A/HRC/11/22* 12. The National Assembly of the Peoples’ Power is the supreme body of State power. It represents and expresses the sovereign will of the people and is the only body having constituent and legislative legal authority. 13. The people nominate and elect their representatives by free, direct and secret vote. The members of the Council of State and its president must be elected as deputies. Every Cuban citizen has the right to elect and to be elected. 14. The composition of the National Assembly of the Peoples’ Power represents the diversity of the Cuban society. All sectors of the population are represented by the 614 parliamentary deputies. More than 28 percent are workers, peasants, service sector workers, teachers and health workers; 43 percent are women; 36 percent are Afro-descendants. More than 56 percent were born after the triumph of the Revolution. 15. Direct forms of democracy are promoted together with a participative culture. Important decisions are passed only after the broadest possible public consensus has been reached. 16. In 2008, a broad process of debate on the subject of the Cuban reality was carried out. There were 215,687 public meetings held with the participation of more than 5 million Cubans. More than 1,300,000 observations, critiques and proposals were made; all of them are being dealt with. 17. The Constitution and domestic law enshrined citizens’ rights, obligations and guarantees. Promotion and protection of human rights is guaranteed through effective legislation and institutions, as well as policies and programmes directed towards their practical implementation. 18. Human rights are duly developed and guaranteed by numerous substantive and procedural laws and norms in effect fully compatible with the rights recognized in the Universal Declaration and other international human rights instruments. 19. The right to life, liberty and security of the person constitute milestones for the conduct of Cuban authorities. Since the year 1959, there has not been one single case of extra-judicial execution, enforced disappearance or torture. 20. Cuba respects and guarantees freedom of religion with no discrimination whatsoever. There are more than 400 religions and religious institutions. 21. Freedoms of opinion, expression, and information and of the press are recognized for every citizen. 22. Information and communications technologies (ICTs) are at the service of all the people. Training in their use is free of charge and access to ICTs is facilitated through social and community centres and institutions, to provide as wide as possible access. 23. Equality and non-discrimination are fully guaranteed. 24. Advances achieved in subjects related to gender equality are substantial. Actions directed towards the advancement of women are implemented. 25. Women are 46 percent of the work force in the civil State sector. The number of women in decision-making positions represents 38 percent of the total. Women are 66 percent of the technical and professional workers in the civil State sector. In the Council of State which was elected in 2008 the number of women increased from 16 to 26 percent. 26. Cuba has also attained significant advances in the achieving of economic, social and cultural rights. 27. Education is universally accessible and free of charge at all levels. Cuba has more than surpassed the 6 goals of the UNESCO Education for All Programme. 4 GE.09-16273