Concluding observations on the combined second to fourth periodic reports of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

28 Jun Concluding observations on the combined second to fourth periodic reports of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

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  1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the combined second to fourth periodic reports of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/MKD/2-4) at its 32nd and 33rd meetings (E/C.12/2016/SR.32 & 33) held on 13 and 14 June 2016. It adopted the following concluding observations at its 49th meeting, held on 24 June 2016.
  2. Introduction
  3. The Committee welcomes the combined second to fourth periodic reports submitted by the State party, despite the long delay in submission, and the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues (E/C.12/MKD/Q/2-4/Add.1). The Committee also appreciates the constructive dialogue held with the State party’s inter-ministerial delegation.
  4. Positive aspects
  5. The Committee welcomes the ratification of:

(a)     The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, in 2012;

(b)     The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, in 2011; and

(c)      The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in 2009.

  1. The Committee also welcomes the adoption by the State party of:

(a)     The Law on Prevention of and Protection against Domestic Violence of 2014;

(b)     The National Strategy for Gender Equality for 2013-2020;

(c)      The Law on Minimum Wage of 2012;

(d)     The Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men of 2012;

(e)      The Law on Prevention of and Protection against Discrimination of 2010;

(f)      The Law on Free Legal Aid of 2009;

(g)      The Law on Social Protection of 2009; and

(h)     The National Strategy for the Reduction of Poverty and Social Exclusion for 2010-2020.

  1. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Domestic application of the Covenant

  1. While noting that articles 98 and 108 of the Constitution of the State party provide for direct application of the Covenant in the domestic legal order, the Committee regrets that neither specific cases nor statistical data were presented, illustrating judicial practice in this regard. The Committee is also concerned at the insufficient level of training provided for judicial officials and legal professionals on the Covenant rights.
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to improve awareness about the direct applicability of the Covenant amongst judges, prosecutors and lawyers, including through integrating the Covenant in the curriculum of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors and other training programmes for legal professionals. The Committee also recommends that the State party include, in its next periodic report, information on the application of the Covenant by domestic courts. The Committee refers to its general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant.

Data collection

  1. The Committee regrets that the State party has postponed the population census originally planned for 2011 and that, as a result, there is no updated data on the composition of the population. The Committee is also concerned at the insufficient statistical data provided by the State party on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights.
  2. The Committee urges the State party to conduct the population census without further delay. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to improve its data collection system to enable the timely collection of reliable data on the situation in all areas of Covenant rights, robust analysis, and effective and efficient data management.

Impact of decentralization on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights

  1. The Committee notes that some responsibilities of the central government, particularly in the areas of social security, water and sanitation, primary healthcare and other public services, and primary and secondary education, have been devolved to municipalities in the process of decentralization. The Committee is concerned, however, at the large discrepancies in administrative and financial capacities among municipal authorities, which may have discriminatory effects on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of the people living in different parts of the State party, particularly those living in rural areas.
  2. The Committee reminds the State party that decentralization of powers by no means reduces the responsibility of the State party for fulfilling its obligations under the Covenant. The Committee recommends that the State party increase the awareness of the municipal authorities regarding their obligations under the Covenant and take all measures necessary to enable all municipalities to carry out their responsibilities with a view to ensuring that all people, in urban or rural areas, equally enjoy the Covenant rights, including a monitoring by central government of the implementation of the Covenant rights by municipalities. The Committee also recommends that the State party conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the decentralization process on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

The Ombudsman

  1. The Committee regrets that the institution of the Ombudsman, with B-status accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC), is not fully compliant with the Principles on the National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (Paris Principles). The Committee is concerned at the long delay in appointing three of the four Ombudsman’s deputies, whose mandates expired in 2013-2014; at the delays in the adoption of amendments to the Law on the Ombudsman of 2003 in accordance with the recommendations of the ICC Sub-committee on Accreditation; at the insufficient level of human and financial resources provided to the Ombudsman Office; and at the decreasing level of follow-up by relevant ministries on the recommendations made by the Ombudsman.
  2. The Committee urges the State party to appoint, without further delay, the three deputies of the Ombudsman, to fill up the vacant posts. It recommends that the State party ensure that the draft Law on supplementing and amending the Law on the Ombudsman is in line with the Paris Principles, taking into account the recommendations made by ICC, and expedite its adoption. It also recommends that the State party ensure that the Ombudsman’s office is provided with sufficient human and financial resources and that the recommendations of the Ombudsman are duly taken into account by the relevant authorities and the result is reported back to the Ombudsman in a systematic manner.

