A/HRC/13/56 regard were hampered by the failure to respect the ruling of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission. Eritrea called upon the international community to take steps to ensure that the illegal occupation of its sovereign territory was stopped. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 277. Cuba viewed positively the fact that Eritrea had accepted the recommendations it had made, in particular those relating to improving the quality and accessibility of health services for all. Cuba noted that, in spite of the problems it faced, Eritrea had made progress in the areas of health and education. It congratulated Eritrea on the policies and programmes adopted, in particular those on increasing the budget for education and the strengthening of efforts to eradicate poverty. Cuba considered that the actions taken by Eritrea, a developing country, must be supported by the international community. In this context, it called for the intensification of the cooperation and financial assistance extended to Eritrea, as this would contribute to the implementation of programmes to promote human rights. 278. The United States of America welcomed Eritrea’s decision to allow official visits of international human rights organizations. It concurred with concerns expressed by the delegations of the United Kingdom, Austria and Australia that Eritrea continued to arbitrarily arrest, detain, abuse and torture political dissenters and religious adherents, forcibly returned asylum-seekers and independent journalists. It requested Eritrea to give due consideration to conducting a national review to examine the need to maintain the national state of emergency that had curbed its citizens’ basic human rights. 279. Saudi Arabia thanked Eritrea for its statement, which clarified its position on recommendations made in the Working Group. It considered that the report reflected Eritrea’s engagement with the Council mechanism. Eritrea was cooperating with all mechanisms and special procedures, which was a clear indication of the interest paid to human rights and its keenness to uphold and develop economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. It noted that the review of the situation was an opportunity to learn of the efforts made to develop laws and institutions to promote human rights; it urged Eritrea to continue such efforts. 280. Italy stated that Eritrea had been open to the suggestions and recommendations put forward during the interactive dialogue. It however noted with concern that Eritrea had rejected important recommendations for further progress. Italy noted that, although it was needed for a meaningful follow-up, Eritrea had not provided a clear position on all recommendations, and thus encouraged Eritrea to provide replies to all recommendations. 281. Algeria stated that Eritrea’s participation in the universal periodic review process testified to its commitment to human rights despite the challenges faced after 30 years of conflict. Algeria congratulated Eritrea on its positive reaction and clear responses to the recommendations, including those made by Algeria. The latter related to the establishment of an independent national human rights institution, the improvement of programmes for children, awareness-raising to combat female genital mutilation and the partnership to be built to enhance human development and institutional capacity, to realize the full enjoyment of human rights by its citizens. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 282. The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions expressed its satisfaction regarding the recommendation on the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with Paris Principles. It also referred to the recommendation calling for the development of a wide political dialogue aimed at involving all stakeholders in the national political process, including through the independence of the judiciary and 119