A/HRC/11/20 Page 6 B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 23. During the inter-active dialogue, statements were made by 58 delegations. A number of delegations thanked the Government for the comprehensive national report, its presentation and for the responses provided to advance questions. Statements were made welcoming Azerbaijan’s commitment to the UPR process, its constructive participation and the consultations with stake holders that took place in preparing the national report. 24. Algeria asked about measures taken in particular in light of the 2007 CEDAW recommendation to adopt a bill on domestic violence. Algeria encouraged Azerbaijan to devote increasing attention to the struggle against violence against women, especially through the implementation of social measures. Algeria recommended continuing efforts to improve and ensure access to education for all children and to include human rights teaching in school programs. Algeria recommended Azerbaijan to continue its efforts in order to offer IDPs satisfactory life conditions. Algeria recommended Azerbaijan to continue its efforts in the reduction of poverty and to envisage the sharing of best practices with interested countries. 25. Slovenia commended Azerbaijan for ratifying both Optional protocols to CRC in 2002. Slovenia noted the efforts in the education sector, especially in regard to IDPs. It also noted that the long lasting conflict had had a negative impact on the quality of education for displaced children and that the financial and social hardships for their families, the material condition of schools, the quality of teachers and the psychological condition of displaced children all played a potentially adverse role. Slovenia recommended the authorities of the republic of Azerbaijan to fully implement the recommendations of the United Nations study on violence against children. 26. The Netherlands recommended that Azerbaijan consider modifying or repealing the criminal legislation on defamation to take away the possibility of depriving anyone of his or her liberty on account of opinions. It noted that human rights organisations operating in areas such as women’s rights and LGBT rights, as well as religious groups, are subjected to harassment and sometimes even violence. It also recommended that Azerbaijan strengthen its efforts to guarantee freedom of assembly and association and to respect the work of human rights defenders, and that legislation concerning NGOs be implemented accordingly. 27. Uzbekistan welcomed the achievements reached in crime suppression and reform of the penitentiary system, in defending social security, rights of women and children. Positive steps have also been reflected in the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs): in the Parliament, standing commissions’ special working groups are cooperating with NGOs to develop draft legislation. 28. Cuba noted measures such as the 2002 law guaranteeing equality between men and women and inquired about other initiatives to eliminate gender inequality. Cuba underlined the work done with detainees and appreciated the National Plan and legislation to protect children. Cuba recommended that Azerbaijan continue efforts already underway to improve the living standards of its people and to ensure the social protection of its people based on a vigorous development of the economy and an appropriate distribution of wealth. It further recommended that Azerbaijan continue with national programmes already undertaken to reduce any form of discrimination against women until it is totally eliminated, as it is through this that it can protect the most vulnerable sections of the population, including women and children.