A/HRC/13/56 623. The Republic of Korea expressed its disappointment at the statement of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which demonstrated the absence of specific commitment to improve the human rights situation. The Republic of Korea remained concerned about the State’s refusal to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It was disappointed that the State had rejected the recommendation to end public and extrajudicial executions, torture, arbitrary detention, labour camps and punishment of those forced to return from abroad. It was also disappointed at its negative response regarding the issues of prisoners of war and abductees. The Republic of Korea called upon the international community to respect the principle of non-refoulement, refraining from returning a person to a territory where he or she would be in danger of being subject to torture or punishment. 624. Cuba regretted that some recommendations were politically motivated, thus confirming the counterproductive nature of the confrontational approach. There was no justification to the ongoing mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a manifestation of politicization, selectivity and double standards. Through its participation in the Working Group, the State had demonstrated its commitment to the Council, respect for human rights, the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights instruments. 625. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) noted that the participation of the State in the universal periodic review demonstrated its Government’s readiness to cooperate with human rights mechanisms for the realization of human rights. The review enabled it to register progress in the field of education, with a 100 per cent school enrolment rate at the primary level and illiteracy completely eradicated. Venezuela acknowledged the efforts made by the State in human rights, despite the economic difficulties as a result of the blockade. 626. Pakistan expressed its appreciation for the constructive engagement of the State in the universal periodic review. Pakistan took note of its willingness to elaborate existing legislation and mechanisms to advance the rights of the child and women in line with the recommendations. Pakistan was confident that the State would give due attention to all rights while introducing necessary legislative and administrative reforms. Pakistan was encouraged to note that the State was ready to improve the quality of life of its citizens by putting special emphasis on economic and agricultural development. Pakistan was confident that the State would take steps to improve the human rights situation by involving all stakeholders. 627. The Sudan thanked the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for its commitment to the universal periodic review process. It noted the State’s achievements in guaranteeing free education and access to health care on the basis of figures of enrolment rates and health-care coverage. The economic blockade on the State had a negative impact on the Government’s efforts to promote social, economic, civil and political rights, including the rights to food and education, and the situation had been exacerbated by a series of national disasters. The Sudan encouraged the State to continue to promote human rights. 628. The Islamic Republic of Iran took note of the measures taken by the State, particularly in the field of economic, social and cultural rights and the advancement of the rights of women and children. Nevertheless, it noted that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, like all countries, had areas that required further action. It encouraged the State to intensify its efforts to make the necessary improvements with a view to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It supported the international community in its constructive cooperation with the State and emphasized that countries should always seek to solve their differences in the field of human rights on the basis of equality and mutual respect. 173