A/HRC/18/2 for States with such limited human and financial resources as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 554. Cuba welcomed the delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and thanked it for the additional information provided on the recommendations pending. During the review of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it was clear that, despite the lack of financial and human resources, exacerbated by the consequences of the world crisis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. Cuba also highlighted that the “adult literacy crusade”, conducted throughout the country had led to a substantial reduction in illiteracy. In the health sector, important steps had also been taken. Cuba highlighted some actions to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS, to which the Government had attached particular importance, and the building and remodelling of health assistance centres. Cuba appreciated the fact that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had accepted many of the recommendations made during the session of the Working Group, including those made by Cuba on continuing to apply strategies and socioeconomic development plans, particularly those for combating poverty, and for continuing programmes and measures aimed at guaranteeing universal health and education services for their people. 555. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) had deeply appreciated the presentation made by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It welcomed with satisfaction the replies provided by the Government during the review and, in particular, those with regard to the promotion of education at all levels, especially in the most disadvantaged sectors, and highlighted the adult education programme, which had significantly reduced illiteracy in the country, as well as the construction of schools, particularly in rural areas. In conclusion, despite the major challenges currently faced by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it had made great efforts to fulfil its human rights commitments. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) appreciated the will and effort shown by the Government to achieve this objective as reflected during the review. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 556. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network welcomed the commitment made by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the principles of equality and non-discrimination. It was disappointed that the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had not accepted numerous recommendations to repeal laws that criminalize sexual activity between consenting adults. This ran counter to a specific recommendation of the Human Rights Committee, which, in 2008, had expressed its regret that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines maintained laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations, and had urged the Government to repeal section 146 of the Criminal Code. While the Network welcomed the measures described in the national report to address and reduce rates of HIV/AIDS, including the establishment of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Alliance in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Human Rights Committee had specifically emphasized that laws criminalizing consensual same-sex conduct impeded the fulfilment of HIV education and prevention efforts. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network requested Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to reconsider its rejection of recommendations 79.3, 79.12, 79.13, 79.14, 79.15, 79.16, 79.17, 78.18 and 78.26. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 557. In his concluding remarks, the representative of the State under review welcomed the comments made by intervening States and thanked them for their support. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would consider the recommendations made by stakeholders throughout consultation with its society. He referred to the written statement provided by the Government on recommendation 78.26, to repeal provisions against lesbians and gays. He 162 GE.12-17756