A/HRC/8/39 Page 10 32. Cuba welcomed the positive spirit and Benin’s readiness and will to continue to work to overcome its problems. It noted the steps taken by Benin towards institutionalizing a system to guarantee the protection of human rights and the implementation of programmes and specific measures to ensure their enjoyment and practice, which include measures taken to reduce poverty, decrease illiteracy and to promote the right to health for the poorest and most vulnerable people. For a country with limited resources such as Benin, pre-primary and primary school teaching have been provided free of charge, as well as health services for children up to five years of age and persons affected by AIDS. Cuba expressed the wish to associate itself with the dialogue with Benin and its appeal for international cooperation to support these efforts. Cuba wished to encourage Benin, in particular in the areas of economic, social and cultural rights, to continue achieving further progress. 33. With reference to discrimination against disabled children, Ireland recommended to develop a national policy and further measures concerning disabled persons in order to give disabled children access to social and health services, and asked what efforts have been made in this regard. With reference to the opinion of the CHR that laws criminalizing homosexual acts between consenting adults violate articles 17 (1) and 26 of ICCPR, Ireland called upon Benin to decriminalize homosexual relations between consenting adults. 34. Morocco noted with satisfaction the efforts made by Benin in drafting its report. It also commended Benin on its efforts to strengthen the rule of law, consolidate democracy and promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, demonstrated by the establishment of an institutional framework characterized by the creation of institutions and mechanisms ensuring the protection of human rights. It also noted with satisfaction that international legislation prevails over national legislation, and that major laws have been adopted such as those on children and the family. It also welcomed the measures taken to ensure the right to education and the policies devoted to free primary education, and noted with interest the efforts made by Benin to guarantee the right to health. It noted that the appeal for international assistance was therefore of crucial importance and thus invited the delegation to specify, if possible, the priority areas in which it would like to receive special assistance. 35. The Syrian Arab Republic appreciated the establishment of new institutions to protect and promote the rights of the child, such as the National Committee on the Rights of the Child and the national unit to monitor and coordinate child protection activities, as well as the village committee set up to combat child trafficking. It asked about efforts taken to combat illiteracy, especially among women, and about the comprehensive educational measures taken with regard to the provisions of the Persons and Family Code and other laws designed to eliminate discrimination against women. 36. Bangladesh noted that in general the situation in Benin is encouraging and referred to the efforts to improve the school enrolment rate of girls and boys, and welcomed the national committee on the rights of the child and the National Unit to monitor and coordinate child protection. It noted that Benin has made considerable progress but recommended that the international community should support national efforts by providing necessary resources. It noted that some of the problems Benin faces today can be met by administrative and legal measures, but many others are related to the lack of adequate resources, strengthening of the judiciary and judicial system, improvement of prison and detention conditions, access to clean water, free education, and capacity-building in certain areas. It also requested information on Benin’s experience and expectations with regard to international solidarity and support, particularly in the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights.