| United Nations | A/51/277 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
7 August 1996
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Fifty-first session
Item 105 of the provisional agenda*
ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION ......................................... 1 3
II. STATUS OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL
FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ................ 2 - 4 3
III. THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST WOMEN: WORKING METHODS AND CAPACITY TO
FULFIL ITS MANDATE ................................... 5 - 29 4
A. Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women 5 - 9 4
B. Consideration of reports of States parties ....... 10 - 21 4
C. Content and format of the report of the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women ............................................ 22 7
D. Additional activities of the treaty bodies ....... 23 - 26 7
E. Optional protocol ................................ 27 - 29 8
IV. IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 47/94 .. 30 - 32 9
A. Servicing of the Committee by the Secretariat .... 30 9
B. Publicity ........................................ 31 - 32 9
* A/51/150
Annexes
I. Resolution 9/1, adopted at the ninth meeting of States parties to
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women .................................................... 11
II. Reservations and declarations made upon ratification from
1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996 ................................... 13
III. Objections made from 1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996 .............. 16
IV. Withdrawals of reservations and declarations from 1 August 1995 to
1 August 1996 .................................................... 19
V. Communications received by States parties from 1 August 1995 to
1 August 1996 .................................................... 23
VI. List of States that have signed, ratified, acceded or succeeded to
the Convention as at 1 August 1996 ............................... 25
VII. Overdue reports to the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women as at 1 August 1996 ................. 31
VIII. Reports due and received but not yet taken up by the Committee on
the Elimination of Discrimination against Women as at
1 August 1996 .................................................... 37
I. INTRODUCTION
1. By its resolution 34/180 of 18 December 1979, the General Assembly
adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women. In its subsequent resolutions 35/140, 36/131, 37/64, 38/109,
39/130, 40/39, 41/108, 42/60, 43/100, 44/73, 45/124, 47/94, and 49/164, the
Assembly urged States that had not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention
to do so as soon as possible and requested the Secretary-General to report on
the status of the Convention. In its resolution 45/124 of 14 December 1990,
the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit this report annually.
In accordance with those resolutions, the Secretary-General has submitted at
each session of the Assembly a report on the status of the Convention
(A/35/428, A/36/295 and Add.1, A/37/349 and Add.1, A/38/378, A/39/486,
A/40/623, A/41/608 and Add.1, A/42/627, A/43/605, A/44/457, A/45/426,
A/46/462, A/47/368, A/48/354, A/49/308 and A/50/346).
II. STATUS OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS
OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
2. The Convention was opened for signature in New York on 1 March 1980 and,
in accordance with its article 27, entered into force on 3 September 1981.
3. As at 1 August 1996, 153 States had ratified the Convention, of which 58
States had acceded and 6 had succeeded to it. In addition, four States had
signed it without yet ratifying it. Since the last progress report
(A/50/346), the following States parties have ratified, acceded or succeeded
to the Convention: Algeria, Azerbaijan, C“te d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Fiji,
Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa and Vanuatu (see
annex VI for the complete list of States parties that have signed, ratified,
acceded or succeeded to the Convention as at 1 August 1996, as well as the
date of the signatures and dates of receipt of the instruments of
ratification, accession or succession).
4. Reservations were made upon ratification to the Convention during the
period from 1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996 by Algeria, Fiji, Lesotho,
Liechtenstein, Pakistan and Singapore (see annex II). Objections were
received during the period from 1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996 by Finland, the
Netherlands and Sweden (see annex III). Withdrawals of reservations and
declarations were received from Jamaica, Thailand and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see annex IV). Communications were
received during the period from 1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996 by Austria,
Belgium and Portugal (see annex V).
III. THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN: WORKING METHODS AND CAPACITY TO FULFIL ITS MANDATE
A. Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women
5. In the follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women, held at Beijing
in September 1995, the Committee, at its fifteenth session in 1996, amended
its reporting guidelines in accordance with the recommendation in paragraph
323 of the Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Conference, 1/
that States parties when reporting under article 18 of the Convention include
information on measures taken to implement the Platform for Action in order to
facilitate the work of the Committee in monitoring effectively women's ability
to enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Convention. In preparing their initial
and subsequent reports under the articles of the Convention or in
supplementary oral and/or written materials supplied in connection with
reports already submitted, States parties are therefore now invited by the
Committee to take into account the 12 critical areas of concern in chapter III
of the Platform for Action. 2/ The Committee noted that these areas of
concern were compatible with the articles of the Convention and therefore
within the mandate of the Committee.
6. In addition the Committee, in cooperation with the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), prepared a
manifesto entitled "Towards a gender-inclusive culture through education", in
connection with the Fourth World Conference on Women, where it was
distributed.
7. The manifesto emphasized the right to education, which was a fundamental
human right that must be granted to all women and men by States as a public
service, and that girls and women should have access on an equal footing with
boys and men to all levels and forms of education. It also stressed the
importance of the acquisition of basic literacy and numeracy to achieve the
empowerment of all citizens, and especially to strengthen the capacities of
girls and women.
8. The manifesto further stressed that it was necessary to develop an
education policy which provided lifelong education for women from early
childhood through adulthood and took into account the varying stages in
women's life cycles. It moreover underscored that the means of ensuring that
large numbers of girls and women enter the field of non-traditional scientific
and technological education should be explored and implemented.
9. Finally, the manifesto stressed that education for gender equality was a
vital means of combating violence throughout the world.
B. Consideration of reports of States parties
Meeting time
10. In its resolution 49/164 of 23 December 1994, on the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the General Assembly
recommended that the States parties to the Convention review the working
situation of the Committee and its capacity to fulfil its mandate more
effectively. In particular, the States parties should consider the
possibility of amending article 20 of the Convention so as to allow for
sufficient meeting time for the Committee. The Assembly also requested the
States parties to the Convention to meet in 1995 in order to review article 20
of the Convention.
11. In its decision 49/448 also adopted on 23 December 1994, the General
Assembly, aware that the Governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and
Sweden had made a written request 3/ for the revision of article 20,
paragraph 1, of the Convention by replacing the words "normally meet for a
period of not more than two weeks annually in order" by the words "meet
annually for a period necessary", and having noted that article 26 of the
Convention stipulated that "the General Assembly of the United Nations shall
decide upon the steps, if any, to be taken in respect of such a request",
decided to request the States parties to the Convention to consider the
request for a revision of article 20, paragraph 1, at a meeting to be convened
in 1995.
12. In pursuance of General Assembly decision 49/448, the eighth meeting of
the States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women was held at United Nations Headquarters in New
York on 22 May 1995. On the basis of their discussion, the States parties
adopted resolution 8/1, by which they decided to amend article 20,
paragraph 1. The amendment specifies, inter alia, "that the Committee shall
normally meet annually in order to consider the reports submitted in
accordance with article 18 of the Convention. The duration of the meetings of
the Committee shall be determined by the ninth meeting of the States parties."
