A/HRC/19/5 action to combat poverty and achieved universal education. The Government had also advanced in health care, in particular in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Cuba made recommendations. 25. Algeria mentioned the high level of poverty in Antigua and Barbuda and the importance of poverty reduction programmes for the implementation of economic and social rights. It praised the adoption of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act 2010. Algeria stated that it followed with interest the efforts undertaken to combat corruption and all forms of inequalities. It shared its satisfaction with the non-implementation of death penalty since 1989 and hoped that Antigua and Barbuda would support the General Assembly resolutions on the moratorium on the application of death penalty. Algeria made recommendations. 26. France welcomed the fact that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was reflected in the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, but noted the State was not a party to the whole set of international human rights instruments. It praised a de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 1991. France referred to the Criminal Code and the sentencing of those convicted of homosexual relationships to imprisonment of up to 15 years. It also raised its concern with regard to the lack of investigation and prosecution in cases of human trafficking. France made recommendations. 27. China appreciated the accession by the Government to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It welcomed the measures taken to guarantee the rights of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and persons with disabilities. It praised the efforts of Antigua and Barbuda to promote gender equality. It mentioned its progress in health care, education and poverty reduction, including the establishment of a social security system. It hoped that it would ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international instruments. 28. Trinidad and Tobago mentioned the public programmes to enhance support for increased access by the differently abled persons to amenities and services, thereby empowering them. It welcomed the provision of financial assistance to vulnerable groups, including the disadvantaged and senior citizens. It referred to the problems posed by HIV/AIDS and praised the strategic decision taken by the Government to provide, free of charge, antiretroviral drugs and establish a human rights desk to deal with complaints of stigma and discrimination experienced by those infected with HIV. It highlighted also the passage of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act 2010. It made recommendations. 29. Nicaragua stressed the efforts of the Government to meet the Millennium Development Goals, despite economic constraints faced by small economies which had been worsened by the international financial crisis. In that context, international solidarity constituted a tool that should be pursued in the multilateral forums. With the universal periodic review, Antigua and Barbuda had an opportunity to assess those areas in the field of human rights that could be reinforced and to find spaces for technical cooperation. Nicaragua made recommendations. 30. Canada addressed the human rights challenges that remained in certain areas such as protection of juveniles in the legal system, sanctions on private behaviour between consenting adults and ensuring the rights of minorities, the lack of detention facilities for those under 18 years and overcrowding. It welcomed the de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 1989 but noted that the penalty itself remained. Canada referred also to the persistence of discrimination and legal sanctions based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It inquired about the State’s commitment to establish a human rights body. Canada made recommendations. 7