A/HRC/19/12 35. The Citizen Power (Poder Ciudadano), composed of the Ombudsman, the Public Ministry and the Comptroller General, had fought against corruption and irregularities in the handling of the National Heritage and the protection of ethical and moral values that must guide public actions. 36. Regarding the right to property, it was indicated that this right was a priority from an individual, collective, social and public point of view, and this Government had granted more credits for houses, companies, goods and equipment, tourism, fostering of community economy and fishing, among others. 37. The “Simon Bolívar” national project had led to the beginning of the construction and re-foundation of an institutional and social structure that was inclusive, participatory and in which social actors played a leading role, where different forms of social organization emerged, giving way to a new democratic and social State subjected to the rule of law and justice with a full respect, guarantee, pre-eminence and protection of human rights. 38. The Minister of People’s Power for Internal Affairs, Tareck El Aissami, reported that the State incorporated the concept of citizens’ security as a human right, thereby reaffirming the respect given to integrity and life. 39. The new law-enforcement model and integrated police system was in accordance with the United Nations principles and had led to the creation of the National Bolivarian Police in 2009. The force was composed of 6,848 officers and 11,290 trainees at the National Experimental University on Security. Venezuela had a rate of 3.6 law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents, a rate meeting United Nations standards. 40. In connection with the control of guns, ammunition and disarming, a Commission was created to comprehensively tackle these issues. Between 2003 and 2011, 251,652 firearms had been seized and destroyed. 41. Since 2006 and for the sixth time in a row, Venezuela was declared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOCD) as a territory free from illicit drug cultivation. Between 2004 and 2011, 584 tons of illicit drugs had been seized and destroyed, and 69 heads of criminal organizations wanted by Interpol had been deported. 42. The Superior Penitentiary Council, composed of entities of the justice system, had been established as part of the Penitentiary Humanization Plan. The Bill for the Penitentiary Organic Code, sent to the National Assembly in 2011, had been drafted following the principles and foundations of the new vision of the State. The Ministry of Penitentiary Services was created, thereby ratifying the protection of human rights of incarcerated populations. 43. France recalled that, according to UNESCO, freedom of expression had deteriorated following the introduction of restrictions in Venezuelan legislation. France had observed with concern that human rights defenders were subject to attacks and threats and that perpetrators were not always brought to justice. France made recommendations. 44. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea noted Venezuela’s achievements in social, economic and cultural rights directed inter alia toward the eradication of poverty and social justice. It commended Venezuela for its efforts to achieve the universal access to higher education. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea encouraged the Government to continue fighting against illiteracy. It made recommendations. 45. The Islamic Republic of Iran noted Venezuela’s progress in protecting human rights. It recognized efforts to ensure equal educational opportunities for all, which increased enrolments. It welcomed the importance given to university education through the creation of the Ministry of People’s Power for Higher Education. It commended Venezuela for 7

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