A/HRC/30/7 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-second session from 4 to 15 May 2015. The review of Panama was held at the 5th meeting, on 6 May 2015. The delegation of Panama was headed by the Minister of Labour and Labour Market Development, Luis Ernesto Carles. At its 10th meeting, held on 8 May 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Panama. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Panama: Germany, Ghana and the Russian Federation. 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 Panama: (a) A national report (A/HRC/WG.6/22/PAN/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (A/HRC/WG.6/22/PAN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR (A/HRC/WG.6/22/PAN/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Panama 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 delegation began its presentation indicating that the universal periodic review had been an opportunity to assess the human rights progress in Panama and listen to the recommendations of the international community. 6. In less than one year in office, the Government had taken steps towards the full implementation of the human rights obligations of Panama in the areas of freedom of expression, relations with unions and indigenous peoples, the procedure for determining refugee status and matters related to transparency and accountability. 7. The Government had focused its efforts on institution-building through a strategy that included the ratification of human rights instruments, the harmonization of national legislation with international obligations, the establishment and renewal of institutions and the implementation of public policies aimed at achieving that goal. 8. One of the commitments undertaken by Panama during its first review was to transform the inter-institutional commission set up to prepare its national report into a standing body. In July 2012, by executive decree, the national standing commission for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the human rights commitments of Panama at the national and international level was established. The commission held consultations with key civil society organizations working on human rights for the drafting of the national report for the second review. 3