13. By its resolution 50/202 of 22 December 1995, the General Assembly took
note with approval of the resolution regarding the amendment to article 20,
paragraph 1, of the Convention, adopted by the States parties to the
Convention on 22 May 1995. It further "urged States parties to take
appropriate measures so that acceptance by a two-thirds majority of States
parties can be reached as soon as possible in order for the amendment to enter
into force".
14. At its fifteenth session, the Committee adopted decision 15/1 in which it
expressed its appreciation to the States parties to the Convention and to the
General Assembly for their action and indicated that it looked forward to the
ratification of the amendment by States parties as quickly as possible. For
the interim period, the Committee urged the appropriate intergovernmental
bodies to authorize adequate meeting time to enable the Committee to continue
to reduce the increasing backlog in the reports of States parties awaiting
review. The Committee considered that at least two three-week sessions
annually, each preceded by a pre-session working group, were needed to
alleviate the heavy workload of the Committee.
15. At the ninth meeting of States parties to the Convention, held on
29 February 1996, the States parties adopted a resolution (see annex I) in
which they recognized the need to introduce a temporary measure to enable the
Committee to reduce the backlog until the amendment to article 20, paragraph
1, entered into force. They also recommended that the General Assembly at its
fifty-first session approve the request of the Committee for at least two
three- week sessions annually, each preceded by a pre-session working group,
within the overall existing budget framework, in order to enable the Committee
to continue to reduce the backlog in the reports of States parties awaiting
review. The General Assembly has this proposal before it at its present
session.
16. As of 1 August 1996, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Madagascar, Norway and
Sweden had deposited with the Secretary-General their respective instruments
of acceptance of the amendment of article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Overdue reports
17. Following the initial report, which is due one year after ratification,
States parties are required under article 18 of the Convention to submit
reports every four years.
18. As at 1 August 1996, 48 initial reports, 43 second periodic reports, 54
third periodic reports and 41 fourth periodic reports were overdue (see
annex VII). The Secretariat is taking the initiative to propose that States
parties submit combined reports, in line with procedures adopted by the
Committee, especially where initial reports are well overdue, keeping in mind
that consideration of overdue reports by the Committee cannot be guaranteed in
the near future in view of the extent of the backlog.
19. As at 1 August 1996, the backlog of reports submitted but not yet
considered by the Committee included 10 initial reports, 10 second periodic
reports, 20 third periodic reports and 4 fourth periodic reports, or a total
of 44 reports. Even with the failure of many States parties to submit their
reports on time, the workload of the Committee has increased rapidly since its
establishment (see annex VIII). There is an average time lapse of three years
between the submission of a report by a State party and its consideration by
the Committee. Presently the Committee considers an average of eight reports
per session. Should the Committee be authorized to hold two three-week
sessions a year, the present backlog could be reduced within three years, not
taking into account new reports to be submitted. Otherwise, it will take at
lease six years to clear the backlog.
Number of reports of States parties received and considered, and time
allocated for their consideration
20. One of the most striking disparities in the work of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women, compared to that of the other
international human rights treaty bodies, lies in the amount of time available
to consider reports of States parties. At its fourteenth session, the
Committee decided to allocate two and a half meetings for consideration of
each report of a State party. The Committee further decided that no formal
time-limit would be placed on the oral introduction of a report by a State
party, since the main objective was to have a dialogue with States parties,
and a time-limit might inhibit such a dialogue. However, the Secretariat was
requested to inform States parties of the Committee's time constraints;
compared to other treaty bodies, the time currently available to hear reports
of States parties by the Committee is less than that allotted to other treaty
bodies. On average it considers eight reports in a three-week session. The
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, by contrast, hears five to
six global reports in a three-week session; the Human Rights Committee
typically considers four to five reports per session, or between 13 and 14
reports over a period of nine weeks each year.
21. Since its establishment in 1981 the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women has held 15 sessions, in which it reviewed 70
initial reports, 38 second periodic reports, 14 third period reports, 2 fourth
periodic reports; 9 combined first and second periodic reports, 4 combined
second and third periodic reports, and 1 combined first, second and third
periodic report. It also considered 3 exceptional reports from Croatia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rwanda. The total number of reports considered is
141.
C. Content and format of the report of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women
22. At its fifteenth session the Committee adopted decision 15/III, by which
it decided to dispense in its report on its annual meeting with a detailed
summary of the discussion on reports submitted by States parties. Summary
records will, however, be retained, and the concluding comments of the
Committee will be preceded by a brief summary of the oral presentation of each
State party.
D. Additional activities of the treaty bodies
Mainstreaming a gender perspective
23. Taking into consideration the report of the Secretary-General on the
extent to which violations of women's human rights have been addressed by
human rights mechanisms, 4/ which included a review of recent steps taken by
human rights treaty bodies to mainstream the human rights of women in their
work, the Division for the Advancement of Women, in cooperation with the
Centre for Human Rights, continued to develop methodologies to assist in
analysing, from a gender perspective, reports of States parties being
considered by the various human rights treaty bodies. This work is being
carried out in consultation with the respective treaty bodies, building on
work already undertaken by the treaty bodies and on other initiatives, such as
the expert group meeting convened by the Centre for Human Rights and the
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in July 1995, the
recommendations of which were endorsed in September 1995 5/ by the sixth
meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies.
24. In December 1996, a round table will be organized to discuss ways to
integrate the recommendations on women's health, including reproductive and
sexual health rights from recent global conferences, into the human rights
monitoring and reporting procedures. The sponsors of the round table are the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Centre for Human Rights and the
Division for the Advancement of Women. The round table will bring together
members of each of the six human rights treaty bodies, representatives of
United Nations agencies and of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Input into world conferences
25. The Committee submitted to the Fourth World Conference on Women a report
on progress achieved in the implementation of the Convention. 6/ All members
of the Committee attended the Beijing Conference, in accordance with
Commission on the Status of Women resolution 36/8, adopted at its thirty-sixth
session, in 1992.
26. One expert participated on behalf of the Committee in the United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and a letter was sent to the
Chairperson of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference at its final
session setting out the suggestions and views of the Committee's experts. A
member of the Committee also participated, on behalf of the Committee, in the
World Summit for Social Development, held at Copenhagen in February 1995.
E. Optional protocol
27. During its fortieth session, the Commission on the Status of Women
initiated work with regard to the elaboration of a draft optional protocol to
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
on a right to petition. To that end, a parallel open-ended in-session Working
Group of the Commission held a general exchange of views, followed by an
in-depth consideration of major aspects to be covered by an optional protocol,
using as a basis for discussion, the elements proposed by the Committee in its
suggestion 7. 7/ The Chairperson of the Committee responded to questions
raised by delegations with regard to the Committee's suggestion 7. Members of
the Human Rights Committee briefed the Working Group on the provisions,
procedures and experience of the Human Rights Committee under the First
Optional Protocol, and made statements and responded to questions with regard
to justiciability issues.
