A/HRC/28/16 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 twentieth session from 27 October to 7 November 2014. The review of Egypt was held at the 15th meeting on 5 November 2014. The delegation of Egypt was headed by Ibrahim el-Heneidy, Minister for Transitional Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. At its 18th meeting, held on 7 November 2014, the Working Group adopted the report on Egypt. 2. On 15 January 2014, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Egypt: Côte d’Ivoire, Montenegro, Saudi Arabia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Egypt: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation prepared in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/20/EGY/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.6/20/EGY/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/20/EGY/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Egypt through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The head of the delegation of Egypt, Ibrahim el-Heneidy, Minister for Transitional Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, expressed appreciation for the constructive role of the UPR mechanism. The preparation process for Egypt’s second review provided a further opportunity for communication with national and public forces and civil society. 6. Since the first review of Egypt, in 2010, the country has witnessed major political and social changes. In the past three years, Egypt has witnessed two popular revolutions that have transformed the political landscape. The driving force behind those revolutions was a call for the protection of the rights of Egyptian citizens and for guaranteeing their freedoms. In this light, the demands of the Egyptian people have gone beyond the recommendations that Egypt received and accepted during its first review. 7. On 25 January 2011, Egypt witnessed a popular peaceful revolt against a ruling authority that had led the country into an atmosphere of political and social marginalization. The new president, elected in 2012, adopted a series of exclusionary policies and authoritarian practices, disseminated hate speech and incited the commission of violence, thus violating the rule of law and the rights of Egyptians. 3