A/HRC/8/21 Page 8 the private sector, and asked if the Government of Tunisia already adopted appropriate measures to ensure women’s equal access to paid employment and if so, how efficient the measures are in practice. 20. China noted with appreciation the achievements made by Tunisia in the field of human rights and its new measures to strengthen human rights protection. China also highlighted Tunisia’s constructive progress in the area of civil, political and economic, social and cultural rights and on the right to development as well as its cooperation with human rights treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council and Tunisia’s commitment to follow-up on human rights recommendations. With respect to the issue of the effects of globalization and the relation between human rights and economic development, China asked the delegation how in its view the economic cooperation could be further strengthen for the development of Tunisia. 21. India welcomed Tunisia’s desire to strengthen cooperation with all actors concerned at the national, regional and international levels with the objective of better promoting and protecting human rights. It indicated that the steps taken recently by Tunisia attest of its sincerity and determination in this regard. India also commended Tunisia for its comprehensive efforts to integrate the study of human rights into all levels of its educations system as well as law-enforcement and health agencies. The respect for pluralism and tolerance in its fight against incitement to racial and religious hatred was also praised. India joined Tunisia’s call to the international community to give top priority to combating the threat of terrorism and commended Tunisia’s efforts in enhancing the role of the Higher Committee on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in line with the Paris Principles. In that regard, it asked about the work of National Commission for International Humanitarian Law and requested information with regard to its independence and autonomy. Furthermore, India noted with appreciation the agreement of April 2005 with the ICRC on giving access to prisons. In that regard, further information on Tunisia’s experience of cooperation with ICRC was requested. 22. Madagascar noted with sincere appreciation Tunisia’s investment in social policies and strategies to reduce poverty and noted with interest the comprehensive solidarity mechanisms which, inter alia, contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. It asked Tunisia to share its experience in the development of solidarity values and in particular the National Solidarity Fund which has helped many families - over a million people. Madagascar also welcomed the General Assembly resolution on the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty in the world initiated by Tunisia and recommended that Tunisia and States Members continue to work for its implementation and the achievements of economic, social and cultural rights. 23. Ghana commended recent measures taken by the Government aimed at consolidating the Higher Committee on Human Rights and fundamental freedoms. It also praised the efforts made at the national level to align constitutional provisions with relevant international human rights instruments and recent amendments in its Code of Criminal Procedure aimed at respecting the rights of suspects during trial procedures. Ghana noted also the positive developments in ensuring women’s rights and women’s enhanced participation at the decision-making level. Ghana also noted that Tunisia is reported to have one of the most efficient and effective healthcare systems in Africa in spite of its modest resources. Ghana also noted the decline in communicable diseases and the reported number of HIV/AIDS cases. It suggested that Tunisia may wish to request necessary international technical cooperation and assistance to enable it to provide the necessary support for an enhanced health delivery system. Ghana stated that the international community owes it a duty to assist Tunisia to attain the highest standards of human rights promotion. 24. Mauritania noted the legislative measures adopted by Tunisia in the past few years aimed to respect and comply with its international human rights obligations, in particular in the area of