A/HRC/19/5 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its twelfth session from 3 to 14 October 2011. The review of Antigua and Barbuda was held at the 3rd meeting on 4 October 2011. The delegation of Antigua and Barbuda was headed by Justin Simon, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. At its 7th meeting held on 6 October 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Antigua and Barbuda. 2. On 20 June 2011, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Antigua and Barbuda: Ecuador, India and Mauritania. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Antigua and Barbuda: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/ATG/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/ATG/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/ATG/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Antigua and Barbuda through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Antigua and Barbuda welcomed the opportunity to participate in the universal periodic review and to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community on the subject of its human rights record and accomplishments. Antigua and Barbuda was taking the necessary steps within available means and resources towards fulfilling its commitments to enhance and reinforce the promotion and protection of the human rights of its citizens and residents. It remained committed to the review process and confident that, with the support and encouragement of the international community, it would be able to further honour its international obligations and continue to contribute to the strengthening of human rights as a global aim. 6. The delegation indicated that the interactive dialogue had twofold importance, as it provided an opportunity to identify the critical areas for improvement while simultaneously allowing the Human Rights Council to learn about and understand its approach, as a developing State, to human rights. 7. Antigua and Barbuda was a twin island state, with a population of about 80,000. The human rights provisions enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were entrenched in the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda which became effective on 1 November 1981 on its attainment of independence from Great Britain. The Constitution as the Supreme Law was the foundation for the rule of law and safeguards the protection and 3