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18 August 2000
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CESCR
23rd session
18 August 2000
Morning
The Committee on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights this morning concluded its consideration of the third periodic report of Mongolia in absence of a Government delegation.
The Committee earlier this week declined Mongolia's request to postpone the examination of the report on how the country complies with the tenets of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights. It said the request had not been made within the allowed time period. Breaking from its routine of questioning a panel of Government representatives, the Committee experts have taken to discussing the report amongst themselves.
The Committee's experts recognized that Mongolia was having a difficult time in funding necessary social programmes at a time when the country was moving toward a free market society and was struggling economically. It was apparent, they said, that the will to act toward the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights was present, but that difficult financial times were hampering the efforts.
The highest priority, one expert said, should be alleviating the plight of Mongolian children. There were reports that 30,000 children were living in "human holes". The country report also noted that school attendance had dropped from full participation to 72 per cent.
In acceding to the Covenant, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee describing how they give effect to the provisions of the treaty. The Committee evaluates the reports and makes observations and recommendations on how to improve the promotion and protection of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.
When the Committee resumes at 3 p.m., it will be briefed about the report of the last meeting of Chairpersons of Treaty Bodies.
Discussion
Among the issues the experts discussed were how to protect production capacity and to boost jobs. The experts asked about how to fund necessary social programmes when financial earnings were dropping. The economic situation should be considered. The will to act was present, but the people were hampered by the difficult times as Mongolia it moved into a free market economy and a democratic society.
One expert said the highest priority should be alleviating the plight of the children. More than one-third of the society in Mongolia was young. There had been an excellent participatory educational system, but now there was only a 72 per cent school attendance rate. And there were terrible reports of 30,000 children living in "human holes".
One expert noted that it was admirable of the country to point out that there were so many problems in their report -- with the economy, with street children, with prostitution. It was important to recognize these ills, and it was hoped that other countries would follow suit in being so candid with their information.
Another expert agreed, but said that made it all the more surprising that the Government did not send a delegation to explain the report. The country had in place all kinds of national programmes and strategies, and it was positive to see that efforts were being made to combat various problems.
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23rd session
18 August 2000
Morning
The Committee on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights this morning concluded its consideration of the third periodic report of Mongolia in absence of a Government delegation.
The Committee earlier this week declined Mongolia's request to postpone the examination of the report on how the country complies with the tenets of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights. It said the request had not been made within the allowed time period. Breaking from its routine of questioning a panel of Government representatives, the Committee experts have taken to discussing the report amongst themselves.
The Committee's experts recognized that Mongolia was having a difficult time in funding necessary social programmes at a time when the country was moving toward a free market society and was struggling economically. It was apparent, they said, that the will to act toward the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights was present, but that difficult financial times were hampering the efforts.
The highest priority, one expert said, should be alleviating the plight of Mongolian children. There were reports that 30,000 children were living in "human holes". The country report also noted that school attendance had dropped from full participation to 72 per cent.
In acceding to the Covenant, States agree to submit periodic reports to the Committee describing how they give effect to the provisions of the treaty. The Committee evaluates the reports and makes observations and recommendations on how to improve the promotion and protection of the rights enshrined in the Covenant.
When the Committee resumes at 3 p.m., it will be briefed about the report of the last meeting of Chairpersons of Treaty Bodies.
Discussion
Among the issues the experts discussed were how to protect production capacity and to boost jobs. The experts asked about how to fund necessary social programmes when financial earnings were dropping. The economic situation should be considered. The will to act was present, but the people were hampered by the difficult times as Mongolia it moved into a free market economy and a democratic society.
One expert said the highest priority should be alleviating the plight of the children. More than one-third of the society in Mongolia was young. There had been an excellent participatory educational system, but now there was only a 72 per cent school attendance rate. And there were terrible reports of 30,000 children living in "human holes".
One expert noted that it was admirable of the country to point out that there were so many problems in their report -- with the economy, with street children, with prostitution. It was important to recognize these ills, and it was hoped that other countries would follow suit in being so candid with their information.
Another expert agreed, but said that made it all the more surprising that the Government did not send a delegation to explain the report. The country had in place all kinds of national programmes and strategies, and it was positive to see that efforts were being made to combat various problems.
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