United Nations
Economic and Social Council
E/C.12/MRT/CO/1
Distr.: General
10 December 2012
Original: English
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Concluding observations on the initial report of Mauritania,
adopted by the Committee at its forty-ninth session (12-30
November 2012)
1.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial
report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights in Mauritania (E/C.12/MRT/1) at its 36th to 38th meetings, held on 15 and
16 November 2012 (E/C.12/2012/SR.36-38), and adopted, at its 58th meeting, held on 30
November 2012, the following concluding observations.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Mauritania. The
Committee also welcomes the dialogue it had with the delegation of the State party, but
regrets the absence of experts from relevant ministries and departments. The Committee
would have wished more precise and complete answers to the questions posed during the
dialogue.
3.
The Committee regrets that the report did not provide any information on the
implementation of article 3 on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all
economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee also regrets the paucity of information
supplied on the implementation of article 6 on the right to work, article 7 on the right to the
enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work, and article 8 on union rights.
4.
The Committee thanks the State party for the written replies to the list of issues
(E/C.12/MRT/Q/1/Add.1), but regrets that the replies did not cover all the issues.
B.
Positive aspects
5.
The Committee notes with satisfaction the ratification by the State party of several
human rights treaties in the past five years.
6.
The Committee notes with appreciation:
(a)
The expansion of public infrastructure in recent years which has opened up
some remote areas and brought public services nearer to the population;
(b)
GE.12-48554
The upgrading of slums in Nouakchott;