A/HRC/11/22* means and in a timely manner, was finalized through a process involving numerous ministries and government institutions as well as a high number of NGOs and other relevant entities in the country. Cuba’s efforts in preparation of the review as well as its constructive participation were also welcomed. Several delegations recognized the role played by Cuba within the Human Rights Council, and as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). 52. Algeria commended Cuba’s tireless efforts to promote human rights. It is clear from the OHCHR’s report, which could have given a more balanced picture of the views expressed by local NGOs, that despite the disastrous effects of the embargo imposed on Cuba the country has achieved record improvement in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and of the rights to education, food and health. Algeria praised Cuba’s actions in supporting developing countries through international cooperation in these areas. It recommended that Cuba share at the international level, with the support of the United Nations, its experiences of bilateral cooperation in the promotion of the right to health, especially in the areas of training of human resources and of support to health services throughout the world; give priority to enhancing its recent policies aimed at increasing agricultural production with a view to reinforcing the right to food and the realization of food security, despite the boycott imposed against Cuba; and continue to promote its initiatives for developing countries, especially in the area of the full realization of the right to development. 53. Israel expressed strong concerns at the absence in Cuba of an impartial and independent judiciary and at Cuba’s practice of suppressing the most fundamental human rights, and questioned the assertion in the report that the judicial system conforms to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. Israel recommended that Cuba (a) ensure the right to equality before courts and tribunals and to a fair trial, as provided for by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ICCPR, and as outlined by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. Israel (b) strongly recommended the repeal or amendment of Law 88 and Article 91 of the Criminal Code and the immediate release of unlawfully imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, and others affected by the aforementioned legislation. Noting that Cuba has prevented any form of a truly independent civil society, Israel (c) strongly recommended that Cuba allow the exercise of the right to freedom of expression, and freedom of association and assembly, by enabling such entities to obtain legal status under national law without requiring government affiliation vis-a-vis a State counterpart. 54. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended the priority given by Cuba to human rights and the considerable success and profound economic, political and social changes it made since the revolution. It praised the vitality of a series of political and judicial measures and the remarkable progress in the quality of life. It commended Cuba’s contribution to de-politicize and establish objectivity and impartiality in the international human rights mechanisms. Cuba’s achievements are all the more significant as they were made under extremely difficult circumstances such as the hostile and harsh economic blockade imposed by the United States of America for several decades and natural disasters. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea recommended that Cuba maintain and strengthen the economic and social model freely chosen by the Cuban people, and continue to advance in the strengthening of the participatory democracy for the full participation of the people in public affairs; and continue to pursue efforts with a view to contributing to the non-politicization and respect for dialogue and cooperation in human rights mechanisms, and to working towards the realization of the developing countries’ interests such as the right to development. 55. The United Arab Emirates noted that Cuba has shared the progress made in all sectors in the area of development, especially with respect to economic, social and cultural GE.09-16273 7