A/HRC/19/12 professionalize the police. It was concerned at the personal-safety situation, the use of the legal system to curtail criticism against the Government and threats against human rights defenders. Canada made recommendations. 76. Bangladesh thanked the Venezuelan delegation for the invitation to a concert, a true representation of Venezuela’s commitment to human rights in the country and internationally through culture. It noted progress in reducing extreme poverty, access to drinking water and sanitation, empowerment of women, curbing violence against children and fighting HIV/AIDS. It asked about initiatives to fight against gender violence. It made recommendations. 77. United Arab Emirates noted the achievements of the country in economic, social and cultural rights. It highlighted the provision of cost-free education as a great step for human rights, but also a great investment in human resources. 78. The President of the National Institute of Statistics, Elias Eljuri, indicated Venezuela’s political and social policies went beyond complying with the MDGs, and according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean, Venezuela had the lowest inequality rate in Latin America, with a regressive income distribution. that that the less 79. The goal of gender equality had been attained, and the goals of universal primary education and reducing infant mortality rate were in the process of being attained. UNESCO acknowledged Venezuela in 2005 as a country with full literacy. The alternative education model for adults carried out by the Robinson I and II, Ribas and Sucre Missions had enabled 12 million people to study at all levels. 80. Regarding health, consultations and free medication were given to over 30,000 people with HIV-AIDS; the Barrio Adentro Mission had been implemented, which included 6,172 popular clinics, 533 comprehensive medical diagnosis centres, 570 comprehensive rehabilitation rooms and 31 advanced technology centres for highcomplexity exams, all free of charge. 81. Universal access to information and communications technologies increased, and over one million Venezuelans were taught to read and write through the Infocentro Foundation, which received an award from UNESCO in 2010. With regard to food, over 12 million people had access to Government programmes that included a 30 per cent discount. There were 6,000 free-food houses for 900,000 low-income people, as well as a school food programme that benefited 4 million children. 82. Retired persons had increased to almost 2 million people, and the Jose Gregorio Hernandez Mission had hosted in its houses over 354,000 people with disabilities. 83. Norway expressed concern at the very high murder rates and the high number of judicial processes against journalists and media outlets. It expressed concern that Venezuela had not authorized visits by representatives of international and regional human rights bodies in the last four years. It was concerned over conditions in Venezuelan prisons and its high maternal mortality rates. It made recommendations. 84. Cambodia recognized the progress achieved in poverty reduction and welcomed efforts made in the adoption of a legal and institutional framework to promote equality and protect the rights of vulnerable groups. It acknowledged Venezuela’s engagement with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. Cambodia noted the challenges Venezuela still faced in the area of rights of children, women and indigenous people. It made recommendations. 85. Saudi Arabia noted that the Constitution guaranteed human rights on the basis of international instruments. It noted the creation of the Ombudsman’s Office to protect 11