28. The Commission recommended that the mandate of the Working Group be
renewed, and that its next session be convened in parallel with the
forty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Secretariat
informed the Commission that the resources required to hold the Working Group
session would need to be approved by the General Assembly at its fifty-first
session from within the approved programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
The Economic and Social Council, in adopting the report of the Commission on
the Status of Women on its fortieth session, decided to renew the mandate of
the in-session open-ended Working Group so that it might continue its work,
and to authorize it to meet within existing resources in parallel with the
forty-first session of the Commission. The Council also decided that a
representative of the Committee should be invited to attend the next session
of the Working Group as a resource person.
29. The Secretary-General was requested to submit two reports to the
Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-first session on the issue of a
draft optional protocol, namely a comparative summary of existing
communications and inquiry procedures and practices under international human
rights instruments and under the Charter of the United Nations, and a
comprehensive report, including a synthesis of additional views of Governments
and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on an optional
protocol, taking into account the elements contained in suggestion 7 (see
para. 27) and the deliberations of the Working Group. Member States and
observer States have therefore been invited by the Secretary-General to submit
their additional views to the Division for the Advancement of Women by 1
October 1996.
IV. IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 47/94
A. Servicing of the Committee by the Secretariat
30. Following the fifteenth session of the Committee, the Secretary-General
wrote to the Chairperson of the Committee indicating that in the light of the
recommendation of the Beijing Platform for Action that the substantive
servicing of the Committee should be provided by the Division for the
Advancement of Women, the Committee would continue to be serviced by the
Division for the Advancement of Women, which is currently based at United
Nations Headquarters in New York. He pointed out that the programme budget
for 1996-1997 had not made provision for any change in the servicing
arrangements for the Committee. The Secretary-General underlined the
importance of linking the work of the Committee to the mainstream of human
rights activities and emphasized that close collaboration between the Division
and the Centre for Human Rights would continue, including the exchange of
information between the Committee, other human rights treaty bodies and
Special Rapporteurs on human rights.
B. Publicity
31. In response to the request of the General Assembly for continued
dissemination of information relating to the Committee and the Convention, the
Division for the Advancement of Women has created a home page on the World
Wide Web which includes a space for the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women. Documents of the Committee, the
Convention itself and other relevant information are being posted on the page
for easy access. The page is still under development, but it is expected that
some electronic mailing lists will be created in future to facilitate exchange
of information with interested NGOs and individuals in the human rights field,
on the Convention and its implementation.
32. An advocacy kit was prepared on the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women for the Fourth World Conference on
Women. This was a joint effort of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
and UNIFEM. It includes information on women and human rights, women and
political participation, gender-based violence, women and armed conflict,
reproductive rights and sexual rights, culture and traditional practices, the
girl child, women's rights in relation to children's rights, and legal status
versus legal reality.
Notes
1/ A/CONF.177/20, chap. I, resolution I, annex II.
2/ Ibid., para. 44.
3/ A/C.3/49/26.
4/ E/CN.4/1996/9.
5/ See A/50/505.
6/ A/CONF.177/7.
7/ See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1996,
Supplement No. 6 (E/1996/26), annex III.
ANNEX I
Resolution 9/1, adopted at the ninth meeting of States
parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women
Meeting time of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women
The States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 49/164 of 23 December 1994 on the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and
decision 49/448 of 23 December 1994 on the consideration of the request for
the revision of article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention,
Noting with appreciation General Assembly resolution 50/202 of
22 December 1995, in which the Assembly called for the early acceptance and
entry into force of the amendment to the Convention,
Reiterating the importance of the Convention on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women as well as the contribution of the Committee on
the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to the United Nations efforts
to eliminate discrimination against women,
Noting that the workload of the Committee has increased because of the
growing number of States parties to the Convention and that the annual session
of the Committee is the shortest of all the annual sessions of the human
rights treaty bodies,
Recalling Decision 1 on increasing the meeting time of the Committee
adopted by the Committee at its fifteenth session, as well as its General
Recommendation 22 on the same subject,
Welcoming the efforts made by the Committee to improve its procedures and
working methods, and encouraging it to continue such efforts,
Convinced that an adequate amount of time for the meetings of the
Committee is one of the vital factors in ensuring the continued effectiveness
of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in future
years,
1. Recognize the need to introduce a temporary measure to enable the
Committee to reduce the backlog until the amendment to article 20, paragraph
1, enters into force;
2. Support the request made by the Committee at its fifteenth session
for additional meeting time so as to allow it to hold two sessions annually,
each of three weeks' duration, and each preceded by a pre-session working
group, starting from 1997 for an interim period;
3. Recommend that the General Assembly at its fifty-first session
approves the request of the Committee, within the overall existing budget
framework, in order to enable the Committee to continue to reduce the backlog
in States parties' reports awaiting review.
ANNEX II
Reservations and declarations made upon ratification
from 1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996
Reservations made by the Government of Algeria
upon ratification
Article 2
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria declares
that it is prepared to apply the provisions of this article on condition that
they do not conflict with the provisions of the Algerian Family Code.
Article 9, paragraph 2
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria wishes to
express its reservations concerning the provisions of article 9, paragraph 2,
which are incompatible with the provisions of the Algerian Nationality Code
and the Algerian Family Code.
The Algerian Nationality Code allows a child to take the nationality of
the mother only when:
- The father is either unknown or stateless;
- The child is born in Algeria to an Algerian mother and a foreign
father who was born in Algeria.
Moreover, a child born in Algeria to an Algerian mother and a foreign father
who was not born on Algerian territory may, under article 26 of the Algerian
Nationality Code, acquire the nationality of the mother providing the Ministry
of Justice does not object.
Article 41 of the Algerian Family Code states that a child is affiliated
to its father through legal marriage.
Article 43 of that Code states that "the child is affiliated to its
father if it is born in the 10 months following the date of separation or
death".
Article 15, paragraph 4
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria declares
that the provisions of article 15, paragraph 4, concerning the right of women
to choose their residence and domicile should not be interpreted in such a
manner as to contradict the provisions of chapter 4 (art. 37) of the Algeria
Family Code.
Article 16
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria declares
that the provisions of article 16 concerning equal rights for men and women in
all matters relating to marriage, both during marriage and at its dissolution,
should not contradict the provisions of the Algerian Family Code.
Article 29
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria does not
consider itself bound by article 29, paragraph 1, which states that any
dispute between two or more States parties concerning the interpretation or
application of the Convention which is not settled by negotiation shall, at
the request of one of them, be submitted to arbitration or to the
International Court of Justice.
