A/HRC/11/15 Page 3 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 fourth session from 2 to 13 February 2009. The review of Germany was held at the 1st meeting on 2 February 2009. The delegation of Germany was co-headed by H.E. Gernot Erler, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and H.E. Peter Altmaier, Deputy Minister of the Interior. At its meeting held on 4 February 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Germany. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Germany: Cameroon, Republic of Korea and France. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Germany: (a) A national report submitted / written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/DEU/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/DEU/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/DEU/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Germany through the troika. These questions are available on the UPR extranet. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 1st meeting, on 2 February 2009, Mr. Erler and Mr. Altmaier presented the national report and made an opening statement. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior were responsible for the coordination of the national report. Representatives from five Ministries and other authorities and the human rights committee of the Federal Parliament, some members of which were present at this meeting, had all been involved in the preparation of the report, for which intensive consultations also were held with civil society. 6. Noting that both treaty bodies and special rapporteurs attest Germany a very good human rights record, the delegation stated that human rights are of high importance in Germany’s legal system and the country’s daily practice. Nevertheless, challenges to the comprehensive protection and realization of human rights exist. 7. Germany explained that its national report focuses on five areas: (a) Regarding asylum and integration policy, and with 15 million persons with a migration background out of a total populations of 82 million, the integration of migrants is a major challenge. Measures taken by the Government include a National Integration Plan, adopted in 2007; (b) While racism and xenophobia in parts of the population remains a concern, the federal government, the