A/HRC/24/16 and control as the fundamental basis of its democracy and had upheld efforts to achieve sustainable development with social justice. 10. Cuba remained committed to its unshakeable determination to move forward with its socialist, autochthonous, original, democratic and openly participatory development. 11. Cuba had not come to the session to declare that its work had been completed. Neither did Cuba accept the existence of a unique or universal democracy model, much less the imposition of the political system of the western industrialized countries. 12. One of the most transcendental developments that had occurred since the previous session was the adoption by the National Assembly of People’s Power of the Guidelines for the Economic and Social Policy of Cuba, which were a set of essential decisions aimed at the updating of the Cuban economic and social model as well as the programme of the Government. 13. The system for the legal protection of human rights in Cuba was not confined to a description in the Constitution. Human rights were duly developed and guaranteed in other substantive and procedural provisions in force, in accordance with the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all other international human rights instruments. 14. The right to free universal education and health was guaranteed to everyone. The rights to life, liberty and security of persons were based on the principle of respect for human dignity and were the fundamental pillars in all the actions taken by the Cuban authorities and the functioning of the entire society. 15. Five Cuban anti-terrorists who were suffering an unjust and prolonged incarceration in the United States were deprived of every protection. Their legal defence had been hindered, they had been subject to cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and several of them had not been allowed visits from their relatives. 16. Cuba recognized, respected and guaranteed religious liberty without any discrimination whatsoever. All citizens’ rights to freedoms of opinion, expression, information and press were recognized. 17. The democratization of the Internet was urgently needed, as was the transfer of resources and suitable technologies for social communication. 18. Between 2010 and 2013 the United States had allocated $191.7 million for the funding of organizations and “hirelings”, the use of information technologies for subversive purposes and illegal radio and television broadcasts intended to bring about a change of regime in Cuba. 19. In Cuba equality and non-discrimination were fully guaranteed. The Government of Cuba continued to implement a series of laws, policies and programmes aimed at upholding those principles. 20. Institutional racism had been eradicated. Cuba was proud of its African heritage. Recently, a decision had been taken to appoint one Vice-President of the Council of State to follow up and monitor the struggle against racism and racial discrimination. Similarly, the First Vice-President of the Council of State and of Ministers had been invested with powers to protect and oversee the exercise of children’s rights. 21. The struggle against discrimination based on sexual orientation was another area in which Cuba had recorded sustained progress. 22. The penitentiary system in Cuba was based on the principle of human development. Cuba abided by all the precepts contained in the Standard Minimum Rules for the 4