assemblies on the cultural and natural heritage of Bangladesh. Festivals and celebrations are an integral part of the culture of Bangladesh and secular festivals like Pohela Boishakh, Language Movement Day, Independence Day, Rabindra Jayanti, Nazrul Jayanti witness widespread celebrations irrespective of religious belief, thought and conscience and are national holidays in Bangladesh. These occasions are observed with public ceremonies, parades, rallies by citizens, political speeches, fairs, concerts, and various other public and private events, celebrating the history and traditions of Bangladesh. 67. Recommendations ✓ Ensure quality education, gender sensitization, human rights in mainstream education. And prevention of violence in education institutions. ✓ Expedite the process of enacting the integrated education law ensuring quality education. ✓ Continue to promote access to health facilities, paying closer to attention to making mental health, reproductive health, neonatal care facilities available to all including the sexual minorities. ✓ Ensure access to medical services for women - prevent exposure to unsafe and risky health services (sexual and reproductive health). ✓ Ensure access to health services for women, girls and sexual minorities living with HIV/AIDS. ✓ Continue to advocate to end the harmful practices of child marriages by addressing the root causes, raising awareness among parents, teachers, community and religious leaders about the negative effect of child marriage on the health and well-being of girl child. ✓ Social media / access to internet - exercise vigilance to avoid adverse impact on children/youth. 68. Conclusion To achieve the exercise and enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, nondiscrimination and equality are the fundamental components of international human rights law. The principles of non-discrimination and equality are recognised throughout the Covenant. In the Preamble it stresses the “equal and inalienable rights of all” and the Covenant expressly recognises the rights of “everyone” to the various Covenant rights such as, inter alia, the right to work, just and favourable conditions of work, trade union freedoms, social security, an adequate standard of living, health and education and participation in cultural life. The Covenant also explicitly mentions the principles of nondiscrimination and equality with respect to some individual rights. Bangladesh has taken many steps to implement recommendations under its obligations falling within the ambit of ICESCR. Safety net programmes, declining poverty rates, recognition of third gender, steps taken to reduce child marriage and adoption of policies on informal labour sector are some examples. However, many challenges remain. Vulnerable groups suffer loss of land, the CHT Peace Accord needs full implementation and improvements are needed in health and education sector much needed. The Commission strongly believes to address gaps focused and collective approach is needed and reiterates its commitment to continue advocating for human rights for all everywhere equally 22