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria holds that
no such dispute can be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court
of Justice except with the consent of all the parties to the dispute.
Reservations made by the Government of Fiji upon
ratification
... with reservations on articles 5 (a) and 9 of the Convention.
Declaration made by the Government of Lesotho upon
ratification
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho declares that it does not
consider itself bound by article 2 to the extent that it conflicts with
Lesotho's constitutional stipulations relative to succession to the throne of
the Kingdom of Lesotho and the law relating to succession to chieftainship.
The ratification by the Government of Lesotho is subject to the understanding
that none of its obligations under the Convention, especially in article 2
(e), shall be treated as extending to the affairs of religious denominations.
Furthermore, the Government of Lesotho declares that it shall not take
any legislative measures under the Convention where those measures would be
incompatible with the Constitution of Lesotho.
Reservation made by the Government of Liechtenstein
upon ratification
In the light of the definition given in article 1 of the Convention, the
Principality of Liechtenstein reserves the right to apply, with respect to all
the obligations of the Convention, article 3 of the Liechtenstein
Constitution.
The Principality of Liechtenstein reserves the right to apply the
Liechtenstein legislation according to which Liechtenstein nationality is
granted under certain conditions.
Reservation made by the Government of Pakistan upon
ratification
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan declares that it does
not consider itself bound by paragraph 1 of article 29 of the Convention.
Reservations made by the Government of Singapore upon
ratification
In the context of Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious society and
the need to respect the freedom of minorities to practise their religious and
personal laws, the Republic of Singapore reserves the right not to apply the
provisions of articles 2 and 16 where compliance with these provisions would
be contrary to their religious or personal laws.
Singapore is geographically one of the smallest independent countries in
the world and one of the most densely populated. The Republic of Singapore
accordingly reserves the right to apply such laws and conditions governing the
entry into, stay in, employment in and departure from its territory of those
who do not have the right under the laws of Singapore to enter and remain
indefinitely in Singapore, and to the conferment, acquisition and loss of
citizenship of women who have acquired such citizenship by marriage and of
children born outside Singapore.
Singapore interprets article 11, paragraph 1, in the light of the
provisions of article 4, paragraph 2, as not precluding prohibitions,
restrictions or conditions on the employment of women in certain areas, or on
work done by them where this is considered necessary or desirable to protect
the health and safety of women or the human foetus, including such
prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed in consequence of other
international obligations of Singapore, and considers that legislation in
respect of article 11 is unnecessary for the minority of women who do not fall
within the ambit of Singapore's employment legislation.
The Republic of Singapore declares, in pursuance of article 29,
paragraph 2, of the Convention, that it will not be bound by the provisions of
article 29, paragraph 1.
ANNEX III
Objections made from 1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996
[Original: English]
[17 January 1996]
Objection by the Government of Finland to reservations
made by the Government of Kuwait
The Government of Finland has examined the contents of the reservations
made by the Government of Kuwait upon accession to the said Convention, by
whichit expresses, inter alia, the following:
"The Government of Kuwait enters a reservation regarding
article 7 (a), inasmuch as the provision contained in that paragraph
conflicts with the Kuwait Electoral Act, under which the right to be
eligible for election and vote is restricted to males.
"The Government of Kuwait reserves its right not to implement the
provision contained in article 9, paragraph 2, of the Convention,
inasmuch as it runs counter to the Kuwait Nationality Act, which
stipulates that a child's nationality shall be determined by that of
his father.
"The Government of the State of Kuwait declares that it does not
consider itself bound by the provision contained in article 16 (f)
inasmuch as it conflicts with the provision of the Islamic Shariah, Islam
being the official religion of the State." (A/50/346, annex III)
The Government of Finland recalls that, by acceding to the Convention, a
State commits itself to adopt the measures required for the elimination of
discrimination, in all its forms and manifestations, against women. In
particular, article 7 requires States parties to undertake actions to
eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the
country. This is a fundamental provision of the Convention the implementation
of which is essential to fulfilling its object and purpose.
Reservations to article 7 (a) and article 9, paragraph 2, are both
subject to the general principle of the observance of treaties according to
which a party may not invoke the provision of its internal law as
justification for its to perform its treaty obligations. It is in the common
interest of States that contracting parties to international treaties are
prepared to undertake the necessary legislative changes in order to fulfil the
object and purpose of the treaty.
Furthermore, in the view of the Government of Finland, the unlimited and
undefined character of the reservation to article 16 (f) leaves open to what
extent the reserving State commits itself to the Convention and therefore
creates serious doubts about the commitment of the reserving State to fulfil
its obligations under the Convention. Reservations of such unspecified nature
may contribute to undermining the basis of international human rights
treaties.
In their present formulation the reservations are clearly incompatible
with the object and purpose of the Convention and therefore inadmissible under
article 28, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Therefore, the Government of
Finland objects to these reservations. The Government of Finland further
notes that the reservations made by the Government of Kuwait are devoid of
legal effect.
The Government of Finland recommends that the Government of Kuwait
reconsider its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women.
[Original: English]
[16 January 1996]
Objection by the Government of the Netherlands to reservations
made by the Government of Kuwait
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands considers the
reservations made by Kuwait incompatible with the object and purpose of the
Convention (art. 28, para. 2).
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands therefore objects to the
above-mentioned reservations. These objections shall not preclude the entry
into force of the Convention between Kuwait and the Kingdom of the
Netherlands.
[Original: English]
[17 January 1996]
Objection by the Government of Sweden to reservations
made by the Government of Kuwait
The Government of Sweden has examined the content of the following
reservations made by the Government of Kuwait upon accession to the said
Convention:
1. Article 7 (a)
The Government of Kuwait enters a reservation regarding article 7 (a),
inasmuch as the provision contained in that paragraph conflicts with the
Kuwait Electoral Act, under which the right to be eligible for election and to
vote is restricted to males.
2. Article 9, paragraph 2
The Government of Kuwait reserves its right not to implement the
provision contained in article 9, paragraph 2, of the Convention, inasmuch as
it runs counter to the Kuwait Nationality Act, which stipulates that a child's
nationality shall be determined by that of his father.
3. Article 16 (f)
The Government of the State of Kuwait declares that it does not consider
itself bound by the provision contained in article 16 (f) inasmuch as it
conflicts with the provision of the Islamic Shariah, Islam being the official
religion of the State.
The Swedish Government considers that the reservations made by Kuwait are
incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention. According to
article 28 (2), reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the
Convention shall not be permitted.
By acceding to the Convention, a State commits itself to adopt the
measures required for the elimination of discrimination, in all its forms and
manifestations, against women. If the reservations made by Kuwait were to
apply, they would inevitably have the effect of discrimination against women
on grounds of sex.
