A/HRC/11/22* rights. It United Arab Emirates expressed appreciation for the ambitious plan on which the State’s strategy had been based to ensure social protection providing free health care to everyone. The United Arab Emirates recommended that Cuba continue its action to align national legislation with its international obligations in accordance with the treaties to which it is a party. 56. The Russian Federation noted that Cuba has undeniably achieved impressive progress in promoting and protecting human rights, in particular social rights. It recommended that Cuba (a) continue its efforts aimed at ensuring respect for freedom of religion and belief for all Cubans, including the right to choose one’s belief at one’s own discretion or not to profess any religion of any sort; (b) continue effective efforts to protect and promote cultural rights with a view to ensuring access of all Cubans to cultural values in all their manifestations; and (c) continue the programmes that are successfully being carried out in the area of gender equality and access of women to decision-making positions, and continue the work to achieve equal representation for men and women not only in the national Assembly, but also at all the levels of State powers. 57. Ghana lauded Cuba’s commitment to social and cultural rights, amply demonstrated by the technical support offered to several countries. Cuba met targets 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the MDGs and is on track to attaining most of the MDGs by 2015, despite well-known challenges. Ghana noted the considerable strides Cuba made in eradicating illiteracy and disease and guaranteeing a greater participation of women in the formal sector workforce. Ghana recommended that Cuba continue its ongoing efforts to promote and realize all human rights for its citizens, including the right to adequate housing; continue the programmes aimed at promoting the human rights of disabled persons and submit within the set timeframe the initial report to the Committee established by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and continue the process of making its national legislation compatible with the international obligations assumed in accordance with the international human rights instruments to which it is a party. 58. Saudi Arabia noted that the system of legal protection for human rights as set out in the Constitution, as well as laws adopted and acted upon by central organs of the Government, have ensured respect of the rights and equality between citizens and noncitizens. Cuba’s progress in the field of education, in particular by making it a free public service, has resulted in the elimination of illiteracy. Cuba has strengthened its efforts towards economic, social and cultural rights and embarked on dialogue with OHCHR and other United Nations bodies. This clearly reflects Cuba’s commitment and willingness to strengthen and promote human rights. Saudi Arabia recommended that Cuba continue its current programmes for the protection of elderly persons and its efforts to ensure as much as possible the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of its citizens, ensuring the objectives set out in the MDGs. Saudi Arabia wished every success and prosperity to Cuba for the future. 59. Nicaragua stated that the report presented is the best evidence the Council can have of the popular expression achieved when a democracy is solid and participatory, despite being subject to a cruel and brutal economic blockade for more than four consecutive decades. Cuba remains committed as a member of the Council to the struggle to ensure a fairer, democratic and impartial organ. In Cuba, there is no illiteracy, the right to education is guaranteed for all without distinction or privilege and labour law meets the fundamental standards enshrined in international law. Cuba is well known for responding to thousands of humanitarian causes through a variety of programmes such as “Operation Miracle”. Nicaragua invited Cuba to continue to share, with its sense of solidarity, its experiences in the promotion and protection of the right to health of millions of people around the world, and recommended that Cuba continue efforts to guarantee the fullest possible enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, so that it can continue to make headway towards the 8 GE.09-16273