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14.
The Committee regrets that no specific information was provided on traditional attitudes
affecting the enjoyment by women of their economic, social and cultural rights.
15.
The Committee regrets that it did not receive sufficient information in relation to the
level of unemployment in the State party, the level of minimum wage and the determination
procedure of such minimum wage, and on procedures designed to assist unemployed persons,
including citizens and migrant workers, in finding employment.
16.
The Committee regrets that it did not receive clear information about the legislation
applicable to the right of everyone to form and join trade unions and other rights spelled out in
article 8 of the Covenant, in particular the right to strike. It notes with concern that the
Government must approve all collective agreements to ensure that they are in line with the
nation’s economic interests, that there is no freedom for trade unions in the State party, and that
labour disputes must be referred to a compulsory arbitration procedure.
17.
The Committee regrets that insufficient information was provided by the State party on
poverty, the housing situation of the population, including migrant workers, homelessness and
forced evictions.
18.
The Committee notes with concern that 28 per cent of the population do not have
sustainable access to an improved water source. It is also concerned that improvements achieved
in the North of the country in terms of access to safe water have not yet been made available to
the Amazigh population, in particular in the regions of Nefoussa and Zouara.
19.
The Committee is deeply concerned about reports that HIV/AIDS has increased
since 2000, and that an estimated 90 per cent of recent adult infections are the result of injection
drug use.
20.
The Committee regrets that the State party did not provide sufficient information on
measures adopted to introduce human rights education in schools curricula, at primary and
secondary levels, and to disseminate the text of the Covenant to the public at large.
21.
The Committee is concerned about reports that freedom of access to the Internet is
severely restricted in the State party.
22.
The Committee is concerned that the Amazigh population is not recognized as a minority
in the State party and that the Amazigh language does not have any legal recognition and status,
despite information that the Amazigh population amounts to a large percentage of the
population.
23.
The Committee is concerned that the teaching of Amazigh language in school is
prohibited, as well as the use of this language in public, including in the media and in the
relationship with the administration. Amazigh cultural associations and institutions are
furthermore reported to not be allowed to operate freely in the country.
24.
The Committee expresses deep concern about domestic law prohibiting the use of
languages other than Arabic in many fields, or the registration of non-Arabic names for newborn
children.