A/HRC/23/9 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 fifteenth session from 21 January to 1 February 2013. The review of Burundi was held at the 7th meeting on 24 January 2013. The delegation of Burundi was headed by Clotilde Niragira, Minister of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender. At its 13th meeting, held on 29 January 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Burundi. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Burundi: Benin, India and Republic of Moldova. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Burundi: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/15/BDI/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.6/15/BDI/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/15/BDI/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Burundi 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. The head of the delegation presented the report of Burundi for the second cycle of the universal periodic review, emphasizing that Burundi had made substantial progress in the promotion and protection of human rights as a whole. 6. He thanked the entire international community, and especially the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for supporting the people of Burundi even during the most difficult moments of the crisis. 7. Burundi had taken various practical measures in response to the recommendations made during the first cycle of the universal periodic review.1 It had drafted a bill on the prevention of, protection from and punishment of gender-based violence, which was in the process of being adopted. A pilot centre had been established to provide comprehensive support to victims of gender-based violence. The State had also taken steps towards ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with 1 GE.13-12565 See A/HRC/10/71. 3