A/HRC/50/8 when referring to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the preparation of the present universal periodic review report. 14. During the playback of the video statement from the United States of America, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela raised a second point of order for the same reason. The representative of Cuba also took the floor, in support of that position. The President of the Human Rights Council reiterated his previous ruling. 15. After the interventions of 30 recommending States, the Executive Vice-President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela took the floor to support the arguments raised in the points of order. She added that all Member States should request the lifting of unilateral coercive measures against countries that were victims of those illegal measures. She stressed the extent, concentration and aggressiveness of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. She rejected the imposition of such measures by some countries in the North against countries in the South that were claiming their independence and self-determination and did not accept the regime change policies and economic war. She added that her country would welcome the recommendations from countries respecting the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and that those recommendations would be examined to evaluate their incorporation into national legislation. 16. The Sectoral Vice-President for Social and Territorial Socialism underlined that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was implementing the “Plan de la Patria 2019–2025” (National Plan) linked to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He indicated that the country was prioritizing the right to health through a network of health centres, free-ofcharge health services, community pharmacies delivering free-of-charge medicines, and the national vaccination programme, despite the unilateral coercive measures. He indicated that 95 per cent of the population was vaccinated. He stated that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela maintained one of the lowest levels of morbidity and mortality in the world, and had one of the highest recovery levels. He indicated that, despite the unilateral coercive measures, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had managed to decrease maternal and child mortality. He added that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela bought retroviral therapy products through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. 17. The Sectoral Vice-President for Social and Territorial Socialism also indicated that, because of the unilateral coercive measures, the importation of food had decreased by up to 88.7 per cent. In 2016, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had established the Local Committees for Supply and Food Distribution, in order to ensure access to healthy food. He also pointed to the steady increase of investment in education, with a large number of public, free-of-charge education centres, the implementation of the School Food Programme in 93 per cent of public schools and the distribution of school materials. The National Admission System ensured access to universities to all Venezuelans on a just and equitable basis. The National Scholarship System provided financial support to students. 18. In 2017, the “Carnet de la Patria” (Card for the Nation) system was created to reduce poverty and expand the coverage and efficiency of social protection policies, covering 21 million people. The Sectoral Vice-President for Social and Territorial Socialism described other plans designed to counterbalance the effects of unilateral coercive measures. He mentioned the indigenous communal councils, which ensured a sustainable social policy for indigenous communities. He stated that 2.8 million homes had been provided in the period from 2016 to 2021, with the objective of reaching 5 million in 2024. 19. The Vice-Minister of Productive Development for Women described the results of several public policies and initiatives to include and recognize the role of women in social and economic areas. 20. After the intervention of 27 additional recommending States, the Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs stated that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela considered human rights as a cross-cutting issue, and presented the Venezuelan experience with fighting poverty, the elimination of illiteracy, and access to education and housing. As a member of the Human Rights Council, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela promoted and protected human rights by strictly applying the principles of objectivity, impartiality, nondiscrimination, non-politicization, genuine dialogue and cooperation. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had submitted its pending reports to treaty bodies. Progress had been 4