E UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/1/Add.57 21 May 2001 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT Concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Honduras 1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the initial report of Honduras on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1990/5/Add.40) at its 5th, 6th and 7th meetings (E/C.12/2001/SR.5-7), held on 25 and 26 April 2001, and adopted, at its 25th meeting (E/C.12/2001/SR.25) held on 9 May 2001, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the initial report of the State party, which was in general prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, although submitted after many years’ delay. The Committee welcomes in particular the open and frank nature of the constructive dialogue with the delegation and its willingness to answer the questions posed by the Committee. B. Positive Aspects 3. The Committee notes with satisfaction the assertion by the State party that the Covenant is part of national law and that it can be invoked before a court of law, although the delegation was not able to provide any examples of case law. 4. The Committee also notes with appreciation the State party’s declaration of its support for an optional protocol to the Covenant. GE.01-42320 (E)