E UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/1/Add.85 19 December 2002 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Twenty-ninth session 11-29 November 2002 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 ESTONIA 1. The Committee considered the initial report of Estonia on the implementation of the Covenant (E/1990/5/Add.51) at its 41st, 42nd and 43rd meetings, held on 19 and 20 November 2002 (see E/C.12/2002/SR.41-43), and adopted, at its 56th meeting, held on 29 November 2002, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Estonia, which was prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the high quality of the written replies given to the list of issues (E/C.12/Q/EST/1) and for the satisfactory answers provided by the State party’s high-level delegation during an open and constructive dialogue. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee commends the State party for the significant steps it has taken to bring its legislation in harmony with international human rights norms and, in particular, with the provisions of the Covenant. The Committee notes with satisfaction the State party’s assurances that the provisions of the Covenant have been fully incorporated into the domestic legal system and may be invoked before the courts. GE.02-46398 (E) 080103