In this context the Swedish Government wishes to make the observation
that reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of a treaty not
only cast doubts on the commitments of the reserving State, but moreover
contribute to undermining the basis of international law. It is in the common
interest of States that treaties to which they have chosen to become parties
also are respected, as to object and purpose, by other parties and the States
are prepared to undertake legislative changes necessary to comply with such
treaties.
In view of the above the Government of Sweden objects to the above-
mentioned reservations made by the Government of Kuwait to the Convention.
ANNEX IV
Withdrawals of reservations and declarations from
1 August 1995 to 1 August 1996
[Original: English]
[8 September 1995]
Withdrawal of a reservation and a declaration by Jamaica
On 8 September 1995, the Government of Jamaica notified the Secretary-
General of its decision to withdraw its reservation with regard to article 9,
paragraph 2, of the Convention, which it had made upon ratification of the
Convention.
[Original: English]
[1 August 1996]
Withdrawal of reservation and declaration by Thailand
Whereas the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention") was
adopted on 18 December 1979;
Whereas in accordance with article 25 (3) the Government of the Kingdom
of Thailand ratified the Convention on 5 July 1985,
Whereas this ratification was subject to reservation to article 7 and
article 10 of the Convention; and
Whereas article 28 (3) of the Convention provides that reservations may
be withdrawn at anytime;
Now therefore I the undersigned Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf
of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, do hereby withdraw the
reservation to article 7 and article 10 of the Convention.
Done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saranrom Palace, Bangkok, this
____ day of July in the Two thousand Five hundred and Thirty-ninth year of the
Buddhist Era, corresponding to the One thousand Nine hundred and Ninety-sixth
year of the Christian Era.
[Original: English]
[22 March 1996]
Withdrawal of reservations and declarations by the Government
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
On 22 March 1996, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland notified the Secretary-General of its decision to
withdraw the following reservations and declarations made upon ratification of
the Convention in respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, as circulated by depositary notification C.N.108.1986.TREATIES-4 of
7 August 1986:
"(b) The United Kingdom reserves the right to regard the provisions
of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Employment Protection
(Consolidation) Act 1978, the Employment Act 1980, the Sex Discrimination
(Northern Ireland) Order 1976, the Industrial Relations (No. 2) (Northern
Ireland) Order 1976, the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order
1982, the Equal Pay Act 1970 (as amended) and the Equal Pay Act (Northern
Ireland) 1970 (as amended), including the exceptions and exemptions
contained in any of these Acts and Orders, as constituting appropriate
measures for the practical realisation of the objectives of the
Convention in the social and economic circumstances of the United
Kingdom, and to continue to apply these provisions accordingly; this
reservation will apply equally to any future legislation which may modify
or replace the above Acts and Orders on the understanding that the terms
of such legislation will be compatible with the United Kingdom's
obligations under the Convention.
"...
"Article 1
"With reference to the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975
and other applicable legislation, the United Kingdom's acceptable of
article 1 is subject to the reservation that the phrase `irrespective of
their marital status' shall not be taken to render discriminatory any
difference of treatment accorded to single persons as against married
persons, so long as there is equality of treatment as between married men
and married women and as between single men and single women.
"Article 2
"In the light of the substantial progress already achieved in the
United Kingdom in promoting the progressive elimination of discrimination
against women, the United Kingdom reserves the right, without prejudice
to the other reservations made by the United Kingdom, to give effect to
paragraphs (f) and (g) by keeping under review such of its laws and
regulations as may still embody significant differences in treatment
between men and women with a view to making changes to those laws and
regulations when to do so would be compatible with essential and
overriding considerations of economic policy. In relation to forms of
discrimination more precisely prohibited by other provisions of the
Convention, the obligations under this article must (in the case of the
United Kingdom) be read in conjunction with the other reservations and
declarations made in respect of those provisions including the
declarations and reservations of the United Kingdom contained in
paragraphs (a)-(d) above.
"With regard to paragraphs (f) and (g) of this article the United
Kingdom reserves the right to continue to apply its law relating to
sexual offences and prostitution; this reservation will apply equally to
any future law which may modify or replace it.
"Article 9
"...
"The United Kingdom reserves the right to take such steps as may be
necessary to comply with its obligations under article 2 of the First
Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms signed at Paris on 20 March 1952 and its obligations
under paragraph 3 of Article 13 of the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights opened for signature at New York on
19 December 1966, to the extent that the said provisions preserve the
freedom of parental choice in respect of the education of children; and
reserves also the right not to take any measures which may conflict with
its obligation under paragraph 4 of article 13 of the said Covenant not
to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and
direct educational institutions, subject to the observation of certain
principles and standards.
"Moreover, the United Kingdom can only accept the obligations under
paragraph (c) of article 10 within the limits of the statutory powers of
central Government, in the light of the fact that the teaching
curriculum, the provision of textbooks and teaching methods are reserved
for local control and are not subject to central Government direction;
moreover, the acceptance of the objective of encouraging coeducation is
without prejudice to the right of the United Kingdom also to encourage
other types of education.
"Article 11
"The United Kingdom interprets the `right to work' referred to in
paragraph 1 (a) as a reference to the `right to work' as defined in other
human rights instruments to which the United Kingdom is a party, notably
article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights of 19 December 1966.
"The United Kingdom interprets paragraph 1 of article 11, in the
light of the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 4, as not precluding
prohibitions, restrictions or conditions on the employment of women in
certain areas, or on the work done by them, where this is considered
necessary desirable to protect the health and safety of women or the
human foetus, including such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions
imposed in consequence of other international obligations of the United
Kingdom; ...
"...
"The United Kingdom reserves the right to apply the following
provisions of United Kingdom legislation concerning the benefits
specified:
(a) social security benefits for persons engaged in caring for a
severely disabled person under section 37 of the Social Security Act 1975
and section 37 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975;
...
(c) retirement pensions and survivors' benefits under the Social
Security Acts 1975 to 1982 and the Social Security (Northern Ireland)
Acts 1975 to 1982;
(d) family income supplements under the Family Income Supplements
Act 1970 and the Family Income Supplements Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.
"This reservation will apply equally to any future legislation which
may modify or replace any of the provisions specified in subparagraphs
(a) to (d) above, on the understanding that the terms of such legislation
will be compatible with the United Kingdom's obligations under the
Convention.
"...
"Article 15
In relation to article 15, paragraph 2, the United Kingdom
understands the term `legal capacity' as referring merely to the
existence of a separate and distinct legal personality.
"...
"Article 16
"...
"The United Kingdom's acceptance of paragraph 1 of article 16 shall
not be treated as either limiting the freedom of a person to dispose of
his property as he wishes or as giving a person a right to property the
subject of such a limitation."
By the same communication, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland confirmed, for the avoidance of doubt, that the
declaration and reservedness entered in respect of the dependent territories
on behalf of which the Convention was also ratified continue to apply, but are
under active review.