Legal aid

  1. The Committee is concerned at the low level of awareness of the rights holders about their Covenant rights and the insufficient resources allocated to the legal aid programmes, and at the limited information provided to individuals about their rights under the 2009 Law on Free Legal Aid. It is also concerned that access to free legal aid is still very limited, particularly as a result of Article 14(a) of the Law on Free Legal Aid, making it difficult for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals to claim their economic, social and cultural rights.
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party consider amending the 2009 Law on Free Legal Aid in order to ensure that all peoples, including disadvantaged and marginalized individuals, particularly women, Roma, people living in rural areas, migrants and asylum-seekers, are able to claim their economic, social and cultural rights with professional assistance; and that it allocate sufficient resources to the legal aid programmes.

Maximum available resources

  1. The Committee is concerned at the overall low level of public funding allocated to the areas relating to economic, social and cultural rights. It is also concerned that some decisions concerning resource allocation have not been transparent and have not prioritized the duties of the State party under the Covenant (art. 2 (1)).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to increase the level of public spending, at both the national and municipal levels, in order to ensure the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights. It also recommends that the State party take the measures necessary to ensure that planning and spending of public funds is carried out in a transparent manner.

Corruption

  1. The Committee is concerned at the pervasive practice of bribery for the provision of goods or services fulfilling economic and social rights and at the low numbers of prosecutions on the basis of the 2002 Law on Prevention of Corruption, particularly in cases involving high-level officials (art. 2 (1)).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to:

(a)     Combat corruption, including through improving public governance and ensuring transparency in the conduct of public affairs and raising awareness of the public and government officials on anti-corruption measures as well as about the unacceptability of bribery;

(b)     Strengthen the enforcement of the Law on Prevention of Corruption and combat impunities for corruption, particularly involving high-level officials; and

(c)      Enhance the independence and functioning of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption.

Non-discrimination

  1. The Committee welcomes the evaluation carried out by the State party on the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination of 2010. The Committee is concerned, however, that there are some gaps in the Law, particularly as regards the definition of discrimination, grounds of discrimination, burden of proof and the use of statistics to prove the existence of indirect discrimination. It is also concerned at the lack of independence of and the ineffective functioning of the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination (art. 2 (2)).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to follow up on the recommendations contained in the final report on the ex-post evaluation of the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination. In particular, it recommends that the State party:

(a)     Revise the Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination of 2010, in particular by improving the definition of discrimination in line with general comment no 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights;

(b)     Expedite the adoption of the draft National Strategy for Equality and Non-discrimination for 2016-2020; and

(c)      Strengthen the independence and functioning of the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, including through a review of the appointment criteria and procedure for its membership, the establishment of a professional secretariat, and allocation of sufficient financial resources to the Commission.

Migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees

  1. The Committee notes the decision of the State party to close its border completely to migrants on 8 March 2016 and remains concerned about all its negative impacts. The Committee is concerned about the situation of refugees, many of whom are women and children, who were still stranded at the temporary transit centres in Vinojug and Tabanovce at the time of the dialogue, living in precarious conditions with limited access to healthcare services, education and other basic services. It is also concerned that, despite article 51 of the 2003 Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection, the access to employment of recognized refugees and persons under subsidiary protection remains in practice limited owing to the lack of required documents to register with the Employment Agency. The Committee regrets, finally, that the recent amendment made to article 8 of the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection de facto denies the right of a recognized refugee or a person under subsidiary protection to family reunification for a period of three years after being granted right to asylum (art. 2 (2)).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party improve living conditions in the two temporary transit centres in Vinojug and Tabanovce by ensuring that the persons in these centres have access to healthcare, education and other basic services, and to meet the special needs of women, children, persons with disabilities and sick persons. It also recommends that the State party take measures necessary to ensure that recognized refugees and persons under subsidiary protection have access to all active employment opportunities by providing them with the necessary documentation and other forms of assistance to register with the Employment Agency. The Committee urges the State party to withdraw the recent amendment to article 8 of the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection and ensure that refugees and persons under subsidiary protection do not have to wait for an disproportionate period of time before they are entitled to family reunification.

