III. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS
CERD
• Holy See, CERD, A/55/18 (2000) 66 at para. 396.
Appreciation is expressed for the role of the Catholic Church in promoting education, particularly in developing countries. The opening up of Catholic schools to children from different religious creeds as well as the promotion of tolerance, peace and integration through education is also welcomed. It is noted with satisfaction that in many countries where the majority of the population is non-Christian, Catholic schools are places where children and young people of different faiths, cultures, social classes or ethnic backgrounds come into contact with each other.
• China, CERD, A/56/18 (2001) 44 at para. 236.
The efforts made by the State party to promote economic and social development in economically backward regions inhabited largely by minority populations, including Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinhai, are welcomed. The investments in infrastructure development and the creation of poverty alleviation projects financing the construction of primary schools in western China are particularly noted.
• Egypt, CERD, A/56/18 (2001) 50 at para. 284.
The significant efforts made by the State party to ensure that its development strategy is implemented without any discrimination on racial grounds and that it is equitable in its reach, covering all regions of the country, is welcomed.
ICESCR
• Ecuador, ICESCR, E/1991/23 (1990) 33 at para. 156.
While taking note of the difficulties indicated, notably the foreign debt burden, attention is drawn to the obligation devolving upon State parties under the Covenant, whatever their level of development.
• Philippines, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 30 at paras. 124 and 130.
Paragraph 124
Greater emphasis should be placed, within the framework of official development assistance provided by donor countries, on support for social adjustment programmes for purposes such as the financing of low-interest credit for the poorest farmers, slum-upgrading and other programmes for housing the poor.
Paragraph 130
The Government should institute an emergency plan, which should include the identification of benchmarks, to expedite the agrarian reform process and provide mechanisms for the speedy handling of grievances concerning irregularities in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme. The reform of tenancy legislation relating to peasants is urged.
• Colombia, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 41 at para. 193.
The Government should address the problem of the inequitable distribution of wealth through its economic development programmes and a modification of the tax and fiscal system, with the object of effectively combatting the poverty that characterizes the country.
•<3pan> Mauritius, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 47 at para. 231.
Notwithstanding the geographical isolation of the island /f Rodrigues and the consequent logistical problems in the delivery of basic government services, a fact which is a considerable impediment, the Government is still under the obligation to e.sure the enjoyment by the population of Rodrigues of its economic, social and cultural rights.
• Azerbaijan, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 61 at para. 357.
The proposal for technical cooperation (for strengthening capacities and infrastructure for the promotion and protection of human rights) which is currently under review should fully take into consideration the need to strengthen the protection of economic, social and cultural rights. The State party is encouraged to continue seeking international assistance, including that offered by non-governmental organizations, in all areas where assistance is needed.
• Cameroon, ICESCR, E/2000/22 (1999) 56 at para. 352.