E/C.12/1/Add.17 page 5 shortages and the resulting restrictions on its distribution, and to the non-availability of certain medicines, medical equipment and other articles of personal hygiene in Iraq, the standard of physical health of the Iraqi population is declining at a rapid pace. It notes in particular that certain diseases, previously eradicated from Iraq, have reappeared, such as typhoid, infantile paralysis, tetanus, viral hepatitis, Giarda, German measles, kala-azar, undulant fever, haemorrhagic fever, croup, whooping cough, rickets, scabies, hydrocysts and rabies. 23. The Committee is alarmed by the rapidly increasing rate of illiteracy in Iraq, now estimated at 54 per cent, especially among women, a situation aggravated by the current difficult situation. 24. The Committee reiterates its concerns with respect to the lack of information on the implementation of article 13 of the Covenant regarding: mandatory and free primary education; human rights education; equal educational opportunities for women; the lack of available statistical and other data with respect to the implementation of the right to education in Iraq; infringements of academic freedom by the authorities; measures that affect the cultural heritage of certain religious communities and minorities; and Government control over the choice and broadcasting of minority language radio programmes (E/C.12/1994/6, paras. 9 and 11-14). E. Suggestions and recommendations 25. The Committee urges the State party to take all appropriate measures in order to ensure, to the maximum extent of its available resources, the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant. In this respect, the Committee calls the attention of the State party to its General Comment No. 3 on the nature of States parties' obligations, and especially to paragraphs 10 to 13. Moreover, the Committee suggests that close cooperation with United Nations organs and specialized agencies be initiated to achieve the full and expeditious implementation of all the clauses of the “oil for food” agreement, with a view to promoting the realization of economic, social and cultural rights with respect to all groups living in Iraq. 26. The Committee recommends that measures be taken to gather systematic quantitative and qualitative data, disaggregated in accordance with criteria used by the United Nations and its specialized agencies, on all rights covered by the Covenant, with a view to assessing and evaluating progress achieved, identifying prevailing difficulties and setting priorities for future action. 27. The Committee recommends that urgent and concrete steps be taken to ensure that the provisions of the Covenant are made widely known among the population. To this end, the Committee recommends that systematic education programmes on the rights enshrined in the Covenant be set up in all schools and other educational institutions. 28. The Committee also recommends that the independence of the existing Human Rights Commission be ensured, and that it be empowered to receive and investigate complaints from individuals of violations of their human rights, including their economic, social and cultural rights.