E/1999/27 E/CN.6/1999/10 & Risk of ill treatment, intimidation or reprisals. Where a complaint is made on behalf of individuals or groups of individuals, such complaints may be made by NGOs such as women’s groups and human rights organizations which are already protecting and defending women’s human rights on the ground in many countries. “2. On article 8 (1), we understand the term ‘grave’ to be distinct from systemic and imposes no higher standard than ‘serious’ violations. “3. In both article 2, and 8 (1) we interpret violation of any rights set forth in the Convention as inclusive of all of the provisions and obligations under the Convention as a whole and not parts of it, namely articles 2–16 and enunciated in article 24 of the Convention. “My delegation has always felt that although all of us here are representing our Governments, it is really on behalf of the women in our respective countries, especially the most marginalized, vulnerable, oppressed and silenced women, that we are dedicating this work on the optional protocol. Finally, let me express my delegation’s grateful thanks and appreciation to the women’s groups and NGOs that have been with us all these years, giving us both valuable information and inspiration to carry on.” Russian Federation “The delegation of the Russian Federation has joined the consensus on the draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. “At the same time, we believe that retaining the current wording of article 17 will render ratification of the optional protocol by a large number of States difficult, thereby significantly reducing the effectiveness of this international instrument, which must really protect the rights of women on a universal basis.” Tunisia “I should like, on behalf of my country, to convey our warm thanks to the Working Group and its Chairperson, as well as to the Coordinator, for the efforts made by one and all to ensure agreement on the optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. “While Tunisia stresses the importance of the protocol in promoting the rights of women and ensuring respect for such rights in practice in order to bring parity and equality of opportunity, it considers that the protocol can only be ratified within the framework of respect for constitutional legality in each country and for each country’s national sovereignty. “I request that this statement be included in the record of the meeting.” United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (also on behalf of Sweden) “I have the honour to speak on behalf of the delegation of the United Kingdom and also on behalf of the delegation of Sweden. “We understand article 6, paragraph 1, of the protocol to mean that in cases where the individual or individuals refuse consent to the disclosure of their identity to the State Party, the Committee may not continue to consider their communication under articles 2 to 7 of the protocol. 70