A/HRC/12/50 551. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) highlighted the work done by Yemen on social development over the past years, leading to a notable improvement in health indicators. It reiterated its recognition for the efforts made in the humanitarian sphere by receiving many refugees from Africa, stressing that this involved major challenges for Yemen and urging that the country be supported by the international community. Venezuela noted with appreciation the establishment of an institutional mechanism to comply with universal periodic review recommendations. 552. Egypt welcomed Yemen’s national strategy for the promotion of gender equality in all areas, as well as its legislative and constitutional reforms, which were expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens. Yemen had demonstrated a strong will to strengthen human rights and improve living conditions of all its citizens despite scarce resources and the burden of fighting terrorism and hosting refugees from the horn of Africa. Egypt called upon the international community to provide Yemen with the necessary support so that it could continue its efforts to improve living conditions and promote all human rights. 553. Qatar paid tribute to Yemen for its positive and constructive attitude regarding the universal periodic review recommendations, 125 of which had been accepted. Despite the challenges faced by Yemen, it had adopted many policies and strategies to protect human rights; great improvements had been made in that field since 1990. The Constitution guaranteed all human rights. Qatar had always endeavoured to preserve Yemen’s unity, stability and territorial integrity, as it believed that unity was the basis for Yemen’s security and development. 554. Cuba noted that, despite the scarcity of resources that Yemen faced as a developing country, the review had pointed to its clear will to improve further the daily life of its citizens, in particular with respect to basic rights such as education, health, food and to poverty eradication. Cuba noted the measures taken to broaden health coverage and improve the quality of health services. It welcomed measures for the promotion and protection of the rights of women, in particular in areas such as access to higher positions, education and the labour market. 555. The Syrian Arab Republic welcomed Yemen’s strategic vision, which tied sustainable development to human rights, reflecting the seriousness of Yemen in improving the human rights situation. Yemen had been able to overcome difficulties such as lack of resources, poverty, terrorism and growing numbers of refugees, improving the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to development. This has been done in a transparent and responsible manner while respecting the cultural and religious specificities of the State and its people. 556. Pakistan noted Yemen’s strong commitment to human rights, which was evident from its acceptance of most of the recommendations and the introduction of a wide-ranging reform process to improve the human rights situation. It expressed confidence that Yemen would take the steps necessary to expedite the operationalization of an independent human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles, and take actions to implement the accepted recommendations. It appreciated Yemen’s openness to human rights mechanisms and expected the international community to extend all possible assistance to Yemen for the political, economic and social uplift of its citizens. 557. Bahrain welcomed the positive steps taken by Yemen to implement the universal periodic review recommendations and improve the human rights situation, which reflected Yemen’s commitment to promote human rights and cooperate with United Nations mechanisms. It welcomed Yemen’s interest in ensuring women’s rights and its acceptance of Bahrain’s recommendation to promote the role of women in society and their access to decision-making posts, as well as of other recommendations relating to discrimination against women. 146