A/HRC/28/59/Add.1 the disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups are not disproportionally affected; and (d) identify a social protection floor and the minimum core content of rights, and ensure the protection of those rights at all times.7 8. The Committee further recommended that Iceland intensify its efforts to address the high unemployment rate; expand the coverage of unemployment insurance to all unemployed persons; and take measures to ensure that the social benefits system provided a minimum essential level of benefits to ensure a decent living for all beneficiaries, including single-parent families. The Committee also recommended that the levels of social benefits be monitored regularly and adjusted according to the cost of living, and that efforts to combat poverty and social exclusion, in particular of families with children, single-parent families and persons with disabilities be strengthened. In addition, the Committee recommended that Iceland take steps to address the negative impact of the financial crisis on the health sector, including through increasing its public health-care budget, and ensure that required health-care services were fully accessible for all, including immigrants and children with disabilities. The Committee also recommended that Iceland increase the budget for the public education system at all education levels, in particular primary and lower secondary education, remedy staff reductions, merging of class groups and cancellation of courses, and address the high dropout rate of students with an immigrant background in upper secondary education.8 Iceland’s human rights protection framework B. 9. The Icelandic human rights system has several components. Legally, the framework is anchored by the Constitution, sections VI and VII of which recognize several key human rights. Constitutional provisions relating to economic and social rights are more limited: they include freedom of association and the right to form trade unions (art. 74), and freedom to pursue the occupation of one’s choosing and the right to negotiate terms of employment and other labour-related matters (art. 75), which may be restricted by law. Article 76 states that “the law shall guarantee for everyone the necessary assistance in case of sickness, invalidity, infirmity by reason of old age, unemployment and similar circumstances. The law shall guarantee for everyone suitable general education and tuition. For children, the law shall guarantee the protection and care which is necessary for their well-being.” 10. Human rights are guaranteed through a three-pronged grievance redress system consisting of the Parliamentary Ombudsman (Althing Ombudsman), the courts and the European Court of Human Rights. Each of those bodies plays a separate, but crucial role. The courts monitor the conformity of laws with the Constitution, while the Althing Ombudsman secures the rights of citizens with respect to the functioning of the administrative bodies, and the European Court oversees general compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. District courts and the Supreme Court are empowered to resolve the constitutionality of cases; they are also vested with review capacity over decisions made by the executive branch, which includes the power to render invalid laws that conflict with constitutional provisions or infringe human rights. 11. The European Convention was incorporated into Icelandic domestic law through Act No. 62/1994 and can therefore be applied directly by the courts. Prior to that, Icelandic courts expressed general hesitation to apply the provisions of the Convention, on the 7 8 6 E/C.12/ISL/CO/4, para. 6. Ibid.