A/HRC/32/11 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fourth session from 18 to 29 January 2016. The review of Palau was held at the 8th meeting on 21 January 2016. The delegation of Palau was headed by the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, J. Baklai Temengil. At its 14th meeting, held on 26 January 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Palau. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Palau: Congo, France and United Arab Emirates. 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 Palau: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/PLW/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.6/24/PLW/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/PLW/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Palau 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. The delegation of Palau welcomed the opportunity to respond to the recommendations made during the first cycle of the review process and to receive recommendations from the second cycle of the review. It valued the universal periodic review process as it had supported awareness-raising and mainstreaming human rights into their policies and programmes over the last four years. 6. As a young nation that gained Independence in 1994 and with a population of less than 20,000 people, Palau crafted its own Constitution, which reflects the values and beliefs of the people and guarantees human rights for all. In Palau culture, the strongest and most powerful relationship is between a brother and a sister. This is exemplified in extended family interactions and customary practices; this relationship historically formed the basis of Palau’s social organization, governance and system of justice. 7. Regarding achievements since the last review, the delegation stated that four and a half years ago (May 2011), the delegation of Palau had accepted 83 recommendations in total and had a time frame within which to implement them. The national report for the present review captures the implementation journey over that period. While recognizing from the outset the many challenges and difficulties to implement many of those key 3