E/C.12/LVA/CO/1 page 2 5. The Committee notes with satisfaction the ratification by the State party, in June 2006, of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 29 on Forced Labour (1930), No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999) and No. 138 on Minimum Age (1973). 6. The Committee notes with satisfaction the ratification by the State party, in October 2005, of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. 7. The Committee notes with satisfaction various initiatives taken by the State party to support the development of an active cultural life in Latvia, through, inter alia, the national programme “Culture” and the Culture Capital Foundation. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 8. The Committee notes the absence of any factor or difficulty preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the State party. D. Principal subjects of concern 9. The Committee is concerned that, in spite of the actions taken by the Latvian authorities against organized crime and corruption, including the work of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), the State party continues to face serious problems of corruption within State institutions, the police force and the judiciary, which have a negative effect on the full exercise of the rights enshrined in the Covenant. 10. While noting the existence of anti-discrimination provisions in the administrative and criminal legislation of the State party, the Committee regrets the delay in the enactment of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in the State party. 11. The Committee regrets that it did not receive full and adequate information on the fulfilment of the obligation of the State party to guarantee the enjoyment of rights enshrined in the Covenant without discrimination, as stipulated in article 2, paragraph 2, of the Covenant, with respect to non-citizens with permanent resident status who make up some 20 per cent of the population in Latvia. 12. The Committee is concerned that the State Language Law which mandates the use of Latvian in all dealings with public institutions, including administrative districts, may be discriminatory in effect against linguistic minorities living in the State party, including the Russian-speaking minority which constitutes a significant proportion of the population. In particular, the Committee is concerned that members of linguistic minorities, especially older persons, may be disadvantaged in their claims to public authorities with regard to their entitlement to public services. This has a negative impact on their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. 13. The Committee is concerned that, in spite of the measures taken by the State party to promote equality between men and women, including the Programme for the Implementation of Gender Equality (2005-2006), de facto gender inequalities and stereotypes persist in the State party, particularly with regard to wages and participation in public decision-