A/HRC/8/24 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its first session from 7 to 18 April 2008. The review of Finland was held at the 6th meeting on 9 April 2008. The delegation of Finland was headed by H.E. Ms. Teija Tiilikainen, Secretary of State. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 15 members, see appendix below. At its 10th meeting held on 11 April 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Finland. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Finland: Azerbaijan, Bolivia, and Republic of Korea. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Finland: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/FIN/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.6/1/FIN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/FIN/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by States members and observers of the Human Rights Council was transmitted to Finland through the troika. These questions are available at the extranet of the UPR. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 6th meeting, on 9 April 2008, Ms. Teija Tiilikainen, Secretary of State and Head of Delegation, introduced the national report. She stated that Finland was a member of the Human Rights Council during its first year of operation, and in that capacity, Finland’s priorities were, among others, the creation of a new universal periodic review that could effectively promote the universality, interdependence, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights. Finland is fully committed to making the UPR process a success and to ensure that it will give added value and complement and not duplicate already existing human rights mechanisms. The reporting has offered Finland an opportunity to assess the national human rights situation in a self-critical manner. This assessment has enabled an inventory of developments and good practices, and a discussion on the existing challenges. The participation of civil society in periodic reporting has already become an established practice. The Finnish report is an outcome of a transparent and inclusive cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office and other relevant ministries as well as an active participation from civil society. The Government arranged a discussion meeting with civil society and the draft report was sent to them for comments. The constant dialogue with civil society in the preparatory phase significantly contributed to the content of the report. She further stressed that a representative of civil society, representing the Advisory Board for International Human Rights Issues, was also a member of the Finnish delegation.