A/HRC/11/37 413. Cuba also stressed that it continued to offer its assistance for the realization of human rights elsewhere. It noted that, as at 5 May 2009, 50,747 professionals had provided cooperation services in 96 different countries and 4 overseas territories; of these, 75.8 per cent worked in the health sector. Cuba had recently inaugurated three new ophthalmologic centres in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the “Yes I can” literacy programme was under way in 25 countries. 414. Cuba noted it was party to 42 of the most important human rights treaties and had overcome the delays in presenting its periodic reports. It had submitted its reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and had established a working group to prepare the report for the Committee against Torture. It reiterated its firm commitment to continue extending an invitation to visit the country to the Council special procedures that have been established on a non-discriminatory basis. It had already extended an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture to visit the country in 2009, and had established a national working group to organize and coordinate the visit. The Cuban people preserved their sovereign capacity to invite, as it found appropriate, other mandate holders. Cuba recalled that it was subjected to a policy of hostility and blockade by a foreign power and that this required changing priorities. Cuba also cooperated with different humanitarian organizations throughout the world. 415. Cuba explained that it had a broad and effective inter-institutional system, which included the participation of non-governmental organizations, to receive and respond to any individual or collective complaint or petition. This system also assessed the effectiveness of current policies and programmes and provided follow-up on recommendations it considered necessary to continue to perfect the enjoyment of human rights in Cuba. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 416. Pakistan thanked Cuba for its replies on recommendations made during the review, and welcomed the acceptance of its own recommendations. It welcomed Cuba’s involvement in international cooperation and hoped that Cuba would be a model for countries with limited resources. Pakistan stressed that Cuba continued to uphold the principles of objectivity, impartiality and independence in its pursuit of the universal realization of human rights, and referred to Cuba’s leading role in promoting the right to development and achieving the right balance between civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. 417. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) stated that the universal periodic review was an opportunity to see the progress made by the Cuban revolution, despite adverse conditions, and to tear away the veil on the demonization campaign that had existed for 50 years. It paid tribute to the Cuban revolution and its people for their spirit of cooperation in the area of human rights, with programmes in the areas of health, education, culture and sports, especially in the neediest countries. It stressed the efforts and successes made by Cuba for human rights on its territory, as demonstrated by the review. 418. Qatar stressed that Cuba had accepted 60 recommendations, including those made by Qatar, which demonstrated the commitment of Cuba to the universal periodic review process. It valued the efforts made in the field of economic, social and cultural rights, in particular the rights to work, education and health, and its policies and strategies on social and human development. Qatar paid tribute to the effective role played by Cuba in the institution-building of the Council and in the Non-Aligned Movement. It wished Cuba success in overcoming challenges. 122 GE.09-16766