E/CN.4/1999/48 page 4 3. By letter of 12 August 1998, the Chairman of the fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Human Rights informed Ms. Anne-Marie Lizin (Belgium) of her appointment as independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty. 4. Since her appointment, the independent expert held permanent consultations with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and visited several countries (Albania, Bulgaria, France, Portugal and Yemen) where she held consultations with Governments, international organizations, United Nations bodies, Programmes and Funds, as well as key non-governmental organizations with extensive knowledge on human rights and extreme poverty. 5. In the present report, the international standards relevant to the eradication of extreme poverty, as well as States’ obligations, are reviewed, taking into account the obstacles encountered by women living in extreme poverty. Actions at the international and national levels aiming at eradicating extreme poverty are also dealt with. Moreover, some national case studies were carried out. Finally, some interim conclusions and recommendations are drawn up. I. EXTREME POVERTY AS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 6. In 1996 the Special Rapporteur appointed by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Mr. Leandro Despouy, submitted his final report on human rights and extreme poverty (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1996/13). He concluded, inter alia, that the fight to eradicate poverty required not only detailed knowledge of the causes and factors which give rise to, aggravate and perpetuate it, but also of its impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms as a whole. It was essential to set in motion machinery for participation which involved the poorest at every stage of the policies devised to help them (para. 204). 7. According to the definition of extreme poverty endorsed by the Special Rapporteur in Annex III to his final report, “the lack of basic security connotes the absence of one or more factors enabling individuals and families to assume basic responsibilities and to enjoy fundamental rights. The situation may become widespread and result in more serious and permanent consequences. The lack of basic security leads to chronic poverty when it simultaneously affects several aspects of people's lives, when it is prolonged and when it severely compromises people's chances of regaining their rights and of reassuring their responsibilities in the foreseeable future”. A. International standards 8. The right to an adequate standard of living, ensuring freedom from want, is an integral and inalienable human right affirmed in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, article 25 of which stipulates that “1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and