A/HRC/18/13 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 eleventh session from 2 to 13 May 2011. The review of Greece was held at the 11th meeting on 9 May 2011. The delegation of Greece was headed by George J. Kaklikis, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations in Geneva. At its 15th meeting, held on 11 May 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Greece. 2. On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Greece: the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia and Uganda. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Greece: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/11/GRC/1); (b) A compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/11/GRC/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/11/GRC/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Turkey was transmitted to Greece through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Greece stressed that its national UPR report was drafted in close cooperation with competent ministries. Consultations were held with civil society stakeholders and the National Commission for Human Rights. The outcome of the UPR will be widely disseminated, and civil society and the national human rights institutions will be closely associated to the follow-up. 6. Irregular migration and the improvement of asylum procedures are among the most pressing challenges that Greece faces. More than 90 per cent of irregular migrants entering the EU are detected at the Greek borders. On the Greek-Turkish land border, there was, in 2010, an increase of 400 per cent in the number of irregular migrants apprehended. Greece is almost facing a humanitarian crisis, at a time of serious financial constraints. A National Action Plan on Migration Management is being implemented. 7. Gender equality is an area where significant progress has been made in the last years, while more needs to be done. The General Secretariat for Gender Equality has launched a National Action Plan on Substantive Gender Equality for 2010-2013. 8. Domestic violence has acquired rather disquieting dimensions. A law to fight domestic violence was adopted in 2006. Counselling and support for victims, as well as training and awareness-raising are the components of the strategy to combat domestic violence. A 24-hour SOS hotline launched in March 2011 is considered as a best practice. 3