ANNEX V
Communications received by States parties from 1 August 1995
to 1 August 1996
[Original: English]
[28 March 1996]
Communication received by the Government of Austria
The Federal Government of the Republic of Austria has examined the
reservations made by the Government of Kuwait with regard to article 7 (a),
article 9, paragraph 2, and article 16 (f) of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 18 December 1979.
The Federal Government of the Republic of Austria considers the
reservations made by the Government of Kuwait concerning article 7 (a) and
article 16 (f) as incompatible with the object and purpose of the said
Convention and, therefore, as prohibited by virtue of its article 28,
paragraph 2.
[Original: French]
[19 January 1996]
Communication received from the Government of Belgium
The Government of Belgium has examined the content of the reservations
made by the Government of Kuwait to article 7 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women.
The Government of Belgium objects to these reservations, which are
incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention and, consequently,
are not permitted, in accordance with article 28 (2) of the Convention.
[Original: English]
[16 May 1996]
Communication received from the Government of Portugal
The Government of Portugal has examined the content of the reservations
made by Kuwait to article 7 (a), article 9, paragraph 2, and article 16 (f) of
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
of 18 December 1979.
The Government of Portugal considers that these reservations are
incompatible with the object and purpose of the said Convention and are,
therefore, not permitted, according to its article 28 (2).
In view of the above, the Government of Portugal objects to the
reservations made by the Government of Kuwait to the Convention.
This objection does not constitute an obstacle to the entry into force of
the Convention between Portugal and Kuwait.
ANNEX VI
List of States that have signed, ratified, acceded or succeeded
to the Convention as at 1 August 1996
Date of receipt of the
instrument of ratification,
State Date of signature accession or succession
Afghanistan 14 August 1980
Albania 11 May 1994 a/
Algeria 22 May 1996 a/,b/
Angola 17 September 1986 a/
Antigua and Barbuda 1 August 1989 a/
Argentina 17 July 1980 15 July 1985 b/
Armenia 13 September 1993 a/
Australia 17 July 1980 28 July 1983 b/
Austria 17 July 1980 31 March 1982 b/
Azerbaijan 10 July 1995 a/
Bahamas 6 October 1993 a/,b/
Bangladesh 6 November 1984 a/,b/
Barbados 24 July 1980 16 October 1980
Belarus 17 July 1980 4 February 1981 c/
Belgium 17 July 1980 10 July 1985 b/
Belize 7 March 1990 16 May 1990
Benin 11 November 1981 12 March 1992
Bhutan 17 July 1980 31 August 1981
Bolivia 30 May 1980 8 June 1990
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 September 1993 d/
Brazil 31 March 1981 b/ 1 February 1984 b/
Bulgaria 17 July 1980 8 February 1982 c/
Burkina Faso 14 October 1987 a/
Burundi 17 July 1980 8 January 1992
Cambodia 17 October 1980 15 October 1992 a/
Cameroon 6 June 1983 23 August 1994 a/
Canada 17 July 1980 10 December 1981 c/
Cape Verde 5 December 1980 a/
Central African Republic 21 June 1991 a/
Chad 9 June 1995 a/
Chile 17 July 1980 7 December 1989 b/
China 17 July 1980 b/ 4 November 1980 b/
Colombia 17 July 1980 19 January 1982
Comoros 31 October 1994 a/
Congo 29 July 1980 26 July 1982
Costa Rica 17 July 1980 4 April 1986
C“te d'Ivoire 17 July 1980 18 December 1995 a/
Croatia 9 September 1992 d/
Cuba 6 March 1980 17 July 1980 b/
Cyprus 23 July 1985 a/,b/
Czech Republic e/ 22 February 1993 c/,d/
Denmark 17 July 1980 21 April 1983
Dominica 15 September 1980 15 September 1980
Dominican Republic 17 July 1980 2 September 1982
Ecuador 17 July 1980 9 November 1981
Egypt 16 July 1980 b/ 18 September 1981 b/
El Salvador 14 November 1980 b/ 19 August 1981 b/
Equatorial Guinea 23 October 1984 a/
Eritrea 5 September 1995 a/
Estonia 21 October 1991 a/
Ethiopia 8 July 1980 10 December 1981 b/
Fiji 28 August 1995 a/
Finland 17 July 1980 4 September 1986
France 17 July 1980 b/ 14 December 1983 b/,c/
Gabon 17 July 1980 21 January 1983
Gambia 29 July 1980 16 April 1993
Georgia 26 October 1994 a/
Germany f/ 17 July 1980 10 July 1985 b/
Ghana 17 July 1980 2 January 1986
Greece 2 March 1982 7 June 1983
Grenada 17 July 1980 30 August 1990
Guatemala 8 June 1981 12 August 1982
Guinea 17 July 1980 9 August 1982
Guinea-Bissau 17 July 1980 23 August 1985
Guyana 17 July 1980 17 July 1980
Haiti 17 July 1980 20 July 1981
Honduras 11 June 1980 3 March 1983
Hungary 6 June 1980 22 December 1980 c/
Iceland 24 July 1980 18 June 1985
India 30 July 1980 b/ 9 July 1993 b/
Indonesia 29 July 1980 13 September 1984 b/
Iraq 13 August 1986 a/,b/
Ireland 23 December 1985 a/,b/,c/
Israel 17 July 1980 3 October 1991 b/
Italy 17 July 1980 b/ 10 June 1985
Jamaica 17 July 1980 19 October 1984 b/
Japan 17 July 1980 25 June 1985
Jordan 3 December 1980 b/ 1 July 1992 b/
Kenya 9 March 1984 a/
Kuwait 2 September 1994 a/
Lao People's
Democratic Republic 17 July 1980 14 August 1981
Latvia 14 April 1992 a/
Lesotho 17 July 1980 22 August 1995 a/
Liberia 17 July 1984 a/
Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya 16 May 1989 a/,b/
Liechtenstein 22 December 1995 a/,b/
Lithuania 18 January 1994 a/
Luxembourg 17 July 1980 2 February 1989 b/
Madagascar 17 July 1980 17 March 1989
Malawi 12 March 1987 a/,c/
Malaysia 5 July 1995 a/
Maldives 1 July 1993 a/,b/
Mali 5 February 1985 10 September 1985
Malta 8 March 1991 a/,b/
Mauritius 9 July 1984 a/,b/
Mexico 17 July 1980 b/ 23 March 1981
Mongolia 17 July 1980 20 July 1981 c/
Morocco 21 June 1993 a/,b/
Namibia 23 November 1992 a/
Nepal 5 February 1991 22 April 1991
Netherlands 17 July 1980 23 July 1991 b/
New Zealand 17 July 1980 10 January 1985 b/,c/
Nicaragua 17 July 1980 27 October 1981
