the right to work; to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work; to form and join trade unions; to social security, including social insurance; to the widest possible protection and assistance for the family, mothers, children and younger persons; to an adequate standard of living; to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to an education and to take part in cultural life.
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Economic and Social Council established the Committee in 1985. Elected by secret ballot from a list of persons nominated by State parties to the Covenant, its 18 members are human-rights experts serving in their personal capacity.
The Committee is composed of the following experts: Mahmoud Samir Ahmed (Egypt), Ivan Antanovich (Belarus), Clement Atangana (Cameroon), Virginia Bonoan-Dandan (Philippines), Dumitru Ceausu (Romania), Oscar Ceville (Panama), Abdessatar Grissa (Tunisia), Paul Hunt (New Zealand), María de los Ángeles Jiménez Butragueño (Spain), Valeri I. Kouznetsov (the Russian Federation), Jaime Marchán Romero (Ecuador), Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay (Mauritius), Kenneth Osborne Rattray (Jamaica), Eibe Reidel (Germany), Walid M. Sa’di (Jordan), Philippe Texier (France), Nutan Thapalia (Nepal), and Javier Wimer Zambrano (Mexico).
States Parties to the Covenant
The Covenant has been ratified or acceded to by 143 States: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.