293. In accordance with that decision, at its 1147th meeting, held on 9 April 1992, the Committee adopted the following comments. Introduction 294. The Committee notes that the dialogue with the Algerian delegation was particularly constructive/ because the delegation endeavoured to answer members' questions candidly without trying to conceal the difficulties. It thanks the State party through the latter's representative for its good report, which was submitted within the specified period. The report contains detailed information on the laws and regulations relating to the application of the provisions of the Covenant. The Committee regrets, however, that the report includes little information concerning the actual application of human rights standards. It also regrets the failure of the report to indicate the factors and difficulties that are impeding the application of those standards. Lastly, it notes with regret that the report, having been submitted on 5 April 1991, could make no reference to the states of emergency, notification of which reached the Secretary-General on 19 June and 13 February 1992, respectively. 1. Positive aspects 295. The Committee notes with satisfaction that Algeria has ratified or acceded to a number of international human rights instruments, in particular the Covenant and the first Optional Protocol thereto, and has made the declaration provided for in article 41 of the Covenant. In addition, Algeria has included in its Constitution various provisions relating to human rights and has amended a number of legislative texts in order to reflect international human rights standards. The Committee also notes with satisfaction the establishment of a Ministry of Human Rights, later replaced by a national human rights monitoring body. 2. Factors and difficulties impeding the application of the Covenant 296. The Committee notes that at the time of the submission of the report, Algeria was in a process of transition to democracy. Since that time, Algeria has been faced with substantial difficulties that have brought this process to a standstill. The Algerian authorities, therefore, considered such ways and means as seemed appropriate to them to prevent forces that they considered hostile to democracy from taking advantage of democratic procedure in order to harm democracy. Among the measures adopted in this respect are the proclamation of the two states of emergency and the interruption of the electoral process. 3. Principal subjects of concern 297. The Committee expresses its concern regarding the suspension of the democratic process and, in general, regarding the blocking of democratic mechanisms. It is concerned about the high number of arrests (8,800) and the -68-