A/HRC/11/22* 42. The prison system constitutes an example of Cuba’s humanism. Cuba has developed programmes that are directed towards transforming prisons into schools. The goal is to ensure that human beings who have served their sentences are fully reintegrated into society. Cuba rigorously respects the most advanced international standards on the treatment of inmates. The system adopts a progressive approach designed to encourage good behaviour among the inmates, by gradually relaxing the detention regime, and as the basis for subsequent conditional liberty or suspension of their sentence; 82 percent of those leaving prison do so before completing their sentences. Every inmate is guaranteed medical and stomatological care on a par with the rest of the Cuban population. 43. Cuba possesses a remarkable record of international cooperation in the area of human rights. It is a party to 41 of the most important conventions in this field. Cuba has historically cooperated with the human rights mechanisms being applied on a universal and non-discriminatory basis. 44. In February 2008, Cuba signed the two International Covenants on Human Rights as a demonstration of its commitment to both instruments. 45. Cuba has just ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 46. Cuba recently presented its periodic reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Cuba has begun drawing up its report to the Committee against Torture, which should be ready at the end of the first half of the year. 47. The elimination in 2007 of the anti-Cuban mandate imposed on the Commission on Human Rights by the United States enabled a qualitative deepening of the country’s traditional international cooperation in the field of human rights. Cuba received the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food and recently extended an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment to visit the country as well. 48. The achievements of the Cuban Revolution in the area of human rights have been remarkable in spite of colossal obstacles. Such obstacles have been: the cruel economic, commercial and financial blockade, aggressions and terrorist acts and a permanent policy of anti-Cuban hostility by successive United States administrations; climatic phenomena; and the negative impact of an unjust economical and international order aggravated by the financial, energy, food and climatic crises. 49. Cuba is convinced that genuine and respectful dialogue adhering to the principles of objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity is the indispensable foundation for international cooperation in the field of human rights. 50. Cuba is participating in the Universal Periodic Review in the defence of truth and justice. Cuba is open to dialogue and will offer the necessary information and clarifications. All Cuba demands is respect. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 51. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 60 delegations. Additional statements which could not be delivered during the interactive dialogue due to time constraints are also posted on the UPR extranet. Numerous delegations congratulated Cuba on the quality of its national report and presentation, which they found very informative and comprehensive. A number of delegations welcomed the broad and participatory process through which the Government engaged with civil society in the elaboration of its national report. It was further stressed that this report, which was disseminated through various 6 GE.09-16273