Roma

  1. The Committee is concerned at the lack of statistical data on Roma, which does not allow for an effective implementation of policies targeted at the Roma population. The Committee remains concerned at the structural discrimination facing Roma in a number of spheres of social life and their low socio-economic status in the State party, illustrated by very high poverty and unemployment rates, low labour market participation rate and very low life expectancy. It is further concerned that there are still a number of Roma who are not registered, and may have a limited access to public services as a result (art. 2 (2)).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to eradicate the structural discrimination against Roma and to improve their socio-economic status, including by designing targeted policies and programmes for the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights of the Roma population, based on reliable statistical data as well as thorough regular monitoring of the results of such policies and programmes. The Committee also recommends that the State party take measures necessary to issue identity cards to all Roma and to address the situation of stateless persons in line with the requirements of the 1954 Convention related to the Status of Stateless Persons.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons

  1. The Committee is concerned that the 2010 Law on the Prevention of and Protection against Discrimination does not include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of discrimination and that article 14(6) of the Law maintains a discrimination between opposite-sex unions, to which the concept of family is reserved, and same-sex unions. It is also concerned that university textbooks convey negative stereotypes against lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons. It is further concerned that LGBTIs are bullied, physically attacked, socially stigmatized and discriminated and that law enforcement officials do not always take action in cases of violence against LGBTI persons (art. 2 (2)).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to ensure that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is explicitly prohibited in anti-discrimination legislation, and that same-sex couples have access to advantages reserved to married couples; to eradicate negative stereotypes about and stigmatization of LGBTI persons, including through revision of textbooks and awareness-raising campaigns for the public, healthcare providers, social workers and law enforcement and other public officials; and to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigation and prosecution of cases of violence against LGBTI persons. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comments no. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination and no. 22 (2016) on sexual and reproductive health, in particular para 23.

Equality between men and women

  1. The Committee is concerned at the disproportionately low labour participation and employment rates among women, particularly Roma women and ethnic Albanian women, as well as at the predominance of women in unskilled/underpaid jobs and positions. It is also concerned at the absence of active employment measures targeted at women and the insufficient level of implementation of the 2012 Law on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men and the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2013-2020. It is further concerned at the large gender pay gap in the State party (arts. 3 and 7).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party set concrete targets and adopt a timeframe to increase women’s labour participation and employment rates and develop employment programmes targeted at women, paying special attention to ethnic minorities. It also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to fully implement the 2012 Law on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men and the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2013-2020, including through allocating sufficient resources for its implementation. It further recommends that the State party take effective measures to narrow the gender pay gap.

Unemployment

  1. The Committee is concerned that despite the decrease in recent years, unemployment remains high, particularly among youth, women, Roma and persons with disabilities, and that the majority of work opportunities are in the informal economy (art. 6).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to upgrade the vocational skills of the workforce to meet the needs of the labour market; to create decent job opportunities, including through implementation of the Active Labour Market Programmes; to develop and implement special measures to promote the employment of youth, women, persons with disabilities and Roma, including through quota systems; and to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. It also recommends that the State party ensure workers in the informal economy are protected under labour legislation and enjoy their rights to fair and favourable conditions of work and to social security, and intensify its efforts to facilitate the transition from the informal economy to the formal economy.

Minimum wages

  1. While welcoming the adoption of the 2012 Minimum Wage Law, the Committee is concerned that the payment of minimum wage is made conditional on compliance with the “accomplished norm,” provided for in article 2 of the Law. It is further concerned that the minimum wage applied in the textile, garment and leather industries is lower than in other sectors. Since women are overrepresented in these industries, this leads to indirect discrimination against women. The Committee is further concerned that the amount of minimum wages is not sufficient to ensure a decent living for workers and their families (art. 7).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party bring the 2012 Minimum Wage Law in line with the Covenant and the ILO Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131. It also recommends that the State party immediately apply the same level of minimum wage across all sectors, including textile, garment and leather manufacturing industries. It further recommends that the State party increase the minimum wages and regularly adjust them to the cost of living so as to ensure an adequate standard of living for workers and their families. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment no. 23 (2016) on the right to just and favourable conditions of work.

Equal remuneration for work of equal value

  1. The Committee is concerned that the principle of equal remuneration for “equal work with equal responsibilities in the same job position, regardless of gender” provided for in article 108 of the Law on Labour Relations of 2005 is not fully in line with the Covenant, which requires compliance with the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value (art. 7).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party review article 8 of the Law on Labour Relations of 2005 with a view to bringing it fully in line with the Covenant. The State party is referred to the above-mentioned general comment no. 23 (2016) on the right to just and favourable conditions of work.

