intelligence system, which had been implicated in money laundering, had been abolished by the Congress. Communications continued to be inviolable even during states of emergency and wire-tapping had been stopped. Non-discrimination, equality of the sexes before the law and protection o£ family and children 320. In relation to those issues, members wished to know how effective the measures designed to promote full equality of the sexes had been; how the treatment of aliens differed from that of citizens; what the law and practice were concerning the employment of minors; and whether men and women working under the same conditions received the same salaries; and what the percentage was of women serving in government departments, the legislature and the judiciary. Members also requested information concerning child prostitution and trafficking in women and children; the reported employment of 1 million children under the age of 14 in the country, child slavery in the Madre de Dios gold mines, and how the Government viewed such reports; and Peru's environmental protection policy. 321. Responding to the questions that had been raised, the representative noted that the Constitution did not allow for any discrimination on the basis of sex. The relevant statistics showed that government policies had had a positive impact on political participation by women, who had also made great strides in economic and social status. The Constitution provided for just remuneration under the same conditions for men and women, without distinction. There was currently one minister and some 15 to 20 women in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, Aliens could buy property only in border provinces. In general, there were some limits on the political rights of aliens when national security was threatened. Children in employment were protected by law and minimum age limits had been set for children employed in various industries. The Government was aware, however, that the economic and social conditions had forced many youths to work under illegal conditions and an ad hoc commission was currently reviewing the relevant legislation. Several voluntary programmes, which were partly subsidized by the Government, had recently begua to provide street children with food and shelter. Although child labour had once existed in the Madre de Dios gold mines, it had never amounted to slavery and had been abolished. The Government had also undertaken an ambitious project to establish a foundation for the welfare o£ all children in Peru. A chapter on crimes perpetrated against the environment and public health had been included in the new Penal Code. Rights of persons belonging to minorities 322. With reference to that issue, members requested additional information concerning legislation to give effect to articles 34, 35 and 169 of the Constitution, as well as the relevant practices. They also wished to know what factors and difficulties had been encountered in implementing article 27 of the Covenant, including the situation of indigenous people in areas where production of and trade in drugs caused problems; what measures had been taken to ensure effective participation by minority groups in the political process; whether there was any minority representation in Congress; and what assistance had been given by the Government to the indigenous peoples who were caught between the Shining Path's interest in drug production and the repressive activities carried out by the army and police. -76-