A/HRC/40/15 status of the opposition established in the Constitution. Freedom of movement, freedom of the press, the right to strike and the right to demonstrate were guaranteed by the Constitution and exercised in accordance with the laws that regulated those rights and freedoms. 23. The concerns that had been raised in respect of the recent banning of demonstrations were nothing more than the consequence of the ongoing security tensions in the country, which was at the epicentre of the fight against terrorism. Owing to the global crisis and the repercussions of the fight against terrorism, budgets in the key sectors of education, health, social affairs and infrastructure had unfortunately fallen significantly. In the sphere of education, the Government was maintaining its course in terms of training, retraining, teacher capacity-building and the construction and renovation of classrooms, with the support of traditional partners, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Islamic Development Bank. 24. As far as health was concerned, in addition to the national health policy, a number of strategic measures and plans had been adopted, or were in the process of being adopted, to improve access to and the quality of health care for the population, including universal health coverage, free targeted health care, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, the strategy for newborn health and emergency obstetric and neonatal care. 25. The challenge of providing accessible, high quality health facilities throughout the country, especially for rural and nomadic communities, remained enormous. Similarly, the high rate of illiteracy, particularly among women, posed a problem for the implementation of public social and health policies. 26. Despite the challenges, the Government intended to consolidate democracy and good governance and to enhance the effectiveness of the State in building peace, unity and national harmony. To achieve this, it required the support of the international community to help it improve the country’s development indicators. It had also requested the support of the friends of Chad to build the institutional and operational capacities of the National Commission on Human Rights. Chad was still expecting more consistent support from the international community for its army’s engagement on several fronts in the struggle against terrorism. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 27. During the interactive dialogue, 83 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 28. Mali noted a positive development in the normative and institutional framework, which included the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. It welcomed the exemplary cooperation in the area of fighting against terrorism. 29. Mauritania commended the measures taken by the Chadian authorities to implement recommendations from the previous cycle. It welcomed the remarkable progress made by Chad in strengthening the protection of the rights of women and children and in the fight against female genital mutilation. 30. Mauritius noted progress on human rights, including legislative and institutional measures, following the recommendations made in the previous universal periodic review. It commended the Government of Chad for its actions in the areas of education and the health of its population. 31. Mexico recognized the progress made since the previous cycle, which had included ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It also acknowledged the efforts undertaken by Chad to eradicate child marriage and female genital mutilation. 32. Montenegro welcomed efforts in the areas of enhancing the criminal justice system and prohibiting child marriages and the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. GE.18-22801 5