A/HRC/12/12 Page 3 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 fifth session from 4 to 15 May 2009. The review of Uruguay was held at the 11th meeting, on 11 May 2009. The delegation of Uruguay was headed by H.E. Dr. Gonzalo Fernández, Minister for Foreign Affairs. At its 15th meeting, on 13 May 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Uruguay. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Uruguay: Nigeria, Jordan and Argentina. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Uruguay: (a) A national report submitted made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/URY/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/URY/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/URY/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark and Hungary was transmitted to Uruguay through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 11th meeting, on 11 May 2009, Gonzalo Fernández, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented the national report and made an opening statement, reiterating Uruguay’s commitment to human rights. 6. Uruguay highlighted the value of the universal periodic review process, noting that it allowed for holding consultations and assessing challenges with civil society organizations and State actors and indicating that consultations will continue in the follow-up phase on the recommendations emanating from the process. Uruguay had in March 2009 ratified the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, recognizing the competence of the Committee. In February 2009, Uruguay also ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In January 2009, Uruguay also began to work on the elaboration of reports for the United Nations treaty monitoring bodies with a view to submitting most of them before the end of the year. 7. Uruguay reported that it had promulgated a large number of laws, including one on cooperation with the International Criminal Court, an act establishing a national human rights institution, a statute on refugees, a law on migrants and laws on domestic labour, rural labour and freedom of expression. It is also adopting a new press law.