E/C.12/1/Add.85 page 2 4. The Committee notes with appreciation that the State party, in the preparation of the report, encouraged the active involvement of civil society organizations. The Committee also commends the State party’s efforts to make the outcome of its dialogue with United Nations human rights treaty bodies known to the public, including by making its reports available on the web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by translating the concluding observations of treaty bodies into Estonian. 5. The Committee welcomes the establishment in November 2001 of the Office of the Legal Chancellor, who fulfils the functions of an Ombudsman and whose mandate includes economic, social and cultural rights, and the efforts to make this institution easily accessible through the creation of a number of regional offices. 6. The Committee notes with satisfaction the recent reduction in unemployment. According to information supplied by the delegation, the unemployment rate has been reduced from 14.8 per cent, at the beginning of 2001 to 9.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2002. The Committee also commends the State party on its targeted efforts to combat unemployment among high-risk groups, including those affected by long-term unemployment, young people, people with disabilities and rural women. 7. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Trade Union Act of 14 June 2000, which formalized free and independent trade unions in Estonia. 8. The Committee commends the State party on its initiatives in the area of public health, which have led to a number of improvements, including a reduction in infant mortality, from 15.4 in 1993 to 8.4 in 2000, and in maternal mortality, from 0.47 per 100,000 in 1995 to 0.13 in 1999. The Committee notes with satisfaction that public awareness campaigns have been launched in order to combat the phenomenon of widespread alcohol and tobacco abuse. 9. The Committee welcomes the measures undertaken to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, including the introduction of a social welfare scheme to cover additional expenses incurred due to disability. 10. The Committee notes with satisfaction that many cultural activities, such as theatrical performances, concerts, ballet and the like, continue to be subsidized in order to encourage the widest possible attendance. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 11. In the view of the Committee, there are no factors or difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant in the State party.