A/HRC/21/4 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 thirteenth session from 21 May to 4 June 2012. The review of Ecuador was held at the 2nd meeting, on 21 May 2012. The delegation of Ecuador was headed by His Excellency Mr. Lenín Moreno Garcés, Vice-President of Ecuador. At its 10th meeting, held on 25 May 2012, the Working Group adopted the report on Ecuador. 2. On 3 May 2012, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Ecuador: Congo, Cuba, Switzerland. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Ecuador: (a) A national report submitted and a written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/13/ECU/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/ECU/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/13/ECU/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Ecuador 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 noted that during the last four years, Ecuador had made efforts towards reaffirming its commitment towards human rights, peace and democratic stability. In 2008, a new Constitution gave rise to a new model of State and development. The nation had recovered its trust in the democratic system, a fundamental prerequisite for the enjoyment of human rights. 6. The Constitution established that, in addition to being a State of rights and justice, Ecuador was an intercultural and multi-ethnic State, in which different groups of people and ethnic nationalities lived in an environment of mutual respect and solidarity. It established the paradigm of “sumak kawsay”, or “good living”, a concept originating from the peoples of the Andean region, which was rooted in the comprehensive development of all the citizens, peoples and nationalities of Ecuador without any form of discrimination. 7. Ecuador considered that it could demonstrate that it had moved from theory t practice in the fulfilment of human rights. Ecuador referred in particular to its efforts to combat poverty through sovereign economic policies. In response to social movements, the Government had declared illegitimate part of its public external debt, which had made it possible to increase its investment in production, roads and energy. Ecuador had also made important efforts with regard to the culture of tax payments, which had resulted in the collection of more taxes. Those efforts had resulted in a significant reduction of 3