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/></td> <td> <p style="font-size:1.4em;">United Nations</p> </td> <td> <p> <span style="font-size:2em;">E</span>/C.12/RWA/CO/2-4 </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:2em;">Economic and Social Council</p> </td> <td> <p>Distr.: General</p> <p>10 June 2013</p> <p>Original: English</p> </td> </tr> </table> <div class="content"> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.2em;">Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights</p> <h2>Concluding observations on the second to fourth periodic report of Rwanda, adopted by the Committee at its fiftieth session (29 April-17 May 2013)</h2> <p>The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the second to fourth periodic reports of Rwanda on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/RWA/2-4) at its15thand 16thmeetings, held on 8 May 2013 (E/C.12/2013/SR.15-16), and adopted, at its28thmeeting held on 17 May2013, the followingconcluding observations.</p> <h3>A.Introduction</h3> <p>The Committee welcomes the submission of the second to fourth periodic reports of Rwanda (E/C.12/RWA/2-4) and the constructive dialogue with the delegation of the State party, but regrets the long delay in the submission of the reports. The Committee is grateful to the State party for itstimely replies to its list of issues (E/C.12/RWA/Q/2-4/Add.1) and additional information provided by the delegation during the dialogue with the Committee. It regrets the lack of statistical data on certain issues raised by the Committee.</p> <p>The Committee wishes to put on record its deep sorrow for the genocide in the State party in 1994 and expresses its sympathy with all victims. It encourages the State party to continue its efforts aimed at reconciliation, transitional justice, nation-building and post-conflict reconstruction. </p> <h3>B.Positive aspects</h3> <p>The Committee notes with appreciation the legislative, institutional and policy measures adopted by the State party including:</p> <p>(a)The Constitution of 2003 which contains human rights provisions;</p> <p>(b)Labour Law No. 13 of 27 May 2009;</p> <p>(c)Law No. 01/2007 of 20 January 2007 concerning the protection of persons with disabilities;</p> <p>(d)Law No. 59/2008 concerning the prevention and suppression of gender-based violence;</p> <p>(e)Law No. 04/2011 of 21 March 2011 on immigration to and emigration from Rwanda;</p> <p>(f)Law No. 54/2011 of 14 December 2011 relating to the rights and protection of children against violence;</p> <p>(g)The National Policy to Fight against Child Labour;</p> <p>(h)Various mechanisms and strategies set up to promote the advancement of women as well as gender equality, such as the creation of the Ministry for Gender Issues and Promotion of the Family, the national gender policy, the National Women s Council and the Gender Monitoring Office.</p> <p>The Committee welcomes the ratification of, or accession to the following human rights instruments,by the State party: </p> <p>Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, on 15 December 2008;</p> <p>Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, on 15 December 2008;</p> <p>Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on 15 December 2008;</p> <p>International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families, on 15 December 2008;</p> <p>Optional Protocol to Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on 15 December 2008;</p> <p>Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, on 15 December 2008;</p> <p>Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, on 23 April 2002;</p> <p>(h)Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, on 14 April 2002.</p> <h3>C.Principal subjects of concern and recommendations</h3> <p>The Committee notes that according to article 190 of the Constitution, international treaties and agreements have precedence over ordinary and organic laws and can be applied directly in the domestic legal order. However, the Committee is concerned at the absence of cases of invocation or direct application of the Covenant by domestic tribunals and courts (art.2.).</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">The Committee recommends that the State party pursue its efforts to increase the