A/HRC/15/7 39. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela highlighted Lesotho’s efforts in education, in spite of the global economic and financial crisis affecting its economy. It noted the fact that free primary education had been introduced in 2000, the implementation of the programme “Education for All” and Lesotho’s unique position in sub-Saharan Africa, with an enrolment rate of 84 per cent for 2006. It highlighted the efforts to establish mandatory primary education and to promote amendments to the Law of Education. It made recommendations. 40. Cuba highlighted the strategies of Lesotho concerning the fight against poverty; the modification of the law of racial relations, which provided for protection from racial hate; and the 2008 law on the environment. It also highlighted advances in protecting the rights of peoples with disabilities, women and children, ensuring access to health and education and guaranteeing the right to food. It highlighted the National Plan of Food Security and strategies to improve agricultural productivity. It made recommendations. 41. Brazil noted the increase in the representation of women in political positions. The persistence of female genital mutilation was of particular concern, and it expressed concern about allegations of excessive control of the media. It asked in which areas the international community could better assist in controlling and combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. It asked what measures were being undertaken to guarantee that social, economic and cultural rights received the same treatment as civil and political rights under the Constitution. Brazil made recommendations. 42. Belarus noted that Lesotho needed international assistance to resolve the problems it faced with respect to the AIDS/HIV pandemic and poverty, and to ensure capacity-building for human rights protection. It congratulated Lesotho on its support for UNICEF and the European Commission in its effort to help categories of children, including orphans. It welcomed the drafting of a bill on the protection and well-being of children, considered as a priority by the Government. Belarus made recommendations. 43. Algeria referred to the technical assistance requested by Lesotho with respect to its periodic reports and the setting up of a national human rights commission. It also inquired about the measures Lesotho intended to take to overcome the negative effects of the economic and financial crisis and to indicate what kind of assistance was needed in that area. Algeria noted that improving the functioning of justice was one of the national priorities. It inquired about the measures Lesotho intended to take to find a lasting solution to the problem of food insecurity. Algeria made recommendations. 44. The United States of America commended Lesotho for efforts to eliminate gender discrimination and advance women’s role in the political realm. It noted the statement promising figures regarding women’s participation in local government. It urged taking advantage of the international focus to rally support for a comprehensive law to combat the trafficking in persons. It commended efforts to professionalize the police and to guard against impunity. It commended the tabling of the children’s protection and welfare bill and hoped that the bill would be promptly enacted, taking into account the statement that it drew inspiration from the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United States made recommendations. 45. Argentina recognized the establishment of the Ministry of Gender Affairs and the Unit for the Protection of Women and Children, and the focus on positive discrimination adopted at the level of local government. It asked about legislation on the age of majority, as well as women’s civil rights. It made recommendations. 46. Egypt commended the efforts made in the fight against poverty, including the poverty reduction strategy paper and National Vision 2020, based on the three principles of democracy, good governance and human rights. It hailed efforts undertaken to provide quality health services, in addition to compulsory free primary education, and for the 7