A/HRC/11/5 Government to reconsider that decision in the light of the physical and financial loss inflicted on Haiti by the series of hurricanes in August 2008. F. Economic, social and cultural rights 81. The Human Rights Council, recognizing in Presidential Statement PRST/9/1 that “full enjoyment of human rights – civil and political, economic, social and cultural – is a factor of peace, stability and progress in Haiti”, extended the independent expert’s mission, inviting him “to continue the work undertaken and to carry out his mission by bringing his experience and expertise to bear and contributing to the cause of human rights in Haiti, with a particular emphasis on economic, social and cultural rights” (para. 14). 82. The independent expert’s mission is accordingly being developed within that framework and, while, in the present report, the bulk of the observations and recommendations are concerned with civil and political rights and with the implementation of the recommendations adopted by the Council, the independent expert began to address the issue of economic and social rights during his first mission and intends to continue his work in that area. 83. In the independent expert’s view and in line with the mandate conferred upon him, the rule-of-law issue cannot be resolved solely through necessary reform of judicial institutions and the criminal justice, police and penitentiary systems to allow the enjoyment and exercise of civil and political rights.. 84. Establishing the rule of law also means ensuring the functioning of public services and institutions which, in addition to the safety of persons and property, must guarantee to every citizen the full exercise of economic, social and cultural rights, as set forth in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which has been included by the Haitian Parliament in its agenda for 2009. In this connection, the independent expert recommends that the adoption of the ratification law take place at the earliest opportunity in order to send out a strong signal of the determination of the Government and Parliament and their commitment to improving the socio-economic situation of the country. 85. This holistic approach should also guide the choices of international and bilateral institutions in the identification of their technical assistance and cooperation programmes so that gradually access to education for all and to a health-care system, drinking water and sanitation services, adequate and decent housing, employment income and training are also guaranteed for everyone. 86. In anticipation of his next missions, the independent expert met the ministers responsible for welfare, health and education, whom he thanks for their attentiveness and the information and documentation supplied. He also visited a number of representative projects, which appear to be operating well, and plans to devote one of his next missions to exploring such topics as the right to food and water and access to schooling and health care and to report to the Council thereon. 20