A/HRC/31/8 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 Rwanda was held at the 5th meeting, on 4 November 2015. The delegation of Rwanda was headed by Johnston Busingye. At its 10th meeting, held on 6 November 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Rwanda. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Rwanda: Nigeria, Plurinational State of Bolivia and the United Arab Emirates. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Rwanda: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/RWA/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/RWA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/RWA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Rwanda 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 stated that Rwanda had implemented 63 of 67 recommendations that had been received in the 2011 review and that implementation of the remaining recommendations was in progress. Rwanda was now a State party to eight core United Nations human rights instruments. Since the previous review, Rwanda had ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Rwanda was up to date in reporting to the relevant treaty bodies. Rwanda had issued a standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders and, since the previous review, three special rapporteurs had visited Rwanda. Rwanda looked forward to welcoming others. 6. The current dispensation of Rwanda was based on a political culture that valued diversity and consensus-building. Rwandans were at the centre of planning processes and were active participants in the implementation of programmes that had an impact on their lives, finding home-grown solutions to the specific challenges faced. 7. The delegation recalled that, between 1990 and 1994, Rwanda had a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of -11.4 per cent, with Government revenue sustaining less than 20 per cent of the national budget and most Rwandans living in poverty or extreme poverty. The GDP growth rate currently stood at 7 per cent, and Government revenue was able to 3