Nigeria 23 April 1984 13 June 1985
Norway 17 July 1980 21 May 1981
Pakistan 12 March 1996 a/,b/
Panama 26 June 1980 29 October 1981
Papua New Guinea 12 January 1995 a/
Paraguay 6 April 1987 a/
Peru 23 July 1981 13 September 1982
Philippines 15 July 1980 5 August 1981
Poland 29 May 1980 30 July 1980 b/
Portugal 24 April 1980 30 July 1980
Republic of Korea 25 May 1983 b/ 27 December 1984 b/,c/
Republic of Moldova 1 July 1994 a/
Romania 4 September 1980 b/ 7 January 1982 b/
Russian Federation 17 July 1980 23 January 1981 c/
Rwanda 1 May 1980 2 March 1981
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 April 1985 a/
Saint Lucia 8 October 1982 a/
Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines 4 August 1981 a/
Samoa 25 September 1992 a/
Senegal 29 July 1980 5 February 1985
Seychelles 5 May 1992 a/
Sierra Leone 21 September 1988 11 November 1988
Singapore 5 October 1995 a/,b/
Slovakia e/ 28 May 1993 d/
Slovenia 6 July 1992 d/
South Africa 29 January 1993 15 December 1995 a/
Spain 17 July 1980 5 January 1984 b/
Sri Lanka 17 July 1980 5 October 1981
Suriname 1 March 1993 a/
Sweden 7 March 1980 2 July 1980
Switzerland 23 January 1987
Tajikistan 26 October 1993 a/
Thailand 9 August 1985 a/,b/,c/
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia 18 January 1994 d/
Togo 26 September 1983 a/
Trinidad and Tobago 27 June 1985 b/ 12 January 1990 b/
Tunisia 24 July 1980 20 September 1985 b/
Turkey 20 December 1985 a/,b/
Uganda 30 July 1980 22 July 1985
Ukraine 17 July 1980 12 March 1981 c/
United Kingdom of
Great Britain and
Northern Ireland 22 July 1981 7 April 1986 b/
United Republic
of Tanzania 17 July 1980 20 August 1985
United States of America 17 July 1980
Uruguay 30 March 1981 9 October 1981
Uzbekistan 19 July 1995 a/
Vanuatu 8 September 1995 a/
Venezuela 17 July 1980 2 May 1983 b/
Viet Nam 29 July 1980 17 February 1982 b/
Yemen g/ 30 May 1984 a/,b/
Yugoslavia 17 July 1980 26 February 1982
Zaire 17 July 1980 17 October 1986
Zambia 17 July 1980 21 June 1985
Zimbabwe 13 May 1991 a/
a/ Accession.
b/ Declarations or reservations.
c/ Reservation subsequently withdrawn.
d/ Succession.
e/ Before becoming a separate State on 1 January 1993, the Czech
Republic and Slovakia formed part of Czechoslovakia, which State had ratified
the Convention on 16 February 1982. The Convention entered into force on
18 March 1982.
f/ With effect from 3 October 1990, the German Democratic Republic
(which ratified the Convention on 9 July 1980) and the Federal Republic of
Germany (which ratified the Convention on 10 July 1985) united to form one
sovereign State, which acts in the United Nations under the designation of
"Germany".
g/ On 22 May 1990, Democratic Yemen and Yemen merged to form a single
State, which acts in the United Nations under the designation of "Yemen".
ANNEX VII
Overdue reports to the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women as at 1 August 1996
Reporting State Due date
Initial report
Albania 10 June 1995
Angola 17 October 1987
Bahamas 5 November 1994
Belize 15 June 1991
Benin 11 April 1993
Bhutan 30 September 1982
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 October 1994
Brazil 2 March 1985
Burundi 7 February 1993
Cambodia 14 November 1993
Cameroon 22 September 1995
Cape Verde 3 September 1982
Central African Republic 21 July 1992
Chad 9 July 1996
Comoros 30 November 1995
Congo 25 August 1983
Costa Rica 4 May 1987
Dominica 3 September 1982
Estonia 20 November 1992
Gambia 16 May 1994
Georgia 25 November 1995
Grenada 29 September 1991
Guinea 8 September 1983
Guinea-Bissau 22 September 1986
Haiti 3 September 1982
India 8 August 1994
Jordan 31 July 1993
Kuwait 2 October 1995
Lao People's Democratic Republic 13 September 1982
Latvia 14 May 1993
Liberia 16 August 1985
Lithuania 17 February 1995
Luxembourg 4 March 1990
Maldives 1 July 1994
Malta 7 April 1992
Namibia 23 December 1993
Nepal 22 May 1992
Papua New Guinea 11 February 1996
Republic of Moldova 31 July 1995
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1986
Saint Lucia 7 November 1983
Samoa 25 October 1993
Seychelles 4 June 1993
Sierra Leone 11 December 1989
Suriname 31 March 1994
Tajikistan 25 October 1994
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 17 February 1995
Togo 26 October 1984
Trinidad and Tobago 11 February 1991
Second periodic report
Angola 17 October 1991
Belize 15 June 1995
Bhutan 30 September 1986
Bolivia 8 July 1995
Brazil 2 March 1989
Burkina Faso 13 November 1992
Cape Verde 3 September 1986
Central African Republic 21 July 1996
Congo 25 August 1987
Costa Rica 4 May 1991
Dominica 3 September 1986
Gabon 20 February 1988
Germany 9 August 1990
Grenada 29 September 1995
Guinea 8 September 1987
Guinea-Bissau 22 September 1990
Guyana 3 September 1986
Haiti 3 September 1986
Indonesia 13 October 1989
Iraq 12 September 1991
Ireland 22 January 1991
Jamaica 18 November 1989
Lao People's Democratic Republic 13 September 1986
Liberia 16 August 1989
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 15 June 1994
Luxembourg 4 March 1994
Madagascar 16 April 1994
Malawi 11 April 1992
Mali 10 October 1990
Malta 7 April 1996
Nepal 22 May 1996
Nigeria 13 July 1990
Panama 28 November 1986
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1990
Saint Lucia 7 November 1987
Sierra Leone 11 December 1993
Thailand 8 September 1990
Togo 26 October 1988
Trinidad and Tobago 11 February 1995
United Republic of Tanzania 19 September 1990
Uruguay 8 November 1986
Viet Nam 19 March 1987
Zaire 16 November 1991
Third periodic report
Angola 17 October 1995
Argentina 14 August 1994
Austria 30 April 1991
Belgium 9 August 1994
Bhutan 30 September 1990
Brazil 2 March 1993
Cape Verde 3 September 1990
China 3 September 1990
Congo 25 August 1991
Costa Rica 4 May 1995
Cyprus 22 August 1994
Dominica 3 September 1990
El Salvador 18 September 1990
