A/HRC/15/14 Guyana to establish an independent national human rights institution in full compliance with the Paris Principles. India also encouraged Guyana to consider ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 35. Brazil noted the establishment of commissions on ethnic relations, women and gender equality, the rights of the child, indigenous peoples, and human rights, as well as the positive measures to eliminate hunger and to promote food security, Guyana’s housing programme, and the country’s increased capacity to offer social services. Brazil commended the Government on having launched a poverty reduction strategy and a national development strategy. Brazil also noted challenges in areas of education, health, food, ill treatment and discrimination. Brazil expressed concern about reports of ill treatment by police forces, the lack of respect for equality between women and men, and discrimination against Afro-Guyanese. Brazil made recommendations. 36. Cuba congratulated Guyana on its efforts to ensure basic human rights such as health, education and food. It stated that cultural, religious and ethnic diversity was protected in the Constitution, which also provided for the rights of indigenous people. Free health care services had resulted notably in a drastic decrease in the infant mortality rate and in a high immunization rate for children. Cuba acknowledged the priority placed by Guyana on the right to food and highlighted measures taken to alleviate the impact of climate change. Cuba made recommendations. 37. China noted that Guyana had prioritized issues such as combating poverty and climate change. China appreciated the progress made in promoting cultural diversity, fighting hunger, protecting the right to food and improving children’s and women’s rights. China noted that Guyana had ensured free public health, asking about the experience and good practices in that regard. 38. Norway noted Guyana’s commitment to promoting the rights of indigenous peoples. Norway also welcomed legislation that provided for the statutory legitimacy of an independent national human rights commission and an independent national indigenous peoples’ commission. Norway noted the bilateral cooperation with Guyana covering governance, development and forest-related issues. Norway highlighted the fact that a constructive public discourse was an asset to policy development, and encouraged Guyana to benefit from the engagement and interest shown by actors in adjusting and improving the consultations. Norway stated that transparency and inclusiveness were important qualities of any effective policy development process. Norway made recommendations. 39. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya noted the steps taken by Guyana to promote and enhance human rights in spite of difficulties and challenges such as the scarcity of the population and the lack of expertise. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya made recommendations. 40. The Netherlands was concerned about reports of the excessive use of force by the army and police forces, asking whether measures to ensure independent investigations were being considered. It welcomed the Sexual Offences Bill of 2009 as well as the introduction of a National Domestic Violence Policy, and requested further information about the implementation of the Policy. It was concerned about violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Netherlands made recommendations. 41. Hungary commended Guyana for efforts made in improving its democratic institutions, particularly its poverty reduction strategy programmes for the most vulnerable peoples, which had contributed to the overall well-being of its citizens. Hungary made recommendations. 42. Chile valued the fact that international human rights instruments had been incorporated into domestic law and could be invoked in courts. It emphasized the progress 8