A/HRC/11/37 of society. It welcomed the acceptance of recommendations and replies, particularly to a question asked by Venezuela regarding the implementation, scope and expected results of the national priority plan in the area of health. It commended the country for its reduction in child mortality and the expansion of immunization campaigns. Venezuela recognized the efforts of the Russian Federation and its resolve to promote and protect human rights. 319. Qatar appreciated the Russian Federation’s openness towards the review process and its acceptance of recommendations made by Qatar, including that of redoubling efforts to improve the condition of detainees in prisons and to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. It highlighted Russia’s determination to combat racial discrimination and intolerance. Qatar encouraged Russia to implement the recommendations made and wished it full success in promoting human rights. 320. Algeria noted the Russian Federation’s favourable response to 70 per cent of the recommendations, and its efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance at the national and international levels through the role it played in the success of the Durban Review Conference. It noted Russia’s determination to continue improving the situation of detainees and children without parental care. Algeria had encouraged Russia to continue efforts to deepen international cooperation in the area of human rights by promoting constructive dialogue in the interest of all regional groups within the Council. 321. Uzbekistan welcomed the Russian Federation’s constructive approach to the universal periodic review and its broad spectrum of work to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It also welcomed Russia’s cooperation with the Council, the treaty bodies and other international organizations, as well as its consistent measures relating to human rights promotion and protection, allowing its effective and transparent participation in every stage of the review process. It noted with satisfaction Russia’s achievements in the protection of women’s and children’s rights, social welfare, health care, right to education, freedom of religion and conscience and others. 322. Cuba commended the Russian Federation for its efforts, successes and clearly defined objectives and priorities in promoting and protecting human rights. It welcomed its acceptance of the recommendations made by Cuba, noting that the right to health had been strengthened through the implementation of a national plan and that the country guaranteed accessibility and the free provision of pre-school education, general basic education and vocational training in State and municipal education centres. Cuba commended Russia for its efforts to combat poverty in the framework of the socio-economic development programme and the results achieved. Cuba encouraged full implementation of the accepted recommendations. 323. Belarus welcomed the constructive and responsible attitude of the Russian Federation to the universal periodic review. Belarus had recommended that, despite the economic crisis, Russia should continue implementing programmes to protect economic and social rights. It noted with satisfaction that expenditure for the development of human rights institutions was not to be reduced, and that Russia was actively implementing its recommendations at the national and regional levels, particularly in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Noting Russia’s active participation in the work of the international academic centre in Minsk regarding migration and human trafficking, it counted on further effective work in these areas. 324. Sri Lanka paid tribute to the Russian Federation’s role in the institutional-building process of the Council, the universal periodic review and the Durban Review Conference. It recognized Russia’s historic contribution to the area of human rights and the difficulties it had faced. Sri Lanka commended the Russian Federation for safeguarding human rights, GE.09-16766 107