A/HRC/37/14 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-eighth session from 6 to 17 November 2017. The review of Zambia was held at the 12th meeting, on 13 November 2017. The delegation of Zambia was headed by the Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda. At its 17th meeting, held on 16 November 2017, the Working Group adopted the report on Zambia. 2. On 13 February 2017, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Zambia: China, Kenya and Switzerland. 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 Zambia: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/ZMB/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.6/28/ZMB/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/ZMB/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Brazil, Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Zambia 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 delegation of Zambia stated that Zambia upheld the principles of the universal periodic review mechanism and did not spare any effort in promoting and protecting human rights through its response to the recommendations resulting from the review. 6. The Constitutional review process had been finalized and the amended Constitution enacted on 2 January 2016. The Constitution now enhanced the mandate of the Human Rights Commission which, together with the Law Development Commission, was working with the Government to review the draft Human Rights Commission Act for possible enactment in 2018. The Government would take all possible measures to maintain the Commission’s A status. 7. The Constitution provided for the establishment of key institutions that effectively facilitated the country’s compliance with its obligations arising from human rights instruments. They included the Constitutional Court, the Court of Appeal, the Family Court, the Police Public Complaints Commission, the Judicial Complaints Commission and the Gender Equity and Equality Commission. 8. The amendment to the Bill of Rights that had been subjected to a referendum had not passed, as it had not reached the required threshold prescribed in the Constitution. The remaining challenges that were inhibiting the fulfilment of human rights in Zambia would be addressed through the Seventh National Development Plan (2017–2021). 9. The Social Cash Transfer Programme targeted extremely poor and destitute households. With the budgetary commitments that had been made, the Programme was expected to target 700,000 households in 2018. 2