Trade union rights

  1. The Committee is concerned at the restrictions on the right to strike in the Law on Labour Relations and other labour laws of the State party, including provisions that provide for a dismissal of a striking worker in response to a strike that was already under way (art. 8).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party amend the Law on Labour Relations and other labour laws with a view to ensuring that these laws are fully in compliance with the Covenant and relevant ILO conventions and providing for a full protection of the right to strike, taking into consideration of the review of national labour laws which has been carried out in cooperation with the International Labour Organization.

Right to social security

  1. The Committee is concerned that the social security system of the State party does not cover the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals. It is particularly concerned at their limited access to social benefits owing to the complicated procedure and eligibility criteria and at the insufficient level of these benefits. While welcoming the fact that the 2015 amendments to the Rulebook on including wire-transferred funds in the calculation of income for means-tested benefits have now been removed, it regrets the retroactive application of the said amendments, which resulted in a large number of beneficiaries being unable to reimburse the previous benefits and, as a result, losing their entitlement to future benefits (art. 9).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals are fully protected under its social security system. It also recommends that the State party streamline the application procedure for entitlement to social security benefits and increase the level of benefits to ensure an adeqaute standard of living, as well as ensure their timely payment. It urges the State party to reverse the decision to apply retroactively the 2015 amendments to the Rulebook, so as to ensure the access of all those affected to benefits.

Domestic violence

  1. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the 2014 Law on Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence. It remains concerned, however, that the Law and other relevant laws of the State party, including the Penal Code and the 2010 Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, do not ensure appropriate protection to women victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. It is also concerned at the low level of convictions and lenient punishment of the perpetrators; and at the insufficient support provided for the victims of domestic violence, including shelters, legal aid, and physical and psychological treatments. The Committee regrets the lack of data on domestic violence (art. 10).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to review the 2014 Law on Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence and other relevant laws in order to provide appropriate protection to all victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence with a view to preparing its ratification of the 2011 Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). It also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to enforce the Law, by ensuring that all reported cases of domestic violence are investigated promptly, impartially and effectively and that the perpetrators are brought to justice and to provide adequate support to the victims of domestic violence, by increasing the number of shelters and allocating sufficient funding to legal aid as well as physical and psychological treatments. It further recommends that the State party improve the LIRICUS database on domestic violence.

Poverty

  1. The Committee is concerned that, despite the decrease in poverty rate in recent years, almost a quarter of the population is still living in poverty and thus denied the right to an adequate standard of living. It is also concerned that income inequality continues to grow in the State party. While welcoming the lowering of VAT on essential consumer items, the Committee also regrets that the State party’s tax system, including the low level of the flat tax on personal and corporate income, is ineffective in reducing poverty and in ensuring appropriate redistribution of income (art. 11).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat poverty, including through the comprehensive analysis of the needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups and adoption of concrete and targeted measures to address them. Such measures may comprise effective measures to reduce income inequality among its population, including through reforms in the tax system and in the social security system. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/2001/10).

Right to adequate food

  1. The Committee is concerned at the excessive proportion of household budget spent on food. It is also concerned at the high malnutrition rates among Roma children and children living in rural areas. It notes the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases, including obesity and micronutrient-deficiencies (art. 11).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take the steps necessary to protect the right to adequate food, including the adoption of a national strategy. The State party’s attention is drawn to general comment No. 12 (1999) on the right to adequate food and the 2004 Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security.

Right to housing

  1. The Committee is concerned at the lack of effective measures to provide social housing for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families and at the large proportion of the population, particularly Roma families, living in informal settlements in poor living conditions with limited access to basic services and infrastructure, health care and education. It is also concerned about the poor living conditions in which the internally displaced persons continue to live in collective centres, and that Roma families living in informal settlements are under constant threat of eviction due to the lack of legal security of tenure (art.11).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take all the measures necessary to provide affordable social housing units for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and families, including especially Roma families and to improve living conditions in informal settlements and collective centres. It also recommends that the State party take concrete steps to guarantee security of tenure for all residents of informal settlements, particularly Roma, and to provide them with such assistance as may be required to enable them to benefit from the 2011 Law on the Legalization of Illegally Constructed Buildings. The Committee urges the State party to adopt a legal framework establishing procedures to be followed in the case of evictions in line with international standards and guidelines contained in general comment no. 7 (1997) on forced evictions.

