A/HRC/32/8 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fourth session from 18 to 29 January 2016. The review of Belgium was held at the 6th meeting on 20 January 2016. The delegation of Belgium was headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Didier Reynders. At its 10th meeting, held on 22 January 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Belgium. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Belgium: China, Georgia and Namibia. 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 Belgium: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/BEL/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.6/24/BEL/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/BEL/3 and Corr.1). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Belgium through the troika. These 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. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs in his introductory statement noted that Belgium attached particular importance to a universal human rights policy. It promoted the implementation of human rights at the international, European and bilateral levels. Belgium also considered it essential to apply these universal principles at the national level and remained committed to fulfilling its obligations in that regard. The protection of human rights required constant vigilance. The peer review was an important exercise aimed at protecting and strengthening the implementation of these fundamental rights. 6. The Minister also recalled that Belgium was a federal State. The protection of human rights was therefore ensured on several levels of government. Accordingly, the national report was the result of close consultation between the various constituent parts of Belgium, including the Communities, which were responsible, inter alia, for education and cultural issues, and the Regions, which were in charge of territorial matters. Belgium also continued to strengthen its legislative, legal and policy framework in that respect, with a view to protecting human rights in the country. This institutional framework entailed responsibilities at different levels of government, but also shared responsibility in certain areas. GE.16-05884 3