Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Press releases Treaty bodies
Default title
23 November 1999
Share
MORNING
HR/ESC/99/39
23 November 1999
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
CONCLUDES REVIEW OF ARMENIAN REPORT
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this morning concluded its consideration of the initial report presented by the Government of Armenia on how that country was implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
During the discussion, the Armenian delegation told the Committee that special programmes to teach human rights and the fundamentals of democracy and civil society were being established and would be included in the national curricula.
Quoting the 1996 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a Committee member said Armenia's system of education and its former achievements were seriously jeopardized at the current phase of social transformation; the assistance of the international community should be targeted at the education sector to ensure free compulsory eight-year and free secondary educations.
A four-member Armenian Government delegation, headed by Vahram Kazhoyan, Director of the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was on hand to answer questions raised by Committee members throughout the three meetings. The delegation also included Karen Nazarian, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee will issue written, final concluding observations and recommendations on the initial report of Armenia towards the end of its three-week session, which concludes on 3 December.
As one of 142 States parties the International Covenant, Armenia is obligated to submit periodic summaries of the efforts to put the treaty into effect.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the initial report of Cameroon (document E/1990/5/Add.35).
Discussion
In response to additional questions raised by Committee Experts, the members of the Armenian delegation said as a result of the devastating earthquake of 1988 which left behind 530,000 homeless, the Government still faced serious difficulties in implementing the right to adequate food and housing. In addition, because of the aggression and violent acts against Armenians in Azerbaijan, in the last decade, 350,000 refugees had doubled the ranks of those in need of houses.
Quoting Armenian Family Health, a non-governmental organization (NG0), a Committee Expert said Armenia had a high abortion rate -- an average of 2.7 abortions per woman. The steady rate of abortion was considered to be the most serious problem related to women's reproductive health. Abortion remained the primary means of fertility control in Armenia due to the lack of contraceptives and effective family planning services.
Responding to these and other questions put by Committee Experts, the Armenian officials said municipalities and other organizations had taken appropriate measures to make daily life convenient to disabled persons. Disabled students were able to be integrated in elementary and secondary schools breaking social "taboos" concerning them. Some buildings were renovated to accommodate disabled persons. In addition, there were 40 schools of nine different types for physically and mentally retarded children, receiving basic vocational guidance in addition to general education.
Cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis and cancer persisted in the country without the Government keeping any data on the number of victims, the delegation said. Cases of tuberculosis had been issues in prisons where the a relatively high number of prisoners were diagnosed. In collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Government had implemented programmes on the eradication of tuberculosis. The number of patients with cancer was not known, however, statistics showed 36.6 per cent of women had breast cancer. Nevertheless, the Government had taken measures to improve the national reproductive plan and sexual health and family planning.
Abortion was not prohibited in Armenia; it fact, it was widespread, the delegation said. Women in need of abortion could do it within the limit to do so. There was no any restriction against abortion, the delegation added.
Drinking water had been a major concern of the Government because of the increase in the number of households and the shortage of water supply, the delegation said. In the 1950s and 1960s, natural spring water from the mountainous regions was consumed by the population. However, a new project of water supply had been extended with additional pipelines and sources, which would be completed by the middle of 2000.
Armenia had no shortage of medical supplies, and pharmacies were abundant in recent years, the delegation said. It added some pharmacies provided charitable services for low-income families with several children.
Quoting the 1996 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a Committee member said during the Soviet period, the Armenian people had attained an achievement of paramount importance -- a high level of education. Unfortunately, the system of education and its former achievements were seriously jeopardized at the current phase of social transformation. The assistance of the international community should be targeted at the education sector to ensure free compulsory eight-year and free secondary educations.
At present, there were 90 private institutions of higher studies in Armenia, the delegation said. However, questions had been raised with the quality of education and the diplomas received by the graduates. A committee had been established to oversee diplomas obtained abroad and locally.
The education system of Armenia, which comprised of part of the unified education system of the former Soviet Union, inherited both the positive and the negative aspects of that system, the delegation said. While leaving the traditionally good elements, the Government was trying through reforms to bring the level of education up to world standards. A law on education was passed in March 1999 to provide the legal framework for all the reforms aimed at improving education in the country. Despite the economic crisis, the number of students in public schools had been maintained.
State scholarships had been reduced because of the country’s financial difficulties, the delegation said. But, it added, charitable and private institutions attempted to make up for the them.
Special programmes to teach human rights and the fundamental of democracy and civil society were being established and would be included in the curricula, the delegation said. In order to ensure the successful implementation of the human rights teaching programmes in initial grades, the Ministry of Education and Science, among other organizations, were organizing retraining courses for teachers.
Despite economic difficulties, Armenia enjoyed numerous cultural institutions and establishments pursuing ever-expanding cultural activities deeply rooted in its history and traditions, the delegation said. At present, there were 60 theatrical institutions and 10 groups of symphonic orchestra.
