A/HRC/31/11 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-third session from 2 to 13 November 2015. The review of Oman was held at the 8th meeting on 5 November 2015. The delegation of Oman was headed by the Minister of Legal Affairs, Abdullah Mohammed Said Al Sa’eedi. At its 14th meeting, held on 10 November 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Oman. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Oman: Montenegro, South Africa and Viet Nam. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Oman: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/OMN/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.6/23/OMN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/OMN/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Oman through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the Working Group. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Oman expressed thanks to the Human Rights Council, OHCHR and the troika members. 6. The delegation noted that following the first universal periodic review, the Sultanate had established a committee to examine and follow up on the recommendations made by other States. The committee encompassed representatives of the Government and institutions from civil society. It had elaborated a plan to implement the results of the interactive process of the universal periodic review. 7. The delegation highlighted that as the Sultanate was committed to protecting human dignity and rights, its Constitution expressly provided that no person should be subjected to physical or psychological torture, inducement or demeaning treatment and that any statement or confession proven to have been obtained as a result of torture, or demeaning treatment or the threat of any such acts would be deemed void. The delegation added that the Constitution also affirmed that accused persons were innocent until proven guilty in a legal trial in which the essential guarantees to exercise their right of defence in accordance with the law were upheld, and that it was not permissible to harm an accused, either bodily or mentally. 3