A/HRC/50/8 made on establishing a permanent mechanism for implementing and following up on recommendations from human rights bodies. During the third cycle, two special procedure mandate holders had visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the country had extended an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the right to development. In 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and, as a result, OHCHR and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a field presence in the country. The memorandum of understanding had been extended and broadened in 2020 and 2021. Officials from OHCHR had visited 12 States and 35 penitentiary centres and provided technical assistance to more than 10 State institutions in nine areas of work. The Minister listed the steps taken by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to ratify international human rights instruments. 21. The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Council described the implementation and evaluation of the National Human Rights Plan. Currently, a second National Human Rights Plan was being developed with the support of OHCHR. The recommendations accepted in the present review cycle would be incorporated into the new plan. The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Council referred to the country’s Basic Norms on Human Rights for Civil Servants, which were designed to prevent discrimination in any circumstances, as well as to the attention given to victims of human rights violations and reparations for them. He underlined the importance that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela attached to civil society organizations and human rights defenders. 22. A Member of Parliament – representing the legislative branch of power – highlighted the National Assembly’s establishment of the Special Commission for Dialogue, Peace and National Reconciliation, which reached out to all sectors of civil society. He described the strengthening of the social democratic State of law and justice through the passing of legislation to redress the fact that, between 2015 and 2020, Parliament had only adopted one law. Since 2021, significant reforms had taken place in public institutions and the judicial system to create a legislative framework that strengthened human rights. He underlined the Code of Military Justice, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Act on the Protection of Victims, Witnesses and Other Parties involved in Judicial Proceedings, the Organic Penitentiary Code, the Law on Police Function and the Law on Police Investigation. 23. During the intervention of France, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela raised a point of order on the inadequate terminology used when referring to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and its authorities and requested adherence to international and United Nations system norms. The President of the Human Rights Council recalled that the universal periodic review was a mechanism of the Council aimed at discussing the human rights situation of all States members in a spirit of cooperation, respect and transparency. He requested speakers to adhere to the official United Nations terminology as reflected in relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. The President instructed the Secretariat to abide by the official United Nations terminology when preparing the report. 24. During the intervention of Israel, the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela raised a point of order regarding the inadequate terminology used when referring to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and for praising another country during its review. The President of the Human Rights Council recalled the spirit of cooperation that created the universal periodic review and the expectation that the dialogue would be respectful. He reminded delegations to respect official United Nations terminology and standards. 25. After the intervention of 31 more recommending States, the Executive Vice-President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed surprise that human rights-violating countries – including some European countries that had applied unilateral coercive measures – were giving lectures on human rights, and noted that, in the Human Rights Council, victims and perpetrators coexisted. 26. The Minister of People’s Power for the Penitentiary Service described the achievements of the Ministry and emphasized that, due to the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, investments in prisons had been reduced. She highlighted the efforts deployed to eradicate prison overcrowding and to ensure access by foreign detainees to their consulates. Since 2021, people deprived of their liberty by the 5