E/C.12/RUS/CO/6 (f) until 2025; (g) C. Development of a road map for the promotion of continuing adult education Adoption of the National Strategy for Women 2017-2022. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations Applicability of the Covenant 5. While noting the information provided by the delegation on the application of the Covenant by national courts, the Committee is concerned about the small number of instances in which the provisions of the Covenant were invoked before, or applied by, such courts. 6. The Committee recommends that the State party enhance training for judges, lawyers and public officials on the Covenant and undertake awareness-raising campaigns among them about the obligation to give effect to Covenant rights. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant. Civil society organizations 7. The Committee is concerned about the legal provisions restricting the operation of non-governmental organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in political activity, including those promoting Covenant rights. The Committee is also concerned about information concerning threats and persecution faced by human rights defenders who promote Covenant rights, including trade union activists and defenders of indigenous peoples’ rights. 8. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal or amend any legal provisions that unduly restrict the activities of non-governmental organizations, including the provisions introduced by Federal Laws Nos. 121 and 129. The Committee also recommends that the State party take effective measures to prevent and investigate all forms of harassment, intimidation or threats faced by human rights defenders, and take other measures to ensure a safe and favourable environment supportive of those defenders’ work to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights. Crimea and the city of Sevastopol 9. Noting the fact that the State party exercises effective control over the territory of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and without prejudice to its legal status under international law, the Committee is concerned about the continuing difficult situation in the territory with regard to Covenant rights. While noting the information provided by the delegation on available language schools, the Committee is particularly concerned about restrictions faced by Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians in exercising their economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the rights to work, to express their own identity and culture and to education in the Ukrainian language. 10. The Committee recommends that the State party uphold Covenant rights in all areas under its effective control, without discrimination. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party ensure that Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians, including those who have retained their Ukrainian citizenship, can exercise their economic, social and cultural rights, notably the rights to work, social security, health, education and culture, without undue restrictions. Business and human rights 11. The Committee regrets that the State party has not adopted a national action plan on business and human rights, and is concerned that the regulatory framework for companies operating in the State party, and those domiciled under its jurisdiction acting abroad, does not fully ensure respect for economic, social and cultural rights (art. 2.1). 2