A/HRC/11/22* share its experiences in preparedness to prevent and mitigate the impact of hurricanes and other natural disasters. 103. Senegal had no doubt that Cuba will involve civil society once the UPR process is completed, as it will enable Cuba to consolidate and even expand the major progress already made in various areas such as the economic and social development. Those progress were made despite many obstacles and constraints. Senegal noted considerable results already obtained in the area of education and health. It noted that these are areas where Cuba is exemplary for several developing countries, many of whom are benefitting from its technical support. Senegal encouraged Cuba to continue the process, already quite well launched, to harmonize its domestic legislation with international human rights standards, to which it freely adhered to by acceding to many important instruments. 104. Honduras congratulated Cuba for its good practices in the area of international cooperation despite its economic situation, and for its demonstrated capacity to provide solidarity assistance to countries in need. Honduras commended Cuba’s Honduras praised Cuba’s efforts to eradicate illiteracy. It recommended that Cuba share and transfer its experiences and good practices in the preparation and response to natural disasters, that have allowed consolidating a civil defense system with important achievements and results in the protection of the right to life and other basic human rights of citizens, in a context where meteorological phenomena is ever more recurring in Central America and the Caribbean; share its experiences and good practices in terms of organizing the national health system that has allowed substantial gains in the promotion and protection of the right to health, particularly with regards to experiences in primary and maternal-infant care; and share their experiences and result in the international cooperation oriented towards the promotion of the right to education, including the eradication of illiteracy and, in particular, in the application of the method “Yes I Can” in diverse national, regional, and local realities. 105. Slovakia recommended that Cuba (a) respond positively, as soon as possible, to the requests of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression to visit Cuba; and (b) take all necessary measures, including reviewing its legislation, in order to avoid cases of prosecution of those who exercise their rights guaranteed under articles 18, 19 and 20 of the UDHR. 106. Italy, recognizing a decline in the detention of political dissidents, expressed concern over severe restrictions on the freedom of expression and association and the high number of political prisoners. It recommended that Cuba (a) proceed shortly to the progressive and unconditional release of persons detained for political and conscience reasons, starting with those in a precarious state of health. It welcomed the signing of ICCPR and ICESCR, adding that the conclusion of the process for the incorporation of these Covenants into domestic law would represent a very important signal for the protection and promotion of human rights. It recommended Cuba (b) proceed to the prompt ratification, without reservations, of the Covenants. It welcomed the “de facto” moratorium on the death penalty since 2003 and the policy of transforming death sentences into life imprisonment. It recommended Cuba (c) progressively reduce the number of offences liable to death penalty and consider subsequent measures towards its complete abolition. 107. Thailand commended the achievements made by Cuba in ensuring free of charge education for its citizens without discrimination. Thailand commended Cuba for the public health law and policies, which guarantees access to quality and free-of-charge health services to all Cubans. It expressed satisfaction that Cuba signed ICCPR and ICESCR, and expressed hope that Cuba would proceed to ratify these instruments expeditiously. Thailand recommended that Cuba give importance to improving human rights training for GE.09-16273 19