E/1999/27 E/CN.6/1999/10 “We consider the protocol an historical achievement, because it gives women an important instrument to exercise their recognized human rights, even if my delegation would have preferred a stronger optional protocol. “We are confident that the Committee jurisprudence will be open to a developing interpretation of the most controversial points, in the light of the practice of other human rights treaty bodies, and also of the peculiarity of the CEDAW Convention, which provides for a wider scope of social and cultural human rights than other international instruments. “The Italian delegation understands that the formulation groups of individuals includes NGOs acting on their own capacity and not only on behalf of victims. “Concerning the cases in which NGOs or other authors will act on behalf of victims, it is in our expectation that the Committee will adopt a broad interpretation of the provision enabling them to act without the consent of the victim, and accept a communication not only when it would be impossible but really difficult for victims to act personally or to give their consent. “We cannot forget that wherever women’s rights are seriously violated, women are detained, or tortured, or at risk of retaliation. “The Italian delegation understands the term rights under article 2 as referring to all the substantive provisions set forth in the Convention, also concerning social and cultural achievements. Therefore we take the view that the Committee will accept a communication whenever it is related not only to a direct violation but also to a failure of a State to comply with an obligation set forth in the CEDAW Convention. “We are aware that the adoption of the protocol is the result not only of the work of government representatives and legal experts but also of the pressure and mobilization of NGOs and women’s movements. “This places a major responsibility on our shoulders, to ensure speedy ratification of the protocol and effective enforcement of its provisions. “We are convinced that women’s movements which have worked with us for the protocol will continue to work to make it a stronger instrument for a full implementation of women’s human rights.” Japan “The delegation of Japan wishes to make interpretative statement on the following points: “Article 2: “The phrase ‘on behalf of’ is interpreted in light of the practices already established under the rules of procedures of other human rights instruments. It is also my delegation’s understanding that the term ‘groups of individuals’ is being used so as to indicate that each individual in a group is identified. “Article 8: “An inquiry procedure, which is conducted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women upon its receipt of reliable information indicating grave or systematic violations by a State party to this protocol of rights set forth in the Convention to Eliminate Discrimination against Women, shall not be conducted for individual and accidental cases. “Article 11: 67