A/HRC/7/67 page 12 the international human rights treaties ratified by the country. Despite the statement of the Solicitor General that trial by ordeal was illegal, the Ministry of Internal Affairs does not acknowledge its illegality or the illegality of the revised rules and regulations governing the hinterland of Liberia. V. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS A. Linkage between poverty and human rights violations 45. Poverty should be seen as multidimensional. It is often the cause and consequence of many human rights violations in Liberia. The poorest people have the fewest economic resources but also the lowest degree of social achievement and the least political power. The erosion of institutions resulting from 14 years of civil war has left the majority of people vulnerable to violation of the whole range of human rights - from the right to life to the right to food, the right to education and the right to fair trial. 46. The low level of economic development in the region has had a great impact on the capacities and livelihoods of citizens. Such inequalities have entrenched disaffection and grievances among various groups in the society. B. Right to food 47. The agricultural system in Liberia is characterized by a quite developed sector of produce for export, such as rubber, cocoa and palm oil, and very low levels of primary agriculture, such as rice and vegetables. Though Liberia is one of the greenest countries in the world, the levels of small-holder productivity are extremely low; the country imports cabbages, carrots and other primary foodstuffs from other countries at high prices. Given that 76.2 per cent of Liberians live in poverty and 50 per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty, it is easy to understand the direct impact that this situation has on the daily life of people in the country. Stunting affects 39 per cent of children under 5 years of age, 11 per cent of survey household are considered food insecure and 40 per cent highly vulnerable to food insecurity.2 Seen from a human rights perspective, a large proportion of the population is unable to enjoy its right to food. C. Right to work, fair remuneration and regular payment of wages 48. The unemployment rate in Liberia remains very high, approaching 80 per cent for the country as a whole, affecting rural areas in particular. Children are the main victims of the lax enforcement of even minimum human rights standards, since child labour is indirectly encouraged by exploitative work practices and lack of access to education. 2 Republic of Liberia: Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey, October 2006. Available from www.fao.org/SPFS/pdf/CFSNS_report_final.pdf.