A/HRC/21/11 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 thirteenth session from 21 May to 4 June 2012. The review of Brazil was held at the 9th meeting on 25 May 2012. The delegation of Brazil was headed by Ms. Maria do Rosario Nunes, Minister, Head of the Human Rights Secretariat. At its 15th meeting held on 30 May 2012, the Working Group adopted the report on Brazil. 2. On 3 May 2012, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Brazil: China, Ecuador and Poland. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21 of 25 March 2011, the following documents were issued for the review of Brazil: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/13/BRA/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.6/13/BRA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/13/BRA/3 and Corr.1). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Brazil 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. The national report of Brazil was presented by the Minister of Human Rights, Maria do Rosário Nunes. In her introductory statement, the Minister emphasized that, for Brazil, the universal periodic review is a mechanism to foster cooperation and constructive dialogue on human rights. 6. Ms. Nunes continued by adding that the protection and promotion of human rights are irrevocably enshrined in the Brazilian Constitution and highlighted the Brazilian practice of consultative process, involving civil society participation in policy design, through national conferences, councils and other collective bodies. 7. Ms. Nunes mentioned that the Brazilian development project, which integrates economic growth and social inclusion, and guarantees the indivisibility of human rights. Brazil has accomplished almost all the Millennium Development Goals, and more than 28 million citizens have overcome poverty in recent years. 8. The Minister drew attention to President Rousseff’s plan “Brasil sem Miséria” (“Brazil Without Extreme Poverty”), which aims at eradicating extreme poverty by 2014, thereby rescuing 16 million people from this state. She explained that the Plan builds upon the “Bolsa Família” programme, a conditional cash transfer programme, and also innovates 3