E/C.12/PRT/CO/4 (c) Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, on 16 May 2003 and on the involvement of children in armed conflict, on 19 August 2003; (d) Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, on 26 April 2002; (e) Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, on 5 February 2013; (f) Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, on 27 February 2008; (g) 1996 European Social Charter (revised), on 30 May 2002. 5. The Committee notes with appreciation the measures taken by the State party to enhance the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, including: (a) The implementation of National Plans for Immigrant Integration since 2007; (b) The implementation of the project entitled “Intercultural Mediation in the Public Services”; (c) The adoption of the Third National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings 2014-2017; (d) The adoption of the Fifth National Plan for Gender Equality, Citizenship and Non Discrimination 2014-2017; (e) The expansion of compulsory education until the age of 18 or until students complete secondary education, under Law No. 85/2009 of 27 August 2009. C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations Obligations of the State party under the Covenant in the context of the economic crisis 6. The Committee notes with concern that, despite the measures taken by the State party to mitigate the economic and social impact of the austerity measures adopted in the framework of the Economic and Financial Adjustment Programme, the financial and economic crisis has had an adverse impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by the population at large, in particular with regard to the rights to work, social security, housing, health and education. Various measures, specifically those that target disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, have not been sufficient to adequately protect them against the consequences of the crisis. The Committee also notes that, in the light of improvements in the economic and financial situation, the State party exited the Economic and Financial Assistance Programme in June 2014 (arts. 2, para 1; 2, para 2; 6; 7; 9 and 11–14). The Committee reminds the State party of its obligation under the Covenant to respect, protect and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights progressively, to the maximum of its available resources. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to the Committee's open letter of 16 May 2012 to States parties on economic, social and cultural rights in the context of the economic and financial crisis, in particular to the recommendations contained therein with regard to the requirements resulting from the Covenant regarding the applicability of austerity measures. Such measures can be applicable only if they are temporary, necessary and proportionate, not discriminatory and do not disproportionately affect the rights of disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups. In that context, the Committee recommends that the State party review the policies and programmes adopted in the framework of 2