E/CN.4/1999/48 page 7 “(e) To organize self-help groups and cooperatives in order to obtain equal access to economic opportunities through employment or self-employment; “(f) To participate in all community activities; “(g) To have access to agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities, appropriate technology and equal treatment in land and agrarian reform as well as in land resettlement schemes; “(h) To enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to housing, sanitation, electricity and water supply, transport and communications.” 17. Finally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, recognizes in article 24 (1) the child's right to the highest attainable standard of health. In particular, States parties shall take appropriate measures: “(a) To diminish infant and child mortality; “(b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health care; “(c) To combat disease and malnutrition through, inter alia, ... the provision of adequate nutrition foods and clean drinking-water ...; “(d) To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers; “(e) To ensure that all segments of society ... have ... basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation ...; “(f) To develop preventive health care ...” (art. 24 (2)). In addition, article 27 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. Whereas the parent(s) or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to secure the conditions of living necessary for the child’s development (art. 27 (2)), States parties shall take appropriate measures to assist parents to implement this right and shall in case of need provide material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing (art. 27 (3)). B. States’ obligations 18. Article 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights deals with the general obligations of States in the implementation of the rights recognized in the Covenant. In particular, article 2 (1) establishes that each State party “undertakes to take steps, individually and through international assistance and cooperation, especially economic and