A/HRC/11/22* Cuban people, and commended the significant progress made in implementing the rights to education and health. It recommended that Cuba (b) promptly ratify ICESCR. Welcoming the announcement of the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the signing of ICCPR, it recommended that Cuba (c) accelerate the ratification of this instrument. Chile noted that an effective independence in the procedures and in the judicial administration; a duly circumscribed emergency legislation; an adequate protection for human rights defenders, as well as for political opponents; and an effective guarantee of freedom of expression and respect for freedom of movement within and outside Cuba will be important to achieve the full enjoyment of human rights in Cuba. 86. Switzerland noted that Cuba has realized for fifty years performance which could serve as example and welcomed the recent announcement by Cuba of the ratification of CED. It recommended that Cuba ratify and implement ICCPR and ICESCR. While Switzerland welcomed the intention of Cuba to invite the Special Rapporteur on Torture, it recommended that Cuba issue a standing invitation to all Special Rapporteurs of the Council. It recommended that Cuba ratify the declaration on article 22 on the CAT and consider ratification of the OP-CAT. While welcoming the moratorium on death penalty, it recommended that Cuba abolish the death penalty. While acknowledging that the American embargo against Cuba affects the effective functioning of the Cuban society, Switzerland encouraged Cuba to continue its efforts in the field of economic, social and cultural rights as well as rights recognized in UDHR and ICCPR. 87. Belarus deplored the economic embargo imposed on Cuba and noted that despite the unfair and senseless sanctions, Cuba ensured the realization of human rights, including the right to development. The Commission on Human Rights, upon the pressures of an unfriendly regime for a very long time, tried to subject Cuba to unjust public ostracism, and a Special Procedure had been established against Cuba mainly to discredit the Government. Nevertheless, Cuba has never stopped defending its human rights and the rights of other states to engage constructively in international cooperation on human rights. Noting that non-selective and fair approach to human rights was one of Cuba’s priorities as the Chair of the NAM, Belarus recommended that Cuba continue consolidating work done in the international community concerning rejection of unilateral coercive measures, including the illegal embargo against Cuba; and continue playing its leading role in fostering international solidarity and equal dialogue on human rights. 88. Serbia praised the large participation of the Cuban civil society in the process of drafting and elaborating the national report and recommended that Cuba promote the active participation of civil society in the process of follow-up to the UPR; and continues applying a gender perspective in its policies and programmes, including in the follow-up to the results of the UPR. Serbia recognized the devastating consequences of the hurricanes throughout Cuba, which raise serious concerns. It recommended that Cuba continue to implement the positive ongoing programs and efforts aimed at repairing and constructing the houses of persons affected by hurricanes, with a view to guaranteeing the full enjoyment of the right to an adequate housing, including with the assistance of the international community, which is called upon to ensure adequate financial and material support to those programmes. 89. Bahrain praised the efforts made by Cuba, especially in the fields of economic, social and cultural rights; steps taken to ensure that all Cubans have access to education regardless of social class; efforts made in the field of the right to health by providing quality health services, which has led to decreased mortality rate at birth and increased life expectancy; and efforts made in guaranteeing the right to food and adequate housing. Bahrain recommended that Cuba consider adopting a general legal framework for the right to food, as a good practice and reference for developing countries; continue all work to GE.09-16273 15