HR/ESC/99/39
23 November 1999
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
CONCLUDES REVIEW OF ARMENIAN REPORT
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this morning concluded its consideration of the initial report presented by the Government of Armenia on how that country was implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
During the discussion, the Armenian delegation told the Committee that special programmes to teach human rights and the fundamentals of democracy and civil society were being established and would be included in the national curricula.
Quoting the 1996 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a Committee member said Armenia's system of education and its former achievements were seriously jeopardized at the current phase of social transformation; the assistance of the international community should be targeted at the education sector to ensure free compulsory eight-year and free secondary educations.
A four-member Armenian Government delegation, headed by Vahram Kazhoyan, Director of the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was on hand to answer questions raised by Committee members throughout the three meetings. The delegation also included Karen Nazarian, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee will issue written, final concluding observations and recommendations on the initial report of Armenia towards the end of its three-week session, which concludes on 3 December.
As one of 142 States parties the International Covenant, Armenia is obligated to submit periodic summaries of the efforts to put the treaty into effect.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the initial report of Cameroon (document E/1990/5/Add.35).
Discussion
In response to additional questions raised by Committee Experts, the members of the Armenian delegation said as a result of the devastating earthquake of 1988 which left behind 530,000 homeless, the Government still faced serious difficulties in implementing the right to adequate food and housing. In addition, because of the aggression and violent acts against Armenians in Azerbaijan, in the last decade, 350,000 refugees had doubled the ranks of those in need of houses.
Quoting Armenian Family Health, a non-governmental organization (NG0), a Committee Expert said Armenia had a high abortion rate -- an average of 2.7 abortions per woman. The steady rate of abortion was considered to be the most serious problem related to women's reproductive health. Abortion remained the primary means of fertility control in Armenia due to the lack of contraceptives and effective family planning services.
Responding to these and other questions put by Committee Experts, the Armenian officials said municipalities and other organizations had taken appropriate measures to make daily life convenient to disabled persons. Disabled students were able to be integrated in elementary and secondary schools breaking social "taboos" concerning them. Some buildings were renovated to accommodate disabled persons. In addition, there were 40 schools of nine different types for physically and mentally retarded children, receiving basic vocational guidance in addition to general education.
Cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis and cancer persisted in the country without the Government keeping any data on the number of victims, the delegation said. Cases of tuberculosis had been issues in prisons where the a relatively high number of prisoners were diagnosed. In collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Government had implemented programmes on the eradication of tuberculosis. The number of patients with cancer was not known, however, statistics showed 36.6 per cent of women had breast cancer. Nevertheless, the Government had taken measures to improve the national reproductive plan and sexual health and family planning.
Abortion was not prohibited in Armenia; it fact, it was widespread, the delegation said. Women in need of abortion could do it within the limit to do so. There was no any restriction against abortion, the delegation added.
Drinking water had been a major concern of the Government because of the increase in the number of households and the shortage of water supply, the delegation said. In the 1950s and 1960s, natural spring water from the mountainous regions was consumed by the population. However, a new project of water supply had been extended with additional pipelines and sources, which would be completed by the middle of 2000.
Armenia had no shortage of medical supplies, and pharmacies were abundant in recent years, the delegation said. It added some pharmacies provided charitable services for low-income families with several children.
Quoting the 1996 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a Committee member said during the Soviet period, the Armenian people had attained an achievement of paramount importance -- a high level of education. Unfortunately, the system of education and its former achievements were seriously jeopardized at the current phase of social transformation. The assistance of the international community should be targeted at the education sector to ensure free compulsory eight-year and free secondary educations.
At present, there were 90 private institutions of higher studies in Armenia, the delegation said. However, questions had been raised with the quality of education and the diplomas received by the graduates. A committee had been established to oversee diplomas obtained abroad and locally.
The education system of Armenia, which comprised of part of the unified education system of the former Soviet Union, inherited both the positive and the negative aspects of that system, the delegation said. While leaving the traditionally good elements, the Government was trying through reforms to bring the level of education up to world standards. A law on education was passed in March 1999 to provide the legal framework for all the reforms aimed at improving education in the country. Despite the economic crisis, the number of students in public schools had been maintained.
State scholarships had been reduced because of the country’s financial difficulties, the delegation said. But, it added, charitable and private institutions attempted to make up for the them.
Special programmes to teach human rights and the fundamental of democracy and civil society were being established and would be included in the curricula, the delegation said. In order to ensure the successful implementation of the human rights teaching programmes in initial grades, the Ministry of Education and Science, among other organizations, were organizing retraining courses for teachers.
Despite economic difficulties, Armenia enjoyed numerous cultural institutions and establishments pursuing ever-expanding cultural activities deeply rooted in its history and traditions, the delegation said. At present, there were 60 theatrical institutions and 10 groups of symphonic orchestra.