Access to healthcare services

  1. The Committee is concerned at the insufficient funding to the health sector, the shortage of qualified medical professionals and the inadequate coverage and benefits of the Health Insurance Fund, which result in limited access to healthcare services, particularly for Roma and those living in rural areas. It is also concerned that some private health service providers charge fees for the services that should be provided free of charge as stipulated by the licensing agreements under which they operate (art. 12).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to ensure that primary healthcare services are available and accessible to all regardless of geographical location, including through allocating adequate funding to the health services, securing sufficient number of qualified medical professionals, and expanding the coverage and the benefits under the Health Insurance Fund. It urges the State party to put an immediate end to the practice of illegally charging fees and to monitor the compliance of private health service providers with the licensing agreements under which they operate.

Sexual and reproductive health

  1. The Committee is concerned at the acute shortage of gynaecologists in the State party, particularly in rural areas and Roma-dominant areas; at the limited access to information on sexual and reproductive health, particularly among young people, and the inadequate and outdated sex education at school; and at limited access to modern contraception, particularly among women and girls. It is also concerned that the 2013 Law on Termination of Pregnancy introduced high levels of penalties that can be imposed on medical practitioners performing emergency abortions if it is later determined that the abortion did not comply with the conditions set forth in article 13 of the Law, which may have a chilling effect on medical practitioners and thus lead to unsafe abortions being practiced in emergency situations. As to mandatory counselling prior to abortion, the Committee’s view is that it is only acceptable if such counselling is neutral and supports the free and informed choice of the women seeking to interrupt her pregnancy (art. 12).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to increase the number of gynaecologists and to ensure that all women have access to gynaecological health services within their municipality, particularly in Suto Orizari; to make information on sexual and reproductive health available to the general public; to improve school education on sexual and reproductive health, which is up to date, age appropriate and based on a human rights perspective; to ensure that modern contraception methods are affordable to all, including by adding contraceptives in the list of medicines covered by the Health Insurance Fund. It also recommends that the State party review the restrictive provisions of the Law on Termination of Pregnancy of 2013. It draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 22 (2016) on the right to sexual and reproductive health.

Drug use

  1. The Committee is concerned at the increase in the number of drug users, particularly among Roma children; at the removal of reference to harm reduction programmes for drug users in the new National Strategy on Drugs (2014-2020); at the introduction of provisions in the Law on the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which regulate the medical use of cannabis but also introduce criminal sanctions for drug possession for own-consumption; and at the lack of clarity on the funding of the programs on drug prevention and harm reduction beyond the support provided until the end of 2016 by the Global Fund for tuberculosis, malaria and HIV (art. 12).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to reduce drug abuse; to reinstate harm reduction programmes in the National Strategy on Drugs (2014-2020); to provide sufficient support for the implementation of the Strategy and to ensure the maintenance of the programs funded by the Global Fund; and to review the restrictive provisions introduced in the Law on the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Right to education

  1. While taking note of the efforts of the State party in this area, the Committee is concerned that school enrolment and retention rates have decreased, particularly for Roma children, among whom the level of academic performance remains disproportionately low, at both primary and secondary levels. It is also concerned that a disproportionately high number of Roma children continue to be categorized as persons with psychological disabilities and, consequently, they are over-represented in special schools and special classes in mainstream schools (arts. 13 and 14).
  2. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to improve school enrolment and retention rates of Roma children and their academic performance, including through providing mentoring and tutoring services and other special assistance measures for Roma children. It also recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to address the over-representation of Roma children in special schools and special classes in mainstream schools, including the review of the categorization criteria and the adoption of inclusive and integrated education programmes.
  3. Other recommendations
  4. The Committee encourages the State party to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
  5. The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
  6. The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to progressively develop and apply appropriate indicators on the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, in order to facilitate the assessment of progress achieved by the State party in the compliance of its obligations under the Covenant for various segments of the population. In this context, the Committee refers the State party to, inter alia, the conceptual and methodological framework on human rights indicators developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (HRI/MC/2008/3).
  7. The Committee requests the State party to include, in its next periodic report, comparative annual statistics on the realization of each of the rights enshrined in the Covenant, disaggregated by age, sex, ethnic origin, urban and rural population and other relevant criteria. It also requests detailed information on the evolution of the State party’s revenues disaggregated by source and of the budgets allocated in the areas relating to the Covenant rights.
  8. The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely among all levels of society at national, municipal and territorial levels, particularly 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 also encourages the State party to engage 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.
  9. The Committee requests the State party to submit its fifth periodic report, to be prepared in accordance with the reporting guidelines adopted by the Committee in 2008 (see E/C.12/2008/2), by 30 June 2021. The Committee also invites the State party to update its common core document in accordance with the harmonized guidelines on reporting under the international human rights treaties (see HRI/GEN/2/Rev.6, chap. I).