E/C.12/1/Add.57 page 6 who suffered losses as a result of hurricane Mitch. The Committee also recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to address the problems of forced evictions and homelessness. 44. The Committee recommends that the State party review its legislation and adopt all appropriate measures with a view to continuing agrarian reform and addressing land tenure issues, in such a manner as to take account of the needs of the campesinos and of the land rights of indigenous populations. 45. Given that mining concessions may have a significant impact on the enjoyment of article12 and other provisions of the Covenant, the Committee recommends that applications for mining concessions be publicized in all the localities where the mining will take place, and that opposition to such applications be allowed within three months (not 15 days) of their publication in the relevant locality, in accordance with principles of procedural fairness. 46. The Committee urges the State party to adopt immediate measures to counter the negative environmental and health impacts of the use of pollutants and toxic substances in specific agricultural and industrial sectors, such as banana growing and gold mining. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the State party establish a mechanism by which it can review effectively the environmental impact studies conducted by or on behalf of these sectors. 47. The Committee urges the State party to undertake effective measures to address the high level of persons living with HIV/AIDS, and in particular facilitate access to essential drugs, and to seek international cooperation to this effect. 48. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to implement its reproductive health policy, with a particular focus on young persons, and that it develop training programmes and counselling services in this regard for both men and women. 49. The Committee requests that the State party, in its next periodic report, provide detailed information about mentally disabled persons, including a summary of the legal regime governing those in compulsory care and the measures that are in place to ensure their protection. 50. The State party is urged to adopt a comprehensive national plan for Education for All, as anticipated by paragraph 16 of the Dakar Framework for Action. When formulating and implementing its plan, the State party is urged to take into account the Committee’s General Comments 11 and 13 and to establish an effective monitoring system for the plan. The State party is also encouraged to seek technical advice and assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in relation to both the formulation and implementation of its plan. 51. The Committee requests that the State party, in its next periodic report, provide updated statistical information on the rate of illiteracy, as well as information on the measures taken by the State party to combat illiteracy and the results of these measures.

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