E/C.12/MAR/CO/3 page 2 5. The Committee notes with satisfaction the restructuring of the Consultative Council on Human Rights (CCDH) and the establishment of the Diwan Al Madhalim, the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), and the Equity and Reconciliation Commission. 6. The Committee notes with appreciation the National Disability Survey undertaken by the State party in 2004 with support from the European Union and the National Programme for Community-based Rehabilitation 2006-2008, intended to help disabled persons, which was developed with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 7. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the age of consent to marriage has been set at 18 for men and women alike, and is interested to note that the State party has developed a national plan of action for children for the decade 2005-2015. 8. The Committee takes note with satisfaction of the adoption of the new Labour Code in 2003. 9. The Committee is pleased that human rights are taught to students at all stages of the school system, and that members of the national legal service and public officials, including law-enforcement officers, receive human rights training. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 10. The Committee notes that certain traditions, customs and cultural practices in Morocco continue to prevent women from fully exercising their rights under the Covenant. 11. The Committee notes the disastrous effects of earthquakes in some regions of the State party, such as Al-Hoceima, on the rights enshrined in the Covenant, particularly the right to housing, a problem which affects women and children in particular. 12. The Committee notes that the Moroccan national human rights institution is connected to the Ministry of Justice, which could impede its independence. D. Principal subjects of concern 13. The Committee notes with regret that important points raised in its concluding observations in 1994 (E/C.12/1994/5) and in 2000 (E/C.12/1/Add.55) have not been taken into consideration, and that the State party has not effectively addressed the main concerns raised during the consideration of its initial report and its second periodic report, which still need to be addressed, namely: (a) The lack of data and statistics on the homeless, evictions, access to drinking water and electricity, women’s employment and the status of the Amazigh people; (b) The fact that no clear solution has yet been found to the question of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. The Committee notes with concern reports of the straitened circumstances endured by people displaced by the conflict in Western Sahara, particularly women and children, who apparently suffer multiple violations of their rights under the Covenant;