A/HRC/13/17 Page 3 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 Ethiopia was held at the 16th meeting, on 9 December 2009. The delegation of Ethiopia was headed by Ambassador Fisseha Yimer, Special Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At its 17th meeting, on 11 December 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Ethiopia. 2. On 7 September 2009, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Ethiopia: Chile, Kyrgyzstan and Italy. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Ethiopia: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/6/ETH/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/ETH/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/6/ETH/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Argentina, the Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Ethiopia 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. At the 16th meeting, the Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs introduced the national report and indicated that it was prepared in a transparent and participatory manner with the participation of all relevant actors and stakeholders. 6. The delegation stated that in 2009 Ethiopia’s State report on CEDAW was reviewed and a report submitted in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Also in 2009, reports were submitted in relation to ICCPR, ICESCR and CAT to the respective treaty bodies and are pending consideration. 7. Ethiopia indicated that the Federal Constitution provides that any law, customary practice or any decision of a state organ or public official which contravenes the Constitution shall be of no effect. The Federal Government and the Regional States have legislative, executive and judicial powers defined by the Federal Constitution. Ethiopia has two Federal Houses: the House of Peoples’ Representatives comprised of persons elected for a period of five years and the House of Federation composed of representatives of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. One third of the provisions of the Federal Constitution are dedicated to fundamental human and democratic rights. The Constitution guarantees the rights of nations, nationalities and peoples to develop and preserve their culture and history.