E/C.12/1/Add.94 page 2 B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee notes with appreciation that the Constitutional Court continues to apply the Covenant in its rulings. 5. The Committee welcomes the State party’s commentary on an optional protocol to the Covenant in which it restates its support for a complaints procedure. 6. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Federal Act entitled “Political Parties” which contains provisions aiming at enhancing women’s participation in political life. 7. The Committee welcomes the new Labour Code of 2001, which introduces further protection against forced labour and discrimination in the field of labour and employment. 8. The Committee welcomes the State party’s ratification on 25 March 2003 of the International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant 9. The Committee notes the absence of any significant factors or difficulties preventing the effective implementation of the Covenant in the Russian Federation. D. Principal subjects of concern 10. The Committee is deeply concerned about the poor living conditions in the Republic of Chechnya and notes with regret that sufficient information was not provided on this problem in the State party’s report. While acknowledging the difficulties posed by the ongoing military operations, the Committee is concerned about the problems faced by people in the Republic of Chechnya with regard to the provision of basic services, including health care and education. 11. The Committee is concerned about the precarious situation of indigenous communities in the State party, affecting their right to self-determination under article 1 of the Covenant. The Committee notes that the Law of 2001 On Territories of Traditional Nature Use of Indigenous Numerically Small Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation, which provides for the demarcation of indigenous territories and protection of indigenous land rights, has still not been implemented. 12. The Committee is concerned about reports of cases where the lack of registration of place of residence and other identity documents in practice places limitations on the enjoyment of rights, including work, social security, health services and education. The Committee is also concerned about reports that some groups of people, including the homeless and the Roma, face particular difficulties in obtaining personal identification documents, including registration of residence.