At 52nd session of the Committee, the reports of numerous states on the implementation of International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)* – including Ukraine – were reviewed. The session was over on 26 May 2014.
According to the reporting modality, the states are to furnish their reports about implementation of the Covenant every five years. Along their alternative reports provide for review of the Committee NGOs and national human rights institutions. The result of the discussion of the report at the plenary session is concluding observations, in which are reflected the Committee's main recommendations addressed to member countries. Upon the presentation and discussion of report at the plenary meeting, the Committee produces the Concluding observations that reflect major recommendations to the States Members.
It is worth noting that NGOs and National human rights institutions (NHRIs) play a crucial role in the reporting process. They are allowed to submit the alternative reports about the observance of Covenant to the Committee consideration. It is often the case that the Committee produces its questions and concerns to the reporting state on the basis of data provided by NGOs and NHRIs.
At the end of April 2014, Ukraine furnished its Sixth regular report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In addition to national report, an alternative report of Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights and a number of reports developed by national and international NGOs were presented at the plenary session.
The issues of social security, labour rights and discrimination are amongst the most acute in Ukraine. According to the data of the Secretariat of Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights that was presented as part of the alternative report, 30% applications that the Commissioner received throughout 2013 concerned the issues governed by the provisions of International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In particular, 11.26% applications concerned the violation of social rights, 9.84% – economic rights, 5.49% – infringement of equality rights, 2.07% – violation of the rights of child and 1.14% – violation of rights of disabled persons.
The issue of discrimination and socio-economic rights of vulnerable groups and minorities are particularly relevant in times of economic decline and political instability. Due to the economic and political crisis, the Committee in its Concluding observations first of all reminds that Ukraine shall respect, protect and observe economic, social and cultural rights in a step by step and ensure that the resources at its disposal should be best used, "Any actions that are made in order to improve stability of the economic situation in the country should not have negative impact on the position of the most vulnerable populations" – it is a minimal objective that the Committee suggested for Ukraine for five forthcoming years.
* ICESCR is one of cornerstone elements of the UN system of protection of human rights, it provides binding nature of economic and social rights proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. It was opened for signature, ratification and accession by the General Assembly in 1966 and entered into force on 3 January 1976. Ukraine ratified the Covenant in 1973.
The Covenant provides for such rights as equality of men and women, right to labour and fair employment, right to social security, protection of family, right to decent life standards, physical and psychological care, right to education and culture.
