A/HRC/14/5 communes with high poverty rates benefited in 2005 from food security, education and health services. Algeria made recommendations. 29. Cuba welcomed the efforts of El Salvador to combat poverty and further the realization of the right to food, the right to work and social security. It highlighted advances in the areas of education and health, including actions taken in rural areas; the extension of the hours of operation for health clinics in densely populated centres; the adoption of the National Education Plan for 2021; and the provision of free secondary school education. It also welcomed actions by the Government to prevent discrimination and protect vulnerable populations. Cuba made recommendations. 30. Slovenia noted that, although discrimination based on physical or mental disabilities is prohibited by law in El Salvador, the law had not been effectively enforced with regard to education, employment or access to buildings, and requested information about the measures that the country intended to take to eliminate such discrimination. Slovenia stated that, despite positive steps taken to guarantee children’s rights, it was alarmed by the reported numbers of children who had suffered physical abuse or lived in an atmosphere of domestic violence. It also stated that the Act on Child Protection does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment. Slovenia made a recommendation. 31. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the social policies implemented by El Salvador in order to protect and promote the human rights of its population. In that connection, Venezuela noted measures taken to combat poverty through employment, health, education and nutrition programmes, particularly for vulnerable populations. Venezuela highlighted the implementation of the Communities in Solidarity Programme in rural and urban areas, as well as the Government’s efforts to promote a system of universal social protection. Venezuela made a recommendation. 32. Ecuador highlighted steps taken to protect children and women in particular, as well as victims and witnesses. It noted the willingness of El Salvador to work with other Governments of the region to protect persons crossing its territory in order to reach North America. It asked about the status of the migration bill, as well as about the negative effects of the Free Trade Agreement on the most vulnerable groups of society, as observed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 33. Turkey stated that the establishment of the Attorney’s Office for the Defence of Human Rights was an important element in the strengthening of democracy and human rights and indicated that respect on the part of the relevant State institutions for rulings issued by the Attorney’s Office could be improved. It encouraged El Salvador to take into consideration the recommendations made by the Committee against Torture and welcomed the efforts made thus far to that end. Turkey encouraged the country to allocate greater resources to social development and to the fight against poverty. It welcomed the recognition of health as a fundamental human right and commended the progress made in reducing infant mortality. It also welcomed the absence of gender disparity in the area of education. Turkey noted with concern the prevailing high incidence of violence against women. It made a recommendation. 34. Canada expressed distress at reports implicating the National Civilian Police in unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as in the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees. While noting with concern reported threats, harassment and killings of community activists and members of non-governmental organizations, it welcomed the intention to conduct a full investigation into recent deaths of community activists in Cabanas. It also noted that prison overcrowding and harsh and dangerous conditions threatened the health and the lives of inmates. Canada made recommendations. 35. Kyrgyzstan welcomed the efforts made by El Salvador to strengthen its national system for the protection of human rights. It noted with satisfaction the project aimed at modernizing the judiciary and welcomed El Salvador’s efforts to improve the education system. It also noted the country’s national policy related to children and adolescents. 6