A/HRC/15/41 reference to the totality of the rights provided for in the Covenant and in the context of the full use of the maximum available resources”.12 18. The guiding principles should recall that States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are required to directly provide minimum essential levels of all economic, social and cultural rights when individuals or groups are unable, for reasons beyond their control, to realize these human rights by the means at their disposal.13 Fulfilling this minimum core obligation immediately is “incumbent on every State party”.14 Should it be unable to do so, “it must demonstrate that every effort has been made to use all resources that are at its disposition in an effort to satisfy, as a matter of priority, these minimum obligations”.15 19. Considering that the majority of those living in extreme poverty are children and that extreme poverty in childhood is also a root cause of poverty in adulthood,16 the draft guiding principles should pay particular attention to children and address the issue of how measures to tackle extreme poverty should take into account their rights in relation to those of their parents/guardians or carers. 20. In line with the Sub-Commission draft, the guiding principles should focus on State obligations without neglecting the potential role of non-State actors, including international organizations, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector. All have significant responsibilities in the promotion and protection of human rights of those living in poverty. The guiding principles should reaffirm States obligations to create an enabling environment that fosters and promotes the capacity of individuals, community-based organizations, social movements and other non-governmental organizations to combat poverty and empower persons living in extreme poverty to claim their rights. IV. Overview of the main underlying and reinforcing deprivations faced by persons living in extreme poverty 21. Poverty is not an inevitable phenomenon. It is frequently a result of actions and omissions by those in charge of State policies and other powerful economic entities. Due to structural - often unaddressed - social, political, economic and cultural inequalities, it is transmitted from one generation to another. As noted by special procedures mandate holders, “poverty is often a cause, as well as a result, of a complex system of human rights denials in which violations of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights interact and mutually reinforce each other with devastating effects”.17 22. The deprivations faced by persons living in extreme poverty are often imperceptible and go far beyond lack of income. Social exclusion and discrimination are major causes and consequences of poverty. Due to discrimination, groups such as women, children, racial and ethnic minorities, migrants and non-citizens, refugees, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and older persons, encounter greater challenges accessing income, assets 12 13 14 15 16 17 6 Ibid. See, for example, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 12 (1999) on the right to adequate food, para. 15. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 3, para. 10. Ibid. For figures in OECD countries, see Growing Unequal? Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries (OECD, Paris, 2008), page 16. Statement made by 37 special procedures mandate holders on Human Rights Day, 8 December 2006.