foreign currency earnings and the workers had attempted to cut off the vital trans-Andean pipeline to press inordinate claims for compensation and for changes in the ownership of the petroleum industry. The President had suspended freedom of movement and the right of assembly within the petroleum installations as well as the constitutional guarantees relating to the right to work. The state of emergency had lasted barely two weeks and the Congress had been duly informed, in accordance with the Constitution, and had endorsed the measure. In future, the authorities would not fail to notify the Secretary-General whenever a state of emergency was declared, in accordance with article 4, paragraph 3, of the Covenant. The list given in article 48 (n) of the Constitution was identical, in spirit, with the provisions mentioned in article 4, paragraph 2, of the Covenant and the exercise of the fundamental human rights concerned had never been suspended. Non-discrimination and equality of the sexes 231. In connection with that issue, members of the Committee wished to know, in the light of the Committee's general comment 'No. 18 (37), whether there had been any developments in relation to article 2, paragraph 1, and article 26 of the Covenant since the submission of the report. In addition, clarification was requested about the compatibility with the Covenant of the distinction made in article 9 of the Constitution between Spaniards and Ibero-Americans, on the one hand, and all other foreigners, on the other. Further information was requested regarding measures taken by the authorities to assist in the integration of indigenous populations into society and the prohibition against the signing of work contracts abroad by women. 232. In his reply, the representative of the State party pointed out that, under Ecuadorian law, racial discrimination was considered an offence and that amendments to the Civil Code, which sought to put an end to any form of legal discrimination between men and women, had been adopted in August 1989. Similarly, amendments to the Penal Code were currently being discussed in order to eliminate any shortcomings in that regard. The apparent distinction with respect to dual nationality in article 9 of the Constitution was based on historical considerations, since Spaniards and Ibero-Americans were the direct ancestors of the Ecuadorians. The rights of aliens, other than in the exercise of political rights, were not restricted as compared with those of citizens. The regulation which stipulated that companies wishing to hire a foreigner should give proof that his services were indispensable and that there were no Ecuadorians gualified to occupy the position was an administrative measure designed to protect the interests of Ecuadorians. 233. Referring to the rights of indigenous populations, the representative explained that for centuries the Indians had suffered considerable discrimination and savage exploitation at the hands of the Spanish conguerors, but also later at the hands of persons of mixed race. Although today they were no longer considered inferior beings as they had been during the colonial period, they were still poorer than other Ecuadorians. In the past, helping the Indians had meant helping them to climb the social ladder to the detriment of their identity. The recent trend, however, was to protect the cultural identity of the Indians. Some very primitive groups still existed in the country, and there was considerable debate as to whether they should be allowed to remain as they were or be integrated in the prevailing civilization. In view of the very strong arguments that such groups had the -53-