Comments of the Committee 595, 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. 596. In accordance with that decision, at its 1173rd meeting, held on 2 9 July 1992, the Committee adopted the following comments. Introduction 597. The Committee expresses its satisfaction at the timely submission of the third periodic report of Mongolia, which followed the Committee's guidelines and contained valuable information on the situation in Mongolia at the present time. The Committee appreciates, in particular, the high-level representation sent to discuss the report, which served as an indication of the importance attached by the Government of Mongolia to its obligations under the Covenant. 598. Although its dialogue with the delegation was a useful one, the Committee regrets that insufficient information was provided, both in the report and in the answers supplied by the delegation, concerning key elements in the relevant legislation currently being considered in Parliament. Numerous draft laws and decrees were cited during the course of the consideration of the report but the lack of information as to their content impaired the Committee's ability to assess their potential impact, 1. Positive aspects 599. The Committee notes with satisfaction the significant progress made, since the consideration of Mongolia's second periodic report, towards establishing and developing a legal order and democratic institutions which would promote the protection of human rights. The new Constitution has been drafted in the spirit of the Covenant and an extensive reform of the civil, criminal and penal codes is foreseen. Similarly, the Committee is encouraged by the indications of the delegation that many of the restrictive practices of the past are no longer in force. The Committee notes with particular satisfaction the recent accession of Mongolia to the Optional Protocol, Taken together, these notable developments indicate that the Government of Mongolia takes very seriously its obligations under the Covenant and is moving toward establishing a firmer legal basis for the realization of the rights contained therein. 2. Factors and difficulties impeding the application of the Covenant 600. The Committee notes that widespread economic dislocations of resources accompanying the transitions currently under way in the country have hindered the full application of the Covenant and the establishment of a new system of well-functioning democratic institutions and procedures. For example, the -142-