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1. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report, indicating that at present there are some 28,000 Bedouin population in the country, and that this number has been growing slowly over the least 20 years.

2. The Committee notes that under Act No. 71 of 8 December 2001, a facility was created to assist in activities aimed at generating income, providing job opportunities and absorbing the new labour force. It notes that some Bedouin have benefited from this programme, which is active in remote rural areas, though it is not possible to provide statistics as they are not kept on an ethnic basis. The Committee notes that in general women have the right to obtain loans under this programme.

3. It also notes that the Government states that it endeavours to apply the Convention in practice, and to secure the requirements of the Bedouin population in a manner in conformity with the Convention, and that this is intended to prepare for their participation in urban society, on an equal footing with other groups, in addition to preparing the relevant statistics.

4. The Committee hopes the Government will provide additional information in its next report on activities aimed specifically at the Bedouin population, and on the practical impact of these activities in conformity with the Convention.