A/HRC/19/2 660. The Indian Council of South America congratulated the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for its support in heating indigenous homes in North America affected by the high cost of fuel. It highlighted and supported the recommendations regarding the rights of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants, as well as those regarding the promotion of solidarity, the development of peace and an equitable international order made by Cuba. It called on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to ratify the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. 661. The Federation of Cuban Women highlighted the Government’s commitment to strengthening legal framework for the equality of men and women. It recognized that the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was one of the most progressive on the issue of gender. It also noted the creation of various institutions in the country to address this issue. It observed that a UNDP report noted the priority given by the State to comprehensive support for pregnant women. The existence of such new forms of social organizations as community councils was also acknowledged. 662. The World Federation of Trade Unions was in close contact with workers and trade unions in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and recognized the realization of important economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, such as the fight against exclusion and inequality, illiteracy and child malnutrition, as well as the provision of free health services to all. It highlighted the fact that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had lowered unemployment while its minimum wage was one of the highest in the region. It also commended the policies introduced to aid the most vulnerable sectors of society. 663. Asociación Cubana de las Naciones Unidas welcomed the strategy adopted by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to put human beings at the centre of its social policies, in such fields as health, education, nutrition and social protection. It stated that UNESCO had recognized the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as a territory free of illiteracy. It also underscored the high level of social participation through various bodies. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was a true democracy; the Bolivarian revolution had resulted not only in material gains for the population but also served to lift their self-esteem. 664. Nord-Sud XXI highlighted the State’s exemplary record in poverty reduction and progress in the rights to health and education, and the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. These achievements were good practices that could assist other countries. It noted the support for the right to development and encouraged the State to examine how to enhance the participation of all people in its political processes in a manner that built on basic expression and participation rights, and the responsibilities inherent to these rights. 665. The International Volunteerism Organization for Women; Education and Development, as part of a coalition, expressed its concern with regard to the situation of the Yanomami indigenous people, and recommended that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela guarantee basic services to indigenous peoples, and in particular to the Yanomami; continue efforts to ensure that indigenous children in remote zones are registered; and continue health reforms, in particular to address child malnutrition and child mortality. 666. The World Alliance for Citizen Participation-CIVICUS noted the rejection of the repeated requests by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to free Judge Afiuni. Areas that required urgent attention included the extremely high rate of violence; the systematic criminalization of trade union protests, and impunity for the killings of trade union activists; threats and restrictions of the rights of indigenous peoples, persons in need of international protection and LGBT persons; and the formulation of a national plan of action for human rights. 667. Human Rights Watch noted that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had rejected recommendations on the independence of the judiciary, and that the Supreme Court had GE.13-14768 233