A/HRC/10/74 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 third session from 1 to 15 December 2008. The review of Montenegro was held at the 6th meeting, on 3 December 2008. The delegation of Montenegro was headed by H.E. Mr. Miras Radovic, Minister for Justice. At its meeting on 5 December 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review: Brazil, China and the Russian Federation. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Montenegro: (a) A national report submitted / written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/MNE/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.6/3/MNE/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/MNE/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden was transmitted to Montenegro through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the sixth meeting, on 3 December 2008, H.E. Mr. Miras Radovic, Minister for Justice, introduced the national report. Montenegro reported that, after gaining independence in the referendum held on 21 May 2006, comprehensive reforms of its legal system were initiated. The reforms were based on the decision of Montenegrin citizens to live in a State based on the values of freedom, peace, tolerance, respect of human rights and freedoms, multiculturalism, democracy and the rule of law. The delegation pointed out the huge efforts made in creating a Constitution that included human rights and freedoms of international instruments, which Montenegro acceded to as an independent State. The Constitution classifies rights and freedoms into personal, political, economic, social and cultural. International agreements and generally accepted rules of international law are an integral part of the internal legal order and have supremacy over the directly applicable national legislation. 6. The delegation noted as highly significant the provisions of the Constitution governing special minority rights, guaranteeing full protection of national, cultural, linguistic and religious identity to the members of minority peoples. The rights to adequate representation in representative bodies and State authorities are set at the same level. An additional guarantee is that the Constitution prohibits forced assimilation of minority peoples.