A/HRC/19/12 25. Japan commended the steps taken by the Government for the protection and promotion of human rights. It recognized that challenges remained toward advancing the social and economic rights of women. It shared UNESCO’s concern regarding the restrictions on freedom of expression. Japan made a recommendation. 26. Uruguay recognized Venezuela’s progress in poverty reduction and improvement of socio-economic indicators. It stressed that Venezuela had fulfilled the Millennium Development Goals related to access to drinking water and sanitation and was about to fulfil those related to primary education, gender equality in education and reduction of child mortality. It made recommendations. 27. Algeria noted the progress made in social, economic and political areas, in particular guaranteeing the right to education, health and food and the access to safe water. The police had been trained in accordance with the human rights standards and actions were taken to struggle against drug trade and abuse. Algeria made recommendations. 28. The Czech Republic acknowledged the notable progress made in the domestic legal framework to protect human rights in Venezuela. It also acknowledged that institutions and committees were formed, but their contribution to the protection of human rights seemed small. It made recommendations. 29. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland acknowledged the progress made on economic, social and cultural rights and welcomed the efforts made to strengthen the protection of the rights of members of traditionally under-represented groups. It encouraged Venezuela to strengthen the rule of law and achieve progress across the prison system. It asked, inter alia, about measures taken to ensure prompt and impartial access to justice. It made recommendations. 30. The United States of America welcomed Venezuela’s bill to protect victims of human trafficking. It expressed concern over Venezuela’s actions to limit freedom of expression and criminalize dissent, including using administrative pretexts to close media outlets and harassing media owners and members of political opposition through judicial action. It also expressed concern over the lack of independence in the judiciary and mentioned an individual case. It made recommendations. 31. China appreciated the proactive measures taken by the Government to promote economic and social development and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It noted that significant progress has made against crime and drugs, in women’s participation and indigenous rights. 32. The Solicitor General of the Republic, Carlos Escarra, indicated that the Government and society were committed to fundamental rights from an individual point of view, such as the right to life, integrity and personal freedom; and from a collective point of view, such as a nation’s project and the development of education, health, sports and culture. 33. Venezuela was a social State based on the rule of law because it recognized and incorporated those who had traditionally been excluded in a democratic State, that was by having a popular power that had expressed itself by creating 41,235 community councils, 319,290 registered cooperatives and 52 community banks; and it was a State of justice, procuring social equality and the creation of conditions so that all citizens had access to goods and services and could fully exercise their rights. 34. Moreover, the legislative body had fostered the approval and enactment of 96 laws that promoted social equality and justice, as well as the respect, protection and development of human rights. 6