A/HRC/25/17 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 seventeenth session from 21 October to 1 November 2013. The review of Malta was held at the 16th meeting on 30 October 2013. The delegation of Malta was headed by Ms. Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties. At its 19th meeting held on 1 November 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Malta. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Malta: Kuwait, Peru and the Republic of Moldova. 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 Malta: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/MLT/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.6/17/MLT/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/MLT/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland was transmitted to Malta 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 delegation underlined the commitment of the new Government to safeguarding and furthering civil rights and equality. Malta continued to reaffirm the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other landmark documents, and to strive for the equal and inalienable rights of all despite numerous challenges on a global scale as well as the harsh reality of immigration and financial challenges at the national level. Respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual had been in fact enshrined in the first article of the Constitution of Malta, placing them at the very core of Maltese society, governance and international commitment. Malta remained committed to UPR and considered it a strong mechanism addressing all human rights and being equally applied to all Member States without distinction or discrimination. 6. The delegation stated that the national report, which was based on the recommendations emanating from the 2009 review, had been drafted after broad consultation with government entities and civil society. The dialogue with civil society had been critical to the preparation of the review having in mind the importance of civil society organizations, especially those working at grass-roots level. Civil society representatives were given an opportunity to express their concerns and outline their positions on a number of contentious issues. The national report featured new and ongoing initiatives. 3