A/HRC/11/22* Cuba’s recent announcement of a strengthening of cooperation with the United Nations human rights machinery and recommended that Cuba continue such positive efforts and consider further actions that would strengthen, through greater integration, complementarity and visibility, the various components of its national system for protecting human rights. 64. The United Kingdom welcomed Cuba’s decision to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and highlighted positive records in health, education, gender and the right to food. It expressed concern about the detention of 79 people in 2003, over 50 of whom remained in prison, and about their conditions of detention. It (a) recommended that Cuba refrain from using such laws as those against dangerousness, enemy propaganda and contempt for authority to restrict the rights of freedom of expression and association. It expressed interest in hearing more on steps to improve prison conditions, and recommended that Cuba, (b) in support of its stated commitment to continue to improve the prison system, establish a recurrent system of review of its prisons by United Nations or other relevant international observers; and (c) ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OP-CAT). Welcoming the recent invitation of the Special Rapporteur on torture to visit Cuba, it (d) recommended that Cuba invites other Special Rapporteurs, in particular on human rights defenders, freedoms of expression, religion, and independence of judges and lawyers. The United Kingdom recommended that (e) Cuba allow international independent organizations to visit. 65. Indonesia welcomed the report of Cuba, which had involved numerous ministries and government institutions as well as more than 300 non-governmental organizations and other relevant entities in the country, testifying to the high degree of transparency and openness shown by Cuba in the process. Indonesia noted that Cuba has managed to secure the right to education for every one of its citizens, contributing to the eradication of illiteracy and providing the possibility of higher education to every Cuban. Indonesia recommended that Cuba continue to pursue this noble objective. Indonesia noted that the Government has worked hard to ensure that the population has access to high-quality, free health care. Cuba health’s indicator is far ahead in the developing world. Indonesia recommended that Cuba continue its commitment to fulfill the right to education and to the right to health for all its citizens and share its experiences and best practices in the promotion and protection of these two fundamental rights. 66. China stressed that Cuba has been suffering for many years from an unjust blockade and a harsh external environment, which has gravely undermined the human rights of its people. Despite this, Cuba has worked tirelessly to improve the standard of living and promote the human rights of its people, achieving their right to life and development, and guaranteeing free health services, social security, and social justice. China also indicated that Cuba has actively participated in international cooperation in human rights, having adopted a series of international human rights instruments and provided other developing countries with medical and educational assistance. China recommended that Cuba (a) further develop and share experiences and good practices regarding treatment of prisoners; and (b) continue to develop the preventive educational and social reinsertion approach as a priority channel to prevent crime. 67. South Africa paid tribute to the Cuban people for their solidarity and critical role during the South African people’s struggle for freedom during the apartheid era. It applauded the significant advances made in the areas of the practical enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights despite the tremendous suffering resulting from economic sanctions and the spate of catastrophic consequences of recent hurricanes. South Africa recommended that Cuba provide information on the coordinated approach it had taken to tackle these competing obligations. It recognized the impressive Cuban model of education, which should serve as a best practice for all. The concept of international 10 GE.09-16273