A/HRC/13/10 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 sixth session from 30 November to 11 December 2009. The review of Portugal was held at the 9th meeting, on 4 December 2009. The delegation of Portugal was headed by H.E. Mr. Pedro Lourtie, Secretary of State for European Affairs and H.E., Mr. José Conde Rodrigues, Secretary of State for Internal Affairs. At its 13th meeting, held on 8 December 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Portugal. 2. On 7 September 2009, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Portugal: Belgium, Hungary and Qatar. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Portugal: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/6/ PRT/1 and Corr.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.6/6/ PRT/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/6/PRT/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Argentina, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Portugal 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 Portuguese delegation noted that the preparation of the review had been a good challenge, which had brought many opportunities for improvement in its human rights situation. 6. Portugal informed that the Government was considering a proposal to create a National Human Rights Commission. This would be a government body that would coordinate the inter-ministerial work in the field of human rights. It would significantly improve its ability to participate in exercises such as the universal periodic review, the presentation of national reports to treaty bodies, and, first and foremost, would bring clear added value to the concrete implementation of human rights. It was hoped that Portugal could formally announce its creation in March 2010 at Council. 7. Portugal further noted that this Commission would be different in nature from its national human rights institution, the Ombudsman (Provedor de Justiça), which fulfils the criteria of the Paris Principles and was accredited with “A” status since 1999. 8. Portugal noted the appointment of a Secretary of State for Equality, who will have within her priorities the fourth National Plan for Equality and Against Domestic Violence and the second National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings. She will promote women’s entrepreneurship in the context of fighting the global economic and financial 3