every stakeholder workshop held during the Country Review Mission (CRM), there were complaints that the government was intolerant of criticism, and that civil society organisations (CSOs) specialising in human rights and prodemocracy advocacy were usually classified together with political opposition to the government, which limits their capacity to partner with public institutions. Nevertheless, CSOs have been active in promoting the rights enshrined in the Constitution and many ministries have started to partner with them with a view to enhancing service delivery. 207. Although the government has been trying to actualise the right to health for all Mozambicans, the national health system is very weak. The public health sector covers only about half of the population and the ratio of health workers to the population is the worst in the world, at one medical doctor to every 30 000 inhabitants. Commendably, school fees have been abolished at primary school level, which has led to enrolment more than doubling between 1997 and 2006. However, many children are unable to attend school and the dropout rate is quite high. The government is making a serious effort to raise standards by addressing problems of overcrowding, poor infrastructure, training of teachers, and lack of water and sanitation in schools. 208. Despite government efforts to meet guarantees of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, there is a gap between the constitutional provisions and the actual rights enjoyed by Mozambicans. In reality, these rights are constrained by practical challenges, such as a low level of literacy, a lack of awareness of their rights by a majority of the population, and the inadequacy of facilities to access. Access to justice, in particular, is undermined by a weak judicial system, a poorly resourced police force that lacks adequate capacity to investigate crime and corruption, and delays in the administration of justice. 209. The Constitution stipulates that judges shall be independent, impartial and objective. The appointment of judges is the subject of much contention, as it is party based. Moreover, the repeated nomination of the current President of the Supreme Court to office since 1988 has evoked strong disapproval from opposition political parties, who believe he is politically inclined towards the ruling party. Although it is reported that government officials have been exerting pressure on judges to influence their decisions, the Judiciary has been striving to guard its independence jealously from interference by the Executive. 210. The Parliament is separate from, and formally autonomous of, the Executive arm of government. Besides legislation, Parliament is empowered to ratify or abrogate treaties; propose the holding of referenda on matters of national interest; endorse the declaration of a state of emergency; ratify the appointment of the Presidents of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Council and the Administrative Court respectively, as well as the Vice-President of the Supreme Court. Notwithstanding these powers, Parliament is unable to realise its 89

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