Finland 4 October 1995
France 13 January 1993
Gabon 20 February 1992
Germany 9 August 1994
Ghana 1 February 1995
Greece 7 July 1996
Guatemala 11 September 1991
Guinea 8 September 1991
Guinea-Bissau 22 September 1994
Guyana 3 September 1990
Haiti 3 September 1990
Iceland 3 July 1994
Indonesia 13 October 1993
Iraq 12 September 1995
Ireland 22 January 1995
Italy 10 July 1994
Jamaica 18 November 1993
Kenya 8 April 1993
Lao People's Democratic Republic 13 September 1990
Liberia 16 August 1993
Mali 10 October 1994
Mauritius 8 August 1993
Mongolia 3 September 1990
New Zealand 9 February 1994
Nigeria 13 July 1994
Panama 28 November 1990
Paraguay 6 May 1996
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1994
Saint Lucia 7 July 1991
Senegal 7 March 1994
Sri Lanka 4 November 1990
Thailand 8 September 1994
Togo 26 October 1992
Tunisia 20 October 1994
Turkey 19 January 1995
Uganda 21 August 1994
United Republic of Tanzania 19 September 1994
Uruguay 8 November 1990
Viet Nam 19 March 1991
Yugoslavia 28 March 1991
Zaire 16 November 1995
Zambia 21 July 1994
Fourth periodic report
Austria 30 April 1995
Barbados 3 September 1994
Belarus 3 September 1994
Bhutan 30 September 1994
Bulgaria 10 March 1995
Cape Verde 3 September 1994
China 3 September 1994
Colombia 18 February 1995
Congo 25 August 1995
Cuba 3 September 1994
Denmark 21 May 1996
Dominica 3 September 1994
Dominican Republic 2 October 1995
Ecuador 9 December 1994
Egypt 18 October 1994
El Salvador 18 September 1994
Ethiopia 10 October 1994
Gabon 20 February 1996
Guatemala 11 September 1995
Guinea 8 September 1995
Guyana 3 September 1994
Haiti 3 September 1994
Honduras 2 April 1996
Hungary 3 September 1994
Lao People's Democratic Republic 13 September 1994
Mexico 3 September 1994
Mongolia 3 September 1994
Nicaragua 26 November 1994
Panama 28 November 1994
Poland 3 September 1994
Portugal 3 September 1994
Romania 6 February 1995
Rwanda 3 September 1994
Saint Lucia 7 November 1995
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3 September 1994
Sri Lanka 4 November 1994
Ukraine 3 September 1994
Uruguay 8 November 1994
Venezuela 1 June 1996
Viet Nam 19 March 1995
Yugoslavia 28 March 1995
ANNEX VIII
Reports due and received but not yet taken up by the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women as at 1 August 1996
Reporting State Symbol Due date Received
Initial report
Antigua and Barbuda CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3 31 August 1994 21 September 1994
Armenia CEDAW/C/ARM/1 13 October 1994 30 November 1994
Croatia CEDAW/C/CRO/1 9 October 1993 10 January 1995
Czech Republic CEDAW/C/CZE/1 24 March 1994 30 October 1995
Israel CEDAW/C/ISR/1 2 November 1992 12 January 1994
Morocco CEDAW/C/MOR/1 21 July 1994 14 September 1994
Saint Vincent and CEDAW/C/STV/1-3 3 September 1982 27 September 1991
the Grenadines and Add.1 3 September 1982 28 July 1994
Slovakia CEDAW/C/SVK/1 27 June 1994 29 April 1996
Slovenia CEDAW/C/SVN/1 5 August 1993 23 November 1993
Zaire CEDAW/C/ZAR/1 16 November 1987 1 March 1994
Zimbabwe CEDAW/C/ZWE/1 12 June 1992 28 April 1996
Second periodic report
Antigua and Barbuda CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3 31 August 1994 21 September 1994
Argentina CEDAW/C/ARG/2 14 August 1990 13 February 1992
and Add.1 14 August 1990 27 May 1994
and Add.2 14 August 1990 19 August 1994
Bulgaria CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3 10 March 1987 6 September 1994
Chile CEDAW/C/CHI/2 6 January 1995 9 March 1995
Dominican Republic CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3 2 October 1987 26 April 1993
Equatorial Guinea CEDAW/C/GNQ/2-3 22 November 1989 6 January 1994
Greece CEDAW/C/GRC/2-3 7 July 1988 1 March 1996
Italy CEDAW/C/ITA/2 10 July 1990 1 March 1994
Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines CEDAW/C/STV/1-3 3 September 1986 27 September 1991
and Add.1 3 September 1986 28 July 1994
Turkey CEDAW/C/TUR/2 19 January 1991 7 February 1994
Third periodic report
Antigua and Barbuda CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3 31 August 1998 21 September 1994
Australia CEDAW/C/AUL/3 29 August 1992 1 March 1992
Bangladesh CEDAW/C/BDG/3 6 December 1993 26 January 1993
Belarus CEDAW/C/BLR/3 3 September 1990 7 July 1993
Bulgaria CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3 10 March 1991 6 September 1994
Canada CEDAW/C/CAN/3 9 January 1991 9 September 1992
Denmark CEDAW/C/DEN/3 21 May 1992 7 May 1993
Dominican Republic CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3 2 October 1991 26 April 1993
Egypt CEDAW/C/EGY/3 18 October 1990 30 January 1996
Equatorial Guinea CEDAW/C/GNQ/2-3 22 November 1993 6 January 1994
Greece CEDAW/C/GRC/2-3 7 July 1992 1 March 1996
Mexico CEDAW/C/MEX/3 3 September 1990 1 December 1992
Peru CEDAW/C/PER/3-4 13 October 1991 25 November 1994
Philippines CEDAW/C/PHI/3 4 September 1990 20 January 1993
Republic of Korea CEDAW/C/KOR/3 26 January 1994 8 September 1994
Saint Vincent and CEDAW/C/STV/1-3 3 September 1990 27 September 1991
the Grenadines and Add.1 3 September 1990 28 July 1994
Spain CEDAW/C/ESP/3 4 February 1993 20 May 1996
United Kingdom of
Great Britain and
Northern Ireland CEDAW/C/UK/3 7 May 1995 16 August 1995
Venezuela CEDAW/C/VEN/3 1 June 1992 8 February 1995
Fourth periodic report
Canada CEDAW/C/CAN/4 9 January 1995 2 October 1995
Peru CEDAW/C/PER/3-4 13 October 1995 25 November 1994
Philippines CEDAW/C/PHI/4 4 September 1994 22 April 1996
Sweden CEDAW/C/SWE/4 3 September 1994 21 May 1996
-----
This document has been posted online by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Reproduction and dissemination of the document - in electronic and/or printed format - is encouraged, provided acknowledgement is made of the role of the United Nations in making it available.
Date last updated: 06 December 1999 by DESA/DAW
Copyright © 1999 United Nations