A/HRC/16/18 particularly OHCHR, whose regional office it hosted, and with special procedures, among others. Saudi Arabia made recommendations. 22. Bahrain noted that Lebanon had taken a number of measures for the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular with regard to human trafficking and women’s rights, and appreciated the launching of a project and national committee to prevent and fight trafficking. Bahrain further commended the appointment of women to high-level governmental and judicial positions as well as efforts taken on an action plan and draft law to combat violence against women, and draft legislation to fight trafficking. Bahrain requested additional information on measures to combat violence against women and made recommendations. 23. Greece noted with appreciation the fact that Lebanon was a party to the core human rights treaties. It underscored the Government’s efforts to solve the issue of missing persons. Greece acknowledged Lebanon’s efforts to combat human trafficking and requested that Lebanon shared its experience in addressing this issue. It made recommendations. 24. Palestine noted that instability in Lebanon resulting from wars and destruction to which it had been exposed had hampered developments in the area of human rights. Furthermore, Palestinian refugees had been deprived of their rights, including the right to return confirmed by GA resolution 194, and the right to self-determination, due to the occupation of their land and other Arab lands by Israel. Palestine commended recent amendment in Lebanese labour law, which gave Palestinians partial access to the labour market. Palestine made recommendations. 25. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted that despite the negative impact of the military aggressions by Israel, resulting in a high number of deaths and injuries as well as massive destruction of infrastructure, Lebanon demonstrated commitment to human rights and hosted an OHCHR regional office. Venezuela acknowledged the progress achieved in the areas of education, in particular basic education and health. Venezuela made a recommendation. 26. Cuba recognized Lebanon’s efforts to achieve socio-economic development which had been hampered by invasions and aggressions causing loss of life and property on a large scale. Nevertheless, there were achievements in the area of human rights, such as compulsory basic education, the initiative Education for All and programs to combat illiteracy. Vulnerable groups, particularly children, women and persons with disabilities, had benefited from positive developments. Cuba made recommendations. 27. Mexico noted progress in preventing torture and in working conditions, despite the instability that had prevailed in Lebanon. The establishment of a national human rights institution would contribute to improvement in the human rights situation. Mexico made recommendations. 28. Tunisia noted that Lebanon’s commitment to human rights manifested itself in the political will of the government as well as its dynamic institutions, and observed that it also hosted the OHCHR regional office. Lebanon was implementing a national plan for human rights in line with the recommendations of the Vienna Conference. Tunisia noted that Lebanon remained a model of coexistence and the integration of different confessional communities in spite of repeated aggressions by Israel. Tunisia made a recommendation. 29. Iraq noted that Lebanon had made considerable progress in the human rights protection. With its diverse society, it had adopted a consensual type of government that was considered a model in the Arab world and which persisted in spite of the many crises with which Lebanon had been faced. Human rights and fundamental freedoms were protected by the Constitution, and Lebanon also adhered to the main international human 6