5.
A fourth objective of the reporting process is to facilitate public scrutiny of
government policies with respect to economic, social and cultural rights and to encourage the
involvement of the various economic, social and cultural sectors of society in the
formulation, implementation and review of the relevant policies. In examining reports
submitted to it to date, the Committee has welcomed the fact that a number of States parties,
reflecting different political and economic systems, have encouraged inputs by such
non-governmental groups into the preparation of their reports under the Covenant. Other
States have ensured the widespread dissemination of their reports with a view to enabling
comments to be made by the public at large. In these ways, the preparation of the report, and
its consideration at the national level can come to be of at least as much value as the
constructive dialogue conducted at the international level between the Committee and
representatives of the reporting State.
6.
A fifth objective is to provide a basis on which the State party itself, as well as the
Committee, can effectively evaluate the extent to which progress has been made towards the
realization of the obligations contained in the Covenant. For this purpose, it may be useful for
States to identify specific benchmarks or goals against which their performance in a given
area can be assessed. Thus, for example, it is generally agreed that it is important to set
specific goals with respect to the reduction of infant mortality, the extent of vaccination of
children, the intake of calories per person, the number of persons per health-care provider,
etc. In many of these areas, global benchmarks are of limited use, whereas national or other
more specific benchmarks can provide an extremely valuable indication of progress.
7.
In this regard, the Committee wishes to note that the Covenant attaches particular
importance to the concept of “progressive realization” of the relevant rights and, for that
reason, the Committee urges States parties to include in their periodic reports information
which shows the progress over time, with respect to the effective realization of the relevant
rights. By the same token, it is clear that qualitative, as well as quantitative, data are required
in order for an adequate assessment of the situation to be made.
8.
A sixth objective is to enable the State party itself to develop a better understanding of
the problems and shortcomings encountered in efforts to realize progressively the full range
of economic, social and cultural rights. For this reason, it is essential that States parties report
in detail on the “factors and difficulties” inhibiting such realization. This process of
identification and recognition of the relevant difficulties then provides the framework within
which more appropriate policies can be devised.
9.
A seventh objective is to enable the Committee, and the States parties as a whole, to
facilitate the exchange of information among States and to develop a better understanding of
the common problems faced by States and a fuller appreciation of the type of measures which
might be taken to promote effective realization of each of the rights contained in the
Covenant. This part of the process also enables the Committee to identify the most
appropriate means by which the international community might assist States, in accordance
with articles 22 and 23 of the Covenant. In order to underline the importance which the
Committee attaches to this objective, a separate general comment on those articles will be
discussed by the Committee at its fourth session.