but to take measures to ensure its enjoyment. The sufficiency of such measures was assessed by the treaty body against the standards set out in the treaty. 5. The availability of domestic remedies, including non-judicial remedies, was seen as essential and their sufficiency would be subject to review by a treaty body. This was especially so with regard to the right to non-discrimination. It was stressed that the Convention granted rights to women, even if its provisions were formulated as States parties’ obligations. The views expressed by the Human Rights Committee had the force of recommendations. Noting the question of overlapping between procedures, the experts pointed to the unique emphasis that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was placing on women within the human rights system. With regard to reservations, an expert noted that in principle, these were permissible under the first Optional Protocol. The introduction of reservations to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights through the Protocol was, however, not permissible. Furthermore, while the Human Rights Committee was prevented from considering reserved articles under the Protocol, that Committee had the competence to determine whether a reservation was compatible with the Covenant and, consequently, the admissibility of a communication. 96-13181 (E) 140696 -125-