A/HRC/10/79 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 Turkmenistan was held at the 11th meeting, on 9 December 2008. The delegation of Turkmenistan was headed by Dr. Shirin Akhmedova, Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Democracy under the President of Turkmenistan. At its meeting on 11 December 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Turkmenistan. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Turkmenistan: Chile, Gabon and the Philippines. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Turkmenistan: (a) A national report submitted / written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/TKM/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/TKM/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/TKM/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden was transmitted to Turkmenistan 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. On behalf of the Turkmen delegation, Dr. Shirin Akhmedova, Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Democracy under the President of Turkmenistan, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make their presentation on the review. She said the new Turkmenistan Government had announced, as a foreign policy priority, cooperation with international organizations and declared unwavering implementation of the international obligations undertaken by the State. 6. She said Turkmenistan is carrying out broad and important reforms in education, health, social security, in the legal sphere and in improving the well-being of people, including those living in remote areas of the country. 7. Turkmenistan has joined over 40 international organizations. In 1992, it became a full member of the United Nations and of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Turkmenistan has joined over 110 international conventions, including in the sphere of human rights protection. 8. On 26 September 2008, Turkmenistan adopted a new Constitution. Bearing in mind the State’s active international cooperation, its Parliament has created an independent provision by