A/HRC/29/49 21. To date, more than 46,000 persons have been effectively disarmed, with some 30,000 remaining. The Government plans to finalize the whole disarmament operation by about June 2015, which should contribute to the efforts to ensure a calm atmosphere ahead of the next presidential elections and a climate conducive to sustainable economic and social progress. The international community is actively helping to implement the disarmament programme and should continue to support it through to its conclusion. 22. Social protest movements can sometimes have significant potential to destabilize. However, social demands have almost invariably been followed by a dialogue in order to avoid escalation. The Ivorian authorities clearly have the will to maintain an adequate level of security and social peace. The anger of some elements of the Armed Forces who demonstrated in Abidjan on 18 November 2014 was quickly calmed by the Government, which reacted promptly and promised to meet their demands. The same is true of a recent strike begun by prison guards. However, the dialogue with striking university teachers continues, with a serious risk of the students not being able to take their examinations this year. D. Economic and social situation 23. A thriving economy can provide fertile ground for human rights to flourish. The economic growth rate in Côte d’Ivoire was in double figures in 2012 (10.5 per cent) and 8.5 per cent in 2014. Other indicators also point to the country’s reinvigorated economy. These include the new investments in infrastructure, the return of the African Development Bank, the resumption of long-haul flights connecting the capital with Europe, the improved business climate reflected by international agencies and the establishment of a commercial court. Another symbolic and timely event that raised hopes was the crowning of the Côte d’Ivoire football team as champions of the Africa Cup of Nations on 8 February 2015. 24. The Independent Expert commends the Ivorian Government on the economic progress it is in the process of achieving, while encouraging it to strengthen efforts to ensure that this progress benefits all segments of the population living in Côte d’Ivoire, firstly, because the impact of economic progress is only felt by the most disadvantaged groups after a relatively long time and, secondly, because enlightened social policy is part of a good economic recovery and should be pursued in tandem with it. 25. In addition, there are emergency situations that need to be addressed quickly. Indeed, Côte d’Ivoire is ranked 171st of a total of 187 countries in terms of human development.1 This means that there are still many people in need in Côte d’Ivoire. One in every two Ivorians lives below the poverty line. The Government is well aware that this situation could have a negative impact on social and political stability and has taken or is taking steps to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged groups. 26. In this regard, a national social protection strategy was adopted in 2013 (with action plans in progress). One of the achievements under the strategy was the introduction of universal social security coverage to make health care more accessible to the entire population. Furthermore, a bill is being prepared to make education free and compulsory until the age of 16. This is extremely important given that, according to statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), one in two children has never attended school and is likely to be illiterate. 1 GE.15-08296 United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report 2014, Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience, New York, 2014, table 1, Human Development Index and its components, pp.180–183, on p. 182. 7