Office of the Presidential Adviser for Reconciliation, Normalization and Rehabilitation/ had had positive effects on enforcing the rights enshrined in the Covenant. The institutionalization of the peace process and the firm stand taken by the Government to combat all forms of violence by the police, the army and paramilitary groups had been important factors for the improvement of the human rights situation in Colombia. 385. At the same time, it was noted that some of the concerns expressed by members of the Committee had not been fully allayed. Concern was, in particular, expressed about the ongoing violence causing a high rate of homicide, disappearances and torture; the murders of sectors of the population in so-called social-cleansing operations; the impunity of the police, security and military personnel; the persistence of the activities of paramilitary groups; the legal provisions regarding states of emergency; the extent of the jurisdiction of military courts; the remaining areas of discrimination against women and members of minority, groups; and problems relating to child labour and the full implementation of article 24 of the Covenant. 386. The representative of the State party thanked the members of the Committee for the dialogue they had carried on with the delegation. He agreed that the remaining central issue faced by his Government was the impunity of criminals. He also explained that, thus far, the Government had been unable to impose stricter controls over the remnants of the military justice system. Further efforts were being undertaken towards greater political openness and the emergence of a culture of tolerance conducive to the peaceful resolution of internal conflicts. 387. In concluding the consideration of the third periodic report of Colombia, the Chairman expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the dialogue with the State party's delegation. Comments of the Committee 388. As indicated in paragraph 45 above, the Committee, at its 1123rd meeting, held on 24 March 1992, decided that henceforth, at the conclusion of the consideration of a State party's report, it would adopt comments reflecting the views of the Committee as a whole. 389. In accordance with that decision, at its 1147th meeting, held on 9 April 1992, the Committee adopted the following comments. Introduction 390. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the State party's welldocumented report, which was prepared in conformity with the Committee's guidelines, highlighting factors and difficulties that impede the implementation of the Covenant and providing information not only about laws and regulations but also about actual practice. The fact that the new Constitution had not yet been adopted at the time of the report's submission made it somewhat difficult for the Committee to acquaint itself with the current situation, but the additional information supplied orally compensated for this to a large extent. The delegation endeavoured to answer all questions from the Committee and its members in an open and direct way. -92-