future efforts. The Group's report reflected the interrelationship between the safeguarding of peace and the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights; the urgent need to establish a just and democratic new international economic order; and 15th meeting-19 May 1986 71 the importance of taking into account the socio­ economic conditions prevailing in a given country at its level of economic development when the extent of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights was being evaluated. 35. One of the major concerns in the field of human rights was the massive denial of those rights to millions of people in a number of highly industrial­ ized countries. The argument often adduced by those countries, that the Covenant envisaged only a general commitment to a gradual implementation of its provisions, was unconvincing because of the scant results achieved by them so far and because of article 2, paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,16 which pro­ vided that States parties should take steps to the maximum of their available resources. Particularly disturbing in that respect was the fact that, more often than not, the millions of people affected were, de facto, politically impotent, as could be seen in the ratio of representation of different social strata in the highest legislative and decision-making organs of the countries in question. The reasons for the massive and continuous denial of a whole range of human rights lay primarily in the political priorities of those countries, which were designed to do everything but ensure human rights on a just and equal basis for all. 36. In the light of the work that remained to be done in the field of economic, social and cultural rights, Bulgaria's approach had been one of aware­ ness and optimism. Its experience at the national 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the relationship between economic development and human rights, highlighting the need for a just and democratic international economic order and the importance of considering socio-economic conditions when evaluating the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights. The discussion also touches on the political priorities of certain countries and their impact on human rights.

**Category**
Human rights, Economic development