A/HRC/15/14 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2010. The review of Guyana was held at the 13th meeting, on 11 May 2010. The delegation of Guyana was headed by The Honourable Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. At its 17th meeting, held on 14 May 2010, the Working Group adopted the report on Guyana. 2. On 7 September 2009, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Guyana: Belgium, Bolivia (Plurinational State of) and Pakistan. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Guyana: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/8/GUY/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.6/8/GUY/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/8/GUY/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Argentina, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Guyana through the troika. Those questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Guyana stated that it was pleased to participate in the universal periodic review, which offered an opportunity to share experiences regarding its successes and challenges, and to engage in dialogue. The delegation stated that it was important to recognize that in 1992, Guyana had accumulated a debt of $2 billion and 67 per cent of its people lived below the poverty line. In 2009, the debt had been reduced to approximately $800 million, notwithstanding the fact that Guyana had continued to borrow in order to address critical social and economic needs. In addition, the poverty level had been halved. Over the past five years, Guyana had enjoyed positive growth rates despite the global and financial crises and severe flooding in 2005, with losses equalling 57 per cent of its gross domestic product. While there remained significant challenges, Guyana had made major advancements in several areas, which are mentioned below. 6. The delegation stated that in 1999, the 1980 Constitution had been subjected to an extensive constitutional reform process coordinated by a Parliamentary Constitutional Reform Commission with representatives of all parliamentary political parties, the religious community, labour, business and civil society. The revised Constitution was based on a model of inclusive governance, which was unique and, inter alia, provided for the appointment of five rights commissions – on ethnic relations, women and gender, children, indigenous peoples, and human rights – whose members were appointed through a 3