A/HRC/21/4 121. Austria remained concerned about restrictions on and regulations of the media and civil society, including “desacato” laws and a series of criminal proceedings. It asked for information on the steps Ecuador intended to take to ensure the safety of journalists. Austria made recommendations. 122. Azerbaijan referred to recommendations made during the first cycle of the universal periodic review, especially those concerning the judicial reforms. It welcomed efforts to combat poverty and asked about cooperation with the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the dynamics of due reporting processes. Azerbaijan made recommendations. 123. Bahrain paid tribute to Ecuador for its programmes to protect human rights, including the right to development, with a view to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It further commended efforts to promote access to education and health care for all, gender equality and non-discrimination, as well as the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. 124. Bangladesh appreciated the efforts made by Ecuador to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights for its people. Bangladesh commended progress in the areas of education, health, housing and poverty reduction. It noted efforts for the protection of Mother Earth and for according priority to persons with disabilities, the elderly and migrants. 125. On the issue of unemployment, the delegation stated that government efforts had resulted in a significant reduction; indeed, Ecuador currently had an overall unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent, the lowest ever recorded and at a time of global financial crisis. 126. Ecuador had launched a national plan to combat racial discrimination and for the first time in its history, in March 2012 21 indigenous persons (11 Afro-Ecuadorians and 10 Montubios), out of a total of 70 persons, had been selected through a competitive exam and affirmative action, to enter the diplomatic service. 127. Concerning comments on gender equality and women’s rights, specifically on eliminating gender-based domestic violence, the delegation reiterated that a specialized court had been established to deal with such issues and noted that measures, such as special hospital units, had been adopted to provide victims with protection and care. Furthermore, the Government had introduced policies to improve women’s rights and opportunities at work, including the appointment of a significant number of women to decision-making positions at the ministerial level and the National Court of Justice. 128. The delegation stated that no journalists were subject to harassment or assault by the Government or other groups. Moreover, Ecuador respected the work undertaken by NGOs, provided that they abided by the law. 129. With regard to the comments of the United States, the delegation emphasized that Ecuador not only fully respected but promoted freedom of expression, and reiterated the open invitation to all to visit the country and see for themselves. Moreover, Ecuador respected the right to dignity and honour as enshrined in the Constitution and the American Convention on Human Rights, which Ecuador had ratified, together with some countries of the region, while others had not. 130. Referring to questions and comments on the development of education in a plurinational, intercultural State, the delegation drew attention to a new organizational act on intercultural education, which extended educational rights and introduced regulations to ensure that education adhered to the principles of universality, freedom, participation, equality and non-discrimination. In 2010, a new organizational act on higher education had also been passed, stipulating that higher education should be free for all, in order to increase enrolment. 14