A/HRC/11/16* participation of women in politics and the elimination of the excision of young girls. Yemen recommended that Djibouti continues its efforts to counter illiteracy among girls. 20. Egypt welcomed the various positive developments in the area of building a national human rights architecture, the establishment of a national human rights institution and a national human rights framework in collaboration with civil society. It commended Djibouti for its attention in upholding human rights especially those of women and children. It recommended Djibouti continue its relentless efforts aimed at reducing the rate of female illiteracy. It recommended also Djibouti continue its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly in the area of building a more robust national human rights architecture and overcoming the capacity constraints emanating from the lack of resources and technical expertise. It also recommended that the international community and OHCHR positively respond to Djibouti’s expressed needs in the area of capacitybuilding and provision of the needed human, financial and technical resources, provide the necessary training to officials in the various concerned departments and ministries and to the National Human Rights Institution, and provide assistance in the area of human rights education so as to spread a culture of human rights in Djibouti within the framework of the national strategy of the Government for the promotion and protection of human rights. 21. Cuba noted that Djibouti has made great progress in terms of its human rights obligations since its independence in 1977; especially since the adoption of the Constitution. It particularly noted Djibouti's positive advances in terms of education and health, thanks to Government plans that have been implemented during the past ten years. The Cuban Government is committed to continuing collaboration with Djibouti in the training of health personnel. It recommended that Djibouti continue its positive efforts to reach the MDGs by 2015. In particular, it underlined the importance of strengthening the education sector by increasing the number of primary and secondary schools, attaining parity at all levels of schooling and strengthening higher education. Finally, Cuba recommended that Djibouti continue its positive efforts to improve its system of medical care and health-care coverage in the country. 22. Kuwait noted the great efforts made by Djibouti in the field of human rights and highlighted the priority given by the Government to education and the improvement of the educational system in response to the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Kuwait also praised the progress made in the field of health, especially in remote areas, and in expanding health services and reducing infant mortality. It recommended that OHCHR sends an assessment mission to Djibouti in order to evaluate the abilities and the capacities available and the national efforts that need support. Kuwait recommended that the Government of Djibouti continues its efforts to reduce illiteracy among women. 23. Venezuela commended Djibouti’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Noting the efforts made during the last decade for the right to education, Venezuela encouraged Djibouti to continue consolidating its efforts to extend basic education to all children. In that respect, Venezuela indicated that it stood ready to share its own best practices in this area. Venezuela also noted the Government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and to launch a new programme for social development. It requested additional information on the scope of this new initiative and the main obstacles to its implementation. 24. China noted with appreciation the broad consultations that were held with civil society groups and the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee in order to prepare the national report. It noted that since its independence, Djibouti has made significant efforts and achieved great progress in the building of democratic institutions and economic development. It noted that Djibouti has made the protection and promotion of human rights a fundamental State policy. It further noted that Djibouti has made the right to education a top priority and highlighted that the adoption and implementation of the Act on the GE.09-15263 7