A/HRC/40/16 23. The Government remained convinced that economic development was a decisive factor in safeguarding human rights. The vision for society outlined by President Denis Sassou Nguesso, called “The Path to Development”, was part of a trend for strengthening the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights for the benefit of the greatest number. The National Development Plan 2012–2016 and the National Development Plan 2018–2022 faithfully reflected that agenda. 24. As part of its plan to foster employment and reduce poverty, the Government had increased civil servants’ salaries between 2014 and 2017. 25. In the area of health, the Congo was in the process of developing universal health coverage, a policy which had been established by Act No. 37-2014 of 27 June 2014 on a universal health insurance system. 26. Since 2012, the Congo had acquired telecommunications infrastructure to connect the country with information and communication technologies, via broadband Internet. In the field of energy infrastructure, implementing the capacity-building programme for the production, transport and distribution of electrical power had improved electricity provision. 27. Respect for human rights in the administration of justice and the prison system and the independence of the judiciary had been considerably strengthened by the adoption of Organic Act No. 29-2018 of 7 August 2018 on the organization, composition and functioning of the Supreme Council of Justice. To speed up the process for training judges and contribute to the proper administration of justice, the Congo had renewed its judicial cooperation agreements with other countries. 28. Protection for witnesses to acts of torture was covered by the general provisions of the draft code of criminal procedure. 29. The Congo had also undertaken a renovation and construction programme for prison facilities as part of the National Development Plan 2012–2016. 30. The Congo would mobilize material and intellectual resources, particularly under the new National Development Plan 2018–2022, as required for the effective implementation of the recommendations that would be accepted under the third cycle of the universal periodic review. The Congolese Parliament would be fully involved in that process. To that end, the Government would request technical assistance from its partners to further promote and consolidate human rights in the Congo. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 31. During the interactive dialogue, 83 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 32. Togo noted the adoption of a new constitution, which incorporated provisions from international human rights instruments and abolished the death penalty. It welcomed policies to facilitate access to health care and education. 33. Tunisia noted the adoption of the Constitution, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the steps taken to combat gender-based violence. 34. Turkey noted the signing of the ceasefire agreement and the adoption of the Constitution. It hoped for the adoption and implementation of the draft Criminal Code. 35. Ukraine was concerned by the alleged detention of political opponents, the existence of prisoners of conscience, the reported cases of torture, the continuation of the armed conflict, and the fact that HIV/AIDS was the main cause of death. 36. The United Arab Emirates noted the efforts to protect the rights of the child. It also noted the measures taken to increase access to education and health care, and to combat child trafficking. 37. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland expressed concern that since 2015, the human rights situation had deteriorated. The Congo was encouraged to 4 GE.18-22821